All language subtitles for Birthright 1939 DVDRip x264

♪

♪

You ought to see me
when I had my bayonet,

and I bop that,
and I boop that,

and then with my butt end
I went like...

Oh, I sure put it
to 'em, black boy.

Four white men, four.

Oh, you ought to see me,
I was going, 90--

Excuse me, fellas.

-What you want?
-What's the matter, Tump?

Ain't nothin' the matter.

You puffed up because Cissie
put you down for a ten?

Has she done stuck
me for a ten?

Yeah, it's on that school
subscription.

Is that what you two was
talking about all that time

over at your house?

Exactly.

Now the proposition is this.

Yeah?

I've made a deal with
Henry Hooker, the banker,

to buy the Tomwit place

south of town
to build a school on.

So I've raised a hundred
dollars, that is,

when you kick in
with that ten

Cissie put you down to pay.

So if you'll come across,
you can come with me

down to the bank
to make a payment

and get the contract.

Well, uh, let me see
how I can fix you.

Get myself together and see
how near I can get to it

because I'm a little
short anyway.

Oh, hello boys.

Hi, how you doing,
Mr. Hooker?

I just listened to a sermon
on Christianizing Africa

by the Reverend Blackwater,

a preacher who is truly
a man of God.

We must help men like
Reverend Blackwater,

bring these heathen savages
into the path of God.

Amen.

Very true and very fine,
Mr. Hooker,

but what about the black
heathens of the South?

They're both civilized
and Christianized,

yet live a life of misery
in many places.

Hooker's Bend included
until it's pitiful to behold.

What about it, Mr. Hooker?

That may not be your burden,

you're an American citizen,
but it's somebody's burden

to try to improve
this condition.

And I have therefore dedicated
my life to the task.

Accordingly, I'm here
to see about that deal.

You came to see me
about that land, Peter?

Well, I'm very sorry
to tell you, Peter,

but you're too late
for the Tomwit place.

How's that? Why,
I bought the land.

Yeah, but you paid nothing
for your option on it, Siner.

Well, I had a clear-cut
understanding with Mr. Tomwit.

I'll go see Mr. Tomwit.

It's no use, Peter.

I'll explain, now, uh...

Mr. Tomwit surprised
me too, Peter,

but no use talking about it.

In the meantime, I don't
like to see anything

so important as the education

of our colored
people held up,

so I've been trying
to do something about it.

So then rather than let
your project be delayed,

I'm going to offer you
the old Dillihay place

at exactly the same
price, Peter, 800.

95, 96, 97,

98, 99, 100.

Oh, well, thank you, Peter.

I like a man of decision.

Here's your deed
to the Dillihay place

and the deal is closed.

(chuckling)

-Good morning.
-Goodbye, sir.

Well, that was done proper
and to the point, Tump,

like a business proposition
should be consummated.

Uh, should be what, brother?

Well, it was quick,
all right.

Don't suppose nobody
could put a deed

over on you with stoppers
in it, does ya?

We don't know any
such word as "stop," Tump.

Now, Peter, I know
what's the matter.

I didn't do you right.

Why did you turn down
my proposition, Mr. Tomwit,

after we'd agreed
and drawn up the papers?

-Well, I had to do it, Peter.
-Why, Mr. Tomwit?

A white neighbor of mine
wanted me to.

Who, Mr. Tomwit?

Henry Hooker talked me
into it, Peter.

It was a mean trick,
and I done you wrong.

Henry Hooker?

You don't mean the cashier
at the bank?

Yep, there ain't
but one Henry Hooker.

He's the one and only.

He told me if I sold
you any of my land

that you all would
put up a Negro school

and bring in
so many blackbirds,

you'd run me
clean off my farm.

Well, he said it would
ruin the whole town,

a Negro school would.

He didn't talk
that way to me.

Naturally, naturally.

Henry has a different way of
talking to every man, Peter.

In fact, he just sold me
the old Dillihay place

in lieu of the deal
I missed with you.

The hell he did!

Is that your deed?

Let me see it.

Well, I'll be danged!

That little old Henry Hooker

always was a snake
in the grass.

He abused his position
of trust.

Why do you suppose he bought
him the Tomwit place

and sold me
the Dillihay tract?

I wonder is that little old
gimlet-headed white man

done put some stoppers
in that deed he guve you.

He might've.

-Pitiful.
-This aint pitiful,

I's talking' sense, high-hat.

Stoppers, what do you
mean by stoppers?

I mean Negro-stoppers,
you fool.

Negro-stoppers?

Listen to me, high-hat,
I's betting' I's right.

Let me take a look
at that deed.

Oh, 90 on.

I faded that deed
with a ten spot,

and I reckon I got
a once-over coming'

for my money.

"This agreement is made
today of the..."

Something's up.

I saw Henry Hooker
give Siner a paper

and met Tomwit up the street
who took the paper,

looked at it
and said something,

then handed it back
and walked away.

Then Siner and Tump
had an argument,

and now Tump's
a-reading' the paper.

Wonder what it's all about.

A dollar to a donut,

that Henry Hooker's
pulled a fast one on him.

Well, let's have a Coca-Cola.

"...it is hereby
agreed that...“

There she am,
there she am,

a Negro-stopper
as sure as you is born.

Let me see your mare's nest.

It's there, now I reckon
you'll understand

what a stopper is.

“Be it further understood
and agreed that no Negro,

black man, Afro-American,
mulatto, quadroon, octoroon,

or any person whatsoever
of colored blood or lineage,

shall enter upon, serve,
hold, occupy, reside upon,

till, cultivate
said property,

or garner, cut,
or harvest therefrom

any of the usufruct timber,
or emblements thereof,

but shall by these
presents be estopped

from so doing forever."

Why, that can't be legal.

Legal?

Legal, hell, anything
a white man wants

to put over on a Negro
on Hooker's Bend is legal.

Through all the schools
clean up to Harvard,

and then you let a poor
white man like Henry Hooker

put a fast one over on you.

Well, ya fool.

Hey, where you going'?

Look here, Peter,
I advise you against

anything you fix to do
unless you rather

cash in your checks.

♪

Hello, Peter, hear you been
investing' in real estate.

♪

Peter,

I advise you against
anything you fixing' to do.

Said, Peter!

Wait a minute, man!

♪

-Mr. Hooker.
-Very busy now, Peter.

I want to know
about this deed.

No time to talk
about deeds now, Peter.

But, there's a clause that's
stopping' colored people

from occupying' the place.

Precisely, what about it?

According to this, I can't
establish a school on it.

You cannot.

Then what can I do with it?

Sell it, I'll give you
$10 for the option

you hold in it, I...

You mean you're willing
to give me only $10

of the $100 I paid you
not an hour ago?

I'm not willing to give
you anything, Peter,

but I'll do so just
to wipe the cloud

the deed I gave you
holds over it.

♪

I won't trade,
you cheated me,

here's your deed.

Stop there, Peter!

What's the matter?

Oh, Peter there won't
stick to his bargain

and is walking away
with a hundred dollars

of the bank's money.

Sick of your deal, Peter?

Well, what you
want done, Henry?

Oh, nothing, I suppose...

Siner was excited.

You know how a Negro is.

We can't afford to put
every one of them in jail

that breaks the law.

And let me give you
a little friendly advice.

I'd just run an ordinary
school for Negroes,

if I was you.

This higher education
that you have

don't seem to make
you any smarter

when you come back
than you were

before you went away.

Bobbs?

That was a great sermon

the Reverend Blackwater
preached.

It made me want to help
according to the Lord

who's blessed me,
couldn't you spare $5

to go along
with my contribution?

Thanks, Bobbs.

I've got the envelope ready,

I'm dropping your five
in with mine.

$10 more for the great work.

The salvation of the black
heathens of Africa.

Amen.

Here, you better have
this registered

at the post office
as you pass by, Bobbs.

Good morning, Bobbs.

It brings out what most
of we Southerners argue,

that you can't
educate a Negro.

He can be taught lines
like an actor in a play,

but he seldom understands
what they mean,

and Siner is the best
sample of it.

Hooker sure pulled
a fast one on him.

He'll have a hard time
living that down

in Hooker's Bend.

Negroes ain't got
much confidence

in each other no how.

And this'll about wash
educated Negroes

up as leaders with them.

It'll limit them
to preaching and teaching.

And I'll reckon
this'll about finish

Siner's theory
of higher education.

♪

♪

(applauding)

♪

♪

After all I done done to keep
you up there in school,

you come back yelling'
at a poor white man,

make a fool of ya.

Now everybody's
Laughing' at us,

both of us.

Hello?

-Hello, Cissie.
-Hello.

Won't you come in?

Here's some cookies,
Mr. Siner.

I thought you
and Aunt Caroline...

Yeah? I imagine
they's for me.

...might like them.

Certainly don't want
no light-fingered hussy

running' after my son

and the whole Deldine
family will bear watching'.

Won't you come in?

Why, no, I just
came by to...

To fling herself
in a pretty boy's face

'cause he's done been North
and got made a fool of.

-I'd better go now.
-Wait, oh wait, Cissie,

until I get my hat,
I'll go with you.

(crying)

Poor dear, I'm so sorry.

Your mother certainly
hates me, Peter.

No, it's me.

She's terribly let down
about that deal.

Your own mother
turned against you.

I don't blame her in a way.

It seems so...stupid of me.

The man seemed
so sympathetic

that I wasn't
expecting a trick.

Of course, you wasn't.

The whole thing proved
that you're a gentleman

used to dealing
with gentlemen.

But, of course,
these Hooker's Bend Negroes

will never be able
to see it

or try to understand
it that way.

Still, Cissie, I should've
used the greatest care.

I'm not talking' about
what you ought

to have done, Peter.

I'm talking' about
what you are.

Well, one thing is sure,

I've lost my friendship,
whatever it was worth.

With the others maybe.

What are you
going to do now?

Find a way to get another
hundred, I suppose,

and read the deed before I do
any paying this time.

Bravo, Peter, bravo.

I'm not the first man
to make a mistake

and get beat.

That one mistake
is not going to stop me.

But my fist will, you yellow--

(Cissie screaming)

Ah!

♪

♪

I 'Clare few' God,

you ain't home a week
before you're fighting'

over a yellow hussy
like a roustabout.

-But, Mother, I...
-Me sweating' over the wash-tub

so you can go North
and learn a little sense,

only to see you come back
home and start chasing'

a dirty yellow hussy.

Oh, Mother, I was
only walking home

with Miss Deldine.

Miss Deldine, Miss Deldine,

if you mean that stuck-up
yellow fly-by-night hussy,

then say so, don't stand
there mouthing' Miss Deldine,

Miss Deldine.

Oh, my boy.

My son.

Now, take a horse, sir.

A horse can be trained to add
and put his name together

out of the alphabet.

But no horse could ever
write a promissory note

or figure the interest
on it, sir.

I can't see no need to go
into school like that

then coming' back
and letting' a white man

cheat you out
your hide and tallow

then let a black man
beat you till you got

to kick him in the spirit.

Peter just ain't got it,
Peter just ain't got it, man.

The Lord Almighty
has set his limit

on dogs, horses,
and Negroes, Mr. Tomwit.

Thus far and no further.

Now it seemed if education
any good at all,

you're bound to beat
the white man at one end

and the black man
at the other.

And if Peter can't be
found at either end,

then why is it?

I don't know.

Hold on, now, hold on.

I've known as an intelligent
a stallion as any.

Now, what about Siner
and this gal?

What you raising
so much dust about?

Did you think
it was Henry Hooker

delivering that land
you bought?

What are you talking about?

Dust thou art,
to dust returnest?

By the way, Peter,
you haven't happened

to see Tump Pack, has you?

Has he borrowed
a gun from you?

Huh, that's funny.

What's funny?

I mean about Tump.

Oh, yes, Tump.

I thought he must've
borrowed a gun from you

'cause he left Hobbett's
corner a while ago

with a great big .45
inquiring' where you went.

Maybe that's Tump now.

But I guess I was mistooken.

Tump did start over this way
with a gun sure enough.

He met Dawson Bobbs
on the way, and, uh...

Where is he now, locked up?

No, not just exactly.

All right, all right,
now exactly what did happen?

This, Throgmartin had been
trying to hire Tump

to pick cotton.

Offered him $3 a day,

but Tump had just thrown
four natchels and wouldn't go.

So then he gets arrested
for carrying'

concealed squidjulums.

Now Throgmartin have got him
working' out his fine

and picking' cotton
for nothin'.

So long.

Psst

Cissie!

Cissie!

Oh, Peter, come around here.

Oh, Peter,
I'm so glad to see you,

although I didn't expect to.

Thanks.

I came by with news.

Bad news, I'm sorry to say.

Oh, Peter, what is it?

You haven't been...

Not that,
not that again, Peter.

Oh, no, Cissie, not that,
of course not that.

But it's about Tump.

Oh...Tump.

Well, what about him?

He's been arrested.

What, again?

But that's not fair.

Please, come in.

Then you can tell me
all about it.

♪

What did they arrest him for?

Carrying a pistol.

To shoot you with.

Oh, this is sickening,
Peter, sickening.

Peter, it's hard to be
nice in this place.

I just happen
to think how folks

would gossip about you.

Coming' here so soon
after Tump was arrested.

Perhaps I'd better go.

Oh no,
I'm really glad you came.

I didn't mean it that way.

I've been uneasy about you.

I'm not so easy killed.

I've completely recovered
my equilibrium.

I'm determined to see
what I have started through.

In a way, Peter, we, uh...

You and I don't belong here
and we'll never get anywhere

as long as we stay here.

Why don't you go away, Peter?

Away up North, where most

of our educated
people have gone.

Up North where
you can be free.

You can't grow up
and develop here.

They simply won't let you.

And especially now,
when everyone doubts you.

-If you go North...
-What about you, Cissie?

Oh, I'm a woman.

We haven't the chance
to do as we want to.

Then you're going to stay
here and marry Tump?

I don't know what
I'm going to do.

God help me.

You, you don't care for Tump?

♪

North, dear, and soon.

Just you and I, Cissie,
you and I.

Oh, I'll be so glad!

So glad.

So glad!

-Well, Mother.
-Where you going', son?

For a walk, Mother.

You go out of that
Cissie Deldine's, Peter.

No, I'm going
to walk by myself.

I'm tired, played out.

Tired? Played out?

You ain't done nothin'
but sit and turn

through some books and write
on a little piece of paper.

Even that gets tiresome
after a while.

Peter, you knows
if Tump Pack sees ya,

he's gonna shoot you, sure.

Oh, no he won't,
that's Tump's talk.

Talk? That ape done got
crowned for killing

four men already.

Come in the house, son,
and eat some supper.

I just made some salmon
croquettes for you

that'll spoil if you
don't eat 'em now.

I didn't know you were
making croquettes.

Yes, I got a can of salmon
from Miss Cromwell

that she opened
and couldn't quite use.

Look here, Mother, you're
not using old canned goods

that have been left over?

I've told and told you
about using any tainted

or impure foods that
the white people can't eat.

It's too bad for them,
it's too bad for you.

You must absolutely quit
eating leftovers.

Don't be so hasty, Peter,

'cause you done been
brought up on leftovers.

(knocking)

Is that you, son?

Yes, it's me, Mother.

What's the matter,
dear, are you sick?

I ain't feeling' so well.

It's my stomach.

Well, Mother, you are sick.

What can I do?

Here...fill it,
from the kettle.

You need a doctor
and quickly.

I'll go for Jallup.

Sorry we ain't a telephone
to maybe get him quicker.

I'll go now, I'll run.

Meantime, I'll go
by Nan Berry

and send her here
to look after you

till I get back.

If Dr. Jallup should argue,

then go see Captain Renfrew.

You know where he lives,

the big house on the hill.

♪

♪

-My mother's sick, Doctor.
-Who is it?

Caroline Siner, she's been
taken suddenly with...

The fat Negro who live
in the three-room house

on 12th Street, isn't she?

-I'll show you the way.
-No, Caroline Siner owes me

a $5 doctor bill already.

Our county medical
association has made a rule

that no Negro should--

But, great heavens, Doctor,
she's dangerously ill,

she might die,
I'll pay you.

Have you got the money
there in your pocket?

No, but I can get it.

Yes, you can all get it.

I'm tired of you Negroes
running up doctor bills

nobody can collect.

You never have any money,
your wages are never

large enough to garnishee.

No, I'm not going.

If you want me
to visit her,

go get $10,
five for the old debt,

the balance of this visit,
and I'll...

If Dr. Jallup should argue,
go see Captain Renfrew.

Uh, well, who is it?

My name is Siner,
Peter Siner.

My mother has been
taken suddenly ill.

I visited Dr. Jallup
but he won't go.

Peter Siner,
and Caroline is sick,

well, now that's too bad.

Step inside, I'll call up
Jallup and have him stop here

and pick us up,
and we can go and see

what's wrong with Caroline.

Now won't you
step in, please?

♪

She's mighty bad, doctor

♪

Well, well, Caroline,
what's this all about?

I'm sick, Doctor,
awful sick.

Now, now, Caroline,
don't talk that way.

I'm going to fix
you up quickly.

Quickly.

♪

(groaning)

♪

♪

(crying)

♪

♪

So that's, that's why
I cannot marry you, Peter.

You mean, morals?

I see.

I was stupid.

♪

Well, I'm glad it's over.

I'm glad you know.

You see, Peter, if you had
been like Tump Pack,

or Wince, or any of the other
boys around here,

it wouldn't make
much difference.

But you went off
and learned to feel

and think like a white man.

I--you changed
your code, Peter.

I don't think that was fair

for you to go away
and change your code,

then come back and judge us
according to your new code.

You see, Peter,
we couldn't change ours.

We had to stay here
and we couldn't change ours.

If you didn't know
anything about my code,

how do you know
what I feel now?

I found out the other night
when you kissed me.

It was too late then.

♪

Her confession has
destroyed all my plans.

It has left me as a dynamic
as my mother's death.

It seems there are
certain similarities

between the two events.

Both were sudden
and desolating.

And yet, as my mother
had vanished

utterly from my reach,

so now it seems
that Cissie is no more.

Cissie the clear-eyed,

Cissie the ambitious,

Cissie the refined
has vanished away.

And in her place
stands a thief,

more than a thief.

♪

Oh God, forgive me.

Forgive me!

Well, you were
deliberate in coming.

I sent you word by some
black rascal three days ago.

-I just got your message today.
-Well, won't you come in

and we can talk this over
if you don't mind?

-I don't mind, Captain.
-Go right in.

I'm growing old.

And as a scholar
and a thinker,

I feel that I should
give the fruits

of my leisure to the world.

That, in short, Peter,
is why I've sent for you.

-I'm deeply gratified.
-I asked you to come here

for another reason.

I need a man
about this house,

now that is one phase
of the work.

The more important work
is that you will act

as sort of secretary.

I have a manuscript
in the house here.

My handwriting
is rather difficult.

I want you to copy
the matter in it

and get it ready
for the printer.

Are you offering me a permanent
place, Captain Renfrew?

I need a man with a certain
liberality of culture.

I may no doubt get you to look
over books and periodicals,

and make notes of any points
germane with my thesis.

This is very flattering,
Captain, but the fact is,

I came by your house
at this time

because I'm just
in the act of leaving

on the steamboat tonight.

You're leaving Hooker's Bend?

-Yes, sir.
-Well, why?

Well, my mother's dead.

Well, I know, but Peter,
your work is still here.

A man's work, Peter,
a man's work.

You mean my school teaching?

Peter, I want you to remain
with me for another reason.

I'm an old man and anything
could happen to me

in this big house.

I don't like to think of it.

Then, you mean,
you want me to stay with you

until the end, Captain?

That's my desires.

And in my death,
you'll receive

a certain portion
of my estate

because I have no other heir.

I am the last of the race

of the Renfrew, Peter,
the last.

Well now, Rose,
I have a guest

who has come to stay
with me permanently.

He will perhaps
wish his breakfast

served in his room.

-He's in the East Room.
-Yes, sir.

(knocking on door)

(knocking on door)

Come in.

Well, for Lord's sake!

Is I bringing
this breakfast to a Negro?

I suppose it, ma'am.

Well, what for?

What for is you ain't
come to the kitchen

and eat off from the chef?

Is you sick?

I've never felt better
in my life.

Then, what the devil
has I got into?

I ain't wanna work
no such place.

Hand breakfast to a beef
of a Negro, stout as a mule.

Say, what you
doing here, anyhow?

How come this?

Now, now, Rose, I'm here to do
some writing for the Captain

and other things.

Well, poor Lord,

when spooks get to write
for white folks,

heads will be jumping
from bullfrogs

and having other Negroes
wait on them.

You's just as much
a spook as I is.

This is the last mouthful
I fetches to you

or any other jigwalk,
Peter Siner.

You ain't no black Jesus.

Even if you is a woods calf.

What did you say?

You heard me.

Yes, I did and since I can't

seem to get along with you
by trying to be nice

and considerate, I'll--

(grunts)

Well, it looks like Peter
put something over on Tump.

Maybe an education does help
a Negro some after all.

There's telling around town
how Peter's gonna marry

Tump's girl while Tump

is working out his fine
up on your farm.

And talking about Siner,
they say he's living up

at old Captain Renfrew's now.

Yeah, old Rose Hobbett
says he's up there

doing some kind of writing
and living in one

of the Captain's best rooms.

Yeah, that's true,

but she could hardly
make up a lie like that.

Old Captain's getting old
and childish

and that educated Negro's
taking advantage of him.

If old Captain Renfrew wasn't
the richest man in this town,

we could make up some kind of
a charge and take that Negro

out of there.

I will tell ya,
an educated Negro

is a dangerous thing
to have around.

Get off of this line!

Just an officer of the law
discussing official business

with an important man.

Yeah, that's true.

I hope it chokes ya.

♪

♪

(knocking on door)

Come in.

Captain Renfrew wants
to see you in the library.

When? Right now?

Yeah, right now.

Everything he wants,
he wants it now.

Good evening, Captain.

Oh, good evening, Peter.

By the way, I sent for you.

Yes, sir, I believe
you wanted me.

Oh, yes, Peter, I...

downtown, I heard a rumor,
well, connected with you,

that I...I don't want to intrude
on your private affairs,

not at all,
not in the least.

But...are you thinking
of leaving me?

Why no, not at all.

Who told you I was?

Well, to be exact, I heard
that you were going to marry.

Marry?

Whoever in the world
could've told you that?

Are you?

Indeed no.

I heard that you were
going to marry a Negress

here in town called
Cissie Deldine.

But I'm not, that's settled.

You say that it's settled?

Yes.

You had thought of it,

maybe considered it?

Well, at least that eases
my mind, it eases my mind.

It's not only the thought
of losing you, Peter,

but this girl that you
are thinking of marrying

is...well, let me warn you,
she's a Negress.

A Negress?

I don't exactly mean
a Negress, I...

she's a thief.

And furthermore,
she's not a good girl.

I couldn't endure
seeing you married

to a thief.

Yes, yes, I've heard
that before.

Well, that's all, Peter.

Good night.

Good night, Captain Renfrew.

No, he didn't (unintelligible)

Because I asked him
and he said he didn't.

Well, I said I didn't, too.

He's a Negro like I am.

We just two Negroes.

And lookit here,
if you was worried

to put one of us
ahead of the other,

it's 'kay to lock
a door with me.

Well, what do you mean
lock a door with you?

You know what I mean.

I means I'd wanna
leave this place.

No, no, look here, Rose,

Peter Siner occupies
almost a fiduciary

relation to me.

A relation to you?

Yes, Peter Siner
occupies a position

of trust with me.

Yeah, I sees you trust him.

Someday, he's going
to be of service to me,

of great service to me.

You know better
than anybody else, Rose,

my dread of some
unmannerly death.

I...and Peter has promised
to remain with me until the end.

Which end?

-Which end?
-Yeah.

Your end or Peter's end?

By every law of probability,
Peter will outlive me.

Yeah, Peter will come
to an end with you

when he marries
that stuck-up, yellow,

fly-by-night, Cissie Deldine.

He's not going to marry her.

He told me he didn't
intend to marry her.

Good Lord, what difference
does it make what Peter say?

Ain't you found out
when a he-Negro and a she-Negro

get to peep at each other?

What they say don't live
in the same neighborhood

with what they does.

No, that'll do, Rose,
that'll do.

That's all I need of you.

♪

♪

Pardon my intrusion, Peter,

but I'd like to have
a word with you.

I...I've mentioned
this subject before.

Yes, sir?

It's about Cissie Deldine.

Yes, sir,
you mentioned that before.

Listen, Peter,
you don't want to do

what's on your mind.

What's on my mind?

Marry a Negress.

You don't want
to marry a Negress.

Not marry a Negress?

No, Peter, no.

For yourself,
it may make no difference,

but your children,
think of your children.

Your sons growing up
under a brown veil,

a veil that you can't tear off,

that God Himself can't tear off.

Your children, Peter,
your children's children.

A terrible procession
stretching out, out,

marching on under
a dark shroud,

unknowing, unknown.

And all you can see, Peter,

is their sad forms
beneath the shroud

marching away,

away to God knows where.

And yet, it's your own
flesh and blood.

But Captain,
whom should I marry?

No one, Peter.

Let your seed
wither in your loin,

it is better that way.

It's better.

♪

♪

(knocking on door)

♪

Peter?

Oh, Peter?

May I come in?

♪

You don't seem to be
very glad to see me, Peter.

But I am, Cissie.

Very glad, won't you sit down?

♪

What a wonderful room.

It is very nice.

And what beautiful drapes.

Are they velour?

I wonder how they
would look spread.

♪

Perhaps I better build a fire?

Oh, no, I'm just
gonna stay a few minutes.

I don't know what
you'll think of me, Peter.

I'm really glad you came.

Are you, Peter?

I really came by
to ask you to help me.

I want you to help me go away.

They have no feeling
for a colored girl, Peter.

No, not a speck.

When one of us even
walks past on the street,

they whistle and say
all kinds of things out loud,

just as if we weren't
there at all!

They...they don't care.

We're just...

(sobbing)

...just colored women.

0...oh, they make
you feel naked.

(sobbing)

Oh, Cissie, please.

(sobbing)

(barking)

She's there, Mr. Bobbs.

I just now see'd her go'd in.

All right, come on.

♪

All right, we'll wait here
till she comes out

and then nab her.

But I don't want
to travel alone, Peter.

I don't want
to go away alone.

You...you mean you want me
to go with you, Cissie?

Now, listen, you black rascal!

If that gal gets away
from me tonight,

there'll be a dead Persimmon
in the morning.

Now, get on up there,
you baboon,

and see if he's still there!

Get!

Listen, Peter, I'm not
the kind of woman you think,

the whole town thinks.

If I hadn't accused myself,
we'd be married now.

I've done some things
that I regret and am ashamed of

because I've stolen.

I stole a turkey roaster
and brought you something

nice to eat in.

And I stole a brooch
because you said I needed one

and I wanted to look nice
to please you.

But that is all
the sin I've committed.

I raise my hand
and swear that is all, Peter.

But I know all Hooker's Bend
is calling

and pointing me out
as the town's worst woman

and I can't stand it any longer.

I've got to go away!

There, there, darling,
Cissie, darling,

don't cry anymore.

I love you, Cissie.

I've loved you since
the first day I saw you.

If you hadn't told me
this before,

that you had only stolen,
we would've been married

and I would be helping you.

I'm going to help you now.

I...

The dogs is after me,
the dogs is after me!

(barking)

They were after you, dear.

But providence
in the dog that saved you.

I believe anyone
would trust you now, Cissie.

And, dear, I love you so much.

But you must go now, hurry.

Go somewhere and hide.

Send me word,
stay hidden until I can arrange

to slip you away.

And remember now and always,
Cissie, that I love you.

Love you.

(barking)

Turn around, fella,
and beat it!

Beat it!

Hey, black man,
don't shoot down this way

till I make my exit.

I needn't be scared you,
fool rabbit.

I been looking for you
for some time, Peter.

Didn't know you was back.

Why you been looking for me?

No you don't.

Turn around and march on
to Dark town.

What for?

I'm gonna drop you
in the Main Street well,

the jigs that's been bragging
about you and Cissie can see

that I ain't gonna take
no fumdingling from nobody.

Tump, you oughtn't shoot Peter.

His mammy just died.

Then she won't worry none.

Turn around!

And when I say march, you march.

Attention!

Right, about face!

March!

What are you doing
with the gun, Tump?

I thought it was against
the law to carry one.

You can carry 'em
if you don't keep 'em hid.

Mr. Bobbs told me that
when he guve my gun to me.

So, he gave it back, eh?

After giving you 30 days
for carrying it,

he frees you and gives it back.

What for?

How in the devil do I know?

And what's more, I don't care!

All I know I got it
and I's gonna drill

the daylights through you
as soon as we get to Dark town.

Come on, let's go.

Wait a minute, Tump.

Bobbs don't like me.

I broke no laws and have
never done anything to him.

But he wants me out of the way,

so he gave you the gun
figuring you'd shoot me with it.

I don't care nothing
about woofer.

All I know,
you done stole my gal

and I'm gonna kill you for it.

Come on, let's go!

Come on!

Tump, I'm not gonna marry
Cissie.

I know you ain't, Peter.

I mean, If you let me alone,
I don't intend to.

I'm...| ain't
gonna let you alone, Peter.

Do you think this is
the best thing to do, Tump?

Shut your black mouth!

What I care about what you said?

You done wean Cissie
away from me.

She won't even speak to me,
she won't even look at me,

all on account of you.

I ought a drop you
right here and now.

Go on, shut up, march!

Go on!

(inaudible mumbling)

Go ahead.

We's going on the town.

I mean, we going on, go on.

(traffic noises)

Now, none of that,
none of that, boys.

You'll probably
hit the gal if you shoot

and I'll pick you off
one at a time

like three black crows.

(laughing)

(engine starting)

(laughing)

You're going up
to the big house, gal.

Peter, has Mr. Bobbs
done arrested Cissie?

I don't know, Tump,
it looks like it.

For goodness sakes,
Cissie's arrested.

Mine and your
little deal's off, Peter.

We got to save Cissie.

I wonder what she done done.

She don't shoot crap
and she don't bootleg, no.

Let's go to her home.

Yeah.

I know she done something,
I know she done something.

You ain't never been in jail,
is you, yellow boy?

It sure ain't no place
for a woman,

it's no place for a woman.

I hear that she done
commit grand larceny

and they gonna take her
to the pen.

Grand larceny, what's that?

Dumbbell, that's taking more
from the white folks

in one time
than they expect you to take.

(sobbing)

Mrs. Deldine.

(sobbing)

She took a brooch.

They kept laying around
in her way.

It was that Sam Arkwright
who did it.

He wanted her to...oh, Peter.

It's too terrible to tell.

Give it time.

And last night,
they had that old Persimmon

to watch her
when she went to see you.

They intended
arresting her then,

but Cissie took the dog
with her and he run 'em away.

But when she stole home
a while ago

to get a bite to eat,
The Persimmon was watching

and runs and gets Bobbs.

Oh, Peter, what'll we do?

What'll we do, Peter?

I'll save you, Cissie.

I'll save you, Cissie.

Don't be afraid.

It's Tump and I's a coming!

Attention!

Right, about face!

Now.

Over the top!

(whistle of bomb falling)

(sound of explosion)

Peter!

Action up at Jonesboro
last night, Peter.

-Yeah?
-Yeah.

Tump Pack got killed.

Jailed delivered.

Cissie Deldine escaped.

But I'll get her, Peter.

Dawson Bobbs always gets
his Negroes, Peter.

Yeah.

Always.

Now, me and the sheriff,
we knew Tump pretty well

and we know he'd never
figure out a scheme

to free that gal like that.

But we figured is how it might
have popped into the head

of an educated Negro
like you, Peter, yeah.

If you're hinting at me,
I can assure you

I had nothing
to do with it

or knew nothing
of any such plan.

I don't know the girl escaped
till you told me just now.

Maybe.

You know, I've been thinking
a lot about you lately, Peter,

and if I was you, yeah,
I'd just drift along quietly out

of this here town.

You know, white folks
and Negroes got along

pretty well around here
till you got back from school,

but since you got back,
a lot of unpleasant things

have been happening.

Now, for instance,
the report got around last night

it was you who got killed
instead of Tump Pack,

and when old Captain Renfrew
heard it,

he just up
and actually dropped dead.

Oh, no,
Captain Renfrew's not dead!

You know, Peter, things continue
to happen around here

and we don't like it.

Now, there ain't room
in this here town

for the white folks
and an educated Negro like you.

So, if I was you, I'd just
drift on away quietly, Peter.

Quietly.

(engine starting)

♪

♪ Down south the banjos cry to ♪

♪ Deep blues the darkies
"Hidey-hi" to ♪

♪ While moonbeams dance
on the bayou ♪

♪ That's how rhythm was born ♪

♪ They praise
the Mighty Forgiver ♪

♪ They wash their sins
in the river ♪

♪ Cold water
makes 'em all shiver ♪

♪ That's how rhythm was born ♪

♪ Everybody talking
down around that Suwanee shore ♪

♪ Caught the craze
and sang His praise ♪

♪ Oh, don't you got rhythm ♪

(unintelligible lyrics)

♪

♪ ...how rhythm was born ♪

♪ Down south,
the banjos cry to ♪

♪ Deep blues the darkies
"Hidey-hi" to ♪

♪ While moonbeams
dance on the bayou ♪

♪ That's how rhythm was born ♪

♪ They praise
the Mighty Forgiver ♪

♪ Cast those sins
in the river J“

♪ Cold water made 'em quiver ♪

♪ And that's how rhythm
was born ♪

♪ Everybody (unintelligible)
that Suwanee shore J"

♪ Caught the craze
and sang His praise ♪

(unintelligible lyrics)

♪

♪

(applause)

♪

♪

Ida May?

Ida May!

Oh, Ida May!

♪

♪

Cissie, my sister!

What on earth?

Oh, Ida May!

Come inside.

♪

Cissie, my poor sister,
whatever happened?

How come you're here like this?

I'm...I am a thief, Ida May.

I stole a brooch
at Mrs. Arkwright's house,

and when I failed to meet Sam
as he asked me to,

he swore out a warrant
and Bobbs arrested me.

They put me in jail.

Oh

♪

♪

Tump Pack held up the jail
and made them let me go

and I ran away.

When I'd gone about a block,

I heard a shot
and turning around

saw Tump fall dead.

♪

♪

The War fields took me
to the country

and kept me hidden
for three days.

Then, one night, I slipped out
and saw The Persimmon

peeping through the bushes.

I didn't want to get
the War fields into trouble.

So, after midnight,
I slipped away.

♪

♪

(applause)

It was nearly
sundown the next day

and almost starved, I went up
to a cabin in the woods

to ask for food.

Went about two miles
down the road,

I heard the dogs,
the bloodhounds

were on my trail.

♪

It must've been around midnight.

I could tell
for the moon was shining.

I had run though creeks,
swamps, over mountains,

but I couldn't get rid
of those dogs

or The Persimmon.

♪

(applause)

I decided to give up.

It seemed so hopeless.

But as I turned,
I saw the ugly face

of The Persimmon rise up
behind a bush and turning,

he calls loudly,
“Here she am, Mr. Bobbs!

I done caught up with her!"

I went suddenly crazy.

I decided to run
until I dropped dead,

and turning I flew.

I don't know how far
I'd gone when suddenly,

I found myself in the middle
of a wide, paved highway

where I stopped.

I heard a truck
and before Persimmon

and the dogs could catch up,
I looked and the driver

was Tump's brother.

♪

Cissie!

♪

Why you dirty...!

♪

A dirty son of a gun.

Well, he'll never betray
another Negro.

♪

♪

(gunshot)

(gunshot)

(gunshot)

♪

Well, Cissie,
you poor little thing.

♪

♪

(engine roaring)

♪

He dropped me off outside,
but there's no use, Ida May.

What you mean there's no use?

Honey, I'll have you
fixed up in a jiffy

and you'll be off to Chicago
before you can say--

(knocking on door)

I told you there was no use!

It's Bobbs and the law
and they're gonna take me

back to Hooker's Bend!

♪

♪

-Peter!
-Ida May.

I'm looking for Cissie,
is she here?

Oh, Cissie, my darling.

It's no use, Peter.

I'm a thief and no good.

So, let Mr. Bobbs take me
on back to Hooker's Bend

and hang me.

Mr. Bobbs won't be here.

No one's going to hang you.

Instead, Cissie,
we're going to get married

and live happily till we die.

Here, Ida May, read this
telegram I just received.

"Peter Siner,
care of Western Union,

Nashville, Tennessee.

Find Cissie and bring her home.

Everything has been adjusted.

Mrs. Arkwright
canceled the warrant

Sam took out for her arrest
and sent Sam away

to a reform school.

They probated
Captain Renfrew's will today

and a great surprise awaits you.

So, find Cissie
and bring her home at once."

Wait, here's some more.

"They found The Persimmon's body
on the road to Nashville.

He'd been shot three times.

Nobody knows who did it."

♪

They're trucking!

Let's be happy again
for Cissie, poor Cissie.

Yes, Ida May,
let's celebrate for Cissie

because she suffered so much.

♪

And when they filed
old Renfrew's will for probate,

what do you reckon they found?

What?

That he left everything

that he owned

to that Negro, Peter Siner.

The devil, you say!

Every last dime.

Including the stock in the bank

and he owned 90 percent of it.

It looks like the end
of Henry Hooker to me.

Well, I'll be jiggered.

And what's Siner
gonna do with it?

(laughter)

Well, what's so funny about it?

He's gonna turn old Renfrew's
mansion on the hill

into a seminary for Negro gals

and that 3,000 acre plantation

with all its buildings
and equipment

into an industrial school
for colored boys.

How does that strike you,
Tomwit?

♪

♪

Well, dear,
now that we're married,

and you're mine forever,

we'll drive to Chicago
for a brief honeymoon,

then back here to begin
our life's work.

Yes, Peter, dear.

But listen to this, Tomwit!

While you was away,
Siner made a speech

right here in Courthouse Square.

Most of the audience was white,
the best people in town,

and some come over
from Jonesboro

to hear him, mind you.

White people!

The best white people.

What'd they say?

Oh, plenty!

Among the many things he did say

was that he intended
to break up loafing

on Hobbett's corner,
that it was an eyesore

to the town and a bleeding stop
for (unintelligible).

So, he proposed
to the city council

that Bobbs be ordered
to arrest every man,

especially Negroes,
found loafing there

for more than 10 minutes.

What'd he propose
to do with 'em?

Oh, he had that
all figured out in advance.

Yeah, he had everything
figured out and in advance.

Yeah! He wants to arrest
all Negroes so,

and place them in custody
and on parole at the school

for an indefinite period

and during which time
he guarantees

to work them so hard
on that farm

until they be too tired to loaf.

And he intends to make
good farmers out of 'em

before he turns 'em loose.

Well, how'd the audience
take it?

The white audience?

Ate it up.

And they applauded
every few seconds

and crowded around him
when he was through

and said that if he needed
any money...

help, or money,
or anything he needed,

just to call on them,
but the biggest surprise

of the evening was on
the part of Bobbs.

Bobbs listening to Siner?

And bowed to him
and smiled when it was over.

And Hooker?

Oh, Hooker, well,
he couldn't take it.

(laughter)

♪