All language subtitles for Glory Alley 1952

[MUSIC]

[MUSIC]

[MUSIC]

[MUSIC]

Well, they're gonna

miss your column, Gabe.

Yeah, for a couple of days maybe, then

they'll be all yours.

[LAUGH] It isn't gonna be that simple.

They used to sing this

town through your eyes.

Times they were pretty bloodshot.

Well, I hope I can handle half the gin

fizzes and sasserines.

They could sure use one now.

That's either carnival town, Dan.

A sucker for a good pitch man.

Even a poor one.

Politicians aren't New Orleans.

For the real story, you

gotta go to the real people.

The people of desire on priority street.

The people of priority on desire street.

And the people of good

intentions on bourbon street.

My street, my favorite street.

It has more grifters,

crafters, guzzlers, and

guts than any other street in the world.

Buccaneers alley, thieves alley.

And this stretch, the

block I call glory alley.

Glory alley, a world of

square guys with round edges.

Where love and larceny,

courage and crime, nobility and

amorality come out of the same barrel.

Beer barrel or whiskey

barrel, preferably bourbon.

Life is fundamental to

mugs, hugs, and lugs.

You settle it with

fists or rationalize it with

dreams out of a bottle.

Yet in the bottom of life's

gutter, you can find, if you

look hard enough, more beauty, dignity,

and sensitivity than

anywhere else in the world.

Has been, might have been,

never was, and champions.

I covered them all.

Man for man, pound for pound, socks,

Barbarossa was the best.

I never wrote the whole story.

At first, because I didn't know it all.

And then, because I did.

He was the hottest fighter to come out of

the South in 20 years.

The Coliseum was a

sellout every time he fought.

It made no difference

who they matched him with.

It always ended the same way.

Look it up in the records yourself.

33 consecutive wins, 28 by knockout.

Socks had color, cockiness, and class.

And at last, he was

ready for the big time.

He was promised a shot at the title.

Fifth, he got over Terry

Walker, the leading contender.

Counting personal, Tom, every man who

faces socks becomes a

personal enemy.

That's a lot, Tom.

They're not in New York now.

This is a--

A madhouse.

Up in the garden, Walker

will be a two to one favorite,

maybe more.

This is your chance to get well.

They're laying three

to one on Barbarossa.

Even money wins by a knockout.

Hey, Tony.

Hey, Tony.

Ladies and gentlemen, the

main offender of the evening,

10 rounds of boxing from New York, and

197 pounds, Terry Walker.

[crowd booing]

Quiet, please.

He's a problem.

The pride of New Orleans at

190 pounds sucks Barbarossa.

[crowd cheering]

You know what's for me?

Court Sheppin.

[crowd booing]

Hey, fellas.

Let's go.

Hey, buddy.

[laughing]

Hey, Socks.

Come on.

Come on.

Let's go.

Okay, fellas.

What's the matter, Socks?

Come on.

Let's go.

All right, Socks.

Remember what I told you.

Come on.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Hey, Socks.

[crowd booing]

[crowd booing]

[crowd booing]

Open up, Judge.

Socks, you forget something.

Forget something.

Keep everybody out.

What's wrong with that thing?

What's up, Judge?

Nothing.

Go back to your seats.

I heard.

So I'm engaged.

Sock that though.

Don't let nobody in.

What's the matter, Socks?

You sick?

What's wrong with Socks?

What's he doing there?

Get him out.

He's with me.

What happened, Socks?

Open up.

Thank God.

Judge, let him in.

I said no.

You can't keep the promoter out.

Come on out, Socks.

Getting late.

Hey, Socks.

Are you sick or aren't you?

Take them off.

Take them off!

Okay, kid.

I'll get the doc.

I don't need no doc.

I ain't sick.

What about the fight?

There ain't going to be no fight.

What's the matter with you?

Are you off your rocker or something?

I ain't fighting.

Well, I tell Rogers.

Then I ain't fighting.

You are fighting.

Didn't you hear me?

I said I'm not fighting no more.

Never!

You don't need it, Mr. Socks.

Now look.

Quit your killing, Socks.

I'll see if I can get a postponement.

There ain't going to be no postponement.

Give them their money back.

You can't do that, Socks.

I can quit any time I want.

That's my privilege.

What will Angie say?

Angie will understand.

I hope so.

But I think you're wrong.

Get out of here.

All of you.

Okay.

Take it easy.

Take it easy, will you?

Everything's going to be all right.

I said get out.

I don't need Malagan no more.

♪ (soft music)

(door closes)

(footsteps)

- You're a little late, ain't ya?

(footsteps)

Run out, will ya?

- You yellow.

- I'm not yellow, that's not the reason.

- You cost me 15 cheese.

- I'm sorry, I couldn't help it.

- Why, you yellow-levered.

Take up your hat.

I said take it off!

(punching)

(door closes)

(punching)

(door closes)

♪ (soft music)

- Two...

Three...

Four...

Five...

Six...

Seven...

Eight...

Nine...

Ten...

♪ (soft music)

♪ (soft music)

- Socks, barber, ulcers,

sharks and everything else!

Read it all, fight it!

- You're it, picky you!

- Thank you, sir.

- I know he flattened Terry Walker.

- Oh, Walker, not...

hailed that blind

doorman, you know, the judge.

- Socks, barber, ulcers, jerks!

- Why'd you do it, Socks?

♪ (upbeat music)

(crash)

♪ (upbeat music)

- Let's hear it now!

Hey, Frankie!

(upbeat music)

- Hey, Jenny!

(speaking in foreign language)

(speaking in foreign language)

(singing in foreign language)

(singing in foreign language)

♪ When she dances with some boy ♪

♪ You can see her bounce for joy ♪

♪ And when she kisses

some man, some boy ♪

♪ Her young heart

sings, "I love you so" ♪

(singing in foreign language)

(singing in foreign language)

♪ (upbeat music)

(speaking in foreign language)

♪ (upbeat music)

(speaking in foreign language)

♪ (upbeat music)

(speaking in foreign language)

♪ (upbeat music)

- Let's hear it now!

♪ (upbeat music)

♪ (upbeat music)

(applause)

♪ (upbeat music)

- You wanna know what happened?

- I heard it on the radio.

- Not my side.

- All right, what happened?

- I had enough.

Can I get the racket if you want?

- You could have quit yesterday.

You could have quit this morning.

But you didn't have to make people pay

to see you run away.

- You didn't want me to quit?

- You said it was what you wanted.

The championship.

The money.

When you reached out, Daddy.

- I changed my mind.

- Why?

- When I was in my corner, the lights,

and the noise, and all

those eyes staring at me.

- And what?

- I had enough, I was fed up!

- I can't get up.

- I told you to quit.

- Just like that! - This isn't gonna make

any difference, is it?

- Well, that between us sucks, please.

- But what?

- It changes things.

- No, nothing's changed.

We'll get married next

month, like we decided.

- What about Papa?

- Oh, it was an accident, a trip.

I never touched him.

- I wasn't thinking of that.

- But what then?

Well look, he's gonna

come and live with us,

if that's what's bothering you.

- What?

- I'll make a living,

I'll make a good living.

- Fighting is the only business you know.

- Well, I'm not gonna do anything. - I'm not gonna do anything. Fighting is the only business you know.

- Well, you think I

can't do nothing else, huh?

- Oh, she really does not fight.

- What's happened to you, Socks?

What's bothering you?

- Angie, you wouldn't understand.

- There's some blows a guy just can't--

- Why, Mr. Barbaro, sir!

I thought you were still running.

(jazz music)

- Angie?

- Quiet as he is, Socks.

Have a prayer.

Never bet you didn't have enough brass

to show up here for six months.

(laughs)

All right, even money you would.

(laughs)

(footsteps)

- Hello, Judge.

I'd like to talk to you.

- What is there to talk about?

- What?

- Wait a minute, Judge.

I forgot the fizz water.

- Judge, it's not the way you think.

- You don't know what I think.

- Well, let's sit down and talk about it.

- You told me to get out, I got out.

- Well, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--

- You're not quitting?

- Let's sit down.

(footsteps)

- Look, Judge, I

don't want to be washed up

by the time I'm 30.

I'm quitting before I

start walking on my heels

while I can still

breathe through my nose.

Is there anything wrong with that?

- Goodbye, Socks.

- What do you mean, goodbye?

Just because I'm

quitting a crummy fight racket

is that all I am to Angie and you, a pug?

- You do not say

goodbye because you want to.

I said goodbye to my wife.

I said goodbye to my eyes.

And my life is a diamond cutter.

I'd say goodbye to you

and another dream.

- It doesn't have to be, Judge, I--

- You fooled me, Socks.

I thought you were the

champion I always looked for.

I thought you were a good man.

You never know.

It's like a diamond.

It may look perfect.

You can pound it with

a hat, all your might,

and it will not crack.

Yet you can strike it

accidentally against the wall,

and it will shatter.

If it has a flaw, you may

not be able to see the flaw,

but even under the glass.

But if it is there--

- But, Judge, you don't know me.

You don't know why I'm quitting.

- Yeah, it makes no difference.

I don't know why my wife

was killed in the raid.

I don't know why I'm blind.

All I know is I cannot see.

There is no light.

- Sometimes there can be too much light.

- Yes, I wanted to

see you win this title.

- Look, Judge, I'll make it all up to

your weight and say--

- The first thing a man loses is its

willingness to take it.

You cannot take it, Socks.

You're weak.

You have the flaw.

- You're wrong, Judge.

Just because I'm

quitting the fight rack--

- It's not fighting.

It's a matter of pride and dignity.

- You're not fighting. - It's a matter of pride and dignity.

The way a man says goodbye, shadow.

- Be right there, Judge.

- Thanks, Shad, for everything.

You're the best trainer in the business.

You won't have no trouble getting work.

- As long as I keep this out of hot,

old Shad will never go

hungry out there still.

He took it pretty hard.

But he'll be revavigated in the morning.

- Good night, Mr.

Socks. - Good night, Shad.

- Straight bourbon.

- Huh? - Double.

- Are you kidding? - You heard me.

- That ain't gonna help.

- I told you I ain't fighting no more.

- Don't think I know why.

- Keep it to yourself, Pepe.

- I will.

- Hi, Newsboy. - Hi.

- Hey, what about

tomorrow? - Tomorrow, sure.

Two o'clock. Torchy's

coming to work with you.

- Hey, good night,

Pepe. - Good night, Socks.

- Good night.

- He's a good boy. -

Yeah, he's coming along fast.

- He's all yours.

- What are you talking about?

- I'm quitting, too.

- Oh, don't be a fool.

You still got a good stable.

- I'm selling out.

All except Newsboy.

I want you to have him.

- What would I do with him?

- You can use a meal ticket.

- How about yourself?

- I'm buying into this joint here.

- Looks like you're here, Pepe.

- I'll cut you in for a piece.

- No, you've done enough already.

- We're friends, ain't we?

- After tonight?

- This is only one

night. We had lots of nights.

- Thanks for everything, Pepe.

- Well, what are you going to do?

- Break training.

- A man who has trained

sincerely for seven years

builds up a tremendous

thirst for everything.

Socks miss no stops.

- Why'd you do it, Socks?

- You could have quit yesterday.

You could have quit this morning.

But you didn't have to make people pay to see you run away.

(dramatic music)

- It's like a diamond.

It may look perfect.

If you can strike it

accidentally against the wall,

then you will find it.

- A man looking for

trouble on Bourbon Street,

especially at 4 a.m.

is always accommodated.

It didn't take long.

Just a few weeks.

Nothing runs downhill as

fast as a thoroughbred.

- Socks, Socks, wake up.

Come on, Socks, get up.

Come on.

Come on, wake up. It's Tuesday.

You've had enough shut eye.

Come on, Socks, get up.

- Let's have a little slug, huh?

- After we talk business.

- Where's the grog?

- Let's talk about

Newsboy Adams first, huh?

- I want slug. Just one slug.

- Told you I'd get it for you.

After we talk about Newsboy Adams.

- Newsboy Adams?

What's with him?

- He's fighting one leg.

- You got a drinker, ain't you?

- Don't store your gut.

- I got some here someplace, huh?

If you get me a pint, I'll pay you back.

- There's a hundred for you and the same for Adam.

- Adams? What's he got to do, Adam?

- Boy, you are crocked.

- I don't know what you're yakkin' about.

- Hey, you playin' me

for a patsy or something?

Everybody knows, Pepe turned over

Newsboy's contract to you.

It was in the paper.

- What about it?

- He's fighting Kid Helton.

The kid needs a little help.

- Look, Pig, get this. I never bag a fight in my

life, and I ain't startin' now.

- Okay. I go for 250, and that's all.

- You're on one side,

Pig, and I'm on the other.

After this, whenever

you see me, back away.

Because every time I pass

you, I'm gonna dump you.

(laughing)

- You're a good guy, huh? (laughing)

- Phew!

- Pardon me.

- Yeah.

- If you get hands off,

why is the drink?

- You had enough. Now sober up.

- I don't wanna sober up.

- I got a job for you.

- I got a job fixin' fights for the pig.

- Listen, Socks, I got to

have a relief bartender, see?

- Oh, why didn't you say

so? Now there's a job I...

I get it. Hand out.

- I need you fried, he sucks.

- Look, Pepe, you don't have to...

I know I'm on the ropes.

- You're not on the ropes.

You're on the skids.

This ain't charity.

- Are you on the square?

- Sure.

- Okay, I'll be there.

- Here. Little breakfast money.

Oh, that's all right.

You can pay me back.

- Good morning, Judge.

- Hello, Sam.

- Hi, Judge.

- Hello, Spider.

- Hello, Judge.

- How's the wife, Mike?

- Hi.

- Hello, Judge.

- What's he doing here?

- Didn't Pepe tell you?

He's comin' in on priorities from now on.

- Coffee, Judge.

- Thank you, Jabba.

- I'm not a judge. - I'm not a judge. - I'm not a judge. -
I'm not a judge. - I'm not a judge. - I'm not a judge. - Come on.

- Uptown, 8984.

- Depart at 1310th Street.

- Go ahead.

- Hello?

Mabel?

- What's the matter?

- Socks.

It's been a raffle of newsboy Adams.

- What?

- It means trouble, Pepe.

- Hey, Socks.

- Count.

- What's this about a raffle?

- Thanksgiving turkey.

- Judge says you're

rappling off newsboy Adams.

- 25-pound turkey.

- I'll throw in a newsboy extra.

A guy out in California got away with it.

- You can do that.

- It's my privilege.

He's my property, Amy.

What's the bite?

- Mucotro, how many you want?

- I'll take two more chances, Socks.

- Right.

- Well, folks, somebody put the word out

that newsboy Adams has a bum ticker.

Newsboy, Doc Barcel, we

ain't got nothing to hide.

You all know Doc Barcel, folks, what do

you say we give him a big hand, huh?

- All right, Doc.

- Okay.

Now we're going to find out

if newsboy has a bum ticker.

Right, Doc?

- Sound as a dollar.

- Hear that? Sound as a dollar.

And that's all it costs for

a chance on a 25-pound turkey

and a 167-pound fighter,

both in perfect condition.

Okay, folks, I'll have to take it.

- Hold it, folks. I ran out.

- That ain't news.

- Very funny. I'm all sold out, but I'll

run down to the printers and get some.

- Sold out.

- Hello, Angie.

- Oh, you Socks.

Business seems to be good.

- Angie, I wanted to see

you and tell you that...

- I wanted to see you, too.

- You're talking to that coward?

- Papa!

- Stay away from her.

You hear me?

- Stay away from the

printer, too. The raffle's off.

- Who says so?

- The law.

Raffles happen to be

illegal in Louisiana.

- So are a lot of other things.

- You got 24 hours to turn the door back.

- If I don't?

- Just try holding that

drawing and see what happens.

- I'll hold it on the corner of Bourbon

Street and Toulouse.

Oh, Doc, you better lock up

the turkey. The bulls are here.

- Hello, Mr. Jordan.

- Oh, hiya, Frank.

- Well, Socks, what's up?

- We just held the drawing.

- Well, you asked for it.

- Wait a minute.

What's the charge, Frank?

- Conducting a raffle.

- Well, then you'll have to run me in,

too. I pulled out the winning number.

- I'm going to have to make a report on

this, Mr. Jordan. You

better call Captain Dalton.

- Well, it'll be a pleasure. I helped run

last year's raffle for the

police, which is an order.

- Let's get out of here.

- Who had the winning number?

- What was your number, Frank?

- Uh, wait a minute.

25618.

- Oh, sorry. The winning number was...

- 71924.

- Hey, I got it! I got it! I got it!

I got it! There it is!

- 71924. The winner is Sal Mikko!

Here's your turkey.

And here's your fighter.

- Hey, this is a picture!

- A very good one. - You can't get away with this! I win a

live fighter and I won!

- It's only the Army. He left for Camp

Parker this morning.

And I'm joining the Army, too.

- I'm going to fix you!

You'll have to help me!

- All right. If that's the way you feel

about it, here's your buck.

You can keep the

turkey with my compliments.

- I'm going to get the cops on this!

- Well, Socks, come back. In one piece.

I'll come back.

- Sure you will. The big man.

He'll come back the

biggest man on Bourbon Street.

Bring the grape.

And all the jerks that

have been knocking you,

they'll be standing in line waiting for

you to give them a tumble.

Wait and see.

Glory Ali will be waiting for you, son.

- Glory Ali. You gave it that name, Gabe.

- Everyone has his own glory Ali.

He's lucky enough to find it.

Some of us have to invent it.

[piano music]

Let me tell you a story.

By the place I know.

It's on any highway

where most folks wouldn't go.

If you're always done right,

and you're never done wrong,

if you ain't never sinned,

then you just don't belong in.

Glory Ali.

Glory Ali.

You gave that trumpet bone in Glory Ali.

It's a stream of the spas

where the blues fill the air.

When you're all alone in Glory Ali.

Faded dreamers, jaded schemas,

where the folks you know in Glory Ali.

You search almost in vain

for the roads in the rain.

That was seldom brought into Glory Ali.

But once in a while,

just one rose appeared.

Warm by its smile in

water and with tears.

A beautiful rose that blues in the night.

Some are your fiend

about heaven since I knew.

In Glory Ali.

Glory Ali.

What a grand inclorial finale.

It's a stream of the spas

but you can still find heaven there.

That's the glory.

Glory Ali.

I'll come back like Pepe says,

the biggest man on Bourbon Street.

I'll show the judge and

everybody who said I was yellow.

I'll show them I've got what it takes.

So long, Dave.

Come back in one piece, Socks.

You'll bet I will.

Tabber, keep punching.

Good luck, Pally.

May the good Lord bless you, Mrs. Socks.

Thanks, Shab.

I'm going to miss you on that horn.

So long, Socks.

So long, Pepe.

Socks.

You didn't tell me you were going away.

I was going to write to you, Angie.

Look, Angie, I've

been wanting to tell you,

I lied about why I quit the fight racket.

It's not important now.

I love you, Socks, and I

have never stopped loving you.

Do you have to go?

There's some fights

you can't run away from.

To bring you back, Steve.

Thanks, Angie.

What's wrong?

Nothing, I...

It's time to go, Angie.

Say goodbye to the judge.

Things will be different

when I come back, Angie.

Most men go to war afraid.

Afraid of losing an arm or a leg,

or the works.

Afraid his woman or his job

will be gone when he comes back.

Not Socks Barbarossa.

His only fear was that the war might be

over before he could get in it.

Come in.

- All right, Judge. - Hello, Judge.

Nice day today, Miss Angie.

Remember Angie?

You used to dance to this

piece when you were a little girl.

Yes.

She would have been a great ballerina.

Do you know where the

ballerina is, Shadow?

More or less, Judge.

Things never turn out

the way you plan them.

You dream of your little

girl as a great dancer,

and she winds up being

a nurse in a hospital.

I suppose you've forgotten

every step you ever knew.

Not all of them.

There are some things one never forgets.

Hmm? Let's see it.

Show Shadow.

I bet he does know that you can dance.

Okay.

- My stroke? - My stroke. Ready? [Music]

[Applause]

I know where the ballerina is, Judge.

[Music]

Every soldier fights his own war

with his own fears and

hopes and opportunities.

A man may have to wait months, even

years, to get into action.

It takes but minutes,

sometimes only seconds,

to become a hero or a corpse.

Socks' moment came a few months after he

left Bourbon Street,

on a hillside overlooking the Yalu River.

Sorry to pull out, sir.

Three minutes more and none

of you would have come back.

We were less than 50 feet from the

bridge, wouldn't it?

We'll try and find some

other way of cutting them off.

Later.

All right, pack that

men. We're moving out.

All right, let's go, men. Get your stuff.

They made you fuck.

They're moving in their arms.

What about them, sir?

They're in God's hands.

Well, maybe he could use some help.

I can't afford to lose any more men.

You're gambling one against two. That's

pretty good odds, sir.

You've been killed.

That's my privilege.

Anyway, I got to get them.

One of those will be four bucks.

(GUNFIRE)

Socks, get out of here.

Get them over here. Come on.

(GUNFIRE)

What happened?

What about the bridge?

We got the charge in.

The shell broke the connection.

Now hook it with the

short end. Where's the box?

Where is it?

Well, here it is, but you can't make it.

(GUNFIRE)

Look out!

I'll pull that bridge up.

(GUNFIRE)

Socks had done what he had to do.

He got what he went after.

The bands were playing and the flags were

flying just as he'd bring them.

Pepe had called it.

He was the biggest man on Bourbon Street.

He was the biggest man in New Orleans.

Hey!

Hey, come here.

You're the one who brought it, huh?

I'll be all the way through it.

Wait a minute. I'll be right back.

Look at them socks!

Oh, are they the socks?

Oh, I thought they were.

Bring up a big one.

Oh, that's good.

Angie.

Angie!

Angie!

Oh, my God!

Oh, sí, sí, go, go.

Oh!

It's...

Oh, dear. Come on.

I didn't see you today.

Oh, I wanted to see you alone.

I'm not looking at you.

I showed them, didn't

I? I showed them all.

Oh, yes, I'm proud of you.

You were wounded. Are you all right?

Oh, sure, I'm okay.

Oh, now the medal. Show me the medal.

The president gave it

to you. What's he like?

He said he'd rather be me than him.

Come on, I got something.

For me?

Missy?

Come on, see what it is first.

Oh, it's beautiful.

Oh, it's beautiful.

Missy?

You're beautiful, Angie.

Take your place.

All right! Hello, Judge.

Oh, look, Judge, let's be friends.

Go ahead, Judge. He made the first move.

Can I put a little bit of the
money? Yes, please. I'll open it, Judge.

He made the first move.

I brought some for you.

I'll open it, Judge.

Hmm, a new stick. And a

white one, too, Judge.

White cane.

Is this your idea of a joke?

Well, I didn't mean to...

What gave you the idea I

would take anything from you?

Don't, Judge. Things are different now.

Mr. Socks won the

Congressional Medal of Honor.

When is your raffling it off?

I got them all wrong.

Nothing's changed.

Socks Barbarossa is no different now than

he was when he went away.

It's more than a medal to make a man.

To fool the rest of them.

They cannot see the

floor through the medal.

It might entitle you to a

21-gun salute in the Army.

But get this.

As long as I'm on this bench,

you're still barred from here.

Get out!

I'll stay away from Angie.

(TIRES SCREECHING)

Sorry. Just had my brakes tightened.

I'm glad somebody has.

From Socks Barbarossa?

(LAUGHING)

No, go ahead.

What kind of a hack do you think I am?

This is on me.

Thanks.

This is where the General said,

New Orleans has had many heroes.

But you've earned a

place among the greatest.

I guess the joke's on me.

I get the key to the city,

and your papa won't even let me in the gym.

I would make him understand. Marry me, Angie.

I will.

When the time is right.

You mean when I'm right.

It's not only you.

It's Papa.

You see, when I can't be wrong, I'm not a father. I'm a man. I'm a man. I'm a man. I'm a man. It's Papa.

You see, when I came from Belgium,

I found him in a charity hospital.

He was all alone, blind, and helpless,

and since then I...

But you've given up

everything for him, your ballet.

Oh, Papa is more important.

Aren't we important, Angie?

Socks, I want to marry you.

And I've wanted it for a long time.

But I have to think of Papa first.

I'm all he has.

He's my responsibility.

But I'll take good care of him.

When a time comes, I will let you know.

And what are you going to do?

About what?

About to job.

Unbook solid for the next three weeks.

(Music)

Nobody showed up. How do you like that?

Most everybody has hurt your socks,

and lots of guys are

coming back every day,

with medals too.

Not the congressional medal.

Yep, it figured it had

to come sooner or later.

It's all over, Don D finished.

Four weeks ago I was a hero.

Now I'm just a bum again.

That ain't so.

You know you got half of the punch bone

any time you want it.

No, I don't want it, Pap.

There's plenty for both of us.

I want to be on my own.

But you ain't got the dough, kid.

Or Elise.

Why don't you come in with me, Socks?

It'll be like old times again.

Remember what the general

said when he gave me the key?

Socks, Barbarossa, New

Orleans is all yours.

Oh, my.

I can't even get a lousy

Elise without cutting a pig in.

Yeah, it takes pull.

It takes grease, like they got in.

Any chisel around

Bourbon Street can get Elise

as long as they cut the

pig in for 10% off the top.

I ain't giving.

And you ain't getting.

You got to do business with the pig.

You got to have an in.

What's this?

The only medal of honor in

New Orleans, and I got it.

Yeah?

Forget it.

I won't forget it.

[music playing]

Socks, why have you been avoiding me?

I've been busy.

You have quick again.

Oh, Socks.

Andrew.

Oh, Gabe.

You haven't written any

stories about me lately.

You haven't done anything lately.

I sent the medal back to the president.

Is that worth a story?

You did.

Sure I did.

Socks, how could you?

That's my privilege.

It's your privilege to

make a fool of yourself.

You can't give away the medal of honor,

not even to the president.

You earned it, Socks.

You risked your life for it.

You should be proud of it.

This is the highest

decoration you could get.

Yeah, that's what they said.

I don't get it.

What did you expect

the medal to do for you?

You tell me.

You covered the ceremonies

and the parade when I came home.

You heard all the

fancy words and promises.

New Orleans is all yours.

What a pigeon I was.

I believed it.

You can put that in your story too, Gabe.

Don't worry, Socks.

I won't.

You're wrong, Socks. So wrong.

Yeah, I know.

The judge says it takes more

than a medal to make a man.

You're all mixed up.

The medal of honor is

just that and honor,

not a meal ticket.

Ah, leave me alone, will you?

Can I buy you a drink, Judge?

Not unless you're over 21 years of age.

Is how?

Who am I drinking, Judge?

Hardly. Dr. Robert Hardly.

Glad to know you're Dr. Salut.

How long have you been blind, Judge?

A long time.

Been examined lately?

No.

I'd like to look you over.

Might be able to help you.

You're an eye man?

Yes, I am.

Hardly.

I thought I knew

every Oculus around here.

Our clinic is in Milwaukee.

I am down here

lecturing at the university.

I appreciate your interest,

Doctor. It's a waste of time.

Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't.

I know.

Every good eye man said, "No dice."

When was the last time you were examined?

About 10, 12 years ago.

You've learned a lot of

new things since then.

Corneal transplants, for instance.

Doctor, I have no money.

I didn't ask for any.

There was this. Who put

you up for coming here?

Nobody.

I happened to drop in for a drink.

I looked over and noticed you were blind.

I never pass a person who can't see

without trying to help.

That's the first

thing my father taught me.

He founded the Hardly

Clinic in Milwaukee.

You can't get in

unless you're unable to pay.

Sorry, I blew up, Doctor.

I can examine you at the eye clinic.

How about tomorrow morning at 10?

I appreciate your interest.

Can you get there all right, or should I

send somebody to bring it?

No.

Shadow will take me.

Good.

There isn't a chance, is there, Doctor?

There is a chance, Judge.

I don't know how much of a chance.

Don't be kind.

Tell me the truth.

If I didn't think there was a chance, I

wouldn't want to operate.

I just can't give you a

guarantee, that's all.

I don't expect any.

50-50.

You mean you could bring one back?

Maybe both.

Is it a deal?

No eyes against two.

I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. A man would be insane

not to accept that price.

Good.

We'll operate in a few days.

I'll arrange for your room tonight.

Thank you, Doctor.

Not at all, Judge.

Thank you, Doctor.

We'll be back tonight.

Oh!

My skimmer!

You must have left it in there.

I'll be right back, Judge.

Hurry up, Sheriff.

[door opens]

Oh, hello, Mr. Socks!

What's he doing here?

His lady's bothering him again.

He was wounded in the

wall, you know, Judge.

Of course, it's not my business, Judge.

But why can't you be big about Mr. Socks?

Life's too sharp to be small.

Here's your party.

Depart, sixty-five cents, please.

Go ahead.

Hello, Elsie.

Are you alone?

I found a book, Judge.

Is it in there?

Yeah, it's in there.

Looking under the bees?

Yeah, wait a minute.

There it is.

Ah, Socks, Barbarossa.

Born May the 2nd, 1927.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I figure that.

Jabas.

Yes, Judge?

Run down and get Socks for me, will you?

Sure.

I want to talk to him.

You want to see me, Judge?

What is there between

you and Doctor Hardley?

Hardley, I never heard of him.

Don't lie to me.

Look, if you got something

in your cross, spit it up.

Is Angie in on this?

Is Angie in on what?

You know what I'm talking about.

Getting that eye doctor here.

I haven't seen Angie in weeks.

You're still lying.

What do you keep buzzing me for?

I want the truth, you yellow punk.

What are you going to do

with Hardley and the operation?

He arranged it.

What's wrong about that?

What's wrong about it? What made you think I would take anything

from this gutter rat?

Get this straight, Judge.

I don't care if you never see again.

I said for Hardley because of Angie.

As long as she's got you on her neck,

as long as she has to support you and be

your sitting-eyed dog,

she can't live her own life.

The only reason I want you to get your

eyes back is so I can marry Angie.

So she can support you.

You were raised in the gutter and you

will die in the gutter.

You geeked it against Terry

Walker and you quit like a dog

when the army stopped feeding you.

You're trash.

Turn it off, Judge.

I've seen nothing for 12 years.

Nothing but endless night without stars.

Yes, I want to see light again.

I want to see Angie once more.

But I'd rather be blind as a

bat for the rest of my life

than have you as a son-in-law.

No, Papa. Don't talk like

that. Don't say such things.

Maybe he'll listen to you, Angela.

He says the operation is off.

They're only trying to help you, Papa.

You do not need their help.

You do not fool me, none of you.

When you buy me a drink or give me a

cigar or slip me a buck,

you're not doing it for me.

You're doing it for yourself. It makes you feel

superior because you can pity me.

Because you can see and I'm blind.

You're not superior.

Come on, Papa. That's

enough. Let's go home.

Well, you shouldn't talk

that way to your friends.

They've been good to you.

They lied to me because I cannot see.

You used to see the good in people

because that's what you wanted to see.

Then you changed.

You started hating socks.

And now you hate everybody.

It's not your eyes, Papa. It's you.

They used to love you and

respect you in Bourbon Street.

Now you are blind, Papa.

You're just a selfish and--

That's enough, Angie.

You don't know him. He

has the flaw. He's weak.

He'd quit you, too.

You're afraid of the operation.

Afraid it would be a success

and then you would lose me.

To him, yes. We'll do no good.

You cannot match a perfect gem with a

worthless piece of glass.

You're looking for a knot, Papa.

You're afraid to see.

Because then they would not

feel sorry for you anymore

or buy you drinks or give you handouts.

You don't want your eyes back.

Because then they

would not owe you anything.

You would just be one of them.

I'm sick of their lies.

You can't take the truth anymore.

Everybody has to lie

to you, including me.

Not you, Angie.

Forgive me for that.

Forgive me, Papa.

I would never tell you this as long as

there was no hope for your eyes.

My happiness could wait.

But now there is a hope

and you turn your back to it.

So I'll tell you the truth.

Go on.

You think your money comes

every month from Brussels.

You share from Grand Papa's estate.

But there's no estate. It

was last during the war.

You think I'll go every night in the

hospital studying to be a nurse?

Well, I'm not.

I sing and dance shebozo

under the name of Lily Longlay.

It isn't true, Angie.

It is true.

We're going to tell you

about the Savory Blues.

[cheering]

I hate to see the evening sun go down.

Hate to see the sun go down.

I hate to see the evening sun go down.

Hate to see the sun go down.

Because my baby, he don't have this town.

[music]

[singing]

[singing]

That man's got a heart

like a broadcast in the sea.

[singing]

[singing]

[singing]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[raws and Aleoggia plays)

[music]

[sings "S reclaimed Pinero pockets"]

[identals leader singing]

♪ But I'm gonna see my neighbors ♪

♪ So far from me ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ So do we ♪

♪ Ah ♪

(audience applauding)

- Hello?

- Will you hurry up and change, honey?

I gotta talk to you.

- All right.

- I'll be right back outside.

- Just one.

- Okay, Sal, you win.

I'll cut you in.

- Oh, one side.

- I need a good location.

You're in for 10% off the top.

- I don't know what you're yakkin' about.

- A good spot on the street.

I know you put the zing in.

- And it's staying in.

I'll deal you in for 15%.

- Not for 90%.

I don't do business with Welsh ears.

One side.

- Stop!

- Oh, Judy, what happened?

- I'm okay.

- Oh, your head is--

- No, I'm all right.

- Oh, lies dear, you've been hurt.

- Hey.

- Where'd he go?

- Shadow!

Shadow!

- Miss Hansel, there's a

little tree on the inside.

What happened, Miss Socks?

- That's nothing, Shadow.

You find a judge?

- That's what I come up to tell you.

He's on his way to the hospital.

- What happened?

- He's going through a taperation.

- Even Toni will tell you this.

Up they come.

And that toathol didn't do Toni's work--

- Oh, good morning, Doctor.

- Hello.

- Hello, Doctor.

- Hello, Judge.

How's Spiele be back home?

- Fine, fine.

- I, uh, I've come to say goodbye.

- You're not waiting until

the bandages are removed?

- Well, I have to fly back to

Milwaukee, an emergency case,

but I'm leaving you in good hands.

Good luck, Judge.

- Thank you, Doctor.

- Don't thank me.

Thanks, Socks Barbarossa.

He brought me here.

- Don't worry, Doctor.

I'll pay back the clinic every cent

as soon as I get my eyes back.

I'm not going to be obligated to him.

- You've got him all wrong, Judge.

- He's a coward.

He quit as a fighter

and he quit as a man.

Would you want him to

marry your daughter?

- Yes.

If she loved him as

much as your daughter does,

I'd be proud to have him as a son-in-law.

- Proud?

- Give me one reason

why you would be proud

of that no-good quitter.

- I'm listening, Doctor.

- Ever hear of Barbarossa's father?

- No.

- He was a cheap hoodlum,

but they called a three-time loser.

One night he came

home drunker than usual,

killed his wife, and

then went after Socks.

He clubbed him with a poker

until he was sure the boy was dead,

but somehow Socks

managed to keep breathing.

Even as a kid, he could

take a terrific wallop.

But his skull was fractured.

He was a father that took 49 stitches.

49 stitches.

That is a picture of it in the office.

The fanciest piece of

embroidery you ever saw.

Well, we didn't hear

from Socks for several years

until he became a fighter.

And the clinic started receiving

anonymous donations in the mail.

We always knew they were from Socks

because they always came

the day after his fights.

He was extremely generous.

The clinic made as much

off those fights as he did.

And when we found out we knew, we figured

Socks wanted it that way.

Judge...

Socks is a proud man.

He must have wanted to help you very much

to ask us for a favor to operate on you.

No.

I'm afraid you will never

unsell me on Socks, Barbarossa.

[door opens]

Man...

Siri!

How's the judge?

He's fine. They're

removing his marriages tomorrow.

Good.

Why didn't you tell me about your head?

What do you know about my head?

Doctor Hadleto Papa, and I heard it.

Forget it.

It won't take me to a

nice restaurant or dancing.

You're free to take off your head.

Tell me why.

It was so long ago.

You asked for an end to your look.

I don't see anything.

Can't you feel the

ridges? They're 49 stitches.

They saved your life.

They ruined my life.

They shaved my head and the kids called

me a convict like my old man.

I wore a cap all the time. They'd knock

it off and look at the scars.

Two or three of them would hold me down

while I counted the stitches.

Finally I ran away from home.

It was before I learned to use these.

Pepe handled me real good.

I could almost taste the title.

But then came Terry Walker.

Ah, it wasn't Walker.

I didn't even see him. It was a light.

So I was blinding ring lights.

Somebody yelled out something.

It sounded like, "Hey, Baldy!"

Maybe it wasn't that,

but it sounded like that.

My hair was starting to thin. I used to

look at it in the mirror every day.

I knew how the light

shined down on your head.

I knew that I'd never

walk in the ring again.

I couldn't stand to have people laugh at

me and the scars on my head.

So you run away.

I fought Walker in my own way.

And you're still running away?

Angie, you don't understand.

Yes, I do. I know how sensitive you are.

But you shouldn't be, not about this.

That you don't want

to fight, I understand.

But that you run away and hide your head

always, that's wrong.

Nobody ever notices your scars.

I know they're there.

But we all have scars of some kind.

It's foolish trying to hide them.

It's not being

sensitive, it's being vain.

I can't help how I feel.

Like, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

The only scars you should be ashamed of

are those you cause.

Angie, it's so easy for you

to talk, but you don't know.

Oh, you can't hide a scar with a hat.

Angie, don't you love me?

You've got to choose

between me and the judge.

I can't marry you as

long as you're afraid.

Afraid?

I'm the fellow who won a medal, remember?

Maybe it takes more

courage to take off your hat.

I'm sorry, Angie.

[bell ringing]

[indistinct chatter]

Is this the party we're

calling San Francisco?

Yes.

Deposit $1.75 please.

Hello, where?

Herman?

Gabbard.

Put a sawbuck on Gold Bolt in the fourth.

Can't lose.

Bye, Herman.

That'll be it.

Just hit the jackpot.

Got my brother in San Francisco. What's the matter?

Is it a slug or something?

Hey, what are you doing?

It's all the order.

Since when?

All the calls come through.

Yeah, that's what I mean.

Here he comes now.

Here comes the guy.

Welcome back, Judge.

Welcome back.

Thank you, Pepe.

It's good to be back.

This call's for great.

[cheering]

Listen, everybody.

You don't know what it

means after all these years

to be able to know who your friends are.

I want to apologize to all of you.

I am a man of the same age. I want to apologize to all of you.

I hope you will forgive me.

[cheering]

Please.

There are many kinds of blindness.

Sometimes it's in your eyes,

and sometimes it's in your heart.

Some will say the

operation was a failure,

because they couldn't

give me back my eyes.

But the operation was a success.

I can see.

Thanks to socks, I can see.

I'll never be blind again.

[cheering]

You know, a still small

voice spoke to me last night,

and his tone was soft and gentle.

Though I could not see

him, he was there all right,

and his words were monumental.

If you can't go to sleep

without counting sheep,

there's a thought for

you, and it isn't very deep.

And tried to realize in humble mood,

insomnia is like a gratitude.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said last night.

And I know today was absolutely right.

And I know today he was absolutely right.

No one would ever have a worried mind

if they're just too good

and feel a little kind.

They've had a very blessing, eat the sun,

and thank your stars

for each and every one.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said last night.

And I know today you let me ride.

And I know today he was absolutely right.

Tomorrow and tomorrow, we

change with his veil of tears.

We run from sorrow to

sorrow, nothing to the years.

And I know today he was absolutely right. That's right, Jackson.

Man, play me another chapter.

Did the man say that, Jack?

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said last night.

And I know today he was absolutely right.

What did the man say?

He said, from the time you've

gone to the hallelujah month,

when you're low in mind,

when you're low in points,

nothing gets so bad,

couldn't get a little worse.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the small boys

say when you go to U.S. night.

It says,

Oh, and the plants we

make seem to go out of mist.

They would all wait out

if you just think of mist,

no matter what you do,

take the lot along with you.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said.

That's what the man said last night.

And I know today he was absolutely right.

That was the beginning, a

new beginning for both of them.

After Socks took off his

hat, he put on his gloves

and picked up where he left off.

That was nearly a year ago.

He always had a good right hand,

and he developed a

left hook to go with it.

What a left hook.

Socks didn't waste any time.

He won two of his way to a shot at the

title in eight fights.

The champ never knew what he

did, but everybody else did.

A right uppercut, and

behind it was the new champion.

Yep, Socks was my best story.

You know the champ, don't you, Dan?

Sure. How are you, champ?

Hi, Dan. Good luck in your new job.

How about this break?

You gave.

For the wonderful years you gave me,

and for the wonderful mugs

and pugs of glory I have.

It's the speed of his prayer,

but you will still find him.