Original subtitles

Boy, stop here.

Might as well get us a ball.

Julie will have plenty to drink at the party.

Party liquor always messed up with cherries and such.

Come on. Wait right here.

Driver: Yes, sir, Mr. Cantrell, sir.

Man: Man, you talk crazy.

I say, that horse is out of The Truxton Strain.

Gentlemen.

Good afternoon.

How are you, General Bogardus, sir?

Hiya, Buck, Ted.

Going to the party, General?

Yes, indeed.

See you later, then, sir.

I tell you, The Truxton Strain's the best horse blood in this state.

Here's somebody that really knows bloodlines.

Hi, Buck Cantrell, come here and help us decide a bet.

Got no time, Huger. Ted and I were just shifting.

Won't take any time at all, Buck.

Pardon, Huger, Buck got no time.

Gentlemen, Buck Cantrell got no time.

5-to-4 he doesn't know the day of the month.

I'll do better... even money he doesn't know what month.

Know what time of day it is, anyhow.

Must be getting on towards... 3:00.

If it was any later, De Lautruc would be a lot drunker.

[laughter]

Isn't it admirable Monsieur Cantrell can joke so cleverly

when he has just lost the lady of his heart?

Better not, Rene.

Yes, gentlemen.

Monsieur Cantrell has just lost his lady.

I wouldn't go on, De Lautruc.

You see, gentlemen,

Monsieur Cantrell is in bad humor

because Miss Julie Marsden is going to marry...

De Lautruc.

I thought I heard you mention a lady's name.

Must have misunderstood you, sir.

And if I did mention the name of a lady?

Why, just that a gentleman doesn't mention a lady's name in a barroom.

Are you trying to teach me manners, my friend?

Wouldn't think of trying, De Lautruc.

But I somehow don't like your hat or your ears

or anything between them.

Plain enough?

Amply, Sir. Pierre?

I have the honor

to ask you to name a friend, sir.

- I'm acting as... - Shoot, Ted.

You're much too young for this sort of thing.

Gentlemen, a moment.

Buck, I ought to get Lautruc myself.

It's my brother that's going to marry her.

That makes it much more my quarrel than yours.

Let me act for you, Buck.

Well, if you feel that bad about it.

I'd be honored to be acting for Mr. Cantrell, sir.

Will sunrise at the oaks be satisfactory?

Perfectly, sir.

What you want to make it so confounded early for?

Make it 10:00. De Lautruc ain't wild.

We don't have to sneak up on him in the dark.

Ah, oh, well. Your servant, gentlemen.

Come on, youngster. We got to get on to the party.

[speaking French]

Gentlemen, let's have another drink.

Buck, listen...

Ah, here's something I've been aiming to get for you all day.

Must have all the trimmings for Miss Julie's party.

Cantrell, one minute.

Oh, General, you riding along with us?

I have my carriage, thank you.

Cantrell, I don't like this. Miss Julie's name was mentioned.

As her guardian, I don't like her mixed up in this.

Miss Julie's name was mentioned?

Why, sir, if it was, I never heard it.

It's just that I don't like De Lautruc is all. Ah. May I?

Cantrell, you're a fool.

De Lautruc's an old hand, been out a dozen times.

The 13th's liable to be awful unlucky for De Lautruc.

You know these French, they shoot for the head. Like as not, miss.

I'm gonna shoot for the body and bust his tripes.

General Bogardus, sir, your servant.

Mrs. Kendrick, Miss Kendrick, ma'am.

Keep it in the shade, Albert.

Yes'm, Mrs. Kendrick, ma'am.

I won't have the horses standing in the sun, you hear me?

Yes'm.

Stay in your seat.

Yes'm.

Keep your hat and gloves on.

Yes'm.

And your coat buttoned.

Yes'm.

Yes'm.

Mrs. Kendrick, ma'am.

Good evening, Cato.

Honoria, how good of you to come.

Sweet of you to ask us, Belle.

And Stephanie, how pretty you look, child.

Oh, thank you, Miss Massey.

Stephanie, your manners.

I do hope we aren't late, Belle.

Late? Julie isn't here herself yet...

at her own party in her own house.

Really, I don't know what to do with that girl.

Well, I always say better late than never.

Excuse me, please, Honoria.

Mama,

please don't fault me like that before people.

Girls don't curtsy anymore.

- I read it in Godey's. - They do in New Orleans.

You've no call to take up with Yankee manners.

How do you find yourself, Mrs. Petion?

Bonjour, Noria. Stephanie.

Belle just told me Julie's late

for her own party in her own house.

But I always say, punctuality is the Politeness of kings.

Politeness was never one of Julie's virtues.

Ted, isn't it exciting?

I think your brother Pres is the luckiest man.

Well, providing he keeps a short rein on her.

Oh, you're just trying to talk like Buck Cantrell.

I wish Julie would come.

So does Aunt Belle. She's having a fit.

Tell me,

wasn't Mr. Cantrell just crushed?

Crushed?

Buck Cantrell?

Hounds all over him, Tom in there with his knife hightailing around with a bear.

The only way you could tell which was which,

he had a hat on. Laugh, I thought i'd...

yes, Miss Belle?

Theopholus, that child isn't here yet.

You're her guardian. You'll have to speak to her.

You're her Aunt, Miss Belle. Why don't you?

Girl never was on time for anything in her life.

It's outrageous of her!

Oh, time ain't so important, Miss Belle.

Seems like the longer I live, the more there is of it.

And I don't know what to say to people!

Evening, Miss Julie.

Thank you, gros bat.

Take him around, Ti Bat.

Now Ti Bat, don't stand there with your eyes bulging out like that.

He knows you're scared.

Yes'm, Miss Julie, but he bites.

Well, then you just plain bite him back.

Good evening, Uncle Cato.

Praise be, Miss Julie.

Miss Belle been nigh onto a fit.

I know I'm late.

Miss Julie, I done laid out your party dress.

Thanks, no time, Sadie. Got to go in to my guests.

Miss Julie, in them horse clothes?

They won't mind.

Good evening, everybody.

Terribly sorry to be late.

I had trouble with the Colt.

Hello, dumpling.

Julie, your riding habit?

No time to change, darling.

Stephanie.

- I think it looks lovely. - Thank you, honey.

How are you, Ted?

Fine as frog's hair.

Good evening. How do you do?

So sorry, but, you know when a Colt gets high-headed,

it's teach him his manners right now or ruin him.

Yes, that's so important, isn't it?

Hello, Molly. Excuse me, will you?

I declare!

I hope I'm broad-minded, but I must say!

I know what Stephanie would get

if she did such a thing, big as she is.

I always say spare the rod, and you spoil the child.

Woman: It sounds so thrilling, darling,

living way up north in New York.

Oh, Julie, I wish you and Pres all the happiness...

the best of health, and the most of prosperity.

Sherry, ma'am?

Molly, you said the very same thing

the last time Pres and I were engaged.

And we'll keep right on saying it until you finally get married.

My dear, the toddies are for the gentlemen.

Whiskey, Uncle Billy?

Yes'm. The very best of bourbon.

That's fine.

To the very good health of the future Mrs. Dillard.

Buck,

aren't you gonna wish me happiness, too?

What's the use? You won't get it,

marrying a traitor and going up north.

Pres is a banker, not a traitor.

I'll thank you to remember that.

I keep forgetting there's a difference,

but you won't like it in the north, Miss Julie. Tell you, that's a fact.

I'll be happy anywhere Pres is.

You won't like it at the north.

You know those little old white beans?

Horse-feed beans?

You know what they do with them in Boston?

They eat them.

Ladies and gentlemen eat them,

what I hear.

Buck, you're an idiot.

My dear, isn't Preston Dillard ever going to arrive?

I'm sorry, Mrs. Kendrick.

I tried to persuade him,

but Preston found it important

to meet with the directors of his bank.

Of course.

Business before pleasure, I always say.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a toast.

To the firm of Dillard and sons...

a venerable institution, a financial colossus,

with branches in New York,

Boston, London,

and Paris.

Man: I guess the one railroad we got is not enough, huh?

Second man: Let's see what it does before we finance another.

Man 3: It's losing money by the fistful, that's what.

Second man: Steam cars. $10 million to mess with another railroad.

Who's going to ride on them?

All joggled up with any kind of ragtag and bobtail.

What's a gentleman keep a carriage for?

What if a gentleman ain't got a carriage?

He can borrow one. What's he got friends for?

Gentlemen. Gentlemen.

We are here to listen to Mr. Dillard's plans

to finance the Nashville pacific.

Pacific? And build it east?

When they gonna ask you to build a railroad to California, Pres?

Gentlemen, I'm a banker, not a conjure man,

but I can tell you this...

New York and Boston are steadily laying in rails to the northwest.

They're tapping the whole trade of that country...

Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati,

the whole great lakes country...

beginning to ship east by rail.

And New Orleans is missing the parade.

The river's still there.

I reckon even those Yankee sharpers aren't smart enough

to turn the old Mississippi around.

The Yankee sharpers are smart enough

to turn the flow of traffic around.

The railroads are getting it.

Cursed, snorting tin teakettles...

scaring my horses.

Every time we get a Colt, I look for him to be foaled with a whale-oil headlight.

I do not think they're so healthy too. All that smoke and...

ha! Since when have you become so suddenly concerned

about what's healthy?

He's off again.

You're old enough to remember

the epidemic of '30...

or are you so old you've forgotten it?

I knew it! Quick as anybody said "health,"

doc Livingstone comes surging out of the Canebrake

hollering, "Yellow Jack."

Yes, and I'll keep right on a-Hollerin'

till you do something about cleaning up this town

and getting the filth off the streets.

I been trying to pound some sense into your knot-heads for years,

just the same as Pres is trying to do right now,

with no better luck.

But I'm warning you...

and you, Jean La Cour, member of the city council...

and all of you!

If we get us another dose of yellow fever like we had back in '30,

when there wasn't enough men alive to bury the dead,

there just isn't gonna be any town to run a railroad into.

Now, I'm telling you what's a fact.

Dr. Livingstone, let us not confuse the issue.

We are here to discuss a railroad.

Mr. Dillard?

Gentlemen, I have here the figures

on a decline in river freight.

These figures don't lie.

Last year, our riverboat...

- yes? - It's Miss Julie's boy, sir.

He insists to see you, sir.

What does he want?

He insists that Miss Julie told him to see you personally, sir.

A moment, please, gentlemen.

The lady's waiting, sir.

Is the party over?

Yes'm, Mr. Pres.

Miss Julie tell me to ask you,

would you most politely drop what you're doing and come?

Ti Bat, you tell Miss Julie

I'm in the middle of something important...

a directors' meeting. I can't leave now.

I'll see her later. She'll understand.

Yes'm, Mr. Pres, she understand, all right,

but liking it is gonna be different.

And expecting a man to go to a dressmaker's with you?

I declare, I hope Pres doesn't come.

- He will. - But, Julie...

now, dumpling, don't you fret about Pres. I been training him for years.

Like with that man-killing horse you bought.

Pres was outrageous. He had no right

to tell me what I could ride and what I couldn't.

The horse showed you what you couldn't.

You broke your collarbone and your engagement.

And they both mended,

so I was right after all.

Ti Bat: Miss Julie, ma'am.

Oh, Ti Bat, did you tell him to hurry?

Yes'm, Miss Julie, I tell him, but he ain't come...

That is, not just exactly.

That is, he say, uh...

Will you please go along?

In the middle of some directions

'cause it's important.

He can't see you later.

Did Mr. Pres say that?

Yes'm. Those his very words.

He say you understand.

Yes.

Yes, I understand perfectly.

Julie...

Julie, in a bank!

I'll get him, Miss Julie.

I'll get him.

Thank you.

Just a moment.

I'm not trying to put the bank in a $10-million proposition

without knowing what I'm talking about.

I haven't spent 6 months getting these figures together

for my album. The least you can do is give me a little...

- Mr. Dillard, sir. - Yes, what is it?

It's Miss Julie, sir. She's waiting.

I'm sorry, gentlemen.

Certainly, my boy.

Everything waits where beauty's concerned.

Julie, you shouldn't...

Pres, are you coming or aren't you?

Oh, Julie, please try to understand.

I only understand that you promised.

I know, honey, but this is important.

I don't suppose it's important that I've spent a whole month

having my ball dress made for tomorrow night.

And that you promised to come and see it fitted.

In fact, I don't suppose it's important to you what I wear to the Olympus ball.

It's only you that's so important.

I suppose Mr. La Cour and the others

couldn't possibly get on without you.

They'd love to... permanently.

- Now, Julie, you've got good sense. - Thank you.

Right now, I'm having the fight of my life in there. I've got to get back.

You just run along, I'll see you later.

Oh, no, no. Don't trouble.

I'm sure you'll be too exhausted from your terrific struggle.

Julie, you must realize...

oh, I realize only too well.

Good day, Mr. Dillard.

I'm so sorry to have troubled you.

To madame Poulard's.

Julie, it's perfectly lovely.

I don't like the color.

And does it have to be so tight here?

[speaking French]

It binds, and the skirt...

it's adorable, Julie. It really is.

[speaking French]

Pres has always loved you in white.

Yes.

If he isn't simply bowled over by it, I won't...

wait a minute.

Bring that over here.

Oui, Mademoiselle.

Saucy, isn't it?

And vulgar.

Yes, isn't it?

Come on. Get me out of this.

Julie, what are you doing?

If it fits me, I'm going to wear it to the Olympus ball.

A red dress to the Olympus ball? Why, you're out of your senses.

[speaking French]

That creature?

Julie, you heard what madame Poulard said?

That infamous Vicars woman...

Mary Vicars couldn't possibly do it justice.

Child, you're out of your mind.

You know you can't wear red to the Olympus ball.

Can't I? I'm going to.

This is 1852, dumpling.

1852, not The Dark Ages.

Girls don't have to simper around in white

just because they're not married.

In New Orleans, they do.

Julie, you'd insult

every woman on the floor.

Mademoiselle, your Aunt, she's right.

Look how beautiful this dress is.

Will you kindly get me out of this?

Julie, you can't be serious.

Never more serious in my life.

But, Julie, think of Pres!

That's just exactly what I am thinking of.

Preston, I am not convinced,

but I consider, I think.

Gentlemen, bonsoir.

Evening, La Cour.

Well, cheer up, son.

You've got La Cour to thinking, anyhow.

And that, my boy, is as good as starting a balky mule.

Took your support, doctor.

Nonsense.

I'd always be with Tom Dillard's son, right or wrong.

Best man I ever knew.

Don't breed men like that nowadays,

and you measured right up to him this afternoon.

I'm afraid not, doctor.

You been having you some little fuss with Miss Julie?

If you don't mind, sir.

Oh, certainly, certainly, my boy.

None of my business anyhow,

but speaking abstractly,

and nothing personal intended,

your generation don't understand the darlings.

Why, maybe not.

Absolutely not, my boy.

Woman, sir, is a chalice...

a frail, delicate chalice

to be cherished and protected,

but nowadays, hmph...

No proper respect for our Southern womanhood.

Think your father would have allowed

the lady of his choice

to come surging into his place of business?

What would he have done, sir?

He'd have cut him a hickory, sir, a hickory,

and he'd have flailed the living daylights out of her,

then helped put lard on her welts

and bought her a diamond brooch.

That's what he'd have done, sir,

and she'd have loved it.

Good evening, my boy.

Thank you, doctor. Good evening, sir.

Evening, Mr. Pres, sir.

Hello, Cato. Is Miss Julie about?

She's up to her room, sir.

I'll tell her you're here.

Just rest yourself in there with the folks.

Thanks, Uncle Cato.

Good evening.

Pres, I'm so glad you've come.

I thought you...

Julie said you'd quarreled again.

It's high time we all stopped hanging on every word Julie says

when most times she only half means them.

I was just telling your Aunt Belle the very same thing. That girl is...

but she just had a little fuss with Pres.

That's all. That's all, isn't it, Pres?

If you can call it a fuss, Miss Belle.

You see, Theopholus?

Now, Belle, I'm going to speak out. That girl is high-headed and willful.

Son, if you just come to realize it,

what she needs is a firm hand.

I appreciate your interest, General,

but I believe I can handle this.

Mr. Pres, sir? Miss Julie say,

will you most politely excuse her?

Is she ill?

Why, no, Pres.

She's sound as a nut.

Excuse me a moment.

Take your own good time, my boy.

Now, Belle...

♪♪ Beautiful dreamer ♪♪

[knocking]

♪♪ Wait there for me... ♪♪

[knocking]

Pres: Julie? Julie, it's Pres.

Open the door. I want to talk to you.

♪♪ For me ♪♪

[knocking]

Pres: Julie, why don't you answer?

Now, look here, Julie.

You and I have got to straighten things out.

There's no sense to all this.

I'm here because I love you,

and because I know you love me,

but there's some things we've got to see straight.

Julie, I couldn't leave the bank today. You know that.

I was just as disappointed as you were.

Now, please, Julie,

we've always had these silly quarrels.

Can't we stop?

[knocking]

Julie, why don't you answer?

[lock clicks]

Darling, if you'll just open the door,

I'm sure I could...

Julie!

[knocking]

Open this door!

Julie!

[pounding on door]

Julie...

Who is it?

Open this door!

Why, Pres...

banging on a lady's door?

I'm scandalized at you.

Well...

Did you come up here just to stand there?

Julie, how long must we go on like this?

Like what, Pres?

Fighting, fussing all the time, like a couple of children.

Why do you treat me like a child?

Because you act like one. A spoiled one.

You used to say you liked me like that, once.

You never wanted me to change.

'Member?

Julie...

Why, Pres, in a lady's bedroom!

Now you'll have to marry me.

What do you figure I aim to do?

Then kiss me again.

Would you like to see my new dress?

That's what I wanted to do all day.

Well...

Well, let me go, then.

There it is.

For the Olympus ball?

Uh-huh. Isn't it lovely?

Julie, it's red!

Mmm. It's gorgeously red.

But you can't wear red to the Olympus ball.

Why not?

You never saw an unmarried girl

in anything but white.

And you're gonna see one tomorrow night.

Julie, you can't be serious!

Are you afraid somebody will take me

for one of those girls from Gallatin Street?

- Julie! - Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot I'm a child.

I'm not supposed to know about things like Gallatin Street.

I'm just supposed to flutter around in white.

Pres: You're supposed to know better

than to scandalize the whole town.

It might be bad for the bank.

Of course.

Will you please hold another directors' meeting

and ask them to decide what I can wear?

Julie, for heaven's sake, will you be reasonable?

Were you reasonable this afternoon?

So that's it.

You're just nursing a spite.

Well, I'm not going to let you.

You've made your point, for once, you're going to do as I say.

I'm calling for you tomorrow night at 10:00.

And you're going to be dressed properly for the ball, in white.

Am I?

Oh, but of course, Preston,

if you say so.

Don't be absurd. Your own good sense will say so.

And if it doesn't?

Then, my sweet,

you and I will sit at home quietly

with our embroidery.

Good night.

Tomorrow night at 10:00.

Oh, Preston...

You forgot your stick.

So I did.

I forgot to use it, too.

So you did.

Did you call me, Miss Julie?

Yes, Zette. I've got an errand for you.

I'd rather not trust the others.

Yes'm.

Ooh-whee, Miss Julie!

This sure is the most elegantest dress! Mm-mmm!

You can have it after tomorrow.

Me, Miss Julie?

Mm-hmm... if you can keep a secret.

It's just like you ain't never said nothing.

Now, Zette, I want this delivered right away

to Mr. Buck Cantrell on chartres street.

And Zette, remember... not a word to anyone, understand?

I sure do understand, Miss Julie.

It's just like I was struck stone-dumb in both my ears.

- Well, go on. - Ooh!

Zette...

Zette, when Mr. Pres comes, give him this.

Give him this, Miss Julie?

Just give it to him. He'll understand.

Yes'm, Miss Julie, ma'am.

Good evening, Buck.

Evening, Miss Julie.

You're late.

Sorry, but I had a little business to attend to...

is it true about Mr. De Lautruc?

Don't be upset. Don't you suppose I know about the meeting?

I don't know what you mean, Miss Julie.

Is it true you killed him?

Oh, Pshaw. I never did him that bad.

Dr. Livingstone, though, he had an elegant name for it...

a fractured ful... fis... well, anyway,

it just looked like a busted hip to me.

My zing, Miss Julie, you all dressed up for a hog killing?

I hoped you'd like it.

Well, it makes me feel kind of all-overish.

Well, your note said 10:00, side entrance, Miss Julie.

What you up to?

Buck, you're taking me to the Olympus ball.

Well, you do me a great honor, Miss Julie.

Then we'd better hurry.

Just a minute, Miss Julie. You had a set-to with Pres?

Oh, I'd rather not discuss it.

Yes, we'd better, because Pres isn't going to like it.

What's the matter, Buck? Afraid Pres will call you out?

Oh, he'd do that, naturally.

Can't say I blame him much. Where do I stand, carrying his lady?

If I ask you to, isn't that enough?

Not this time, Miss Julie.

I think too much of you to help you do something you're gonna regret.

I know exactly what I'm doing.

Well, mosty likely you do, but you're wrong.

That dress could cause no end of trouble.

Folks would keenly resent you coming to the ball in it.

Well, let them. They're just petty and narrow-minded.

No, ma'am. It's just they got rules, and they go by them,

same as you and I.

And you prefer to go by your rules?

I always have, Miss Julie.

Then I'm sorry I troubled you.

Good night, Mr. Cantrell.

Good night, Miss Julie.

Pres: Evening, Uncle Cato.

Uncle Cato: Evening, Mr. Pres.

Evening, Pres.

- Evening. - Evening, Pres.

Zette, tell Miss Julie Mr. Pres is here. We're ready to go.

Well, don't stand there like a bump on a log.

Go along and tell her.

Yes'm, Miss Belle, ma'am.

Zette?

Good evening.

Well, shall we go, Pres?

Not till you're properly dressed.

You're sure it's the dress?

It couldn't be that you're afraid...

Afraid somebody will insult me

and you'll find it necessary to defend me?

May I?

Ready, Aunt Belle?

Pres, please...

we're ready, my boy.

[crowd murmuring]

Julie: Hello, Molly.

Mrs. Kendrick. Hello, dick.

- Miss Julie. - Evening, Julie.

Stephanie, we must pay our respects to Miss Zinmere.

You'll excuse us, please.

[waltz ends]

Gentlemen, you all have the privilege

of Miss Marsden's acquaintance, I think.

Gentlemen.

Miss Marsden.

Good evening, Buck.

We were just fixing to pour us a little libation.

That's right.

Shall we see you later?

Excuse me.

Oh, there's my partner now.

Uh... excuse me, please.

You haven't a partner you have to meet, Cantrell.

Why, no. Came alone.

Pleasant evening, isn't it?

Mighty pleasant.

Nice and cool.

Do you find it cool in here?

I don't find it particularly cool.

Do you, Julie?

Why... why, no.

I don't find it particularly cool.

Miss Julie doesn't find it so.

Why, no.

Now you speak of it, it's just about right.

Seems so to me.

[waltz begins]

Your servant.

Yours, Miss Julie.

Pres, I want to leave.

Why? We haven't danced yet.

- Shall we? - No.

Pres, let me go.

Take me out of here.

Psst. Psst.

[music stops]

Go on and play.

Go on and play!

Pres, let me go.

Please take me out of here.

Night, Aunt Belle.

Bye, Julie.

Is that all you've got to say to me?

There's nothing more to say.

Evidently, you've made up your mind.

No, Julie. You've made up my mind.

Good-bye, Pres.

Good-bye, Julie.

Julie, don't let him go.

Call him back.

[horses trotting away]

Julie, you're a fool!

Not such a fool.

He'll come back.

He won't.

Not this time, he won't. Believe me.

Julie, honey, let me send for him.

No. He'll come back.

Wait and see.

Yet tonight, I think.

If he does, say I've retired

and that I'm sleeping late in the morning.

Not to come round till afternoon tomorrow.

Tell him to...

Ha ha! Huger's got himself a brand-new reason

for getting liquor.

Straight bourbon and lots of it. That's a fact.

Ever hear tale of a man and his liquor

getting yellow fever?

I aim to carry all I can hold,

and I advise you gentlemen to do likewise.

Huger aims not to be carried off

by anything but drink.

[speaking creole]

It's no joking matter. Looks mighty serious.

More cases than you hear about.

Doctors call it by another name...

any name but yellow fever.

Every time I see old dead wagon,

I pour me 4 fingers of bourbon.

Yesterday, I drank nigh on to 2 quarts.

Ah, ain't any more yellow fever

than this time last year.

Never hear fever talk in racing season, do you?

Why? 'Cause folks got something better to talk about.

- Hello, gentlemen. - Hello, Dillard.

How are you, Ted? You look like you've got something working on your mind.

Pres is coming back.

Why, now, folks generally do. When did you hear the news?

Just now, from Dr. Livingstone.

He's bringing something rare and precious

from the north, he says.

What could it be, I wonder?

A stem-winding watch, maybe.

Give yourselves a breathing spell up there on the plantation.

Only a matter of a few weeks, I say, until the scare blows over.

You'll be back in time for the Mardi Gras and Olympus ball.

Is there really cause for alarm?

Well, I wouldn't go so far as that,

but the city's not going to be so pleasant.

No parties.

Theater's liable to be closed

as a precautionary measure.

The theater.

I haven't been since...

When was the last time, Aunt Belle?

Camille.

I hated it.

I wouldn't mind if I never saw another play.

I strongly urge you go.

Who knows? Maybe we are in

for another time like '30.

Heaven forbid.

Dr. Livingstone's only looking after

our best interests, I'm sure, my dear.

I am, indeed.

May I send instructions

to have the house made ready?

I'll try to persuade her, Dr. Livingstone.

Julie don't look as well as I've seen her.

It's all I can do to get her to step from this house.

Won't go outside except to ride that crazy thoroughbred of hers.

Then I'm in fear and trembling she'll break her neck.

Won't go anyplace where there's company.

Won't have company in.

Young Mr. Cantrell and the others...

she hasn't received them in months.

They've stopped calling, only leave cards.

What does she do all day long?

Tends the house as no house has ever been tended.

She's so particular, if an article is half an inch out of place

or there's a speck of dust on anything, she notices.

Makes me uneasy.

You might be interested

in a bit of news I got today.

Preston Dillard's coming back.

Arrives Friday on the packet.

What brings him?

This yellow fever business.

We two stand together on what ought to be done about it.

Now it's busted loose, he's coming back.

It's high time.

I suspect I know Julie like nobody ever will...

every crook and cranny of her.

You ought to, Miss Belle. She's more like you than you ever were.

Maybe I love her most when she's her meanest

because I know that's when she's loving most.

I'll let you know about the plantation

just as soon as I can.

Do that, Miss Belle, if you please, ma'am.

Don't bother, Miss Belle.

Good-bye, Cato.

Evening, Dr. Livingstone, sir.

I do believe Dr. Livingstone

takes pleasure in frightening people,

particularly women.

You don't remember the last outbreak.

It was dreadful.

I guess it's pretty serious.

Pres Dillard's coming home

on account of it.

Pres is coming home.

Of course.

Did you know it?

Certainly I knew it.

I knew all along.

He had to come back to me.

He couldn't help himself.

He wouldn't know how to fight

as hard as I have

to keep from going to him.

We'll be married.

I'm going to beg his forgiveness.

I was vicious and mean and selfish,

and I'm going to tell him I hated myself

for being like I was even then.

I'll humble myself before him.

And everything that ever stood between us

will be gone

when he takes me in his arms.

Child.

Perhaps we'd better go to the plantation.

Of course. That's the place for our meeting.

We'd better start packing.

Uncle Cato! Zette!

We'll give a party, dumpling.

We'll invite everybody...

a party to celebrate.

Uncle Cato, get the trunks out of the attic,

and, Zette, lay out my dresses.

Have gros bat Polish the big carriage.

And have mammy Cleo pack a basket.

Oh, and get the furniture covers out.

We're closing the house.

What are you standing there for, you two? Get a move on.

We're going to Halcyon!

♪♪ Oh, my pretty fortune ♪♪

♪♪ My flower that faded too soon... ♪♪

You guess that's plenty, Uncle Cato?

I guess so, Miss Julie.

If all that mint sticks in julep,

it's bound to be a powerful night for the gentleman.

Now, don't you forget a hard frost on the glasses.

Miss Julie, when I ever serve a gentleman a julep without the frost?

Mr. Pres sure going to know he's back home, all right.

You finish it, will you?

Zette, run a damp cloth over my mirror

and lay out my dress. I'll be up in a minute.

Yes'm, Miss Julie.

Zette, is gros bat on the lookout?

Yes'm, Miss Julie.

♪♪ Oh, my pretty fortune ♪♪

♪♪ My flower that faded too soon ♪♪

♪♪ My heart, like the strings on my banjo ♪♪

♪♪ All broke for my... ♪♪

You're gonna wear those flowers out

with fixing and fussing.

Everything's got to be right, dumpling...

just right.

Well, I guess everything is,

and you most of anything, honey.

Excited?

Feel my heart jumping.

Well, I guess I better go and dress.

♪♪...Faded too soon ♪♪

♪♪ My heart, like the strings on my banjo ♪♪

♪♪ All broke for my pretty fortune ♪♪

Zette, Zette, help me out of this.

♪♪ Oh, my pretty fortune ♪♪

♪♪ My flower that faded too soon... ♪♪

Did you hear a carriage?

Go on, Zette. See. Hurry.

♪♪...Like the strings on my banjo ♪♪

♪♪ All broke for my pretty fortune ♪♪

♪♪ Oh, my pretty fortune... ♪♪

See any carriages yet?

No carriage coming yet.

Nope. No carriages coming yet.

♪♪ All broke for my pretty fortune ♪♪

Yes?

No carriages yet.

Oh. Well, then, hook me up, Zette.

Why you never wear this dress before, Miss Julie?

It's the most prettiest dress you own.

I've been saving it for today.

Yes'm. I don't ever have no hopes

of falling heir to this dress, I don't, Miss Julie.

No, not this one, Zette.

Ti Bat: Carriages coming!

Carriages coming down yonder!

Carriages coming!

Zette...

Zette, go and see.

Gros bat: Men on horseback, too!

Hey, carriages coming!

Ti Bat: Carriages!

Gros bat: Carriages coming!

Carriages coming! Carriages!

Uncle Cato: Carriage coming!

Zette: Carriage coming!

[cheering]

Uncle Cato: We're sure glad to see you.

Oh!

Mr. Buck and Mr. Dick are on horseback!

- Keep an eye out for Mr. Pres. - Yes'm.

Buck, I'm so glad to see you.

Will you all go in and just sort of

carry on, right? Go on and make yourselves at home.

Dick, I'm so glad!

Go right in.

It's a pleasure to be here.

Yes, ma'am, I'm sure glad to see you all back.

Well, I guess it's no use my telling you folks

how glad we are to have you here.

Thanks, Miss Belle, I reckon none of us ever could forget

the hospitality at Halcyon.

Well, you stay out of my kitchen.

I haven't forgotten the time you ate my party pompano.

Miss Julie and me, we'd been bird hunting.

We were hungry, and there was that elegant pompano.

You were both of you mighty reprehensible.

Theopholus, have you heard from Preston?

No, but I had a note from Ted, he said Pres would arrive

on the packet about noon.

He'd be responsible for bringing them on over.

Noon? Well, then, they ought to be here by now.

Well, they might have had to wait

for the sheriff to pass them through the parish line.

- Pass them through? - Armed guards are patrolling the road

as far up as riverview.

They're stopping everybody coming from the city.

It's mighty bad in the city, Miss Belle, mighty bad.

We're all very fortunate to be up here.

Are any gentlefolk taken down?

Major Crandall's dead with it, for one.

Ned Warrington's got it.

No telling how many others.

You see, with a sickness in the house, they're keeping it a secret.

'Course, there's talk of shipping those who have got it

off to Lazaret Island where the lepers are.

Lazaret Island where the lepers are?

Mm-hmm. Like in '30.

Why, it ain't civilized

to condemn Christian people

to Lazaret Island!

They won't have a chance at all!

No chance at all, Miss Belle,

but maybe the rest of us will.

Theopholus, we are safe up here.

This parish always has been above the fever line.

They aim to keep it that way.

Excuse me for keeping you all standing.

Come on in and freshen up.

- Gros bat: Carriage coming! - Ti Bat: Carriage coming!

That must be Pres and Ted now.

[cheering]

Pres, my dear boy!

Aunt Belle!

And Ted!

Pres: Aunt Belle, everybody, this is Amy, my wife.

Pres, your wife?

You could have knocked me over with a feather!

Hey, Buck, there's your stem-winder.

Oh, my dear...

Pres' wife would naturally be welcome here,

but you are for your own sake.

Thank you.

Pres' brother's been so gracious in his welcome.

I really hoped that the others he loves would be the same.

Of course we will, my dear.

May I present our friends?

May I present General Bogardus?

- Delighted. - How do you do?

- Mr. Cantrell. Mr. Allen. - How do you do?

How do you do?

My dear, will you come with me?

Howdy, ma'am.

Man: Mighty nice having you back, Pres.

Uncle Cato, see that the gentlemen get their juleps.

Yes, Miss Belle.

Cato!

Praise be, master Preston!

Sure glad to see you back home.

Ted: How are you, Uncle Cato?

Excuse us, please.

You got some mint juleps?

Yes, sir. You gentlemen just follow me. Now, I'm sure...

It was kind of you to have us.

To tell the truth, I would have come anyhow.

I hope so.

I've got to go back tomorrow.

Back to the city? But Pres...

things at sixes and sevens at the bank.

The fever's left us short-handed,

but I want to ask if Amy may stay?

I want her out of the city.

Pres, perhaps it isn't convenient.

My dear, Halcyon belongs to its guests,

and Pres' wife is, of course, an honored one.

Come, my dear.

Is this your first visit south?

Yes. It's beautiful.

Strange and beautiful. And a little frightening.

Frightening?

Because of its strangeness and beauty, I suppose.

This way, my dear.

- Mmm! You haven't forgotten how. - Me, sir?

The head might forget, but the hand remembers.

Anyhow, Miss Julie, she's right in behind me all day

to fix them just the way you used to like them.

Uncle Cato, how is Miss Julie?

Miss Julie?

Why, she's just Miss Julie.

Just the same?

Well, I reckon princesses, they

just naturally grows up to be queens,

that's all.

Uncle Cato, we've known each other a long time.

I'm back now... home.

It's a special occasion.

Will you join me in one?

Why... Why, Mr. Preston,

'tain't hardly proper.

But I'll kindly take one out in the pantry

and bless you and Miss Julie.

Pres.

Are you remembering the time

you wanted me to wear white?

Are you?

Well, until now, I never have.

Cat got your tongue, Pres?

Julie...

You said that plain enough.

Pres, what fools we were.

Julie, you're lovely...

Lovelier than ever.

Pres, I can't believe it's you here.

I dreamed about it so long...

a lifetime.

No. Longer than that.

I put on this white dress for you...

To help me tell you

how humbly I ask you to forgive me.

Pres, I'm kneeling to you.

Julie, don't.

To ask you to forgive me

and love me

as I love you.

Julie, please.

Julie...

This is Amy, my wife.

Your wife?

And you're, may I say, Julie?

Pres' wife.

You're funning!

Pres: Hardly.

Married.

My felicitations, Pres.

Belle: Julie? Julie?

Yes, Aunt Belle. In here.

I was just congratulating Pres

on his marriage.

You're from the north, Mrs. Dillard?

New York.

She was a Miss Bradford.

Isn't that what you told me, my dear?

Yes.

Bradford.

Amy Bradford...

From New York.

I'm very happy to welcome you to Halcyon.

Thank you.

You have such charming customs here.

You may find our customs,

as you call them,

different from those of your country.

I did want to meet you.

Pres has told me so much about you.

Everything, I suppose.

Are you very surprised about our getting...

we louisianians are very impulsive.

I wouldn't be surprised at whatever Pres did.

Julie, the others will be coming down.

Oh, yes, Aunt Belle. Of course.

Would you excuse us a moment?

Julie...

Julie, child, I'm so sorry.

For heaven's sakes, don't be tender with me now.

Do you think I want to be wept over?

I've got to think, to plan, to fight.

But you can't fight marriage.

Marriage, is it?

To that washed-out little Yankee?

Pres is mine. He's always been mine.

And if I can't have him...

why, Buck!

Miss Julie.

You don't know how glad I am to see you.

And I am most pointedly delighted to see you, Miss Julie.

Most pointedly delighted.

William Lloyd Garrison is a fanatic.

Wendell Phillips is another.

They've made a mighty touchier situation.

But I can't believe that the intelligent men up north

are plotting to destroy our sovereign rights.

You sound right calm now, sir, but they tell me you were raring to go

when you joined up with Andy Jackson

to fight the British.

I was a lot younger then, Cantrell, and a lot foolisher.

What Buck's been saying doesn't sound foolish to me.

Most of it makes sense.

And I'll take the rest on faith.

Why, Miss Julie, that's the first time you ever said I talked sense.

Well, you don't much,

but it's refreshing to see a man who knows his own mind.

Don't you think so, Pres?

It's hard to know your mind sometimes.

If only we could put away this stale old quarrel.

Mrs. Kendrick: Exactly. I always say

let sleeping dogs lie.

Trouble is those abolitionists don't act like sleeping dogs.

They're scratching their fleas all over the place.

Looks to me like we'll have to hang a few to get us any peace.

This William Lloyd Garrison

would look elegant that way.

I'm afraid your problems wouldn't be solved

by hanging Mr. Garrison, Mr. Cantrell.

Why, there's plenty more, mistress Dillard.

I named Garrison because he's a traitor by his own say-so.

And there's such meanness in a traitor.

Don't you think so, Pres?

Julie spoke to you, Pres.

Excuse me.

Oh, just small talk. Don't trouble.

I'm sorry. Tonight, I'm haunted.

Haunted?

Pres: Only by memories, Uncle Cato.

It's just coming back here.

All my childhood summers... there's so much to remember.

Remembering? A forward-looking young banker?

Even a banker has memories.

Well, he ought to kill them, then, or laugh at them.

But I interrupted you, Buck.

You were just about to hang somebody for a traitor.

Why, for an abolitionist, Miss Julie.

I think it was Voltaire who said, "I disagree with everything you say,

"and I will defend to the death

your right to say it."

Pres, that don't make sense.

Maybe Pres got a little beyond us, Buck.

We ignorant southerners simply expect a gentleman

to go by his raising.

I think we're all agreed on that.

Here's how I see it. Cotton is king.

Folks are bound to ship cotton downriver.

So how can New Orleans keep from being

the greatest city in America,

fever or no fever?

I'm afraid there's more than fever the matter.

Being up north seems to have changed your point of view.

I hate to say this,

but in a war of commerce, the north must win.

That's a mighty curious thing for a southerner to say.

It strikes me that way,

but maybe Pres has learned why up north.

If you must have it, it will be a victory of machines

over unskilled slave labor.

Preston!

I don't know that I like that, Dillard.

You're not expected to like it.

You'll like it a lot less when it happens.

You talk mighty like a black abolitionist.

I think you know I'm no abolitionist.

I believe the tide has turned against us,

but I'll swim against that tide

just as far as you will, Cantrell.

General: Sure, we're all of one mind here.

We hate an abolitionist as we hate the devil.

Naturally we claim the right to the customs we were born to,

even some of us who question the value of those customs.

I like my convictions undiluted,

same as I do my bourbon.

Frankly, I'm not impressed by Preston's nightmares.

I've had dreams myself, but they never come to much.

They slip away from you.

And you wonder how you could have been so silly.

Sure is a fact, Miss Julie.

There was one very curious one I had.

I'd certainly admire to hear it.

Oh, heavens, I wouldn't think of boring our guests.

Shall we go into the drawing room, ladies?

You can bore me, Miss Julie.

Perhaps to you later, to you alone.

We'll be in the drawing room, gentlemen.

You can find us.

You can lay 10-to-1 on me, Miss Julie.

Gentlemen.

Stephanie, what you giggling about now?

Oh, nothing, mother.

- Your health, sir. - Thank you.

It's mighty good to have you back, Pres.

With times so unsettled,

- we need our good men about us. - Looks like it, sir.

If the Yankee nation don't let us be,

we'll have to go up there and teach them manners.

I'm afraid facts are against you doing it as easy as that.

I think your facts are mostly to scare women

and sell northern bonds.

- Cantrell... - I don't like to hear that.

One fact you can't deny...

that we're the guests of a charming hostess.

Sorry, General.

Most likely, I've misunderstood you, sir.

I don't think you misunderstood, sir.

I expressed an opinion. There was nothing personal about it, take it as you like.

If it wasn't personal, I'm satisfied.

Just understand, Cantrell,

the question of your being satisfied about my opinions

is of no importance to me.

Gentlemen, gentlemen. Don't look like we're in the mood

for political discussion tonight.

Come. Shall we go in to the ladies?

I'm with you there, General.

Shucks, Buck, we're all friends here. Old friends.

General: Naturally, we are. Come along.

Buck seems dead set to pick a quarrel with you.

That's nothing new for Buck.

And Julie, she's set herself up to fascinate Buck

like a Gallatin Street girl.

Great ladies and Gallatin Street girls,

my dear brother, have a lot in common.

Look here. Has Julie been...

The less you crack your teeth,

the longer you'll have them, youngster.

Ted! Pres!

Julie wants you both right away.

Miss Massey's going to play for us.

Thanks, Stephanie. Coming, Pres?

Yes, of course.

Uncle Cato.

Yes, sir, Mr. Pres?

How's Miss Julie been?

Is she seeing lots of people? I mean...

no, sir. She ain't. She ain't seen nobody much.

Just stay in the house or ride the horse.

Mr. Pres, your lady take tea or coffee in the morning?

I hear folks is mighty curious up north.

Coffee.

Uncle Cato, has Mr. Cantrell been up here?

I mean, before today.

No, sir, he ain't. No company at all.

[piano playing softly]

Thanks, Uncle Cato.

Yes, sir, Mr. Pres.

Pres, why did you do it?

Why, Pres?

Because I love her.

But you'd had my love.

And lost it.

Wasn't that memory more real

than anything she had to give to you?

Don't be cross with me, Pres.

Just tell me. You must.

Pres: Please, don't, Julie.

Shall I cry for you?

Nobody ever made me cry but you,

and that was only twice.

Do you remember?

Yes.

How much do you remember?

Everything you ever said or did.

But that's past now, Julie...

done, finished.

I ought to have come to you.

I wanted to so terribly.

It's because I wanted to so much

that I couldn't.

You do understand that, don't you, Pres?

I didn't understand. I just knew what you did.

But you had to come home, didn't you?

You had to come back to the country

and the things you know because you belong here.

Nothing can change that.

Pres, listen.

Can you hear them?

The night noises.

The mockingbird in the magnolia.

See the moss hanging from the moonlight.

You can fairly taste the night, can't you?

You're part of it, Pres.

And it's part of you...

Like I am.

You can't get away from us, Pres.

We're both in your blood.

This is the country you were born to,

the country you know and trust.

Your country, Pres.

Amy wouldn't understand.

She'd think there'd be snakes.

Julie, please.

Oh, it isn't tame and easy like the north.

It's quick and dangerous, but you trust it.

'Member how the fever mist smells

in the bottoms...

rank and rotten...

but you trust that, too,

because it's part of you,

just as I'm part of you,

and we'll never let you go.

Pres, you're afraid.

Miss Julie, I thought we'd lost you.

That's a right nice little Yankee...

pretty as a red wagon,

but trying to talk to...

poor Buck. That must have been something.

I tried her on horses.

She told me about a policeman's horse

she used to feed sugar to back north.

Then I tried her on hound dogs.

She thinks a Walker hound is one that walks.

My zing, don't they educate the women up north?

She's just plain ignorant.

Northern girls are just educated differently.

She probably knows calculus.

Oh, sure, Miss Julie, any flower wench knows calculus...

by calculation,

out of sidereal maid.

Won the ranger stakes in '47.

What's the matter? You ache anywhere?

Oh, it's nothing.

It is.

Look here, Miss Julie. You were out here

a mighty long time with Pres Dillard.

Oh, please, Buck.

Pres had just been punishing the Brandy.

My back teeth!

Did he lose his capacity

to drink like a gentleman in the north, too?

What's he think a lady's house is, a riverboat bar?

- What did he do? - Oh, Buck.

I wouldn't have some silly thing I said

be the cause of anything.

Miss Julie, you won't be the cause of anything.

Depend on me.

Thank you, Buck.

[distant boom]

That's the Cannon from New Orleans.

You can hear it when the wind's right.

Ted: There it goes again.

Wind has shifted to the south.

I can't bear loud and sudden noises.

Even firecrackers give me palpitations.

Well, what is it?

It's the fever Cannon down in the city.

- Fever Cannon? - Yes.

At night, they set tar barrels blazing on every street corner.

And the Washington artillery fire Cannon to fight the plague.

What good does that do?

Why, everybody knows it starts air currents

to carry the fever away.

[distant boom]

They might better drain the swamps and clean up the city.

Is that what they do in Yankee land?

They do, and a lot of other customs up north

that will bear copying.

Eating horse-feed beans, maybe.

Everyone to his own taste.

I'll have to remind you, sir, that my wife is a northerner and a stranger here.

Buck: And you talk like you're the same.

- See here, Buck. - Ted, please.

I'm sorry, but this subject

is an unwelcome one. Excuse me, Julie,

but as mistress of the house,

you'll agree with me, I'm sure.

Why, Aunt Belle, I wouldn't think of forbidding any subject

to my guests.

Uncle Cato: Mr. Pres, sir?

Here come a white gentleman looking for you.

Hello, Jenkins. What is it?

Dr. Livingstone sent me.

Mr. La Cour's down bad with the fever.

The doctor says you better come right down.

Pres: Of course. Send a boy for my carriage.

But Mr. Pres, sir, you told him

he'd go visiting with his folks down in riverview.

Belle: Bat will drive you, of course.

- Yes, hurry up, bat. - Mr. Dillard, Mr. La Cour's bad.

He wants to talk some bank business to you before...

Well, before it gets too late.

Was I you, I'd ride. Be quicker.

All right.

Belle: You'll stop at Halcyon tonight, Mr. Jenkins.

Make the journey back at your pleasure.

Jenkins: Gracious of you, mistress Massey,

but I must return at once.

Belle: Well, then you'll need a fresh mount.

There's by-a-Belle and donacon in the stables.

Bat will go with you to bring the horses back.

- Go along, bat, and saddle. - Yes'm, Miss Belle.

Thank you, Aunt Belle.

Pres, I ought to go with you.

No, honey, this won't take long. When our boy gets back,

you come down the carriage.

- Ted, will you get me a coat? I'm gonna put on some boots. - Right away.

- You take care of her. Be right back. - Belle: Sure, Pres.

Belle: Would you care to freshen up, Mr. Jenkins?

Jenkins: Thank you, ma'am.

Theopholus, would you mind?

Theopholus: Gladly.

Why, erroneus!

What are you two doing here?

Zette done said for us to make inquiries

when we all was to sing with you and mas' Pres.

Just another old custom, Mrs. Dillard.

Tell Zette they can come up anytime.

Yes'm.

What time, Miss Julie?

Ain't you hear? She done say anytime.

That don't mean nothin'.

It sure do.

Julie: Of course it does, errata. Just you tell her.

Yes'm, Miss Julie.

It do.

It don't.

I hope you'll all forgive me.

Good-bye, Mrs. Kendrick. Good-bye.

We understand perfectly, Pres.

Now, darling, don't fret about me.

I'll try not to.

You'll look after Amy, won't you, Ted?

You needn't have asked.

Good-bye. Good-bye, everybody.

Good-bye, Preston.

Good-bye, Pres.

Good-bye, Julie.

I do hope everything will be all right.

It always is.

'Course, it's a pity Pres had to leave now,

but I suppose his bank comes first.

You don't find that admirable, Miss Marsden?

Oh, admirable, I suppose.

Just seems to me there are other things more interesting.

I imagine Buck finds it so.

Why, Miss Julie, I never go into a bank if I can help it.

Seems like they're mostly studying

how to get something away from somebody.

I wouldn't say that, Buck.

What Mr. Cantrell means is most folks down here

prefer other pursuits, like planting.

You needn't apologize for Mr. Cantrell.

I'm sure he's capable of defending his own insinuations.

Why, mistress Dillard, ma'am,

I surely didn't mean to offend.

Of course, Amy. Buck didn't realize what he was saying.

- He doesn't even realize how Julie's using him. - General: Ted.

How do you mean that, son?

I just don't get the sense of it,

but it don't sound polite.

You know right well what I mean.

Julie's been egging you on...

first against Pres, and now his wife.

- Ted, be quiet. - I meant what I said.

Well, let's figure I didn't hear, then.

And boy, I'd keep Miss Julie's name

out of your conversation.

You're fool enough to defend

what you don't even understand?

Buck, don't you pay any attention to him.

I don't see anybody that needs any defense.

If I did, I'd make out to defend them, yes.

Let's put it this way, Mr. Cantrell.

All evening long,

I thought you coarse and loud

and not a gentleman.

That's better. No need for that.

Very well, Mr. Dillard, sir.

I'd be glad of your kindness, dick.

Happy to do you the honor,

you young jackass.

Buck, you surely don't mean to...

why, Aunt Belle, I don't mean nothing at all.

Just talking.

What do they mean to do, Aunt Belle?

Julie: Buck!

Of course, you're joking.

Joking, ma'am?

Buck, I forbid you, as a guest in my house.

Forbid me what, ma'am?

To do what you're planning.

I don't know what you mean, Miss Julie.

Oh, stop playacting!

Your stupid code. It's for fools!

You, too, beginning to think our customs are old-fashioned?

Oh, Buck, I beg you. This mustn't happen.

I don't understand.

I guess there's a lot I don't understand.

Woman: ♪♪ If I live until next spring ♪♪

♪♪ Gonna get a wedding ring ♪♪

♪♪ Bring down Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ Bring down my darling ♪♪

♪♪ Bring down Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ Bless you, my lovely ♪♪

♪♪ Bring down Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ Bring down my darling ♪♪

♪♪ Bring down Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ Bless you, my lovely ♪♪

♪♪ Back came Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ Back came my honey ♪♪

♪♪ Come back, Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ That's right, my lovely ♪♪

♪♪ Back came Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ Back came my honey ♪♪

♪♪ Come back, Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ That's right, my honey ♪♪

♪♪ Somebody's calling my number... ♪♪

Naturally, you'll apologize to Buck.

General Bogardus,

may I put myself in your hands?

You'll be good enough to make the arrangements.

Ted, listen to me. You can't do this! You must ap...

♪♪ Bring down Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ Bless you, my lovely ♪♪

♪♪ If I live until next fall ♪♪

♪♪ Susie came, Susie came... ♪♪

Uncle Theo, you won't let this go any further, will you?

Mighty little I can do about it now.

Naturally, I'll do everything I can.

Whatever it is, you must do it.

Isn't this what you wanted, Julie?

Or did your plans go astray?

♪♪ Susie came, Susie came ♪♪

♪♪ The old cow passed, and the buzzard danced ♪♪

♪♪ Susie came, Susie came ♪♪

♪♪ Bring down Miss Susie Girl ♪♪

♪♪ Bring down my lovely ♪♪

♪♪ Bring down Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ Bless you, my lovely... ♪♪

We women can start the men quarreling often enough.

We can't ever stop them.

♪♪ Susie came, Susie came ♪♪

♪♪ Back came Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ Back came my honey ♪♪

♪♪ Come back, Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

♪♪ That's right, my honey ♪♪

♪♪ Back came Miss Susie Gal ♪♪

Come on! Let's raise a ruckus tonight!

♪♪ Come 'long, chilluns, little chilluns, come along ♪♪

♪♪ While that moon is shining bright ♪♪

♪♪ Get on board, go down the river ♪♪

♪♪ Gonna raise a ruckus tonight ♪♪

♪♪ Come 'long, chilluns, little chilluns, come along ♪♪

♪♪ While that moon is shining bright ♪♪

♪♪ Get on board, go down the river ♪♪

♪♪ Gonna raise a ruckus tonight ♪♪

[softer] ♪♪ Come 'long, chilluns ♪♪

♪♪ Little chilluns, come along ♪♪

♪♪ While that moon is shining bright... ♪♪

Julie.

Come on, sing, Aunt Belle.

Have the little Yankee join in.

♪♪ Gonna raise a ruckus tonight... ♪♪

We have such charming customs down here.

♪♪ While the moon is shining bright... ♪♪

That's why I wore my white dress tonight.

I'm being baptized.

♪♪...Raise a ruckus tonight ♪♪

♪♪ Come 'long, chilluns, little chilluns, come along ♪♪

♪♪ While that moon is shining bright ♪♪

♪♪ Get on board, go down the river ♪♪

♪♪ Gonna raise a ruckus tonight ♪♪

[laughter]

You'd no business to take him up,

a youngster that's never been out before.

Why, if he's going to talk man-size,

he's got to act man-size.

- But, Buck... - why, dick, he's lucky.

All I aim to do is clip a wing

fix him so he won't fly too high.

Mighty nervous feeling,

first time you face shot.

Wish I could tell him,

but that would be highly irregular.

Anyhow, it might hurt his feelings.

Don't be a fool, Ted.

Buck has offered twice to accept an apology.

He doesn't want to fight you.

You realize what you're up against.

I've had the benefit

of Buck Cantrell's skill and experience.

I'll make the best use of it I can.

Man: Gentlemen, take your places.

Remember, gentlemen, you turn and fire

at the count of 10.

Very good, sir.

Places.

Are you ready?

At your service, sir.

Ready, sir.

Gentlemen, 1... 2... 3...

4... 5... 6...

7... 8... 9...

10!

[gunshots]

Are you savages, you southerners?

[sniffling]

Woman: Whee!

[talking excitedly]

Good morning.

What brought you all out so early?

It's a grand morning. I couldn't resist it.

Where are the gentlemen?

You know very well where they are.

Oh, yes, at a meeting.

A silly custom,

but part of what we southerners call our chivalry.

You know, sometimes, I envy them.

To face the one you hate, to kill or be killed,

to settle something.

We can't do that. We're women.

Oh, Zette, aren't they beautiful?

Zette: Yes'm, Miss Julie,

right nice and pretty.

"Right nice and pretty."

Pretty enough for Ted's grave.

[crying]

Ted!

Buck's dead.

I never saw a man die before.

He knew what you had done.

Before he died, he told me so.

Miss Amy, we're leaving,

if you'll get ready.

Thank you, General.

Miss Molly, you'll ride back with us.

Dick will follow.

I quite understand, Uncle Theo.

My respects, ma'am.

I'll arrange to turn my guardianship over

to the bank.

Julie...

Mrs. Kendrick: Stephanie.

All right, Zette.

Well, say it!

What are you thinking?

I'm thinking of a woman called jezebel,

who did evil in the sight of god.

[gunshot]

[dogs yelping]

He's to bury.

More killing.

Man: Sorry, gentlemen. Case of had-to.

Fugitive?

No. Just a poor fool who was crazy enough to think

he could run the fever line.

Has it spread this far?

Sure, spreading like wildfire all along the river, Yellow Jack is.

We got orders to shoot if we have to whoever tries to pass

the parish boundaries, coming or going.

You mean no one can get downriver to New Orleans?

Man: That's the law, gentlemen.

Mind if we leave the body here

till we can get a wagon?

I'm sorry, ladies.

You heard what the sheriff said.

Uncle Cato!

Bring the baggage back in.

Ladies and gentlemen,

my home is yours, as always.

That's today's crop for Lazaret Island.

[arguing]

Excuse me.

Good evening, gentlemen.

Good evening.

Bartender: Dillard, bourbon?

- Certainly, doctor. - Make mine double.

Well, they might as well now.

Good a time as any.

Ain't that kind of unusual for you, son?

You telling me what I can drink?

Why, Pres.

Lord.

Dr. Livingstone, I don't know why I said that.

Don't you feel right, son?

Kind of edgy, maybe.

It's been a tough day.

I caught a chill walking up.

Chill? You better be easing down.

With La Cour gone, we want you to clear up that mess in the bank.

Man: Saw him myself, day before yesterday.

Second man: Well, I saw him an hour ago.

You think I don't know a dead man when I see one?

And him laying in his coffin? His folks brought the body down.

What happened now?

Huger here claims Buck Cantrell is dead.

- What? Buck dead? - Fever? - Huger, you're crazy.

I'll give 20-to-1 Buck Cantrell's to bury.

I'll give 10-to-1

Ted Dillard shot him in a duel.

Ted Dillard follows him round like a hound dog.

Ted Dillard? And Buck? The best pistol shot in Louisiana?

- Come on! - Oh ho ho!

20-to-1! Any takers?

I believe I heard you make a private matter

that concerns my family the subject of a bet.

Why, Dillard, I'm mighty sorry.

It's not a thing to bet on.

No. I reckon you're right.

Only there's been so many dead folks lately that...

why, Dillard.

Why...

Man: A Yellow Jack!

Yellow Jack!

Get back!

Get out of here!

One of you lend a hand here.

Ain't no one of you got enough whiskey in him

to give you a little courage?

You're going to let him lie here,

you drunken blaggards?

If one of you don't help me,

every mother's son of you whose face I remember I'll call out...

if you live through this epidemic...

to be challenged!

You, Loren!

Taylor! Lanois!

Come on!

Come on!

Some rice, dick?

No, thank you.

More gumbo, Uncle Theo?

Thank you.

Serve the wine, Uncle Cato.

Miss Julie, please, ma'am.

Bat, he just come.

Say Dr. Livingstone sent him back.

Mr. Pres, he got the fever bad.

The fever?

Pres? It can't be.

Yes'm. He take him to your house, Miss Julie,

'cause the hotel folks won't take him in.

He said you all get there right away quick

before they hustle him off to that leper place.

Leper place? What does he mean?

Lazaret Island,

where they ship the fever victims.

Cato, get our carriage.

Dick: But Ted, you can't get through.

Cato, have a couple of horses saddled.

Ted, you come with me. You all stay here.

Miss Amy, I can't promise, but I'll get a pass

from the governor, short of killing.

You and Miss Amy be dressed and ready.

We'll be back as soon as we can.

- Bat. - Yes'm, Miss Julie?

Go on and eat. Go on.

How come they let you through the fever line? Sit down and eat.

They never, Miss Julie. I just kind of oozed through.

How?

When the white gentlemen stop me just out of town,

I leave the horse with some folks I know,

and go walking across the back of the pass.

'Cause I bound to get back to Halcyon.

I just kind of squinched through The Cane by The Bayou.

You swam The Bayou?

No, ma'am, Miss Julie.

I scared of them gators.

I just kind of find me a double-end boat.

Oh, 'tain't like I steal, Miss Julie.

I'm fixin' to take it back.

You are. You're going back right now. And I'm going with you.

Zette, get me a cloak.

I'll meet you at the smokehouse.

- Now go on, hurry. - But Miss Julie! Miss Julie, ma'am!

It's too risky for a white lady, Miss Julie.

Me, I kind of mix in with the night.

But them shore folks ain't fooling. They're shooting first

and asking afterwards.

Bat, you hear me? We're going!

But, Miss Julie!

Get me a coat.

[knock on door]

[pounding]

All right! I'm coming. I'm coming.

[coughing]

Miss Julie!

Doctor, is Pres still here?

Why, yes, ma'am.

Oh, thank heaven!

Gros bat, all right, go around to the quarters. And thank you.

How is he?

As well as can be expected.

He's up in your room, Miss Julie.

I had to bring him here. No hotel would take him, of course.

Naturally. His place is here.

Miss Julie!

I don't think you ought to go up there.

[muttering]

...blood.

Pres: That's Louis' blood.

You oughtn't to be in here, Miss Julie.

Yellow Jack's mighty catching.

Pres.

Pres: Hurts my head.

Just keep on applying the cold compresses.

That's all we can do.

[muttering]

[water splashes]

Get some ice.

Yes, ma'am.

Be quick.

[muttering]

[knocking on door]

[knocking]

Why, Miss Belle, how did you all get through?

We got a pass from the governor.

- Pres is here? How is he? - Yes.

You Mrs. Dillard?

Yes.

Well, he's no better, he's no worse. That's something.

Please take me to him.

Yes, ma'am.

Pres, dear.

Please, doctor, you must tell me.

Then it's true. They're going to take him away?

It was the only thing I could decently do.

I'll bet he'd kill first.

There's been enough of killing, son.

Pres is a fever patient.

I had to report him so.

You reported him?

Have you any idea what would happen to New Orleans

now if folks got to thinking there was one law for the rich

and another for the poor?

Mistress Dillard, I put Pres on his first horse.

I caught his daddy out of the saddle

when he died at buena vista ahead of his men.

Pres is beyond talking for himself,

but I know him and I know his breeding.

I know what he'd say.

He's a man of honor.

I've got to get on down to the wharf.

Miss Julie, you're looking mighty worn-out.

You better get yourself some sleep.

Otherwise, we'll be sending you off to the island, too.

Amy: Doctor.

Doctor!

When they come for Pres, I'm going with him.

Mistress Dillard.

You must arrange it so that I can go with my husband.

But it's unthinkable.

Will you arrange it? You must, doctor.

You're asking a mighty terrible thing, mistress Dillard.

Oh, doctor, will you?

I know what I'm asking. Will you?

Yes, if you want it.

Thank you.

[door closes]

Amy.

Of course it's your right to go. You're his wife.

But are you fit to go?

Loving him isn't enough.

If you gave him all your strength, would it be enough?

- I'll make him live or die with him. - Amy.

Amy, do you know the creole word

for fever powder, for food and water?

How to talk to a sullen, overworked black boy

and make him fear you and help you?

Pres' life and yours will hang on things just like that.

And you'll both surely die.

Then it will have to be that way.

It's not a question of proving your love

by laying down your life for Pres.

Nothing so easy.

Have you the knowledge and the human strength

to fight for his life and for your own

as one will have to fight?

Amy, it's no longer you or me.

What do you mean?

I'll make him live. I will.

Whatever you might do, I can do more.

'Cause I know how to fight better than you.

Amy, if you knew the horror of that place.

It isn't a hospital.

It's a desolate island haunted by death.

They'll put Pres in an open shed with 100 others.

You must be there with him day and night,

watching every breath he draws...

you must bathe him, keep him clean,

give him drugs,

fight for his food and water.

You must keep the living from him, and the dead.

Be there by him, with your body

between him and death.

- Amy, i... - [knock on door]

[pounding]

[door opens]

Where is he?

Upstairs.

End of the hall.

I'm not afraid.

No, you're not afraid.

You're the bravest woman I ever saw.

I even believe you have the courage to save him...

By giving me the right to go in your place.

You aren't afraid to die.

I boldly ask a greater sacrifice in Pres' name...

his life.

And for yourself?

I'm asking for the chance to prove

I can be brave and strong and unselfish.

Help me, Amy.

Help me make myself clean again as you are clean.

Let me prove myself worthy

of the love I bear him.

Julie, tell me...

Something that only you can tell me.

Does Pres still love you?

He himself might not know, but you would.

Amy, you must let me go with him.

Tell me.

What does it matter who he loves?

It's his life that matters.

Tell me.

We both know.

Pres loves his wife.

Who else would he love?

Not me, surely.

I've done too much against him.

You see, I never knew how to be gentle and brave as you are.

Had there been any love in his heart for me,

I'd have taken him from you.

I tried it and failed...

Because he loves only you.

I'm grateful to you for telling me,

but I had to know.

[footsteps]

Amy!

God protect you and Pres.

[cannon fires]