Original subtitles

Got your Christmas shopping done?

I still got the wrapping ahead of me. I'll let the elves do my wrapping.

Elves? Well, not your usual elves, but they wrap a mean gift.

Yeah, I'll bet you. With a little eggnog, candlelight, fire in the

fireplace, hot music.

Hey, tis the season. Elves love it, man.

Hi. Reverend Warward didn't expect you so early.

Well, we understand this is special.

Heard so much about the bell on the news, we're just glad to be of help. I

cannot... Wait.

They said you could never raise the money to buy this bell.

Did you do it? We did!

It's just magnificent.

Cast in Rome, 1428.

Its little village church was destroyed in the war.

And the bell has been without a home ever since.

And we may have a problem.

What?

Okay, back to the decorations.

Everyone has work to do.

What's wrong?

A swing armature.

Corrosion in father time.

That won't hold the weight. That bell's gonna fall.

Oh, Bob, isn't there anything we can do?

Well, cast a new armature, but that'll take time.

Christmas Eve.

If we get it into the shop this morning, we can probably... No, we'll do it.

We'll get it back for you. Oh, you have to. You just have to. Okay.

Why don't you get started, and I'll write out the work order.

All right. Now, that's Doris Stenfield, was it? Right.

Thank you very much.

You will be careful with it, won't you?

Yes, very good.

I give you all my personal promise.

Bye-bye.

It'll take a week to fix that Mimeo machine, but they're going to print our

Christmas bulletin for us. Say, who was that?

The contractors came early. It's a good thing, too. The bell needs fixing.

Well, Doris, this isn't the company I called.

Oh, Jim, they've got the bell.

You don't have to go. Hit it, Reverend, or they'll get away.

Would you believe it? He's trying to tag us. I thought a church would show a

little faith.

This is not going to look good to the bishop.

I'm the Reverend Warmer, officer. I'll pay for all this. I'm terribly sorry.

Yeah, well, I've heard of fighting commercialism at Christmas time,

Reverend, but it's a little too much, isn't it?

Really something.

The tree, the nativity, the holly, the candles, the altar.

Man, kids, you're fantastic.

You know, this is what Christmas is all about.

Peace and love.

They made everything themselves.

They can all be proud of this.

Don't you feel good about that?

I guess.

You gonna bring back the bell?

See, our church had no bell.

And the bell had no church.

I told the children a story about that.

They decided they were going to raise enough money to buy the bell.

Worked at it for a whole year.

The bell has become a neighborhood symbol. Unity, achievement.

I understand your feelings, but I guess you know you're pretty lucky. You could

have made a bad situation a whole lot worse.

Yeah, I did some very sinful driving.

I was just trying to get their license number to report.

Children have been planning for months to ring that bell on Christmas Eve. The

lettering on the van was probably magnetic, easy to change or remove.

So the odds are against us?

They usually are, Reverend Jim, but don't lose hope.

Lose hope? Hey, kids, you gonna lose hope?

No!

It's my Christmas sermon.

Children.

The hope of the world.

On Christmas morning, I take the graveyard shift for Douglas.

Okay, and then New Year's, he takes the first four hours for me. No, Douglas

covers for me on New Year's Day. Now, hold it, hold it. Hacker takes New

Year's Day, Bear. I take the swing shift on the 24th, and you cover Bonnie on the

28th. I keep telling you, I got the court appearance on the 28th. Okay, all

right. Hey, can one of you guys cover my shift on the 28th?

No, we're on duty the 28th. Yeah, we got to cover Jones and McGrath. So who's for

you to cover Bonnie on the 28th?

Okay, let's start them.

Come on, here we go. Now, half be free on the first.

Maybe one of these years, we won't work Christmas watch.

Yeah, well, we're single. That's why we get New Year's. Seems fair, huh?

Yeah, New Year's is fun, but Christmas is special, you know?

Family and everything.

Well, Potts, that's why the married guys have the preference. But I'll tell you,

maybe you can marry one of your elves, huh?

One, yeah, but what do I do about the others?

Hey!

They're back!

He's got it. Come on.

Why me?

Well, uh, think of a reason, huh?

Yeah.

I'll do it in the spirit of the season.

There are three days till Christmas, son.

People rushing around, getting ready for the family reunion, family dinner, the

tree. But us, we work.

There are aggressive theft rings out there robbing people, so we remain

alert. Maximum enforcement effort.

Concentrate on hazardous violations.

And remember, for every Christmas excuse you get out there, you may have saved a

life and kept a family together.

That goes double for everybody working Christmas Day.

Yes, well, I was coming to that, but it's hard to tell who's working on

Christmas Day.

Can anybody read this?

I found this on the bulletin board. It's the, uh, duty schedule.

Now, I count 116 changes on this thing, and we only have 100 officers assigned

to this station.

Now, according to this, what we have working on Christmas Day is, uh, either

88 motorcycles or eight, uh, or 41 cars and, uh, one car.

Or three motorcycles and no cars, or 40 cars and no motorcycles.

Remember last year and the year before?

Last year and the year before, I had to settle this by canceling every mutual

swap you had made.

Same thing again this year.

Ah, well, I'm gonna do the same thing again.

As of now, no body-for-body trades unless I make them.

Married men who want Christmas day off, you come see me. I will make up the

Christmas watch.

That is all.

Gotta have it his way.

What a downer. He can spoil things for a lot of people.

Look, Gautreur's gonna be working Christmas whether he likes it or not.

That's right, and he's a family man.

I'm still not coming on the 28th.

I bet you can do something about that.

Hey, people are sure giving a lot of this sports stuff this year.

I just might keep this thing and get in real good shape.

Did you get a chance to check the classified for that talk job?

Yeah, I did.

It was a nice clean station wagon.

78 Country Squire.

Low mileage, excellent condition, must sell.

34.20 cent an hour place. Terrific. How about taking a little drive?

Drive. Oh, okay. Sure.

What's the matter, Alice? You okay?

Oh, Bob, I don't know. It's just... It's just that stupid bell.

I mean, it's never gonna bring enough money for me to forget... those kids'

faces. Hey, kids gotta grow up sometime.

Come on.

Now, your buddy Roger, whatever his name is, has a buyer for the bell, right? I

know, but I just don't think... So, he'll sell it?

You'll forget about it.

Then you and I... go up to Mammoth, do a little skiing over New Year's, okay?

Okay?

Okay.

Making it big this season, babe.

Let's get changed and go check out that wagon.

Okay.

Hi. My name's Tom, and this is my wife, Veronica.

How do you do?

We saw your ad. May we take a look?

Oh, yes, the car.

By all means, I'll get the keys. Excuse me.

Why don't you pop the hood for me? Okay.

My husband and I decided to do some belt tightening, and that's why we want to

sell.

Well, I have a street load of kids I have to drive around.

Oh, I know what you mean.

It is nice and clean, Tom.

Yeah.

Why don't you start it up?

Actually, I'd like my wife to drive it. It's gonna be hers.

I can leave you my driver's license.

And my credit cards.

You know we'll be back for these. What can you do around Christmas without

plastic? Yes, I know what you mean.

Oh, and my car keys.

Okay, well, that'll be just fine.

Be back in 15, 20 minutes?

Fine. Great.

My husband just had it tuned up.

There's a new battery.

And try the air conditioning at soup.

I think we sold it. They're just trying it out.

Oh? But I saw them leaving two cars.

The lady was driving our car, and the man got out and followed her off in this

van.

Gordy, turn down the heat on the stove, will you?

Manette.

Yes, Mrs. Paul Manette.

Thomas Johnson is the name on the credit cards.

License, too.

No. No, it's his picture.

Oh.

Okay.

They think the license may be forged.

They're just checking on the credit cards.

Yes.

Yes.

I think they've stolen our car.

Ponch, don't bunch him like that.

Hey, I didn't apply for this job.

Ponch.

The rituals of Yuletide are not things to be tolerated. They're to be enjoyed

in the doing.

Here. Enjoy. I'll go chase cars.

Hey, Ponch.

Grossman was right, you know.

Look, John, the trouble is, I do enjoy it. And the more I enjoy it, the more I

miss a real family Christmas.

I might as well be out working, really.

Look, I don't know what you mean, but what... Does Ponch know about his

surprise?

Does Ponch know about his surprise?

Yeah.

Think about that question.

Hello?

Yes, this is she.

Yes, I did report it to the police.

Really? The car.

Yes. What would you like me to do?

Come to Central Division Highway Patrol.

Ask for Officer Hayworth.

You can claim the vehicle, and we'd like you to identify the suspects.

I'll leave right now.

And thank you. Thank you so much.

Bye.

Grab your jacket. Let's go.

Hey, Cliff.

Huh? They're going to shut down the party before we get there.

Oh, we're already at the party, you dummy.

Yeah? Yep. So where are we going?

Nowhere if we don't get any gas.

Hey, guys, you got to see this. Come on.

Is this a full service station?

Yes, sir. We get full service here.

Okay. I don't want to fill it up for the regular. Everyone, would you check the

hood? There's the key to the gas cap. Yes, sir. You pop the hood, please. And

how about the tires?

Oh, yeah.

Check for inflation, would you?

Inflation? You get it? We even have inflation in our tires.

Hey, Cliff.

Something's unreal here.

Huh? That's service.

That's service with a smile, Jack, old buddy.

You don't see that much of that anymore, I'll tell you.

Boy, those guys are great. These dudes have the Christmas spirit, I'll tell

you.

Sir?

Your right front side is stopped.

Oh.

Uh, sir, you're due for an oil change.

Uh-uh.

Repeat the question, please.

Get out of the car, please.

Okay.

But that wasn't the question.

Go with this officer, please.

Oh, wait a minute. You gotta read me my rights.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Right this way, sir.

You guys got a heck of a nerve pretending this is a gas station.

You know.

Oh, excuse me.

I'm looking for Officer Hayworth.

Officer Hayworth?

Yes, it's about my stolen car.

He called me and told me where to come.

Oh, that would be at the impound yard, stolen cars.

No, no, he told me to come here.

He also wanted me to identify the suspects.

What's your name and address, ma'am? It's Mrs. Paul Manette, 3420 Centinella

Place. Okay, is anybody watching your home right now?

No. Is something wrong?

Yeah, we don't hold suspects here, and we don't have any officer Hayworth.

Oh, no.

Oh, now, wait a minute. Now, just take it easy, would you? Take it easy.

Just get it together, and I'll be right back. Excuse me.

Okay, I want you to drive home very slowly, okay? Very slowly. We'll get

there long before you, all right?

Okay, I understand.

Merry Christmas, Hitler.

Hey, Alice, look what I found in the folks' back bedroom.

Oh, sweetheart, we're already past the safety margin.

This is a P-38 Lightning, baby.

Well, I know, but I don't really think you need it. Twin Allison's, 2,400

horsepower, operational ceiling, 36,000 feet.

Terror of the Pacific Theater, World War Deuce.

Terrific. Follow me.

You know, I remember one Christmas.

I was ten.

And I wanted one of these things with all my heart, as the saying goes.

Now, like this, I mean, the detail on this is unbelievable.

I asked my old man why Santa Claus didn't bring it.

He knocked me across the room.

Long time ago.

Well, now you have one.

I'm sorry I didn't get their license number.

Well, that's all right, Gordon.

At least you got the description of the van. That's important, right?

And this is the model number on the stereo.

That's about it.

I feel so stupid.

Mrs. Manette, it happens time after time.

Joan, you and Gordy are safe.

We've still got our Christmas stockings. We can open them and then pack a picnic

lunch and go hunt for seashells up the coast.

You know, Mr. Manette, you were smart in keeping those papers and model numbers

on file. A lot of people don't do that.

Okay, thank you.

Sir, do you think we'll be getting our things back?

Uh, maybe, Gordon, but you've got a lot of love here. You'll be okay.

Man and a woman.

Blue Dodge van. It's got to be the same two people that ripped off the church

bell. Look, anybody that rips off a church bell, I mean, where are they

thinking? It's good Pontius in here. He'd be blowing his top.

Pontius here, you can imagine. I mean, jeez. Not you, though.

Laid back, cool.

You're taking stride, right?

That's right. You could say that.

You could also say that I know who I want for Christmas.

That makes three of us.

That's right.

You on duty tomorrow, Christmas?

Yeah, working the Christmas watch.

Christmas watch? Sounds like the name of a carol.

More like a war chant.

Now that I think of it, sure, some of you have to be out there no matter what,

keeping the peace we all pray for, huh?

Yeah, well, we try, you know.

I just wanted you to know that we hadn't quit on you.

We never thought you had.

We'll have a lovely Christmas Eve service anyhow.

Come if you can, 9 o'clock.

All right. Special kind of lady, Doris. Thank you.

We love you, too.

And we have hours to go. There's time for a miracle, right?

Well, like my partner always says, this time of year, anything can happen.

Punch?

Don't be sad if you can't find her, Bill.

No

Blue's punch.

Everything's all set up.

Ladies and gentlemen, crime fighters and others, it's customary to give our

supervisors little mementos of the season.

And Sergeant Gutierrez is here, so, Sarge, before you get away from us,

bear? Go away.

Sarge?

It's usually hard to pick a gift for you, Sarge, but, uh... This year,

remembering all the trouble you went through to get us this beautiful tree

was easy.

Merry Christmas from all of us. Well, uh... I don't know what to say.

Uh, open it. You'll find words.

You gonna eat, partner?

No, I'll just have a cup of coffee, John.

I'll go back on my beat, too.

Listen, what's wrong?

You miss your favorites?

Excuse me.

Excuse me, folks.

Excuse me, please. Make way. Here.

Excuse me.

Hey,

pan dulce.

This looks just like... Hey, my mother sent these from Chicago, right?

No, Francis.

I brought...

Merry Christmas, Bunch.

Hi.

I want an Officer Frank Poncherello.

So your brothers will be together tomorrow, and I had my druthers.

Fly to Europe and join your father.

We'll come out here and be with you.

Well, I don't speak German, so here I am.

And all the guys knew you were coming, huh?

Well, I had to tell someone.

If you had a wife... No, no, no, no, no, no. I'd rather you surprise me.

And how long are you gonna stay, Ma?

Oh, I'll visit some friends and make you some rice and chicken.

Twist my arm, I'll stay a week.

Oh, you sure know how to please a guy.

Uh, speaking about twisted arms.

How am I since my accident?

Just fine.

Am I still gonna ride a motorcycle?

Sure.

You think you can read your mother's mind, huh?

A mind, no.

A heart, yes.

Hey, Ponch, front desk was asking for you. Mr. Clifford.

Mr. Clifford? Yeah, you're the one that arrested me.

That's the only name I had.

I just met Officer Baker.

I didn't know who else was there.

Does it matter?

Yeah, it matters a lot.

I mean, that was...

Very humiliating for me and my friends.

Mr. Clifford. Hey, let me finish, will you?

Just let me finish.

You know, this is not easy.

We asked for it, we got it.

All right, I hope we learned a lesson.

Hey, I know it was a real pain in the neck to you.

Hey, Mr. Clifford, compared to some people I meet, you were a pussycat.

Yeah, well, I'll tell you what. Next office party, I'll take a taxi home.

I mean, hey, you guys got a tough job, and you do it well. And I thought maybe

if somebody came down and said thanks, it might mean a little something.

Mr. Clifford, it means a lot.

Yeah? Yeah.

Okay.

Pass it on, will you? All right, I'll pass it on. Believe me. Okay.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Clifford.

Merry Christmas to you.

To everybody.

Sweetheart, why don't we just take this last load to the warehouse and then

quit?

What do you say?

Now, maybe just one more job tonight.

Oh, Bob, I'm tired.

Besides, what about... What about our own Christmas?

Let's loot the loot, okay?

Pick each other some presents from the stuff we got in storage.

Go home, have a little white Christmas on the tube.

Why don't we just grab our skis and head for the slopes right now?

I promised you, darling. Mammoth over the years.

Oh, boy.

Oh.

It's my fault.

It's my fault. I didn't see the stop sign. I'm sorry.

Are you hurt?

No, no. Why don't you just back it right on out?

Well, shouldn't we wait for the police?

My insurance man will skin me alive if I don't get a police report.

Who cares about the insurance man? Look, $1,100, $1,200, that'll do it.

No, no, no, mister. I think we better do it the right way.

Take the money and get out of here.

Back it up! Back it up!

Come on, back it up.

Hey! All right.

Hey, pull forward.

All right, that's good. Let's go.

I had a blue Dodge van and the fella gave me this.

And he just took off.

Okay, listen, stay in your car. There'll be another unit along in a minute.

All right, 15-7, Adam. I have a blue Dodge van, hit-run suspect.

Left side damaged.

Last seen northbound sawtail three ago.

15 Mary 3 and 4, 157 Adam. Channel 2, if you copy.

10-4 Mary 3 and 4.

10-20, John.

We're now at the off-ramp of Sepulveda and Berry.

VOL, a blue Dodge van, northbound Sawtail.

Could be your Christmas bandit, buddy.

15-7 Charles.

I have a visual. East on Washburn from Berry. Back me up. I'll make the stop.

Please, we want us for speeding, too. Let's go. Oh, Bob.

Hold tight, baby. Let's go.

Hold on.

I think maybe we got caught.

Christmas Eve service is at 9 o'clock.

We still have time to return the bell to the church if you tell us where it is.

We don't have to.

Man, I'm getting very tired of being patient with you about it.

Mr. Manette?

Yeah, this is Officer John Baker, Highway Patrol.

Listen, are you still planning that picnic lunch?

Right. Well, we have to work Christmas. We thought maybe you'd like to spend a

little time together and identify the items that were stolen from your house.

You got it.

Oh, yeah?

Joan Gordon.

Yeah, I understand.

Okay.

Okay, we'll be there. All right. Merry Christmas.

Thank you very much.

Merry Christmas.

Guess what?

What? They got it.

This is the only questionable item I found.

Maybe you've been stealing all your life. Maybe you don't know what it is to

tramp the streets and work your guts out like those kids did for that bell.

But sometime, man, there had to be something you wanted with all your

heart.

Once he wanted an airplane.

I remember that.

And so the time draws near for us to light our candles and go our separate

ways.

This was to have been a very special night for us, particularly for our

children. We were going to ring our joy for the first time for the whole

community to hear and to share.

But I submit to you that you should think of this not as a sad Christmas

Eve, but rather as a very happy one.

For we have been reminded in our adversity that though the thief may take

from us each and every one of our possessions, we have within us that

which he can never take, our love.

And so I charge you with my love to go from here as brothers

and sisters, to go in peace and tranquility.

and to carry with you the light of the world.

My son is never late.

What did he say on the phone?

That he'd be here by 10 o'clock.

He's late.

Look!

the Kirks had a storage garage.

Go on, hit it.

It's Christmas, Mom.

It's really Christmas.

the Robertson off-ramp. Let's go.