Original subtitles

This is Middleton, USA.

Population 57,209

at the last census. A proud little city,

yet no different from hundreds of others

in this country. The old-timers take

pride in their city hall. They remember

their fight to make Middleton the county

seat, and the Hall of Justice is their

badge of victory. As their

town became a city, their churches

reflected the growing religious needs of

Catholics, Jews,

and Protestants alike, no matter what

denomination. The Little Red Schoolhouse

grew and became State Normal and

Central High. The old-timers built their

city with an eye to the future, always

keeping pace with the times. Why did they

do all this?There's your

answer. For their children.

They never lost sight of the fact that

Middleton's future is in its young.

Playgrounds were built where their young

bodies could grow and gain strength.

But remembering their own youth, the

old-timers know full well that there will

come the dangerous years of adolescence,

when playground games will seem like kid

stuff, and when abounding energy will

seek new outlets and will follow

the leader of the moment in any

direction. That's when their hopes

rest in the new set of old-timers, like

Jeff Carter, who teaches history at

Central High and has still found time to

organize a boys' club. where his

teenagers take their finals at becoming

men.

Why, Mr. Carter, I didn't know you

admired my father so deeply. Hello,

Connie. He'll be right there. Won't you

sit down?I'll let you in on a secret.

This isn't for your father. No. The

travel folders say an orchid is standard

equipment for a South American cruise. No

girl should be without one. It's

beautiful, Jeff. I wish it could last the

whole six weeks. I have another one

waiting for you when you get back. Does

that mean you're not going east to study

for a master's degree?afraid I won't have

time. Oh, Jeff. I know. But they needed

me to teach history in summer school.

Then there's my boys' club. I couldn't

let that fool. Connie, must you argue

with every young man who brings you

orchids?But it's for his own good. My

club has to stay open and you know it,

especially during the summer. As long as

I can keep my boys busy, I can keep them

out of trouble. But what about yourself?

Keeps me out of trouble too. Dad, tell

him what happens to people who work too

hard. They usually become rich. But Jeff

works for practically nothing. People who

work for nothing become either saints or

martyrs. There's no use talking to you.

I want you to see this. This makes five

parents who complain about that new

jukebox hanging out on Highway Hill. Yes,

I know. Gopher hole.

These places have run properly. they can

be as good for the boys as my club but

five complaints do me a favor let me look

the place over carefully before you take

any action all right but do it soon I

will because some of my own boys have

deserted the club for the gopher hole

there did the gentleman approve beautiful

yes isn't she

Step on it, Willie. We'll never get

there. Lay off, will you?You're making me

nervous. But Danny said to be at the

gopher hole early. You're just creeping

along. Forget about Danny. Think of my

father. I'm worried about what he'll do

to me if I don't get his truck back

before he gets home. Don't worry. We'll

get it back, all right. Hey, look out!

Be careful, will you?

Six more all day Sundays. Where's Evie?

Hi, Evie. Hi, small change. Hey,

wait. I got money tonight. Am I gonna see

you later?I'm not too tired. But Evie, I

thought we had a date. Look, this tray

weighs a ton.

Come on, Jean. Let's not keep Danny

waiting. stop it's

been keeping you see fell I thought my

folks would never leave the house get the

truck sure did you leave it in back like

Danny said too sure we did was Danny sore

come on in it

was the ladies outside where's Danny

isn't he here outside Doris I'm waiting

for Danny you can wait outside you want

not to stay till Danny shows up I thought

he was already here you've got eyes do

you see himNo. Then he's not here. Maybe

something's wrong. Nothing's wrong.

Am I late?What time is it?Where's Danny?

Someday I'm gonna take up a collection

and buy you a watch. Danny isn't here

yet, is he?We've got eyes. Do you see him?

Tammy McDonald, why do you always look

half-dressed?Even your shirt's

unbuttoned. I didn't have time. Dad made

me sweep up the store. Doris, will you

get out of here?We're on our own tonight.

Suppose we let Danny decide that. I'll

wait with you in our booth. Danny'll be

along in a minute. Getting ideas?Let's

go, Jean. The air's better out there.

Hey, Doris, don't forget your sundae. You

can finish it. Thanks.

I didn't have time for dinner.

Maybe you'd like a Coke to wash down the

sundae. No, thanks. Go ahead. I got

honey. All right. Oh, uh,

miss.

Two double cokes. Who's paying?I told you

I got money. And now you're blowing it on

two cokes. Double. My, my.

You've made Evie jealous. Serves her

right. She's always cracking about me

being a cheapskate. I wish Danny would

get jealous. Well, he never gets jealous

unless he has cause. Here he comes.

My date was for tomorrow night. I had to

see you, Danny. Wouldn't you see me?Not

like that. I'll go inside. Hello, Danny.

Oh, hello. How much?40 cents?And a

10-cent tip. Thank you,

Danny. Jean was just asking me if you

were jealous, Danny. I'm not the jealous

type. Why don't you drink my Coke, Danny?

I'll see you later.

What cooks in that head of yours?Take me

with you tonight, Danny. This job's for

men only. Please. Look, one of us has to

be boss. Can't it be a partnership, Danny?

Well, all right. Come on.

What held you up?Who's closing the deal?

The fella's gonna take the stuff off her

hands while it's still hot. Easy, fellas.

Lady's present. She's coming along. Who

told you?Danny wouldn't let her in here

if she wasn't coming. Doris stays here.

She's our alibi if anyone asks questions

later. Which truck did you get?The

one-tonner. That'll hold ten cases of

perfume. Maybe you could hold out a

bottle for me, Danny. Too much trouble

opening a case. I'll buy him more than

you can use once we get our money. I'm

gonna get me a movie camera. 16mm. I'm

getting a motorcycle as soon as I get my

money. Hiya, Jock. Look, boys,

Anana. The owner himself is waiting on

us. I never saw such a crowd. I'll have

to put on more witnesses. Grab a chair,

Jock, and tell us how you nearly won the

derby in 1923. Haven't got the time,

boys. I haven't got the time. Now, mind

what I say. If you're gonna play cards,

don't use money. Relax, Jock. I run a

law-abiding police. Don't forget it.

Don't you forget it. Jack, what time is

it?32. Going anywhere?I've got to be home

by 10. Quit worrying. I'll get you home.

Are we gonna play or aren't?Remember?No

money.

All right, we got a witness that we were

here at 8:32. You cover for us till we

get back and don't let anyone in. I

won't, Danny. Let's get a move on.

Danny.

Good luck, Danny. Thanks.

You're quite a kid.

Jane. Willie.

You're our lookout. Now fade back here if

anything suspicious happens on the

street. Okay, Danny. Phil and I go inside

and open the door. Be careful of that

burglar alarm. Let us worry about that.

You better get to the corner, Willie.

Uh-huh.

I hope the watchman's in the back of the

warehouse. What time is it?You're always

worried about the time. Well, the

watchman's upstairs and out of the way at

ten past nine. Oh.

It's ten past nine.

I wish Danny'd hurry.

Mr. Carter! You little idiot!You can't

take a warning, can you?Don't you realize

what you're doing?How did you find out?

Get out of here as fast as you can. Mr.

Carter, don't go back there. They'll

think I told them. You were trying to

talk sense to you kids. Now go on home.

I'll be with you tomorrow. Go on. Beatit.

Drop those cases, you hear?Drop 'em. It's

Mr. Carter. Kenny.

You and Tammy and Gene. Get on home.

Hurry up. Just a minute, Mr. Carter. Drop

those cases. You, Danny Jones, you're

coming along with me. Lay off, Carter.

I'm through trying to reason with you.

Now I...

Shut up. Shut up. Scatter. You want me to

the gopher home?

Stop or I'll shoot!

Danny what happened are you all right

somebody squealed how about the others

did they get caught I don't know we split

and ran for

you see Willie no wow what a close shame

anyone follow you no all right mess the

place up like a poker game has been going

onThat's the cop, Willie. Maybe he ran

home. Anybody try to get in here while we

were away?No, Danny. Good. All right, sit

down, all of you. What about the truck?

What about Willie?Yeah, what if he's

wheels?Our word's as good as his. That's

the stuff, Gene. Willie wasn't here at

all. We played poker. All right, deal him

up. Let me stay, Danny, please. There

might be trouble here.

Maybe I'll see you later, Danny. Yeah,

maybe. Now remember, you're our alibi. We

played poker and Willie wasn't here at

all. Yes, Danny. All right, I'll beathim.

Danny, I need a drink. Well, sure thing.

Come on.

Now, listen, they're having a thing on

us. We've been here all the time.

We played poker. Gene went all the dough,

and Tammy was the big loser.

I can't open. Can I

get open?I'll stay.

All right,

I need to feed everybody. What do you

guys want?Where you been tonight?

Right here. Yeah?

How old are you?Old enough to vote. How

old are you, son?17.

How old are you?17. Here's

their bottle. Good. Keep looking for the

gun.

Mr. Burns and our meeting last night on

the Carter murder, we resolved that every

culprit is equally to blame. Our

committee feels that if one's guilty,

they're all guilty. That's right. They're

indicted together. Why aren't they all

being tried together?Every culprit must

be made to pay. Agreed. But you allowed

Tammy, Phil, Jean and the Miller boy to

be bound over to juvenile court. Now,

just a minute. The law in our state says

that minors under 18 come under the

jurisdiction of the juvenile court at the

discretion of the judge. And Judge

Raymond ruled that Danny Jones, who is

not a minor, is to be tried alone. But

Mr. Burns, what about-- Don't worry. It

doesn't mean the miners won't be

punished. What about Danny Jones?Are you

going to prosecute him yourself, Mr.

Burns?Yes.

Besides, Jeff Carter was my personal

friend. You can be sure I won't rest

until his murderer is convicted. Extra!

Extra! Read all about it! Extra!

Extra!

May it please the court?

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,

on July 27th, Jeff Carter was murdered.

You've been selected by both sides in

this trial to judge and determine the

guilt or innocence of Danny Jones, the

accused. As your elected representative,

it is my duty to present the facts I have

gathered in order to prove beyond the

shadow of a doubt that Danny Jones is

guilty as charged. I'll bring before you

competent witnesses to prove that Danny

Jones organized a gang of juveniles and

led them in a life of crime. That Jeff

Carter found out what the accused was up

to and the two men clashed. And when they

did, Jones made threats against Carter's

life. That during a robbery attempt on

the warehouse at 19 Front Street on the

night of July 27th,Jones made

good his threat. These facts

constitute premeditated murder. There is

no alternative. The penalty is death.

Danny Jones gave Jeff Carter no

alternative because there is never a

compromise between good and evil. Jeff

Carter was good. We of Middleton

applauded his fight against delinquency.

We supported his efforts in organizing

boys' clubs to bring our sons through the

dangerous years of adolescence.

We warm to the magnetism of his entire

being. You will see

in due time the evil that is Danny Jones.

The state's first witness will be Dr.

Oliver Hughes.

The testimony you're about to get before

this court, do you solemnly swear to tell

the truth, the whole truth, nothing but

the truth to help you God?I do. Your name?

Dr. Oliver Hughes. What is your

occupation, Dr. Hughes?Coroner of

Middleton County. How long have you held

this position?Eight years. Were you

called upon to examine a body on the

night of July 27th?Yes, the body of Jeff

Carter. What manner of examination were

you called upon to perform?Cause of

death. And your findings?That Jeff Carter

died of a bullet wound in the region of

the heart. Were you able to determine the

time of death?

40. Jeff Carter had been dead not more

than 30 minutes. Sometime in the

neighborhood of 9:10. That is correct.

That's all. Your witness, Mr. Weston.

No questions.

Leo Emerson to the stand.

Thanks, Dad.

Raise your right hand. In the testimony

you're about to give before this court,

do you solemnly swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth, nothing but truth help

you God?I do. Your name?Leo Emerson. Sit

down, please.

How old are you, Leo?17. Are you still in

school?Yes, sir. I'm a senior at Central

High. You knew Jeff Carter?Yes.

How well?Very well. Do you know

the defendant?Very well.

When did you first meet Danny Jones?

It was last May. How did you meet him?

A bunch of us were playing basketball at

the club. What club?Mr. Carter's boys'

club. I remember, I was choosing sides

against Phil. I'll take George.

I'll take Willie. Uh, Gene.

Tammy. Ronnie.

Bruce. And Jim. Johnny. Stick

around, fellas. We'll be yelling for subs

all along. Say, you need a referee?

Yeah. Yeah, I guess so. Come on.

I'm Leo Emerson. That's Phil Kinney,

captain of the other team. Hiya, fellas.

I'm Danny Jones. Let me have the ball.

Oh, you're not long for this world. Hey,

you ready, fellas?Okay, here we go.

Hey, come over here, baby.

Jump, jump. You're in, you're in. Come

on. Come

on. Come on. Hey.

There it goes again. Somebody get a pack.

I'll get the pump. You can't fix that.

What'd you get a new ball?We just chipped

in for the baskets. What do these things

cost?12 bucks. Oh, is that all?

Don't be a sap. I can afford it. Hey,

pick up a new ball. Compliments of Danny

Jones.

Say, who runs this gin?Jeff Carter. Want

to join?Not me. Thanks. What's the matter

with?It's OK for kids, I guess. And how

old are you?Old enough to vote. You're

new in town, aren't you?I've got a job at

the Gopher Hall. That broken down old

joint. I wouldn't be caught dead. If you

ask me, it stinks. Maybe it did once, but

you ought to see it now. I talked the

boss into fixing it up. Regular nightclub

for kids with a jukebox and malts instead

of lekker. Say, that sounds like a sharp

idea. Yeah, it's the kind of club I go

for. When do you open up?Next week, we've

been advertising the papers. Come on over

opening night. I'll buy you all drinks

and bring your girls along. Here, have

fun.

The gopher home made a hit right off the

bat. There wasn't a girl in town that

didn't want to go out there. It made them

and us all feel sort of grown up.

It wasn't long before Danny got to be the

most popular guy in town. When he said

hello to you, you felt sort of important.

And when he invited you into the back

room for cards, everyone else was

jealous. Card games?What kind of

cards?Poker mostly. For money?

Yes. A few minutes ago you said you

didn't have $12 for basketball. Where'd

you get the money for poker?Danny taught

us how to rob gas stations and stuff like

that.

Did you and these boys make up a regular

gang for that purpose?Yes.

Who else was in the gang besides you and

the defendant?Gene Spooner, Phil

Kenny, Tammy McDonald and Willie Miller.

Why did you join?I needed money.

Why?It was personal. You'll have to

tell us, Leo.

My mother and father separated. Dad went

to live in another state. Yes?Mother got

a job at the grocery store. I never saw

her much and she was always tired. I

wasn't allowed to quit school and go to

work and I had to earn my way somehow. So

I joined the gang. Were you

still a member of the gang on the night

Jeff Carter was killed?No, sir. I quit

two weeks before. What made you quit?Dad

came back home. Did you ever see Danny

after your father came home?Yes. I took

Mr. Carter out to the gopher hole one

night. Why?He wanted me to. He said he

was worried about some of the fellas.

Which ones?Gene, Tammy, Phil and Willie.

I was kind of worried about him too, so I

went out there with him.

What do you want?I, uh, not you, him.

I came out to look the place over. I've

been wanting to meet you. Well?

Maybe I can give you a hand with the work

you're doing. I don't need a hand. So

you're lucky. I need all the help I can

get. You came to the wrong place.

Maybe I didn't. I'm offering you a job.

Me?I've got a job right here. This one's

taking care of youngsters, ages 7 to 12.

I'm no nursemaid. I'm not looking for a

nursemaid. I'm looking for someone who

can be a leader. Kids at that age need

your help. What have they got parents for?

Maybe some of them need help. Why?Some

are too busy. Others are too poor. But

why should their children be penalized

for something that's no one's fault?Why

shouldn't kids be given a break?It's an

angle. club could keep a lot of

youngsters from learning a lot of wrong

things. What makes you think I teach them

the right things?You teach them baseball,

football, and how to get along with other

kids, they'll learn by your example. No

preaching?I don't believe in preaching,

unless it's practiced. Well. I'm

not interested, Mr. Carter. In a few

months, you'd be a hero to those boys.

Who wants to be a hero to a bunch ofbrats?

Those brats have a knack of catching on

to phonies. Maybe that's what you're

afraid of. I

wouldn't try that again, Jones.

Well, Danny, how about it?There's a job

like yours for every man in this room.

Wrong number. Try next door. It's either

that or get out of town, Jones. Get in my

way, Carter. I'll take care of you. You

don't worry me a bit. I'm not going to

let you ruin the lives of these boys.

Come on, Leo.

And that was the last time you saw Danny

Jones before Jeff Carter was killed.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Leo.

Your witness.

Leo, you testified that before you met

Danny Jones, you were the leader of the

boys. Is that so?Yes. You like

being a leader, don't you?Why, yes. And

there isn't much room for two leaders in

anything, is there?No. Objection. This

line of questioning has nothing to do

with the case. Your Honor, the prosecutor

was allowed to establish the enmity

between my client and Jeff Carter. I

propose to establish the enmity between

my client and this witness the questions

are allowable proceed thank you

Leo you said you liked being a leader now

how did it feel watching your friends

look up to Danny Jones instead of

yourself oh no that isn't what I meant I

meant you were envious no I was sore oh

sore no more

questions

You may step down, Leo.

Mr. Burns?Your Honor, may I approach the

bench with the defense counsel?You may.

The other three juveniles have decided to

stand on their constitutional rights, but

the Miller boy has chosen to testify.

Very well. William Miller to the stand.

Over there, please.

Raise your right hand. In the testimony

you're about to give before this court,

do you solemnly swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth, nothing but truth to

help you, God?I do. Your name?

Willie Miller. Sit down, please.

Willie, do you understand that you don't

have to answer any questions in this

court that might incriminate you in your

own trial, which is coming up?

Yes, sir. Proceed, Mr. Burns.

How old are you, Willie?17, sir.

Have you finished school yet?No, sir. I'm

a junior at Central High School. Do you

know the defendant?Danny

Jones?Yes, sir. How well do you know him?

I was a member of his gang. Can you

remember what you did on the night of

July 27th?Yes, sir. I

went to the gopher hole. How'd you get

there?I drove my

father's truck. Did he consent you're

taking it?No, sir. Did he

know that you took it?No, sir.

You'll have to speak up so the jury can

hear you.

No, sir. I had to wait till he and Ma

went to one of their parties. Why did you

take the truck?Danny told me to

so we could haul the perfume cases from

the warehouse. Were you doing this for

pay?No, sir.

We were going to steal them. Who was

going to steal them?Phil, Kenny and

Tammy McDonald, Gene Spooner and Danny

Jones and I. Who drove the truck?I

did. Who else was in the truck?Phil and

Gene and Tammy and Danny Jones. What

part did you take in the robbery attempt?

I was a lookout at the end of the alley.

Where were the others?They all went into

the warehouse. Did you see them enter?

Yes, sir. Then what happened?Well, I

just got in set when Mr. Carter caught

me. What did Mr. Carter do?He shook me

and balled me out and told me to go on

home. But instead of going, I waited

until he gone into the warehouse and then

I followed as far as the loading

platform. Did you see or hear what went

on inside the warehouse?I didn't see

anything, but I heard Mr. Carter balling

the other fellows out like he did me. Do

you remember what he said?He told him to

drop those cases and he said, Phil Kenny,

you and Gene and Tammy go on home.

And he said, Danny Jones, you're coming

with me. I'm through trying to reason

with you. Then what happened?Then I heard

the shot. Could you tell where the

shot came from?From inside the warehouse.

When you heard the shot, what did you do?

I got scared and ran away. That's all.

Your witness?

Willie, you say you were scared when you

ran away from the warehouse. Yes, sir, I

was. Where did you go when you ran away?I

went home. Did anything happen on the way

home?I don't know, sir. I ran all the

way. Was anyone at home when you got

there?Well, speak up, son.

You're not afraid, are you?Or are you?

Willie, you have nothing to be afraid of.

This court is here to protect those who

tell the truth. You understand that,

don't you?Yes,

sir. Very well. Who was at home when you

got there?My dad was there.

Tell us what happened then. Well, I

thought he was still at the party, but

he'd come home for something.

Why aren't you in bed?

Scared you, didn't I?I...

I didn't know you were home. What have

you been up to?Who's been chasing you?No

one. I... I've been out with Leo.

Yeah, Leo. I... I didn't know it was so

late. Late?It's an hour past your

bedtime. Now go in your room right this

minute. Yes, sir.

See who it is.

Go ahead. Open the door.

Police.

You August Miller?What's the matter?

You own a one-ton meat truck, license

number 6T5565?Yes.

Why?Know where it is now?In the garage.

No, it isn't right now. It's at Connor's

warehouse. Was involved in a burglary

in... That's why you were out of breath.

You were running away. No, Dad. Better

tell us the truth, young fella. I'm

telling the truth. I didn't do it. You're

lying. I'm not. I didn't take the truck.

We'll see about Dad.

You wait here. I'll make him talk.

You're crying already and you aren't even

hurt.

You're no good, Willie. I always knew you

were no good. You're no son of mine. I'll

tell you, I'll tell you, I'll tell

you. Stop, dance, stop. I'll

tell you, I'll tell you, I'll tell you!

He'll talk now. Go on, tell 'em.

I... I took the truck tonight. Were you

alone?Did you have someone with you?No,

there were some others. Who are they?

Danny Jones, Phil Kenny, Gene Spooner

and Tammy McDonald. What about Leo?Leo

wasn't with us. I was lying. Where are

they now?Back at the Gopher hole, I

think, in the back room.

And they... they took me to the

police station.

That's all, Willie. You may

step down.

Uh, just a minute, Willie.

The jury will be excused.

Mr. Burns, were you

aware of the method that was used to

extract this information?No, Your Honor.

That's all, Mr. Burns. Willie.

Are the two men who arrested you in the

court?

No, sir. Is your father in court, Willie?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Miller.

Come up here.

Stand in front of your son.

Keep looking at him. Mr. Miller.

Your disgraceful actions cannot be

tolerated in this day and age. Be

quiet or I'll cite you for contempt of

court. Look at your son, sitting

here afraid of the very sight of you.

Lonely for the companionship you denied

him. Forced out into the street to find

that which wasn't in your home or your

heart. Look at him and realize that it

was you that forced him out of your

house. But for you, he wouldn't be here.

And if this court ever hears of you

threatening or mistreating this boy again,

I'll see that you get the maximum

punishment. Officer, remove

this person from my courtroom.

You may step down, Willie. I want

those two arresting officers brought to

me without delay. Court

adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow

morning.

Yes, sir.

Why, hello, Miss Burns. Hello, Alec. How

was the trip?Did you learn to speak

Spanish in South America?And Portuguese,

too. Your dad'll be glad to see you. Then

I saw some boys run out and down the

alley. So I took my gun and fired them.

Can you get down front?What did you do

after you fired those boys you saw

running down the alley?Well, I couldn't

chase them because I didn't dare leave

the warehouse. So I did the next best

thing. I called the police and told them

about the Miller truck and finding the

dead man. I see. Your witness?

I hope we're not boring you, Mr. Adamson.

No, but you're keeping me up. I ought to

be asleep at this hour.

Maybe you can stay awake long enough to

answer a few questions. I'll try. Very

well, Mr. Adamson. Now, you testified

that you heard a shot, that you ran to

the first floor of the warehouse, that

you saw some boys run out and down the

alley and that you fired on them. That's

right. How many boys did you see?Well,

I'm not sure. Either three, seven or ten.

I don't know. It was dark in the alley

and the boys were running. How do you

know they were boys?Well... Did you tell

me their ages?No. Were they nine, 19

or 90?Well, they weren't 90. Oh.

Well, that narrows it down considerably.

Did you recognize any of them?No, I told

you it was dark in the alley. I asked you

if you recognized any of them. No. Can

you identify the defendant as one of them?

No. That's all.

Mr. Granby, what is your occupation?

Sergeant of police, assigned in charge of

fingerprint division, record bureau. How

long have you been so assigned?Six years.

Were you called upon to take fingerprints

on the night of July 27th?Yes, sir, I

was. Among those prints were the

defendants one of them?Yes. Are these the

prints?Yes, this is a print of Jones left

index finger, taken while in custody.

This is a print of a left index finger

taken from a packing case at Connor's

warehouse. How many points of exact

similarity have you found in those two

prints?Twelve. Apple to establish they

came from the same hand. Thank you.

That's all. Your witness. May I see those

pictures?

Just for the record, Sergeant, is this

the print you took from the packing case?

Yes. The only one you could get. Yes.

Well, isn't this somewhat blurred?Yes,

but you see-- That's all.

Mr. Barnes?

The state rests.

00 tomorrow morning.

See you tomorrow, Danny. If it'll get you

50, I'll be here. Me too.

Danny!

Danny?Danny!

It's me, Connie.

Connie?Don't you remember the orphanage

at Clifton?I was the little girl who was

always with you.

Sorry, sister.

What's that you said about an orphanage,

Miss Burns?Danny and I were children

together. He took care of me. Come on,

dear. You must be tired from your trip.

Dad, give us a loadout.

Some other time, Freddie. Dad, that's

Danny. I know it. There's nothing I can

do. We've got to do something for him.

We'll talk about it later. Why the brush

off?Did you send your daughter out of

town because of Danny?Well, what a story.

How long since they've seen each other?

How old were they?Is this going to make

any difference in the prosecution?All

right. I'll give you the story. Attaboy,

Mr. Burns. Judge Raymond's chambers.

Come on, dear.

When I was 19, just starting my law

course, I met Cynthia, Connie's

mother. We fell in love, and I persuaded

her to marry me. But when I took her as

my bride to Long Island to meet my

family, they refused to see her. There

was an annulment. My family offered

Cynthia a settlement. She wouldn't take a

dime from them or from me. She just

disappeared without letting any of us

know there was going to be a child.

About... Ten years ago, I got a message

from Anna Templeton, a matron in an

orphanage somewhere in Ohio. She was

there when the doctors told Cynthia she

couldn't live. Cynthia made a promise to

keep Connie's birth a secret from me.

Miss Templeton registered the baby as an

orphan, took a job with the home to be

near her. Connie was a sickly

child, and when she was 10, her condition

became extremely serious. That's when

Miss Templeton broke her promise and sent

for me. She had proof that Connie was my

daughter. This ring, I'd given it to

Cynthia, and

this lucky charm were among the things

that were left.

I took Connie to a famous clinic.

After they started her on her cure, we

settled in Middleton on their advice.

That's the story, and I'm not proud

of it. All right,

Connie, they want to hear about Danny

now. After I left the orphanage, I never

got a chance to say goodbye to Danny. The

first thing I remember, I was taken

downstairs to meet my father. I called

for Danny, but they said it would be bad

if he knew where I was being taken, so I

never got to say goodbye. I had so much

to thank him for. As long as I can

remember, he protected me. He kept the

other children from teasing me. He made

them play games I could play. He never

left my side when I was sick. Twice he

kicked people in the shins for trying to

adopt him without taking me along. He was

more than a brother to me. He took the

place of a whole family. After we came

here and I got well, I wrote him letters

every day, but they were never answered.

I found out why when Miss Templeton

returned my letters in an envelope and

said that Danny had taken to running

away. And this last time, they were

unable to find him.

Now you see how good he is. I've got to

help him. There must be some way.

I'm afraid there's nothing you can do, my

dear. Of course, you're at liberty to put

her on the stand. Thank you, Your Honor,

but her testimony won't help the case.

Besides, Danny's a long way from being

convicted. Well,

there's your story.

No, it isn't, Your Honor. It's Mr.

Byrne's story. As far as my newspaper's

concerned, it belongs in the past. What

do you say?It goes from my paper too.

Mine too.

You eating already?No. I've been

listening to the story of your boyhood.

It must have been interesting. Yes,

it was. Why didn't you recognize Connie

when she spoke to you?The girl out in the

court?She made a mistake. No, she didn't,

Danny. She recognized you as the boy that

was with her in the orphanage, and so did

her father. Who's he?The district

attorney, Mr. Burns.

You mean, you mean he's the one who took

her away from the orphanage?That's right.

Don't you want to hear about

it?Yeah, go ahead. I haven't got anything

else to do but eat the stew. And she's

going to eat. She's still in there trying

to find some way to help you. Can I have

a smoke?Sure. Keep the pack.

You must have been a good kid, Danny, to

have her remember you so clearly.

She was a sweet little thing. Always kind

of helpless.

That guy, Burns. He sure did

all right by Connie.

Are you ready to proceed with the defense?

Ready, Your Honor. Your

Honor. Ladies

and gentlemen of the jury, the state has

attempted, in a roundabout and confusing

manner, to prove Danny Jones guilty of

murder in the first degree, but the truth

is a simple thing, arrived at without

devious twistings and turnings.

I can assure you that before this court

day is over, you will have heard the case

for Danny Jones. It is that simple.

I will bring but one witness to the

stand, and she will prove with competent

testimony that Danny Jones did not leave

the Gopher Hole on the night of July

27th, and therefore could not have been

at the scene of the crime.

Doris Martin to the stand.

Is this the place where they're holding

the trial of Danny Jones?Yes, ma'am.

Could you tell me who to give this to?

You can't see him until after the recess,

Mr. Appleton. Come in and wait.

Raise your right hand. In the testimony

you're about to give before this court,

you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the

whole truth, nothing but the truth, so

help you God. I do. Your name?Doris

Martin. Sit down, please.

How old are you, Doris?Seventeen,

nearly. Do you have an occupation?I'm

still in school. A junior. Do you know

the defendant?Yes. How

long have you known him?Since May. How

well do you know him?I love him.

Doris, love is an odd word. It has

different meanings to different people.

Will you tell the jury just why you love

Danny Jones?Well, it all started because

I was so lonesome. A girl like you?There

just wasn't anyone. Mother isn't alive,

you see. When I was 15, Father got

married again and he and his wife took to

going away on trips without me. But you

were left in someone's care. We had a

maid, but she went out on dates nearly

every night. You mean you were left at

home alone?I didn't stay home. I went out

on dates too.

Did you have any girlfriends?Yes, but

after a while they all got jealous. How

often did you go out?Every night for

nearly a year. Then I stopped. Why did

you stop?Oh, it wasn't fun any longer.

There was no one who loved me. That's why

I was so lonely. I see, Doris.

I don't think you do. When you're that

lonesome, you get to feeling mad and mean

inside. When I met Danny, I knew right

away he was different from anyone else.

He was kind and gentle

and sort of grateful.

I think we understand, my dear.

How often did you see Danny?Whenever I

could. Almost every afternoon and

evening. When was the last time that you

were together?The night they arrested

him. Were you alone?

No. We were in the back room at the

gopher hole. Who else was present?

Phil and Jean were there. And Tammy.

Was Willie Miller with you?No. Was he

there earlier?Not that night.

What went on in the back room that night?

The boys played cards and I sat behind

Danny and watched. What time did the card

game start?32. I

remember because Tammy asked Jock Neely

the time. And how long did you watch the

card game?30. Then

I left. Did you leave the back room at

any time between 8:32 and 10:30?No, sir.

Did Danny or Phil or Tammy or Jean leave,

even for a moment during those hours?No.

That's all, Doris.

Doris, if it was a

question of life or death, would you tell

a lie for Danny?Yes.

I'm sure you haven't told any lies, but

there are certain facts I want to clear

up. Yes, sir?Well, you named the

boys who were in the back room of the

gopher hole once more. There was

Danny, Tammy, Phil and Jean. And

no one else... when he

brought in the malts. There was no other

boy there that night. No, no other boy.

Do you know Willie Miller?Yes. How well

do you know him?We grew up together. Does

Willie drive a car?Once in a while, his

father lets him use the delivery truck.

Would you recognize it if you saw it?I

don't know. When did you last see it?I

don't remember. Did you see it July 27th?

No. Was Willie in the back room July 27th?

No. Who was in the back room that night?

Danny, Tammy, Phil and Julie. You forgot

Jock Neely. I thought you only meant the

boys. Boys?What boys?Danny, Tammy, Phil

and Jean. When'd you last see Willie's

car?I don't know. When'd you last see

Willie Miller?I don't remember. What time

did the boys come back from the warehouse?

I don't remember. Was it when they came

back?No. Was it when they left the back

room?No. The prosecutor is deliberately

trying to put words into this girl's

mouth in an effort to confuse her. This

isn't a third degree. It's a jury trial.

Sustained. You will frame your questions

in accordance with full legal procedure.

Strike out the last three questions. I

apologize to the court. Do you know

Willie Moore?No, yes. Come, Doris, do you

know Willie?Yes, I mean yes. On the night

of July 27th, who was with you in the

back room in the gulf hole?Willie, Daddy.

Willie?No, not Willie. You said Willie?

You got me all mixed up. Who was in the

back room?Willie, I mean Daddy, Willie.

Your Honor, the witness is obviously in

no condition to go on. I ask that the

court be recessed for 30 minutes. Denied.

All right, Doris, tell me, who was in

that back room on July 27th?I can't. I

can't tell you anymore. Was movies there

that night?Yes, yes! So leave me

alone, please leave me alone. Not till we

know the truth. Yes, he was there. They

didn't play cards at all. He wasn't

around the world. I'll solve them. Danny,

Jazzy, I couldn't help it. I didn't know

what I was saying any longer. I couldn't

lie anymore. Don't be mad. Please say

you're not mad. He made me do it. I

couldn't help. I couldn't lie any longer.

Quiet, please!

Order recess for 30 minutes.

Connie. Connie, take care of this child,

please. Yes.

Hey, God, get me out of here.

I know a cozy spot where you can get a

lethal cocktail burns. I need one.

What else did you do?

You certainly fooled me with that

cooked-up story of yours. I'll lay off. I

have a reputation for defending innocent

men. When I take a case, I believe in my

client. That's why I win. You're giving

up now?In

here, Miss Templeton. Don't leave me

alone with her. Hello, Danny. How did you

get here?What do you want?I've been

reading about you in the papers. I just

had to come and see you. I'm Anna

Templeton. I used to be Danny's nurse at

the orphanage. How do you do?It's

possible to be alone with him. I've got

nothing to say to you. You have 20

minutes, Miss Templeton.

You haven't changed, Danny.

You, have you gotten old?I've been very

ill lately. What did you come here for,

anyway?To preach to me?No, Danny. Then

what do you want?Do

you mind if I sit down?No, go

ahead. Danny, what I have to

say to you is very important. You must

listen to me. If you've got something on

your mind, tell me and get it over with.

You have every right to treat me this

way. It's my fault that you're here now.

Oh, that. Don't go into that. I know the

whole story. Oh, no, you don't. You

can't. The birds let the secret out of

the bag yesterday. My lawyer told me

everything. No one knows the secret but

me. And I haven't broken my word to your

mother yet.

My mother?

Yes. Cynthia Burns was your mother

that man out there the District Attorney

he's your father

what your Edgar Burns son

me I had to do it the doctor said Connie

would die if she stayed in the orphanage

and I knew Mr. Burns would take good care

of her if he thought she was his child oh

noI can't forgive myself of

what it did to you, Danny. I shouldn't

have meddled. Go tell your secret to the

old man. See how he takes it. I want your

forgiveness. Go on. Go tell him. There

isn't any time. Get a move on. Tell him.

Tell everybody. Tell him what a big joke

you played on me. Tell him what a big

joke it is on Burns. Tell him what a big

joke it'll be on Connie.

Wait a minute.

You're lying. This is some kind of trick.

No, Daddy. Yes, it is. That burns. He's

got brains. How about the birth

certificate?How did you fake that?Go on,

tell me. You never heard a name. Your

mother gave them a false name. How about

Connie's mother?Connie was the foundling.

We named her at the home.

We can't tell them. We can't tell

anybody. We've got to. He has a right to

know. He's your father. Look,

Miss Temple.

Once the cards are dealt you have to play

the handout. It wasn't in the cards for

me to win. I fought to get him shuffled

again, but it wasn't any use. The hand

I'm playing was stacked against me way

back there when... When my father was a

kid. But he must know that he's sending

an innocent boy to his death. He's your

father. We've got to. Listen, Miss

Templeton, I did it. Whatever's

coming to me, I deserve. I killed Jeff

Carter. Yes, I killed him in cold blood.

If you tell your story, it won't do any

good at all. It'll only ruin the lives of

two swell people. Connie and

my father.

Promise me one thing. Keep that

secret till your dying day.

I promised, Danny.

You always hated tears, didn't you?

I guess I can stand on this once.

Are there any other witnesses for the

defense?The defense rests. The

district attorney may proceed with the

closing argument. Your Honor?

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, when I

opened this trial before you, I said I

was going to prove through confident

witnesses that Danny Jones killed Jeff

Carter. It has now been proved beyond the

shadow of a doubt that Danny Jones is

guilty of premeditated murder as charged.

Every soul in this courtroom knows that

Jones is guilty. Danny Jones is like a

weed that poisons the healthy, useful

plants in a garden. The way to eliminate

a poisonous weed is to destroy its roots,

but Danny Jones' roots were entangled

with those of Leo Emerson,Willie Muller,

poor little Doris Martin and the others.

I could get it, Jones, only through those

children. He had infected them with his

poison. Before you go into that jury room

to consider your verdict, you should be

profoundly thankful that the poison of

Danny Jones' breed did not enter the

blood of your sons and daughters. There

can be no mercy for this vicious little

big shot who was so bent on twisting and

blighting and poisoning the character and

fiber of our boys and girls that he could

not stop short of the premeditated murder

of Jeff Carter, the real friend of our

youth. Danny Jones is heartless. His mind

is warped, his blood is bad, and he's a

killer. Under the law, he must pay the

penalty of death for this inexcusable

and cold-blooded murder. No, no.

You can't. You can't kill him. You have

to hear me. I've something to tell you.

No, don't listen to her. It's her out of

cough. You have to listen to her. She

can't tell you anything you don't know

already. Don't let her talk him. We'll

stop her.

Quiet, please. If you have

testimony of value to this case, why

haven't you offered it before?I just

arrived. I came as soon as I could. It's

incumbent upon us that we hear what this

lady has to say. Bring her to the witness

stand. You've got to listen to me first.

I'll tell you what she's going to say. I

killed Jeff Carter. Yes, I shot him and

threw the gun on the hedge at 32nd and

Main. Nobody knew I had the gun, not even

those kids. They didn't know anything. I

poisoned them just like he said I did. I

even fooled my lawyer. She knows what I

am, but she can't tell if I tell you

first.

Don't let it talk! Don't let it talk!

Quiet! Another demonstration of this

sort, and I'll clear the courtroom.

All right, Miss Templeton.

She's dead.

Will the defendant rise?

Have you anything to say before I pass

sentence?Yes, Your Honor. But first,

let me express my thanks for your

acceptance of my explanation with respect

to Doris Martin's testimony. If I had

known that this case was based on a lie,

I wouldn't have taken it. Now I'm

thankful I didn't know, because there is

more to this trial than the mere

conviction of a young man who has

admitted his guilt. I want

to speak an explanation for Danny Jones

rather than in defense of him, because in

his explanation lies the mitigation for

his crime. We

boast that every American is born with an

equal chance. By an equal chance, we mean

a decent home, loving and dutiful parents

and an adequate education with which to

start him on the road to becoming a

useful member of the community.

How much of this did Danny Jones receive?

Did he have what we consider a decent

home?No.

For no matter how hard we try, we can't

include parental love and understanding

in the structure of an orphanage. We can

only provide shelter and education.

The record shows that Danny Jones spent

most of his time running away. But he

didn't try to escape because of inherent

badness. He ran away in search of

affection when the one person he

loved was taken from him.

Now, what about his parents?Who are his

parents?Where are his parents?No one

knows. Not even Danny Jones.

Can you now say, Danny Jones,

I judge you with the same measuring stick

as I would someone who had all those

advantages. Would that be giving Danny

Jones the break that we Americans insist

everyone is entitled to?

We must understand Danny Jones when we

judge him. We must recognize him

as the symbol of so many others... to

whom we must somehow supply the

advantages... that are the birthright of

every American boy and girl. Not only for

their sakes... but for the ultimate good

of the American community.

That is the explanation for Danny Jones.

He's ready for sentence. Thank you, Mr.

Weston. When the

terms of a sentence are left to the

discretion of the court... as the laws of

our state provide. The judge must weigh

every aspect of the case with utmost

care. This I have done.

Danny Jones, you stand convicted of

the crime of first-degree murder. It is

the judgment of this court that you be

confined to the state penitentiary for

the rest of your natural life.

Court adjourned.

Danny, the law offers a

reward for good behavior. Even for those

serving a life term. I hope you take

advantage of it.

We'll be working for you, Danny. My

father and I. I

hated him until I saw you that day.

Funny how easy it is to change your mind.

You don't hate him anymore?I

couldn't if I tried. After all,

he's your father.