All language subtitles for Ruby Gentry

If you should walk down
to the waterfront

in the coastal town of Braddock
in the state of North Carolina,

you'd probably hear a story
told about one of the skippers

in the fishing fleet
that makes this port its home...

for this skipper is a woman...
a strange, gaunt woman...

and you can tell
even at first glance

that she is living
somewhere in the past,

as if even now, she were
suffering in atonement

for all the tragic consequences
of her willful acts.

There was a time when
Ruby was beautiful and alive,

and I believe it was
this spirit of life and love

that caused so much
envy and resentment

to be voiced against her
by the narrow,

class-conscious citizens
of our town.

For Ruby was born on
the wrong side of the tracks,

and though she struggled valiantly
to overcome this stigma,

the townspeople
never let her forget it.

I'd been in Braddock over a year
and was still an outsider.

They called me
the new Yankee doctor.

And then I met Jim Gentry,
Braddock's richest man.

Jim's wife was an invalid.

I guess he'd tried 50 doctors
before he got to me.

And somehow, right away,
Jim Gentry and I became friends.

On that bright
September evening,

Jim was taking me out
to a hunting party

at Jud Corey's hunting lodge.

To a young
and ambitious doctor,

that should have been
the main thing on my mind.

But strangely enough,
it wasn't.

Does Jud's daughter
live at the lodge?

Oh? You know Ruby?

Well, no, I've seen her in town.

You couldn't miss seeing Ruby
if she's anywhere above the horizon.

Trouble was, I couldn't figure
any way to meet her.

This is gonna be a mighty
lively hunting party

with you all set to launch
a campaign for Ruby,

and Boake Tackman
just home from South America.

Ruby used to be
real gone on him.

Sounds like they've
already got a head start

on Jud's sour mash whiskey.

Don't let it shake you, Doc.
It's just anatomy.

I never saw anything
like it in dissection lab.

Oh, Jim, it's you.

Don't butter me, honey.
I know you're disappointed.

You're blushing, sugar puss.

Mr. Ginter sent your gun.

Oh, boy... finished it real soon.

Ginter's usually slow as tar.

This gun's a
hand-me-down from Pop.

I had Ginter make me
this new stock.

Oh, Ruby, this is Dr. Manfred.

Only he'll like it better
if you call him Saul.

- Hello there, Saul.
- Hello.

Saul took one look
at you and got that... look...

that glazed codfish stare.

I told him it was just anatomy.

- And what did he say?
- Oh, nothing much.

It was all good, Ruby.

He thinks you're cuter
than a speckled pup.

Here, Mrs. Gentry
sent you some sachets.

Oh, bless her heart.

- How is she?
- Oh, about the same.

Sachets!

Did you ever!

My wife set her heart
on making a lady of Ruby.

She didn't hold with the saying

about making a silk purse
out of a sow's ear.

Honey, if you're a sow's ear...

When you come
right down to it,

what would anybody want
with a silk purse, huh?

Mr. Gentry, sir!

We've been expecting you.

- This is Dr. Manfred, Jud.
- How do, Doctor?

- Hello, Jud.
- You're real welcome.

Leave those things right there.
I'll take care of them.

Come in, come in.

Jewel!

Yeah, Pa?

Fetch those things
off the porch.

- Corner room suit you.
- Fine. Hello, Jewel.

I have to put you in
one of the rooms outside,

but it'll save you five dollars.

Ma Corey!

Best cook in Carolina, Saul...
her food's pure sin.

Hello, Ma.

Get some glasses and ice.

Tell Jewel to bring in
some more liquor.

Gentlemen, this is Dr. Manfred.

Doc, the big moose
is Clyde Pratt.

- Hi, Doc.
- Neil Fallgren over here.

And Cullen McAuliffe.

Any money you put in Cullen's bank, you can
kiss good-bye.

Jim's been doing a lot
of bragging about you, Doctor.

Oh, that's real nice.

I want you to see this stock
Ruby's got on her thirty-thirty.

Isn't that a dandy?

Burled walnut... a beautiful
hunk of wood, Ruby.

I got it off the gatepost
at the old Tackman plantation.

I figured finders keepers.

Must be the only thing out there
that isn't underwater.

Why, I'd give my
eye teeth for this stock.

- Looks like everybody's here.
- Yeah.

Go ahead, Dad.
I'll take the rest of this stuff.

All right.

Ruby?

Where are you?

Hi, stranger.

You look just about
the same to me.

You have me at a disadvantage.

I can't see what you look like.

But I can imagine.

Give me that light.

Let's see what
I've been missing.

- Keep away.
- You grown any?

I'll bet you filled out some.

Keep your hands off.

Keep your hands off me.

You little devil!

That's what Boake tells me,
especially when he uses

a bullet developed by Brenneke.

That's that ballistic man
from Leipzig, Germany.

That's right.

Here's our guest of honor!

- How are you?
- Just like old times.

Jud's been telling me some
grand things about you, Boake.

Somebody get Boake a drink.

- Let's see that cartridge belt.
- I got that in Brazil.

Dr. Manfred, Boake Tackman.

- How are you, Boake?
- Doctor.

Home for good
or just visiting?

I'm home for good this time.
I'm going to trump on your heels.

Got yourself some notion?

Real harebrained one.

Claims he's gonna drain
our old plantation.

Well, why not?

Wet or dry,
it's not worth a nickel.

- It's full of salt.
- Salt's no problem.

300 acres of bottom land
is a fair start.

That's more than you had.

I started out with
two hands and a tough hide.

Gonna raise cotton?

I'm gonna produce quick cash crops,
produce I can ship north,

because the plantation's
only the beginning.

Like you started out
repairing tin lizzies.

You got too much energy
for a Carolina boy.

Wears me out
just listening to you.

In South America, did those
se�oritas stir up your bloodstream?

Yeah, how about it, Boake?

I hear they're real hospitable.

I can't say they exactly
cold-shouldered me.

Dinner! Dinner!
Come on!

But I never found
one of them who could cook.

That's why I came home.

I saw a lot of it
in South America, Dad.

After they drain the swamps,
they plow in chemicals.

You can't eat this rich food
without whiskey to cut it.

Nitrates.

I've been shipping
plenty to Panama.

I figure I'm getting it from you.

Might have to get
some of it on credit.

I suppose we can
work that out.

Jim starts out by selling you
something on credit,

and before you know it,

you're running another
Gentry enterprise.

Mmm. Smell that.

Ma turns out
the best there is.

No doubt about it.

First time I've seen you
waiting on a table, Ruby.

Maybe the last time,
so take a real good look.

I do that anyhow.

Ma said it was time she was
learning to do a woman's work.

And maybe you'll sell me
your thirty-thirty.

You got no more use for it.

Don't you just wish?
It's bagging me a deer tomorrow.

Dad doesn't seem to think
this plan's gonna work, though, Jim.

I can't sell him on it.

I raised Ruby
like she was a boy.

Something sure must have
got out of hand.

Look at her, except for
those pants she wears.

Hear that, sugar?

Mr. Pratt wants you
all over fluffs.

Boake's got
a sound enough plan.

Once the land's drained,
he'll have collateral.

But he'll need capital to buy
the pumps and equipment.

Boake's already talked to Cullen
about getting a loan from the bank.

Oh, he did.
Cullen go for your notion?

He seems to.

He said to drop in
any time next week.

We could talk
the whole plan over.

- You little...
- Trying to brand him, Ruby?

Sprinkle some hair on her
and she'd pass for a bobcat!

- Ruby!
- I'm in your corner, Ruby!

Ruby! What's going on?

Huh? Nothing, Pop.

You're chasing after
Boake Tackman again, ain't you?

Inviting damnation
for your soul.

- Dry up.
- Hell leave you flat!

Same as before.

I learned a few things
in five years.

Don't you think
he's learned plenty, too?

He ain't no kid no more,

and he won't be satisfied
just holding hands.

That's my business.

You're courtin' hellfire!

- Hire yourself a church!
- You watch your tongue, missy!

You're leaving the hour
of reckoning out of your judgment...

then the wicked shall be judged
for the sins of the flesh...

and condemned to eternal
and everlasting fire.

Don't let him
rile you, honey.

Can't you leave
those things?

Come and sit down
and talk to Jim and me.

No... Pop's getting you up
before daylight.

- You'd better get some sleep.
- We'll turn in pretty soon.

So far, I'm not doing too well.

No woman like her.

One minute
fighting, scratching,

next minute, she's as sweet
and soft as any woman alive.

Guess I like her wild side best.

Can't help being glad that
Lettie didn't really tame her.

You didn't know... Ruby lived with
Lettie and me for a couple of years.

When was that?

While she was
going to high school.

Should have seen her the day
Jud brought her over to the house.

She was nearly 16...

Thin, wild, all eyes.

Jud thought I was a good enough
friend to come to in time of trouble.

That pleased me.

There had been a beach party
given the night before

for the high school
football team.

Boake was the
star fullback on the team,

and one of the most popular
young men in the county,

which is why, I suppose,
he always seemed to think that

Ruby should be his
for the asking.

But Ruby resented his
taking her for granted,

and so that night,
when he tried to get fresh with her,

she jabbed him
with her oyster knife.

Even though she never let on,
Ruby was scared.

She knew somehow
that she was in real trouble.

Then, when Ruby suddenly
appeared in Lettie's bedroom door,

Lettie was surprised.

She called Ruby
over to her bed...

... and Ruby told her
the whole story.

How she was glad she'd hurt
Boake because he deserved it,

but she was sorry
she'd hurt him so bad,

and, well, Lettie
was shocked down to her toes,

deeply concerned for Ruby.

She rang the emergency bell
while she told Ruby

that everything
would be all right.

I came pounding in
to Lettie's room,

afraid that something
had happened to her.

She said Ruby
was gonna stay with us,

and no ifs or buts,

so she could have protection
and care a young girl needs.

Not having any
children of her own,

Lettie set even
greater store by Ruby.

Taught her how to dress,
how to act toward the servants,

how to manage a big house,

taught her all sorts of nonsense.

Then Ruby finished high school,
and Jud needed help,

so he fetched her back to this.

So maybe we weren't
as kind as we meant to be...

training her for a life
she can't have.

You see... Ruby doesn't belong.

You mean socially?

She's from the
wrong side of the tracks.

You mean to say
in this day and age...

You're forgetting
where you are, Doctor.

- But that's absurd!
- It's worse than that.

These fools are so
full of pride about who they are,

about their
fine old family names,

so blind with conceit over nothing,
they can't see what she is!

How wonderful...

She is indeed.

Good night, Doctor.

Good night, Jim.

- Ruby.
- Go away, Boake. I mean it.

I'll bet.

I saw how you looked at me.

When?

Before you turned wildcat
and marked me up.

If your face hurts, there's some
stuff in Pop's medicine box.

Go away, Boake.

Ruby, who'll you be
hunting with tomorrow?

Hmm? The doctor, I suppose.

Take him up toward the ridge.

When you get him
to our place, get rid of him.

Ruby? Will you?

Maybe.

Maybe I will...

...maybe I won't.

Ruby...

Hold it!

Always put your gun through
ahead of you.

Oh, thanks.

The other way,
you're liable to get shot.

Just a second.

You sorry you're stuck
with a greenhorn?

Pop always pairs off
experienced hunters

with the ones
who are raw at it.

You'll catch on.

That's the trail
to the swamp.

Good place
if we were after birds.

They come there to feed.

But you want to shoot them when
they're flying toward high ground.

Why is that?

Try getting a bird
out of that muck, it'll swallow you.

It's tree deep
and soft as pudding.

Beautiful.

Not good for anything.

But I guess it is beautiful.

That hollow's
a likely place for deer.

You go on up the trail.

When you get to the top,
cut across the ridge.

They'll smell you
and come this way.

Won't they smell you?

- Wind's blowing my way.
- Oh, sorry.

That's all right, Doc.

If I tried to do your job,

I'd be as dumb as a dog
that doesn't know "sick 'em."

What do I do
when I get to the ridge?

If you hear me shooting,
we've got a deer.

If you don't, wait up there
and I'll find you.

Thanks.

You were a long time
getting rid of him.

Maybe I like the doctor.

Like!

You can like who you want,
but I won't be kept waiting.

I've done some waiting.

Boake, you don't know.

You can have South America.
You can have the whole world.

This is for me.

What, Boake?

Hill country liquor, tidewater
cooking, and North Carolina women.

Like I always said,
there's nothing like a dame.

That's the best shot
I ever made.

Naturally, I missed.

He was shot twice...
couple inches apart.

Five-pointer.

He's a beauty.

So are you.

- No, Boake.
- And no more games, Ruby.

You're gonna get it straight
in your head, Boake Tackman.

You can't come back here and
treat me like part of the scenery.

I'm not just
a North Carolina dame!

You know I'm crazy about you.

Along with devilled crab
and moonshine whiskey?

I remember the way
your hair smelled...

how it felt to put
my arms around you...

what a crazy,
beautiful kid you were.

Do you remember all the lies
they told about you and me?

How your family
and all those snobs

were so dead sure
they knew what was going on.

They were wrong then,
and they're still wrong.

You're so pretty when
you lose your temper

and your eyes start blazing.

Why don't you give up, Ruby?

You know you can't hold out
the way you feel.

Get out of here!

I swear if you
don't get out of my sight,

I'll blow your head off!

Oh, Miss McAuliffe!

Jud, please tell Daddy I'm here.

Hello, Tracy.
Come on in, honey.

He was about 20 yards
up the slope...

then, just as I fired,
the wind came up.

- That old alibi.
- So help me.

I didn't even
see the one Ruby got.

- Hello, Clyde.
- Tracy, honey.

My goodness, Neil,
you look like a bear.

- Hello, dear.
- Hello, honey.

Heavens, you
don't have to stand.

Sit down.

- Oh, Tracy, this is...
- Oh, hello, Rube.

Hi, Tracy.

This is my daughter,
Tracy, Doctor.

- Dr. Manfred, honey.
- How do you do?

Vorgie's told me
all about you, Doctor.

Our cook...
you delivered her grandson,

and she says you're wonderful.

Thank you, Miss McAuliffe.

- Ready, Boake?
- All set. Here's yours, Dad.

Thanks, Boake.

My, you smell
awful woodsy, darling.

I came to fetch my men early.

I knew they'd be dirty
from head to foot,

and I want them
to look nice for my party.

- Hello, Jim.
- Hello, Tracy.

The rest of you
can take your time.

If you're there by nine,
I'll forgive you.

We'll be there!

Oh, Dr. Manfred.

It's a little supper dance
at the country club...

sort of a welcome home
party for Boake.

Please come.

Well, l...

It's not as dull
as it sounds, Doctor.

If Braddock's
the same old town,

come sunup, you'll be riding home
with nothing but a head.

I'm sorry, I'd like to,
but I have an engagement.

Oh, well, another time.

- So long.
- Take care.

Pleasant trip, fellows.

Sorry, Tracy.

- Good-bye!
- Bye!

Well, nice girl, Tracy.

- Got brains and breeding.
- Yeah, brains and breeding.

Nothing has been said yet
about them getting engaged,

but Cullen and I are all for it.

Sowing the seeds
of a tarnished name...

Cut that!

Sowing the seeds
of eternal shame...

Oh, what will the harvest be...

I said to cut that!

I ought to kill you for that.

What's stopping you?

You ain't suffered enough yet.

Just wait till Boake Tackman
marries that girl.

He won't.

And they'll live together
fat and easy.

He'll put his arms around her,

and she'll feel as good
to him as you ever did.

Better likely, because
of the fine life that goes with her.

She and him'll have kids.

No, he's mine.

It seems he don't know that.

They can throw Tracy McAuliffe
at him all they want...

Boake's mine.

Why so quiet, sugar?

We're going fishing.

What's the use?
They're not biting.

Not biting?

Come on, honey,
give me a hand

cleaning up this tacklebox.

Ruby, there ain't a fish
in the world won't bite

if you go at it right.

Not for me, they won't.

You got to figure it
like your old man.

All these little fish
that hang around near the shore,

they're not for you and me.

We're after the big ones.

The big ones you gotta go after.

Out there,
where the water's deep.

When we get way out yonder,
you'll see old Mr. Fish...

he'll come wiggling along
fat and sassy.

He's at the pick of the lot
down there, see?

All of a sudden, he looks up
and sees something different.

Pretty soon, old Mr. Fish
can't stand it any longer.

He's gotta have a sniff.

And then... kerplunk!

You wheels in your reel right fast...
you got him hooked.

Yes, sir, that's all
there is to it, baby.

The right time,
give him the right bait.

I hate leaving here.

Every time, I hate it more.

Kiss me again.

Oh, I left my sweater.

I can pick it up tomorrow
or the day after if you don't need it.

What if your father
should stop by?

Not a chance.

The Judge is as dependable
as an ocean tide.

Moves out here
the first Monday in June,

and goes back to town
the morning after Labor Day.

I hope you noticed you got a gal
that can open a door all by herself.

Listen.

That's the new pump.
The big one.

Salt marsh for 50 years.

Now there's
a hundred acres planted,

and a hundred more
almost ready to plant.

You'd think nothing
would ever grow.

Wait and see.

When I get the pump
and the nitrates paid for,

that land's gonna grow
fleets of trucks,

barges, canning factory.

Boake Tackman... empire builder.

Sounds like a big heart beating.

It is.
It's my heart.

Oh. What about me?

Do you really think you can
compete with a man's work?

Come on.

It's nearly morning.
The stars are fading.

Boake, drive me back
along the beach.

- Love me?
- Sure thing.

Tell me.

I love you, baby.

Tell me like you mean it.

Stop trying to put words
in my mouth, Ruby.

Let me say what I want to say
when I'm ready to say it.

Relax, honey.
You've got your throttle wide open.

But you're always holding back.

You think I'll wait and wait

while you take
your own sweet time.

Don't push me, Ruby.

Who's pushing?

You and that
one-track mind of yours.

Two can play
at that game!

It's all right. I got it.

Because I love you!

Because I love you!

Come on, the five o'clock ferry's
about to leave for the mainland!

Now all the South Shore folks'll
be getting their backs up

because of Tracy McAuliffe.

The whole fishing fleet's
already talking...

and everybody down
to the meeting house

scandalizing about you and him.

Those hypocrites... let 'em talk.

I'm ashamed
we got the same name.

I'll be changing mine
pretty soon.

You fool.
You wanton fool.

You think Boake Tackman
will marry you?

I don't think.
I know.

He's ashamed of you...

sneaking out to meet you
at some joint on the highway,

where he don't
run into his fine friends.

Even if he did
want to marry you,

Boake Tackman's
tied hand and foot.

Let him try to break away.
They'll stop him.

They got their ways.

Joe, send in a couple
of bourbons with water!

I got par on eight holes
and two birdies,

and then I miss
a putt that long.

- Cost me 40 bucks.
- Come on, pay up.

What's the matter, George?

Did our big amphibious engineer
take you to the cleaners?

You said it!

That cold dip in the ocean
must have put Boake in shape!

Yeah!

How'd it happen?
Or shall I take a guess?

When Boake hit that water,
I bet he fairly sizzled.

Next time you're out romancing,

don't forget to take
your water wings.

Or a couple of oars!

- Sour grapes.
- Okay, I admit it!

Sure, the rest of us
are either too old or too tired.

Say, Boake, Cullen told me
about your plantation...

how you want to spread out,

and I've got that
old cotton warehouse.

- You want to sell or lease?
- Gotta think about it.

You and Tracy coming
to the barbecue tonight?

Yeah.
Sure, I guess so.

Fine.

After dinner, when our women
are having themselves a hen talk,

we'll get together, okay?

Yeah.

I read in the paper where you
went to a party at the McAuliffe's.

Yes.

I thought about you
dancing with Tracy,

and honestly, Boake,
I had to pity you.

She's so bony.

Ruby, I wanted
to tell you about Tracy.

That's all right, darling.

I know you have
to be sweet to Tracy.

After all, when her father's
lending you all that money...

It's gonna be
announced Sunday.

I know you'd want me
to tell you first.

Tracy and I are going
to be married.

Our families have more or less
planned it since we were kids.

And are you gonna use
your lying mouth

to tell me you love
that weak, giddy head?

Ruby, with you,
it's been so sweet

and wild and crazy...

but when it comes to settling down
for the rest of my life...

You see, I like the little corner
of the world I was born in.

I like everything about it.

Including
Cullen McAuliffe's money?

The money's part of it...

so I can do the work
I want to do.

You can get a job!
And I can work!

We don't need
the McAuliffe's money!

Ruby, I'm not talking
about earning a living.

For a hundred years, the Tackmans
have been sliding downhill.

Ever since the tides
swallowed our plantation,

not one of them lifted a finger
to do anything about it.

Sitting out their lives
on verandas,

sopping up
bourbon whiskey, like my dad.

I'm not going to
end up like him.

I'm gonna do things that
will shake this whole town awake!

Change the whole Tidewater!

Things I can be proud of.

Like marrying somebody
you don't love?

There's all kinds of love, Ruby.

I've known Tracy so many years.

It's not like you and me, no...

but Tracy's gentle,
and she's bright as a dollar.

Yeah, I know.

She's got brains and breeding.

Both of you!

Like a pair
of pedigreed hounds!

Ruby, listen!

It's not the end of the world.

I'll still be around.
I won't be tied hand and foot.

We can still see each other.

You'd do that?

You'd come to me on the sly?

- You'd try to make me your...
- Ruby, I didn't say that!

Ruby!

Marry her! And rot!

And don't ever come
sneaking back here!

- Stop, you!
- Let him go!

If anybody's
gonna kill him, I am!

"Last Wednesday afternoon,
a surprise shower was given

"for Miss Tracy McAuliffe,
who will marry Mr. Boake Tackman,

"son of Judge Henshel Tackman.

The Tackman and McAuliffe..."

Hello, Doctor.

Hello.
Hello, Lettie.

I declare, Dr. Saul,

I'm beginning to think
you have a case on me,

the way you're
always popping in here.

- Do you mind?
- Mercy, no.

I'm partial to doctors.

One of my beaus was a doctor.

Miss Drucker's making me
a new dress for the wedding.

She's a spinster lady,
poor thing.

Got no idea
what catches a man's eye.

I wouldn't worry
if Ruby were here.

Nasty old needle.

I'm a brute.

I was just talking.
I don't really mind.

Whatever that medicine is,
it makes me feel lovely.

Dr. Saul?

Tell Jim to drive out
and get Ruby.

Tell him it's doctor's orders.

- He'll pay you some mind.
- All right, Lettie.

- I'll talk to him right now.
- Thank you, Doctor.

- Hello, Saul.
- Jim.

Haven't you noticed a change
in Lettie the last couple of weeks?

In what way?

Well, seems to me
she's a lot livelier,

more interested
in what's going on.

She's even planning on getting up
to go to Tracy and Boake's wedding.

Yeah, she told me.

She wants you to drive out
and bring Ruby here.

I know, she asked me,
but it'd be torture for Ruby

with all that talk
about the wedding.

Letitia's dying, Jim.

This change you've noticed
is something that often happens

just before the end...
a sudden resurgence of energy,

like a dying tree sometimes
has a final burst of bloom.

If you want
another doctor's opinion...

No, no.

How soon?

Two weeks, maybe less.

I only hope and pray
she doesn't suffer.

It'll help if Ruby's here.

No doubt about that.

It's the kind of dress
that bowls men over!

It makes all the women
green with envy!

Letitia, I swear you've
got the figure of a girl.

May I have this dance?

You're light
as a feather, Letitia!

Miss Lettie!

Miss Lettie.

Lie down.

Please... give me the button.

When it got dark,
I was frightened.

Papa gave me a button
and told me to hold on,

then nothing
could happen to me.

Hold on tight, he's...

Miss Lettie.

Did you notify Mrs. Gentry's
cousins up in Raleigh?

Cousins, aunts,
nephews, nieces.

Anything else I should do?

Are you going
to order the flowers?

Then everything's
taken care of.

I just realized again
how extraordinary you are.

Thank you, Doctor.

Not only because you're beautiful,
you're so unpretentious and honest.

You mustn't pay
any attention to these people.

This is a stuffy,
snobbish town.

It's the only place I know.

Someday, somebody will
take you out of it, and you'll see...

Ruby, I...

...I think you're wonderful.

Thank you, Saul.

- Good-bye.
- Good-bye.

I'm going downtown.

Here, take my car.

- Thanks.
- Has Saul left?

He had to go to the hospital.

You know, I think
he started to propose to me.

Saul?

He lost his nerve.

Is there anything
I can bring you?

No.

I won't be long.

Jim wasn't jealous of me,
I'm sure of that.

But he must have realized then
how Lettie's death had set him free.

And now, each faced
a painful loss...

- Yes?
...and a Ionely tomorrow.

Martha says you're packing.

Everything's taken care of,

so I'm going out
to stay with my folks.

I'll be back early
Wednesday morning.

Why not stay on here?

And give them
something more to talk about?

I don't see them.

What's wrong with your being here...
the years I've known you?

Why, you'd...

Now, Jim, don't tell me
that I'm just like a daughter.

You still planning
to go to New York?

I suppose so.

Maybe you're planning
to get married.

Whatever put that
in your head?

It's been in Saul's head since
the first day he laid eyes on you.

Saul's sweet.

Martha's fixing supper early
so I can eat before I go.

Ruby?

Heaven knows what you'll do,

running off, getting yourself
tangled up with somebody.

Don't worry about me, Jim.

I don't want to lose you.

You and me are
the same kind of people.

As far as this town
is concerned, we're mongrels.

Even Lettie
was out of my class.

Lettie was sick
for eight and a half years.

For eight and a half years,
I didn't have a marriage,

but I stuck it out.

And I was gonna
wait a while before I asked you.

I'm asking you now.

Mrs. James Gentry.

That would really give them
something to talk about.

Forget them!

They'd say Boake Tackman
wouldn't have me,

so I hooked you
to get your money.

Anybody talk about my wife,
I'd break them in two.

They'd wonder if
I was still mooning over Boake,

and they'd talk about it.

And after a while,
maybe you'd start wondering, too.

I've seen you hunt and fish, Ruby,

and I never saw you cry
about the ones that got away.

Go up to New York
if you want to.

I gotta be there
on business next month.

We can be married then.

All right, Ruby?

All right, Jim.

Boake and Tracy were married
in the traditional manner

to which Braddock was accustomed.

And without telling
his secret to another soul,

Jim went to New York, and there
made Ruby Corey his wife.

Shall I carry you to the office?

No.

Yes?

Mr. Fallgren
and Mr. Biffle are here.

Fine, send them in.

They got here so fast, you'd think
they were working for you.

In a way, they are.

- Good to see you, Jim.
- Thank you.

Howdy.
What's your big news?

I'll lay odds
it's that assembly plant.

It's bigger than that.

Gentlemen... I want you
to meet Mrs. Gentry.

Ruby?

Ruby and I were married
last Thursday in New York.

Congratulations, Jim.
I mean it.

I'm sure you do.

Yes, it's not good
for a man to live alone.

I'll run it front page
tonight if you say so, Jim.

That's why I called you over.

Any sort of statement
you want to make?

You can say we're
both very happy,

and we're glad to be home.

And we can sure say
the bride's a beauty.

Let me tell you, Ru...
Mrs. Gentry,

you look like a million dollars.

I've seen a million dollars
and believe me,

Ruby looks a whole lot better.

Yeah.

I'd better hop back to my office
before they run off the paper.

- I'll run along, too.
- One more item.

You might want to say we're
going to give a party real soon.

End of next week.

So that all my friends
can meet Mrs. Gentry.

You two gentlemen
are invited.

And your wives.

That's nice of you.
Right, Shug?

Very nice.

Thank you very much,
Mrs. Gentry.

We'll sure be there.

Couldn't keep us away.

It was unbelievable how many
prominent families stayed away.

Their excuses were
convincing enough,

but it seemed as if
some secret conspiracy

had been
successfully executed.

Well, I have an early
operation in the morning.

Ate too much.

Takes a Yankee
to appreciate this Tidewater food.

Takes a Yankee
to show some manners.

Oh, no.

Frank.

Tell them that'll be all
for tonight.

And they're welcome
to eat before they go.

Good night, Jim.
Thanks for inviting me.

Thanks for showing up.

- Good night, Ruby.
- Good night, Saul.

Forget it, Jim.

The ones who did come
had a good time.

The rest of them don't matter.
Not to me.

They underrated me.

They'll find out they've
been tempting Providence.

They'll never accept me.

No? We'll see about that.

Jim Gentry!

How long is it you've been
a member of this country club?

- Nearly ten years.
- Ten years?

Blamed if I ever saw you before
at one of our Saturday night brawls!

The penalty and reward
of having a young wife, gentlemen.

There's the next dance.
I'd better get out there.

- Tab.
- Yes, sir.

Ruby said if she was stuck
with Grandpappy Stafford

for more than one dance,
she'd scalp whatever hair I had left.

- And that I want to keep.
- Thanks for the drink, Jim.

- Hello, Doctor.
- Neil, how are you?

Good to see you.

What's the matter, Jim?
Somebody snatch her away?

Jim?

Yes, sir?

- Same as before.
- Okay.

Jim?

Doctor, can I
ask you a question?

Yeah, go ahead.

This business
they always hand you

about not being able
to mix your drinks...

I've often wondered about that.

Do you think that...

- Give me a double brandy, please.
- Yes, ma'am.

And please put
some ice in a towel.

I'll take that.

Here, drink this.

I don't want this!

Come on, honey,
let's go home.

Not till I finish with that scum!
That filthy...

Where did he go?

Jim, don't be a fool!

Take your hands off me!

Jim, what's got in to you?
I've never seen you like this.

Why, you little tramp!

You're dressed up
to look like a lady.

It's a pity you can't behave like one.
None of this would have happened!

Ruby!

- Good night, Jim.
- Good night, Doc.

Ruby?

I... had no business
saying what I did.

I'm sorry.

Why...

Jim, I... We...

No, not now.

Tomorrow's another day.

Wind's shifting.

Jim, when are we
going to talk?

- About what?
- About last night.

Isn't that what
we came out here for?

I wanted to be alone with you.

That's all.

But how can you forgive me
if I don't tell you?

I don't want to hear.

I didn't mean to hurt you.

I didn't even think
until afterwards.

I don't want to hear anything...

if you saw him first,
or if he saw you,

or if he asked you to dance.

I don't know how it happened.

All of a sudden, Boake was there
and we were dancing and...

it seemed like we both
forgot there was anybody else.

Don't, Ruby!

When I married you,
I knew all about Boake.

I would have been crazy to think he
still didn't mean something to you.

Jim, what is love?

I've been so happy with you.

Don't talk.

I don' t mind
being second best.

Oh, Jim, I do love you.

I do, I do!

How could I help it?

- Are you cold?
- A little bit.

- I'll get you something to drink.
- Thanks.

Jim! Jim!

Jim!

Jim!

Jim, answer me!

Jim!

Answer me!

Jim, where are you?

Can you hear me?

Jim!

Jim, where are you?

I keep seeing Jim's face
just before it happened.

And then afterwards...

He was gone so quickly.

It doesn't seem
possible that he...

...just swallowed up
by the waves...

How could he
be gone so quickly?

Maybe if I hadn't called out,
he would have stayed below.

Or if I'd called out
something else besides his name.

You've got to stop
blaming yourself.

Without him, I...

What's that?

What are they doing?

Just making a racket.

Probably worked up
about Jim.

- Worked up?
- I'll close the window.

- Hello?
- Murderer.

- Who is this?
- Murderer! Murderer!

Somebody calling me
a murderer!

- Murderer! Murderer!
- Who is this?

I'm gonna have you
reported to...

They think I... killed Jim?

"Sheriff Anderson,
after questioning Mrs. Gentry,

"did not dismiss
the possibilities of suicide

"or of foul play.

"He said he was forced
to accept Mrs. Gentry's story,

"since there were no other
witnesses to the tragedy.

"However, he mentioned reports
of domestic difficulties

"in the Gentry home,
and said that Mr. Gentry,

"only the night before,
engaged in a fistfight

because of Mrs. Gentry's
attentions to another man."

Stay away from
that window, honey.

Don't pay them no mind!

Somebody's got to stop them!

Braddock Times?

This is Mrs. James Gentry.

I want to speak
to Mr. Neil Fallgren.

Hello, Neil?

Neil, you don't really think
that Jim killed himself?

Or that I could possibly...

Everything I told
the sheriff was true!

It was all lies,
that story you wrote!

After the brazen show you
made of yourself the other night,

I'd say you're getting off easy!

Sure, sure I was Jim's friend!

Let me tell you
something, Ruby!

When you sashayed in
from the swamps

thinking you was
good as anybody,

his friends should have sent you
packing before you could hook him!

And if we had,
he'd still be alive!

Tearing through the driveway!

That's trespassing
on private property!

I'll stop them!

No, Judge, that will
just make things worse!

- She's took enough!
- Don't you understand...

- Get out of my way, Doctor!
- Judge, you've got to stop!

Get out of here!

- Are you all right?
- I'm all right, Doctor.

A lot of people in this town
are gonna be sick!

Jim had always used
his money wisely,

but Ruby was out for blood.

The Wayne Trucking Company's
missed a lot of payments,

and they owe a lot of interest.

How do I take over
their trucks?

If you want the trucks,
since the loan's delinquent,

you could demand
payment in full.

I want payment in full.

Now, this note on Perry Duncan,
or what did you call it?

A demand note.

If you intend to collect on that,

it's customary
to give 30 days notice.

It says here 24 hours.

- That's the minimum notice.
- Give them the minimum.

First thing tomorrow morning.

How did this get here?

Didn't Cullen McAuliffe
loan money for this?

Boake Tackman's note.

The County bank did make
the original note,

but Mr. Gentry
took it over from them.

Mr. Gentry thought it
a very promising project.

Do you want to demand
payment on that, Mrs. Gentry?

Neil Fallgren.

Can I take over
the Braddock Times?

With a writ of attachment.

Well, from a business standpoint,
I'd advise against it.

Can I take over
the Braddock Times?

Naturally, you can,
Mrs. Gentry.

You can also take a million dollars
and make a bonfire out of it.

Have that note or writ
or whatever you call it

served on Mr. Fallgren
first thing tomorrow morning.

All the boats are tied up
at the docks because of you.

Packing plant's closed,
all those folks out of work,

and they're hating me
because I'm your brother!

They're hating me
for your sins!

And I told Pa he had to
come and fetch you home

to make you stop
what you're doing.

- But he wouldn't listen.
- Pop's got more sense.

Sister, you've got to pray,
pray for forgiveness.

You gone crazy, Jewel?

No, kneel with me.
Tell how you sinned,

so's I can go to the meeting
with a joyful heart and say,

"Yes, yes, she sinned,
but on her knees,

she said she was sorry."

Sorry?

For getting back at people who
gave me a rough time all my life?

You're plowing iniquity
and sowing wickedness.

Go home! Get out!

There'll be a reckoning.

Whatsoever you sow,
that shall you also reap.

So far, I've reaped
nothing but pleasure.

Go to your meeting
and tell them that!

Evil... evil spawn of the devil.

And tell them
this is just the beginning.

You've sown the wind,
and you'll reap the whirlwind!

Well, Boake, I expected you
a couple of days ago.

I've been staying out
of the project.

I didn't get your letter
till this morning.

I got here as quick as I could.

Didn't even stop to dress
for the occasion.

What occasion?

Calling on a beautiful woman.

- Would you like a drink?
- Sure.

I was hoping you'd come
to see me without being asked.

Well, I thought of it.

Well?

I was afraid you might have
blood dripping off your clothes.

- I haven't hurt you.
- I know.

And I could.

You know why I asked you
to come here?

Probably it's my turn,
and you want to see if I'll crawl.

For old times' sake.

How much?
What's the price?

It's all yours.

I'm giving it back to you.
You don't owe me a cent.

Tell me, why do I rate this?

You trying to buy off
your conscience?

You think I'm sorry
for what I've done to them?

Those foul-mouthed,
whiskey-soaked

Carolina gentlemen?

I've got them on their knees
begging for mercy!

And I'm glad!

Nobody's ever
harmed you enough to...

Not enough?

The way they tramp
back and forth over my life,

treating me like I was trash?

They never let up.

When I married Jim,
when he died...

and you know
if it wasn't for them

that you and l...

Boake, now I've got money.

I can give you
anything... everything.

Forget your pride.

I don't care now if you were wrong
or right when you married Tracy.

I'll never talk about it.

You're worried about
what people will say.

We can leave.

We can go
anywhere in the world.

Oh, Boake.

And they lived
happily ever after.

Kiss me, Boake.

- You still feel the same!
- That's right.

Exactly the same.

There are things
you can change with money, Ruby...

the way you fix your hair,
the way you dress.

You can buy houses,
dogs, guns, cars.

You could even
buy some people.

You can buy a lot of things
with Jim's money, Mrs. Gentry.

But you can't buy
your way out of the swamp,

and you can't buy me.

Boake!

Boake had told her how the land
had been salt marsh for 50 years.

And now, as hundreds of acres
were drained, plowed, and planted,

all his hopes and ambitions
were growing there.

Will you be putting up
your own sign, Mrs. Gentry?

No.

That stretch yonder
where nothing's planted

still has a lot of salt water in it.

We're clearing it up
as fast as we can.

Turn off the pumps.

But high tide'll flood it again,

and you'll be right back
where you started.

I said turn off the pumps.

I can't do it, Mrs. Gentry,
unless I know for sure that...

Walt!

He doesn't seem to think
I own this property.

She owns it, all right.

If I turn off those pumps,

the part that's planted
will get flooded, too!

In a couple of weeks,
all of the...

Turn off the pumps.

And have your men
dig through that dyke.

Dig through?

A good, wide ditch.

I don't want to wait
a couple of weeks.

It was almost as though
Ruby were jealous of the land.

As though she finally realized
that her only real rival

for Boake's love was his ambition,

his determination to be
more than just a Tackman.

And so, almost as if
it was another woman

who stood between her
and the man she loved,

Ruby attacked the land
and destroyed it...

and watching,
felt a bitter satisfaction.

What Ruby had never understood
was that a man and his dreams,

a man and his work,
are one and the same.

Boake had tramped
those fields,

had dug in the muck
with his own hands,

and put all his strength
and mind and will

into making those
frail plants grow.

Got a cigarette?

Match?

Let's get out of here.

A long way from home...

A long way...

Ruby, baby,
sure glad to see you.

Couldn't start duck season
without my sugar.

- Hi, Pop.
- Hello, honey.

You got some gun
you can loan me, Jud?

Sure, I got that sixteen-gauge
with a full choke.

Fine.

Only thing is the muzzle blast.

I got this compensator.

Let me see that gun, Cullen.
I've always wanted it.

Ruby.

Mrs. Gentry.

Jud didn't say
he was expecting you.

We heard a car
drive up, but...

You didn't say you were planning
on hunting with us today, Boake.

I didn't know I was going to
till just a little while ago.

Sit down, gentlemen.

- New gun?
- Yes, it is.

English.

I ordered it through Ginter.

- I read an ad for this gun.
- Yeah, in a gun and rod journal.

It's listed at nearly $2,000.

You must be feeling prosperous.

I ordered it last summer.
That was back in the palmy days.

I made up my mind
I was gonna hunt with it once

before I put it up for sale.

Yes, these are
mighty lean times.

I was just thinking
it's a lucky thing for us

that there's a limit
on ducks, Mrs. Gentry.

You limiting me to the limit?

No, we're just hoping you'll
be generous and leave us a few.

To better times, gentlemen.

It's bound to come.
We've weathered worse than this.

Droughts and floods
and Yankee invasion.

You didn't drink.

To better times.

When the swamp trotters
take over and turn the whole world

into a stinking swamp.

Let's go back.

What's the matter?

Don't you like it here?

- Maybe you're afraid.
- Of what?

Me...

of the kind of man I am now.

Boake, you're hurting me.

You finally got me, Ruby.

You got me
where you want me.

But you don't like it, do you?

I don't mind you
taking the land,

but why did you
have to scuttle it?

Why do you have
to ruin everything you touch?

Boake, I loved you so much!

Ruby, it's good
to see you afraid.

Go on, kill me.

I was wrong...
I didn't know...

Boake, I didn't want this.

Oh, Ruby.

When I think
what it could have been...

They shall be bound together,

and thrown into a fiery pit.

It's Jewel.

Woe unto her
in her iniquity.

Get over there.
Behind there.

Incense she burned,
and she decked herself with pearls.

I can't tell where he is.

Come on! Through here!

Over there! Keep low!

Down there!

Under there!

Woman is the very root
of wickedness.

In her beauty, a snare.

The Lord strengthens
the hand of the righteous

to strike down the sinner.

Jewel! Have you gone crazy?

Come on.

Get up that bank!

Say you love me.

Boake, say you love me.

The wages of sin is death!

Boake...

What have I done?

What have I done?

Yes, Ruby Gentry was born
on the wrong side of the tracks,

and the people of Braddock
never let her forget it.