Original subtitles

Moloch, the rock and roll madman.

He taunts the devil.

Don't disappoint me, darling.

I'm expecting a tango.

Mm-hmm.

I don't know who to be scared of..

...or what.

♪ Prince of darkness

♪ Lord of night

♪ I wanna dance forever in your burning light ♪

♪ Wanna dance

♪ I wanna dance forever in your burning light ♪

♪ I was born to sin

♪ Wild and free

♪ So when I die

♪ Let the devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Heaven's the pits

♪ They don't party on the other side ♪

♪ The other side

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

Hey, Kathy, enjoying the show?

The show hasn't started here yet.

Everyone's waiting for Moloch to drive off.

Oh, that's why we're here.

Half the crowd wants to kill him

and half the crowd wants to kiss him.

You all better go up to the stage gate.

This Vincent Eeling, his manager, is expecting you.

'He's been screaming for protection.'

See you later.

Next time, he better pay for his own security.

Next time a chicken-dip call comes over the radio

let someone else answer it.

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Take me home

I wonder if he does barbecues.

Officers, look, he's gonna be driving away now.

This is just unbelievable.

Look, look at all those weirdoes out there.

I'm really afraid for him.

They're gonna tear all his clothes off! I know it.

Okay, listen, we'll make sure he gets out alright, okay?

Hey, I really appreciate that. Thank you.

Thank you, gentlemen. You're lifesavers.

Thank you very much.

Let me at him! Let me at him. Moloch is the devil's music!

'Let me at him!'

A sensational act. I praise you.

You've got yourself another rising young star.

Hey, hey, hey, that's what I do best.

Would you smile, Boobie? We got a hit.

Man, it's just the land of lost record sales

from the record company at POV.

We got the Moloch album hitting next week.

And no Moloch tour lined up.

I know. Well, he's got his heart set on a vacation.

He's just gotta give the "devil" his due.

♪ I wanna dance forever

♪ In your burning light

♪ Wanna dance

'Moloch must die.'

'Moloch must die.'

♪ So when I die

♪ Let the devil take me

♪ Devil take me

Help! Help!

I can't stop!

'I got no brakes! Help!'

Roll down the window!

What's the matter?

I can't stop.

No brakes!

Stay with my bike. I'm going to pull him out.

'You're crazy.'

Come on, do it!

Alright, just lie back, okay? You're gonna be fine.

It's okay.

You're an angel, right?

No.

And believe me, you're not dead.

I'm not dead.

I don't believe this. I'm managing a maniac.

What made you drive off like that?

Sir, just let him rest, okay?

I got an ambulance on the way. Alright?

But I'm alright. I'm not dead.

Thanks to these brave officers.

If it weren't for them, you'd be playing Moloch in hell.

- You're crazy. You're crazy! - I wasn't playing.

I was hardly driving. The hearse--

What happened in the hearse, Moloch?

- Sir, please step back.

What are you talking about?

You saw it. I couldn't stop!

The hearse was driving by itself.

You mean the hearse was possessed?

You okay, kid? Are you alright?

You look like you just saw the devil.

So, what happened?

The devil tried to kill him on Halloween weekend.

No, the red smoke started after.

First, he said the tape deck came on.

- Oh, by itself. - With a voice--

- Over and over - "Moloch must die."

Now, if everybody's heard it already

why am I telling it again?

Because it gets better every time, Frank.

Sarge, under officer's opinion

can I put down "publicity stunt?"

Now, just hold on, hot dog.

All I know is that the guy was trapped in the hearse.

He could've been killed.

Okay, so it was a publicity stunt

that almost backfired.

Ponch, in the report, would you rather

we put, uh, "The devil did it?"

Come on. Let's not get carried away.

You saw the fear in Moloch's eyes.

' - Well, you can't fake that.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me.

Ah, Harlan, come on.

Now, if you fill these out right now

you'll make my job a lot easier.

Harlan, aren't these the costume contest forms

we filled out last week?

Look, I'll do it for you. What'll you be wearing?

- Uh..

People, the party's tomorrow.

You're gonna look pretty dumb

bobbing for apples in your civvies.

Well, we just won't bob for apples.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

You just signed up for this yesterday.

Yeah, and we've been signing up for things

ever since you were appointed chairman

of the county CHP Halloween party a month ago.

Now, aren't there any motorcycles that need tuning?

I see.

I try to drum up spirit in my own unit

and what do I get?

In that case, I'm gonna deprive this shift

of any special attention.

- Thank you, Harlan. - Thank you, Harlan.

You sure you don't mind?

Hey, I told you yesterday I'd give you a ride home.

Look, I know partners usually stick together

but when you're wrong, you're wrong.

You got suckered in.

Don't say anything.

Hey, okay. Okay.

But Harlan is sure gonna be happy.

Somebody's in the costume spirit.

Look at this.

A pumpkin. Very original.

Yeah, I think you should win in Harlan's fruit category.

Well, go on. Laugh!

But if it wasn't for my sheer motorcycle skill

'you'd all be coming to my funeral.'

What happened, Grossman?

Well, ask this monster.

'He's gonna be the youngest juvenile'

ever charged with attempted homicide on a police officer.

Take it easy, man.

-Flippy.

Que paso?

We were just having fun.

I laid some pumpkins on the street.

'A blind curve!'

You know the one in Oakwood?

Yeah.

A car's supposed to come by and squash them.

How did I know a cop would come by on a bike?

Hey, Grossman, weren't you ever a kid?

Man, I remember I used to line lemons up in the street.

We used to call it the Lemonade Derby.

You kiddin'? In my neighborhood

we used to take water balloons

'and put them in the street'

and let the traffic obliterate them.

- 'Almost.'

But then we never did it again.

Hey, don't you think Flippy should have the same chance?

I'm really sorry, man.

Hey, don't overdo it, huh?

Okay, okay!

You owe me one, amigo.

Come on. Let's go call your mom.

Listen, until we see

the motor carrier section's report of the hearse

we can't be sure of what happened.

Come on. Next you're gonna tell me

the voices Moloch heard on the tape

could have been the devil's.

Hey, I used to joke about the devil, too..

...until I met Senora Rosa.

She was this old lady when I was growing up.

Everybody claimed she was a witch.

One day I was hurrying home on my bike

with a bag of potatoes

and I accidentally almost ran her down

and she cursed after me.

When I got home..

...every potato in that bag was black.

When was this, in the 14th century?

All I know is everything means something.

What's it mean?

It means you left the vent open.

This I can explain, but what happened with Moloch

that's still one deep, dark unknown.

Hey, Nelson!

Evidence, sarge. Evidence.

Yeah? Well, this better be good.

It is.

I stopped by the motor carrier lab this morning.

Yeah?

They salvaged the tape from the hearse's tape deck.

- It was intact.

Hey, what is going on here today?

Sorry, sarge.

What are you doing, Linahan?

Taking initiative.

And if Harlan's supposed friends would cooperate

I could get these measurements and be out of here.

Sarge, she knows someone at a studio wardrobe department.

We could rent some costumes for Harlan's party tonight.

- 'Grossman.'

Excuse me for interrupting

but Elvira wanted a tour.

This is our briefing room.

Oh, I see.

Nothing special.

That is Elvira, isn't it?

Absolutely. The mistress of the dark.

Who is Elvira?

Don't you ever watch the scary movie show

on the local channel?

She's the host.

Just some private business

between the party emcee and myself.

You wouldn't be interested.

Who's next?

- Me! - Me!

Guys are so predictable.

Now for something less than credible.

This is the tape found in the hearse yesterday.

Now, you can listen to it by yourself

but you're not gonna hear any spooky voices saying

"Moloch must die."

'Yeah. How about "Moloch must lie?"'

Come on. We're gonna see this guy.

'No. He's not in the hospital.'

'He's right here with me.'

'We've got every major wire service in the galaxy outside.'

'Well, we're trying to rush to create a Moloch T-shirt.'

'Yeah, well, it should be emblazoned in red'

and it should say... now, listen to this

Mo..

Don't you even care what's happened?

Well, of course I do, Mickey.

Hey, we're gonna put detectives on the case.

Look, we're even gonna offer a big reward.

Your fans have got a right to know.

What?

Look, whatever it is, we can ride this sucker out

for another five years.

I'm not going on tour again. I told you that.

Who said anything about tour?

The record company called. It's dynamite.

They want to shoot a promotional film tonight

in the studio.

Somebody tried to kill me!

Hey, kid, I'm not talking gold record.

I'm not talking platinum record.

This is zirconium, you know?

They're gonna have to make up

a new precious metal... just for you.

Well, forget it! Vincent..

I'm gonna break our contract if I have to. That's it.

Oh, yeah?

It's the old, uh... "I'll have to break my contract

with Vincent" routine, huh?

Unhappy? Leave Vincent.

I should've expected you to be just like

all the other stars I've created.

Alright.

Alright.

Consider me a grateful client.

You know, for a 19-year-old roadhouse drummer

from the wrong side of Minneapolis

you've done fairly well.

This year, your salary's gonna be like a telephone number.

Seven digits.

Alright. Well, what'll I tell the press out there?

- Tell me that. - Play it like always.

Moloch, the rock and roll madman.

He taunts the devil.

Devil!

I'm going to tug your tail.

That's it. That's it. They'll love it.

Hey, and don't forget our bit.

What are you waiting for?

Make me up.

By the look of things we're probably

gonna have to buy tickets to see him.

Yeah, well, we're gonna see him.

Well, this is too much.

I was thinking of you gentlemen. Have you eaten?

- We're here on business. - We want to talk to Moloch.

Doesn't everyone?

He's in the pool. Come on.

'Do you really believe the devil is after you?'

He's jealous. Chicks dig me more.

What does your mother think about your act?

She thinks I'm in real estate.

What exactly did you hear the devil say?

Exactly..

Boogie, boogie, boogie!

And you can quote me.

'Oh, no.'

'Somebody, do..'

Officer, get in there and stop it.

- 'That was fake blood.' - 'Yeah. It's a gag.'

Oh, no.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

You think risking my life for a stunt is funny?

Yesterday wasn't a stunt.

Yeah? Well, we got the tape from your hearse

and I didn't hear no voice of doom on it.

Now, I'm gonna ask you the same questions

but I want all new answers.

Listen, I wanna talk to you.

But can you meet me later in Santa Monica?

Now.

3 o'clock, okay? 22 West Floins Avenue.

Please. I can't talk, okay?

Hey, Vincent.

Aren't these guys something?

Maybe we should sign them up.

- I'd love it.

Officers, why don't we go to my office?

We'll have a little chat over brunch, okay?

Some other time.

We'll see you.

Hey, hey, Mickey.

You were wonderful, wonderful.

It's not even Halloween night, and it's already started.

Is the kid gonna be alright?

Oh, yeah. After major surgery.

'He was given a jelly candy laced with broken glass'

'for his trick-or-treat troubles.'

- Some sicko hates kids. - Oh, yeah.

He's a real beaut. But he's in custody now.

Then there are the calls from the Oakwood district

where a bike gang is celebrating the holiday

by hijacking neighborhood kids' Halloween bags.

- Oakwood.

To call in a favor.

Man, I can't do that.

Last year I went trick-or-treating

nobody gave me anything.

They all said I was too old.

Hey, I'm not saying wear a costume.

All I'm asking you for is to walk with the little ones.

You know, make sure everything goes down alright.

Halloween is their night.

Okay, amigo. I owe you.

Now, don't start making me feel old

by saying what a good father I'd make.

I wasn't, I was thinking

how it takes a kid to talk to a kid.

Come on. We got a date with the devil.

Look, let's go over it one more time.

No need, unless you're thinking of changing your story.

I heard a voice on that tape.

What can I do to make you guys believe me?

I'm scared for my life, and I don't know

who to be scared of... or what.

I thought Moloch laughed at the devil.

Moloch is someone that Vincent invented.

He's not me.

And after tonight, I am through playing with fire.

What's tonight?

Oh, the record company

they're just jumping on the bandwagon.

They want me to film a promo of

the "Devil Take Me" album.

- I gotta do it for Vincent.

You gave us the impression you suspected him.

I know, but...I really do owe him everything.

I was probably just getting paranoid

because, well, he's been so elated over all the publicity.

Yeah. Kind of laughing all the way to the bank.

It's true. The only thing that would help

the "Devil Take Me" album more

is if the devil did take me.

Believe me, I just want out.

And I told him that weeks ago.

What's Vincent's explanation for this?

Well, he thinks it was probably

one of those protest groups

that have been picketing my shows.

They blame me for everything.

They're a bunch of nuts.

Do you know that they claim

that I record satanic messages on my songs backwards?

Right. Backwards tracking.

I read about that in the Times. Your fans eat it up.

Yeah. But it's total nonsense.

You ever try listening to a cassette backwards?

Well, this is "Devil Take Me"..

...backwards.

That's backwards tracking.

'You can pretend you're hearing'

whatever you want backwards

but what it is is gibberish.

'Moloch will die.'

'Moloch will die.'

'Moloch must die. Moloch must die.'

It was there all along.

Somehow the hearse's tape deck

must have reversed itself while he was driving.

- The kid wasn't lying.

Boy, these guys don't miss a trick.

And on the cassette of his new album

if you play "Devil Take Me" backwards

you will hear, "Moloch will die."

Sarge, someone is trying to kill this kid.

- I'm staying out of it. - Come on, Bobby, man.

You were there with me.

I know, and it's like you say.

But the whole production number, the hearse

the red smoke, it could have easily been rigged.

'Very easily.'

Unfortunately, we just got the motor carrier's report

on the hearse's last remains

and they have a lot of suggestions.

The fire wiped out any tangible evidence.

- No, you may not.

- No.

"Devil stalks rock star."

Nice picture of you, Frank.

'Look, having the captain see any more of my troops'

in a page-one photo of a publicity stunt

is the next to last thing I wanna see happening.

What's the last?

Having somebody really kill Moloch.

- Then you-- - But the department

does not need you playing detective.

I'm gonna pass, and you're following.

Both of you, hit the streets.

Hey, Ponch, you mind

if I play around with this on my stereo system?

I got this new state-of-the-art modulator.

Who knows what's on this tape?

- You do believe me. - No.

But it would make a great article for the "LA Rocker."

Okay.

Hi, Harlan.

How's the party going?

Oh, allow me.

Thank you, darling.

Don't bother with them.

They're the ringleaders of the anti-party movement.

'Hey, you got it all wrong, Harlan.'

Everyone is all psyched up for tonight.

Costumes and everything. Our excitement is just peaking.

It is?

Well, okay, in that case, Elvira

meet Frank Poncherello and Bobby Nelson.

So, this is Ponch.

Well, Harlan's told me you dance like a dream.

He did

Uh, not in those words.

I'll see you guys at the party, huh?

Yeah.

And don't disappoint me, darling.

I'm expecting a tango.

Mm-hm.

Don't even think of cutting in.

Trick or treat!

You all look very nice.

I'm here to see that the candy's alright.

That's a very fine thing to do.

Alright, you guys. It looks good.

- Gracias. -Thank you.

Gracias.

- Ooh, good candy. - This was a great one.

I like Halloween.

Let's walk fast so we can get a lot of it.

- Uh-huh.

This is my favorite holiday.

Ole!

Ole!

- Hey! - Give it back!

- Get him! - Get him!

Get him, Flippy! Get him!

Okay, you agree that the voice on those tapes

had to be put there on purpose?

- Yeah, but to think-- - Alright, man.

Just pull over here and just hear me out, alright?

Just hear me through.

Moloch told us he's been planning on

giving up his act, right?

So where does that leave Vincent?

Out one hot meal ticket. But on the other hand

just because Moloch told us doesn't mean

we gotta believe him.

'These guys live to hype albums.'

Look, I've been considering the possibility you're right.

Why can't you consider the possibility you could be wrong?

Are you listening to me?

Hey, that's Flippy.

Alright. Okay. Okay. You're okay.

I can't get..

Easy, son. Easy.

Let's go, son.

Are you alright?

Now I owe you two.

Flippy! Alright, you did it!

No, man. We're even.

- Yay, Flippy! - Flippy is our hero!

Alright.

I got it, Ponch.

You're worth the price of admission today.

You know, Bobby, you run hot and cold on me, you know that?

Believe me, you rescuing that kid

knocks out any thoughts I had

about you being wrong on the Moloch case.

Thanks for the compliment.

Hey, Ponch, you wanna really freak?

I found another phrase on the album cassette.

What is it? - Hold on.

First you gotta hear how I did this.

- Relax.

I'm gonna get to it.

So, I put it up on my home system, right?

Playing it backwards.

I hooked up this R-25 oscillating modulator--

Grossie, bottom line. What is it?

Hey, this is no ordinary modulator.

This is pro equipment.

'It handles all different frequencies and speeds.'

I paid almost 300 bucks for it.

I could have gotten it cheaper if I--

Grossie, what did you hear?

Okay, okay, so I'm playing it backwards, right?

Now, all albums are recorded at 33.3 RPM.

So, I started playing around with the speeds.

I tried 40, 50.

Then at 60, I started getting a signal.

I fine-tune..

...to 66.6..

Bingo! 6

Well, dig this.

For those people into the occult

666 is the devil's number.

Oh, boy, these guys

really know how to tease their fans.

This kind of hidden hokum really helps them sell albums.

What did you hear?

What'd I hear?

I made a dub so I could bring it to you.

Listen for yourself.

'Moloch is dead with his fiery breath.'

'Moloch is dead'

'with his fiery breath.'

" - 'I knew you'd freak.'

It fits. Hot dog, you put it best.

Vincent is out one meal ticket without Moloch.

What better way to cash in on the album

than to let the devil

give Moloch the final curtain?

Right. And the last thing he was gonna do as Moloch

was the film on the "Devil Take Me."

Yeah. And that song ends with him breathing fire.

Come on, let's go before Moloch is dead.

Hey, guys, you forgot your lunch.

'Help yourself!'

Great publicity stunt.

Careful with that stuff.

You're telling me. I'm being squeaky-careful.

I'm just going to add two, count them, drops.

'That's enough to make it ignite, isn't it?'

Why go for the overkill?

The camera's gonna be in close-up when you breathe fire.

One drop will do.

Believe me, kid.

The last thing I want is an accidental explosion.

I know how nervous you are about tonight.

Thanks, Vincent.

Let's just get this thing over with tonight

and I don't care if I ever hear of Moloch again.

Yeah, me, too. We'll go on to bigger and better things.

But Moloch's fans will always remember this flick.

'Alright, gentlemen. Stand by to roll.'

'Could we have Moloch in the first position, please?'

Okay, trouper, let's get it all

in one beautiful take, alright?

'Camera one, truck left.'

'More. More. That's fine.'

'Stand by.'

'Hand-held, give me picture.'

'The whole frame. Good.'

'Ready lights.'

'Ready effects.'

'Camera 2, let me see you wide.'

'Camera 2, let me see you wide.'

'That's it. A little more.'

'Okay'.

'Ready playback.'

'Counting down.'

'In five, four, three, two..'

♪ Prince of darkness Lord of night ♪

♪ I wanna dance forever in your burning light ♪

♪ Wanna dance

♪ I wanna dance forever in your burning light ♪

♪ I was born to sin

♪ Wild and free

♪ So when I die

♪ Let the devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Heaven's the pits

♪ They don't party on the other side ♪

♪ The other side

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Take me home

♪ Prince of darkness Lord of night ♪

♪ I wanna dance forever in your burning light ♪

♪ Wanna dance

♪ I wanna dance forever in your burning light ♪

♪ I was born to sin

♪ Wild and free

♪ So when I die let the devil take me ♪

♪ Devil take me

♪ Heaven's the pits

♪ They don't party on the other side ♪

♪ The other side

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

They're in there. That's Vincent's car.

It's locked. Let's go around to the back.

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

♪ Devil take me

That's the night bell. You expecting anyone?

No.

They're refusing us entry.

'And they can see us.'

I think we better let them in.

No, no! No, no! Keep rolling. Keep rolling.

♪ Take me home

- Let's bust it down.

Live and learn, hot dog.

You gotta understand, Mickey, I..

I created an album that would sell for years.

Maybe forever.

Millions of kids would have worn out their records

backwards and forwards, forwards and backwards

listening for all the devil's clues.

Best of all, you.

A star who would never leave me.

Partner, when you're right, you're right.

Come on. Come on.

Come on, Grossie. Come on. Alright.

Five seconds, the best yet.

Everything fit okay?

Yeah, everything but the belt.

Who's your friend? And why isn't he in costume?

I am. I came as someone I've been dreaming to be.

Myself. Mickey Nordhagen.

Frank, I better say this

before it gets too difficult to say.

When you're right... you're right.

My partner said the same thing.

Oh?

Great minds think alike, general.

Darling, you didn't think I'd forget you?

It takes two to tango.

No.