Original subtitles

( Blues playing )

* mm-hmm, mm-hmm

* mm-hmm

* mm-hmm, grandma's hands *

* clapped in church on Sunday mornings *

* grandma's hands played a tambourine so well *

* grandma's hands used to issue out a warnin' *

* she'd say, "Billy, don't you run so fast *

* "might fall on a piece o' glass *

* might be snakes there in that grass" *

* grandma's hands

* grandma's hand soothed the local unwed mother *

* grandma's hand

* used to ache sometimes and swell *

* grandma's hand used to lift her face and tell her

* she'd say, "baby, grandma understands *

* "that you really love that man *

* put yourself in Jesus' hands" *

* grandma's hand

* grandma's hand used to hand me piece of candy *

* grandma's hand picked me up each time I fell *

* grandma's hands

* boy, they really flora! Flo!

* came in handy... Your grandpa's back done busted!

Come on, babe, you got to get out here

and help.

* ..."What you want to spank him for? *

* he didn't drop no apple core" *

* but I don't have grandma flo, this will keep the cotton

* anymore... From tearin' up your hands.

There's a good girl.

Josie, you stay here.

Ready? Come on, now.

Come on.

* ...Mm-hmm-hmm.

Lord have mercy.

How long has she been living here?

At least a month, mama.

That's a call girl.

You watch your step, mama.

( Baby crying )

( Knocking )

Diana?

Diana? Come on out, Diana.

Please open the door, honey.

Diana, this here grandma flora.

I didn't come all this way to stand out here like a fool.

Open up the door now.

Shh.

Mama, come on.

( Baby crying loudly )

Okay, I'm coming, honey.

Come on.

That's a good boy.

It's all right, honey.

It's all right.

He stinks of liquor.

I seen pigsties smell and look better

than this place.

You drinking that vodka?

Yup. You want some?

You comin' with me.

No, I ain't.

What you say?

I ain't going nowhere.

Girl, get on up.

Give me a hand here.

What you do...? I said you're coming with me.

Man, get off of me.

I don't even know you.

Mama, come on, now.

Hey, sweet cakes, do you know who this is?

This is your great grandma flora.

And I'm your friend, too.

Let me tell you somethin'.

You got a problem, you need anything

you just come to me.

I'll always look after you, you hear that?

You got a birthday coming, sugar, don't you?

Now, what can we get you special?

Something really special.

Hmm?

Happy birthday, child.

It's all we have to give you

but this is your egg.

I'm going to take this pencil

and I make a Mark on it

and put it under a hen about to set.

When it hatches, that will be your baby chicken.

( Clucking )

Flora: That egg meant the world to me.

I didn't have nothin' else.

Just a little ole shack in Mississippi

where I lived with my sister Josie

my ma, my pa and my grandparents.

And then one mornin' 'bout three weeks later

I woke up to a surprise.

A little baby chick.

And it was all my own

and more precious to me than anything in the world

and when that little baby chick

growed up, it made a mighty tasty...

Stew.

Oh, lord have mercy.

Oh, y'all ain't got nothin' else to do

but hang around in front of the depot?

Yeah, you're looking good.

Never mind how I look.

Hi, there, flora.

Good to see you.

Hey, sugar.

Lord have mercy.

Well... here we are.

Home sweet home.

I'll just set this box inside.

Much obliged.

You fixin' to eat with US, Pearl?

That don't sound like an offer to me.

Here.

Give a holler if you need anything.

Now, flora, looks like maybe

you're gonna need a man around the house

what with all this company.

Only man I need, albie, is the one

that's going to turn around

and walk straight back out that gate.

But don't you need some wood chopped?

Well, I guess I'll be going.

Bye, grandpa.

Bye-bye.

No use in dawdling out here.

Come on in.

That there's your pa's old room.

This place needs air.

This is home, sweet cakes, home.

This ain't no charity house, girl.

Get up off your butt and start helping.

What you want me to do?

We need wood for the stove.

Grandpa said he would chop the wood.

Ax is on the post, baby.

( Sighing )

Man... I got to chop wood?

Get your back

into it.

Go on, now.

Couple years and you're gonna be choppin', too, sweet cakes.

Oh, girl.

Folks go to college to get educated sense

and leave common sense down below. Here, take him.

Like slicin' butter.

Sweet cake, your mom done got herself

in a whole heap of trouble.

It'll be different 'cause you're here now.

( Yells )

( Yells )

Ow!

It'll take a little time though.

( Laughing )

Won't do no good there.

( Sighs )

Ow!

( Groaning )

I just about chopped my hand off out there.

Oh, you'll be more careful next time.

What about this?

You'll get used to this old place, girl.

Here, let me see.

I'm cookin' up some pork chops for dinner.

How's that sound?

I ain't hungry.

It's a long road

that never turns, baby.

Really?

You ought to try sharecroppin'.

We done worked the land from sunup to sundown

but not one square foot was ours.

It all belonged to maz Fleming.

Flora! Flora!

Am I going to see you tonight?

( Women laughing )

Times were so bad we could hardly put food on the table.

Always had US some big barn dance

at the end of the season.

I mean everybody

got all dressed up in their finest

and danced till dawn.

All right now, I got to go.

Okay.

How was the bagging, flo?

You sure are looking lovely.

May I have the honor of this dance?

( Chuckling )

I ain't much good at dancing.

Well, all that you got to do is move to the music.

( Woman laughing )

All right.

May I?

Yes, sir.

Maz Lincoln.

Yes, sir.

( Slow waltz playing )

My name is Lincoln, Lincoln Fleming.

You own the plantation?

No. No. That would be my daddy.

I've just come home to help for a while.

You are?

Flora.

My name's flora.

Flora.

Do you know what that means?

( Laughs )

It means flowers.

Miss flora

you truly are the most beautiful flower here.

Easy, now.

Easy.

Easy, now.

How you doing, sir?

George.

Well, how's the family?

Fine. Fine. You?

Good. My father

has sent me to talk to you

about leasing you some more land.

Ah, miss flora.

Thank you.

I was just asking about you.

Wasn't 'specting company.

Uh, maz Lincoln's been talkin'

about given US a few more acres.

And I'm also in a position

to offer you an opportunity for employment, flora.

My dear old grandma, my Nana, she's poorly.

She needs someone to sit by her bedside

and help tend to her needs.

It would mean that you would have to move into our house

and you would be paid a sum which I'm sure

would make up for any inconvenience.

Well, I wouldn't want flora to do anything

that she didn't want to do

yes.

I'd love to.

Yes, I would.

Well, then... George?

I don't know. I...

Money for the family, pa.

Well, I made up my mind.

That's all there is to it.

Then it's settled.

Well, I never can keep

my daughter from doing what she wants to do.

You know, she's 99% henning and one percent mule.

Here we are.

Flora: That your house?

That's it.

Whoa.

I'll take that for you, miss.

Thank you.

Thank you.

You're going to hear all sorts of stories

as to how my daddy and Nana made their money.

Well, most of them are true.

( Laughing )

After your morning chores you'll be looking after miz Fleming.

This'll be for you.

When you're done, come down the backstairs

outside to the kitchen.

Woman: Morning, bessie.

Miz Fleming, this be the new girl.

She gonna sit with you.

Come on over here and let me see what you look like.

You prettier than the rest of them anyway.

Sit down!

You're in my light!

I got to pee.

It's easy for you young negras nowadays.

But I got mine.

And I bet that makes y'all mad.

Warm up that thing.

And take the top off of it.

Now, you take them white folk--

them white folks hates US 'cause we got money.

And them colored, they hates US too

'cause we got money.

Let me tell you something.

It was easy getting rich after the war

'cause the massas didn't have no slaves

and the slaves didn't have no money.

So you could get a negra

to do most anything for next to nothing.

They didn't care what they got paid

'cause they was free.

( Chuckles )

So, what your precious freedom done got ya now?

Don't keep standing there looking at it!

Empty it.

( Knocking )

( Door opening )

I've come to see how you are.

You looked so unhappy this afternoon.

What's the matter?

Do you miss your family?

Flora, please...

What is it?

Has Nana been giving you a hard time?

Well, don't you worry yourself with her.

She's like that with everyone...

Including me.

We mustn't let my grandmother

spoil what is special between US.

Flora, I'm sorry.

Would you like me to leave?

Or should I stay?

( Laughing )

Henry, why don't you make these

fine ladies comfortable

while I arrange for some cold drinks.

Get US some drinks.

Yes, sir.

( Door opening )

I'm sorry.

I am so sorry

for what happened today.

You must understand

that I have to maintain a certain appearance

around others.

It has nothing... Nothing to do with how I feel

about you.

Forgive me?

But you know, these young ones...

Shh. Shh.

Lincoln: Well, I don't know.

This could be that day.

All right, daddy, you ready?

Come on, let's go.

Come on.

( Laughing )

Bessie: You ain't the first.

And you ain't gonna be the last.

( All laughing )

One after another.

It's the truth, though.

( Door opening )

( Gasps )

Bessie: Come with US.

Where we going?

Don't tarry, girl.

Man: Maz Lincoln's had enough of you.

You knowed, didn't you?

You knowed

he just wanted me for his whore.

You never listen.

You knowed!

You been stubborn since the day you was born.

Here.

Here's your money.

Take it.

Take it.

That's what he done paid...

For his whore.

Flora!

( Groaning )

You're all right.

It gonna be all right.

Won't be long now, child.

The good lord be watching over you.

( Groaning )

( Horse whinnying )

George?

Good evening.

Evening, maz Lincoln.

And a fine evening it is.

Word has it I'm about to become a pappy.

Lord willing.

( Laughing )

Well, a blessing and a burden.

That's what my Nana always says.

Now, I know you all to be good people

and I'm sure you want to provide

a decent life for that grandchild of yours.

Yes, sir.

Well, in order to provide a decent life for that child

this farm-- it has to prosper.

Well, we been getting by.

Indeed, indeed.

George, you're one of our best tenants.

Thank you, sir.

Of course, you don't own this farm.

Uh... no...

Sir.

And I don't expect there'll be too much of a future

for that grandchild of yours without it.

Besides, so much high-yellow blood

in some pickaninny

the child could grow up an embarrassment

if it grows up in the wrong hands.

Breathe, breathe.

All right, now, push.

Come on, come on.

Push.

It's coming out now.

Here it is.

Come on, push, push, push!

Push!

That's it! That's it!

That's it! That's it! That's it!

( Baby crying )

This be the happiest day

of my life.

Give me the child.

Mama, where you taking my baby?

Where you going?

Ma... mama!

Where are you taking my baby?!

( Screaming )

Flora: I never did see my baby again.

The Flemings made sure of that.

They made sure I left town, too.

Said if I ever came back to see my baby...

Harm would come to him.

That's the last time I ever blamed anybody

for something I did.

( Swing music playing )

I told you she'd get the hang of things

( laughs )

Now don't you go thinking that lets you off the hook.

( Door opens )

Soon as I'm done with these pies,

we're going into town.

Made peaches for reverend Jackson,

boysenberry for pat and Burt,

cafe gets rhubarb and peaches for US.

You like peach pie?

It's okay.

I know you like peach pies.

Child, you don't know how blessed you are.

God has given you an angel.

Incoming.

Here it comes.

( Train whistle blowing )

( Passengers chatting loudly )

Woman: * when you stand...

Shh!

Men, I'm trying to get my baby to sleep.

( Fussing )

* ...Sleepin'

* in his resting place...

( Baby bawling )

Oh...

* swear I'll see

* the angel...

( Train whistle blowing )

What's the matter, child?

What's the matter?

My baby.

Your baby?

My baby-- i'd lost my baby.

Where?

I don't know where... he is.

They ain't got no right-- no right!

The child's mine!

Lyin'... lyin' like he in love.

He never cared nothin' 'bout me.

No matter how much money they paid

my mama should have never gave up that boy.

Time has a way of healing.

Dry your eyes now.

That's it.

Now, where are you headed?

Memphis.

You know, bad things can happen to you in a big city.

It don't matter.

( Bell clanging )

Well...

That'd be it.

Stockton, Tennessee.

You sure about this?

Don't wanna feel I pushed you.

( Sighs )

Thank you for your kindness.

Well, I see folk like you all over the south

heading off to Memphis, Chicago, Detroit

and coming back in tears.

Can't say I ever see them goin' in tears, though.

But I got a feelin' you'd be just fine.

Good luck.

( Train engine starting )

( Train chugging )

Welcome, sister.

Now, you've come to the right place.

Flora: So the reverend Jackson took me into his church.

Got me a job doing laundry

and a place to live.

Five years just seemed

like a blink of the eye.

* I am fightin' for my lord

* in the army of the lord *

* I am fightin' for my lord

* in the army *

* I am fightin' for my lord

* in the army of the lord *

* I am fightin' for my lord

* in the army *

* I believe our god

* in the army of the lord *

* I believe our god

* in the army *

* I believe our god

* in the army of the lord *

* I believe our god

* in the army... *

step right up.

Let me show you the secret to nature's good, long life.

This is an Indian formula.

It cleanses the liver

it flushes the kidneys.

That's just the internal medicine.

And I done sprung from a briar patch.

Let me tell you about the external medicine.

Ain't he gorgeous?

You see this medicine here?

It's called "big chief cures."

And it's made from nature's own roots.

Now, you can't buy it in no drugstore.

You can't buy it nowhere but from me.

Now, anybody out there

got pain?

On your hand and neck?

How about your back?

Don't be shy now.

Don't be bashful.

Come on up here.

I got some pain right here.

You got surface neuralgia.

Now, here-- hold this.

You're going to be wanting to buy that.

I'm going to show you how easy it is to cure.

I'm rubbin' it right in here.

Now, you tell our good friends:

Is this medicine helping you or not?

Yes, sir!

"Yes, sir!" ( Crowd clamoring )

Woman: The pain is gone.

Ten cents, ladies and gentlemen.

There we go. There's one for you.

Look like there are a whole lot of sore shoulders

needin' some attention.

( Laughing )

My name is booker.

Booker t. Palmer.

Oh, I'm Pearl.

Pearl.

And this is flora.

Flora.

Can't say we seen you around here before.

Well, I crop cotton out of town here,

about five miles that way.

Booker. Yes, ma'am.

I never heard a name like that.

My pappy named me after booker t Washington

who started a college for colored folk down in Alabama.

You been to a college?

Not unless you count the schoolin'

that my granmama gave to me, flo.

Hey hey, y'all been to a moving picture show?

No.

I never seen a moving picture show.

Well, they got one playing here.

Right here tonight at the town square.

What say you?

How about it, flo?

No.

Now you know my mama ain't go unless you come along too.

Well, Pearl, what say I meet you here tonight...

About 8:00?

Eight o'clock. All right.

8:00 it is.

Two, please.

This is gonna be fun.

You know it.

( Organ music playing )

You be a fool, going in there.

What you talking about?

( Chuckles )

You'll be sorry.

Watch it now.

( All gasp )

I told you not to go in there.

I told her, Pearl.

So how long you been living with Pearl and her folks?

Ever since I got here.

Well, it ain't easy, living out on your own.

Well, I know how it is.

My ma done died bringing me into this world,

and my pa-- my pa, he went last year.

The farm keeps me busy and all with work,

but, well, none of it will ever take the place of family.

You got a job here in town, miss flora?

I do some laundry and cleaning.

Reverend Jackson over at the church, he helped me get the work.

Can't say I miss pulling cotton.

No, sir. No, sir.

Good lord's been giving you his blessing?

And it's that blessing that I hope

makes a place for me in your heart, flora.

Well, if it's the lord's blessing you're looking for,

you'd best be getting down to his house.

Church?

Church.

Pearl Jefferson...

I'm gonna tan your hide, leaving me like that.

You the one that wanted to see the show.

Why, flora,

you was having such a good time

I'm surprised you even seen me gone.

I was having no such thing,

sitting there with some man I don't hardly know.

Sounds to me like you done taken a shine to him.

I ain't taking no shine to another man

for as long as I live.

( Door slams )

* not my brother, not my sister *

* but it's me, o lord

* standing in the need of prayer, yeah *

* it's me, it's me, it's me, o lord *

* standing in the need of prayer *

* it's me, it's me, it's me, o lord *

* standing in the need of prayer *

* not the reverend, not the Deacon *

* but it's me, o lord

* standing in the need of prayer! *

what about your folks?

Your folks pick cotton?

Where they live? Mississippi.

Mississippi? Whoo!

You're quite a ways from there, ain't you?

You ever get back much?

Ain't nothin' to go back for.

You got your family.

I done made a mess out of things and...

Ain't no way I'll ever make it right.

Sure you will. I'm sure you will.

No.

You don't know.

You don't know what I done.

I been... I been with another man.

That don't matter, flora.

Don't matter much to me. There's a child.

A boy.

A boy?

A boy.

Where's the boy?

I don't know.

Is he cute as his mama?

( Chuckling )

Oh, you'll find the boy, flora.

You are something else.

Stubborn as a mule.

You got a smile-- a smile that light up the whole world.

And I know it's in there.

I know that it's in there.

It's waiting to come out.

Just peeking...

Come on. Oh, I see a little somethin'.

Is that a little somethin' I see?

( Laughing )

* ain't no harm done

* calling on my Jesus

* ain't no harm done

* calling on the lord

* ain't no harm done

* calling on my Jesus

* calling on the name of the lord *

* ain't no harm, harm done

* calling on my Jesus...

Mrs. Hopkins: I'll put you on for one week, on trial

and I don't want any of your negra idleness.

No, ma'am.

I've had three maids this month

each one lazier than the last.

I pay two dollars and 50 cents a week.

You'll be responsible for cleaning the house

and cooking the breakfast and the midday meal.

And... you will be looking after me.

I'm expecting a baby in a few months

and, uh... I want you here at 6:00 each morning.

Oh, how far do you live from here?

A ways.

'Bout... five, six miles.

Do you want the job or not?

Oh, yes'm. Yes'm, miz Hopkins.

I'll see you in the morning.

Thank you.

Thank you, miz Hopkins.

Thank you.

Bye-bye, flora.

Merry Christmas, sug.

You are more beautiful than ever, sweet cakes.

I have something to tell you.

You's gonna be a pappy.

I'm gonna be a pappy.

I'm gonna be a pappy.

I'm-- I'm gonna be a pappy.

I'm gonna be a pappy!

I'm gonna be a pappy.

Flo, I'm gonna be a pappy!

I'm gonna be a pappy!

( Flora groaning in pain )

Woman: Come on, girl.

Yeah... there we go.

( Baby crying )

Well, don't just stand there.

She been through hell.

She needs you.

You been blessed with a baby boy.

I'll be around to check on you in the morning.

Must've been bad, sweet cakes.

They heard you yelling in Memphis.

( Laughs softly )

I was trying for Chicago.

We're going to call this boy...

William, just like we said.

And he ain't gonna ever pull no cotton.

He gonna go to school.

He gonna get educated

so he be better... Than ourselves.

This boy, he gonna be

a lawyer...

Have the respect of white folks.

Mrs. Hopkins: Flora, I'm going now.

Be sure to clean the lamp chimneys

and this time

trim the wicks. Yes'm.

Oh, if Mr. Hopkins calls, tell him I'll be home by 4:00.

Yes'm.

Oh, yes.

Little Kevin, that means I got you and Willie all to myself.

Yes.

Yes, I do.

Let's go see.

Who's down there? Oh...

It's your old friend Willie.

Oh, come on.

( Kevin laughing )

Yeah.

Yeah, Kevin, big, mushy kiss.

Yeah, let's both slobber all over him.

Booker: The rain can't hold off forever.

We're all suffering, booker.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Trying times for US all.

Well, now, your crop didn't even pay for last year's loan.

The cost of seed and fertilizer is up.

Ten dollars is the best I can do to carry you

over the winter.

Well, thank you, sir.

Next.

Oh, wait-wait-wait, now, wait, now.

Uh... I thanks you for this, sir.

I sure do, but I...

I needs more.

Besides'n what we needs to eat

my baby needs... a blanket

and my wife needs a new pair of bloomers.

You'll just have to make do with what you have. Yes, sir.

You know how it is, sir,

when a woman says she need a new pair of bloomers.

A man just don't feel like a man

'less he can get his wife

at least one pair of pretty bloomers.

Ten dollars, Mr. Anderson, just ain't enough.

Boy, I ain't no bank.

Now, if ten dollars ain't enough

there's a dozen men here ready to take your land today.

( Chuckling ) Well, yes, sir.

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

Next.

* somebody's calling my name *

* oh my lord, oh my lord

* what shall I do? What shall I do? *

come on, baby. ( Whispers )

* somebody's calling my name. *

well, I got 'em!

I got 'em.

I got the things we need.

You what? Did you get the loan?

A blankey here for the boy.

Oh my god.

A good pound of meat for our dinner.

And look here, flo--

a little something sweet for my sweet cakes. Chocolates.

And a new pair of bloomers for you.

Bloomers!

Where'd you get the money for all this?

I got what was mine.

You got the loan?

This boy...

He ain't never gonna go hungry.

And this boy ain't gonna haul no cotton!

This boy is getting educated.

Man ( Shouting ): Who's there?

( Growling and barking )

Who's out there?!

* ...Mockingbird don't sing

* mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring... *

Flo...

( Truck approaching )

( Dog growling )

Flora: Don't! No, no, leave him be...

( Panting ): I've... I've... A baby... inside.

Please, don't... Don't hurt my husband.

We don't wants no trouble.

You should've told that nigger

before he snatched my cotton.

( Gunshot )

( Shrieks )

Booker!

( Dog barking )

( Whispering ): Booker... booker...

It's going to be all right.

( Panting )

( Baby crying )

Lord, take me, too.

Come on... take me, too.

( Crying )

( Sobbing )

Oh, god...

( Baby crying loudly )

Baby...

Just scared... I'm scared.

It's going to be all right now.

( Continues crying )

I swore to that child

that no harm would ever come to him.

I swore that he'd never go hungry.

I swore that he would have a chance...

To make a life for hisself.

I made a promise to that child.

( Chuckles )

Yeah, well

thanks for the memories, grandma.

I think I've had enough of your bedtime stories.

Is that right?

Well, I guess that you done got your life together, huh?

( Scoffs )

Hey, I'm on a roll.

Yeah. A girl like you can't make the same mistakes I made, huh?

Now, what do you want, huh?

What you wanna do,

keep me locked up here like some kind of prisoner?

Oh, no... not me, baby.

You're free to go.

You're free to go.

Good. Now we talkin'.

I'll help you pack.

I can handle it.

You want me to fix you a sandwich?

The sooner I get out of here, the better.

I guess you're right. Best be going then.

I'm going, already.

But this boy's staying right here with me.

That's right. Till you can be a mama to your son

he's staying right here with me.

Flora: It was just me

and my little boy Willie now.

Till I went

to see my sister Josie,

who I heard was low-down sick.

This be your new little sister.

Ruthana?

She be my cousin.

She not your cousin no more.

She your sister now.

Reverend: In this time of trouble

with so many out of work

with depression and starvation in the land

I have good news.

Congregation: Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Amen.

God is sitting up there in heaven.

Congregation: Yes, he is! Yes, he is.

A god who cares about US.

Congregation: Amen!

A god who knows

we are here this morning.

Man: Uh-huh!

Ernestine likes you.

( Choir singing )

This the house of the lord.

Come on

brothers and sisters, just 15 more cents.

Make it an even five dollars.

Anybody else? Come on, now. Let's all dig deep.

Amen.

Come on, here, church, we only need

these last few pennies.

Here you go, ruthana.

Amen. Thank you

sister flora.

Amen! Let the church say amen.

Amen. Amen.

Reverend: Amen.

Choir: * hallelu...

Can I please have another?

Here, sugar.

Ain't you hungry?

You sick?

I'm sick of school.

You mind your mouth, boy.

I ain't going no more.

I works my fingers to the bones keeping you

in books and clothes.

That's what I'm trying to tell you, mama.

You out scuffing, day in and day out.

Killing yourself. For what?

I ain't learning nothing.

I ain't no good at school

and I ain't going back.

You think it don't eat me up?

Seeing you come home wore out each day?

Why, mama? What for?

'Cause I promised your pappy on his dying day.

You ain't gonna be ignorant

like the rest of US.

You gonna be a lawyer

and make your Mark on this world.

But we needs the money now.

We ain't never gone hungry in this house.

The lord will provide.

What's the lord

done given you?

Don't you be talking blasphemy.

You can't take faith to no grocery store.

Mama, don't. Mama, don't.

You can beat me till I'm black and blue

and blood start coming out of me, but I'm still

gonna get me a job!

My life changed.

Willie left school

and kept a job

at the cotton gin for years.

Say, Willie.

That you I saw

down at pop's place

with ernestine?

Y'all just jealous 'cause I got me a girl.

That boy done bit the worm and ready to be reeled in.

( Men laughing )

Some things stayed the same.

( Horn honking )

Kevin! Come on, now!

I was still working for miss Hopkins.

Come on! Kevin!

But now... now Kevin was all growed up.

In a manner of speaking.

Hey, now. Whoo-hoo!

( Boys shouting )

A-p-p-l-e.

Good. Good. Well, thank you, ma'am.

"City."

Oh, you messing with me, girl.

That's easy.

City. Cit-- sit.

S-i-t-y.

Sity. No.

I'll bet you a penny.

Ruthana?

What's that stuff on your head?

Vaseline there, girl.

He thinks it makes him looks handsome.

Well, it sure wouldn't hurt you, mama.

I got this hot iron in my hand, boy.

Say, ruthie, I need to tell you

I made a little extra this week, girl,

for all the books you been wanting.

Thank you! That's for you.

And I got something for you too, mama.

Come on, mama. Just a little bit?

Can't you never gonna forgive me

for up and quitting school, mama?

Put me down. I said put me--

all right, all right.

As long as you keep buying ruthana her books.

I be sat-- I mean I am satisfied.

Put me down. All right.

Dip you in a little bit of that vaseline.

I said you--

Willie: What time your pappy say

he want you home?

My daddy said I have to be home by 11:00.

Your daddy ain't got nothing to do with this here.

You ain't got nothing to worry about-- you're with me.

Hey, Jimmy!

All right, now.

What you going to do there, girl?

Oh, so that's how you do it.

Want a fish sandwich?

All right.

Give me two of them catfish there.

Hey, evening, ernestine.

Evening, Louis.

Here, finish this for me.

I'm going to win me

some of that gambling money.

Go ahead, boy.

What, you scared?

Ain't a man until you drink some moonshine.

( Coughing )

Whoo!

Hot sauce?

Yes!

All right.

All right, six my point.

Two bits. Come on, man.

Two bits?

Come on, these dice are hot.

They ain't going to last the night.

Two bits on the ground.

Come on, now, come on.

Roll the dice.

Yeah!

( Men groaning )

Oh, Willie, want to get some of this?

I ain't come here to fool with no dice.

Now, is you going to dance

with me, Willie Palmer, or not?

( Men laughing )

Come on.

You better come on with me.

I seen you move your feet.

Come on, let's dance.

( Giggling )

Well, I thank you kindly.

I had a wonderful evening.

I'm glad.

Hey, I want to show you something.

What you want to show me?

Look up there.

They sho' is pretty, ain't they?

They beautiful.

Just like you.

I know.

Now, where'd that come from, there?

What's that? Oh!

Just sittin' there.

It's all pretty and shiny...

Maybe somebody lost...

Oh!

It's beautiful!

You're my star, ernestine.

My bright, shining star.

I told you to have her home by 11:00, boy.

Do you know what time it is?

No, sir. No, sir.

I-I didn't have no watch.

Announcer: The eighth round of the heavyweight fight is underway.

Braddock in the center of the ring

and Louis led with a left, and missed

and braddock was on his back...

Braddock led with a left

and came up with a right that was a little short.

Braddock now gave Louis a left in the face.

Louis gave braddock

a hard left hook in return...

You reckon he can do it?

Joe's the man.

...a hard right to braddock's head.

Braddock came up with a right.

An uppercut that missed.

Louis backed out of the way.

Braddock's in the center of the ring

and Louis hit him, and braddock is down!

( Cheering )

One, two, three, four, five...

Get up, get up, come on!

...seven, eight, nine, ten.

( Cheering and laughing )

The new world champion, Joe Louis!

The new world champion...

Joe Louis is the best fighter in the whole world!

The brown bomber! Whoo!

Hey. What'd you say, boy?

Did I hear you say...

( Chuckling )

That Joe Louis

could beat any white man in the world?

No, sir, I didn't say that.

I heard you say Joe Louis could beat

any white man in the world.

No, sir, I just didn't say that.

I know I didn't say that.

You calling me a liar?

No, sir, we don't want no problems here.

Let's teach this nigger some manners.

Come on, Kevin!

Come on, hit him!

Willie!

( Screaming )

Come on, hit him again!

I ain't finished with you, Kevin Hopkins!

You're a dead man, Willie Palmer!

You're a dead man, Willie Palmer!

( Whistle blowing )

He ain't gonna kill me.

He said he was a dead man, Mrs. Palmer.

Done lost me a husband. Ain't gon'

lose no son!

I know, mama. I know.

I'll be back.

Remember.

Mama. Come on, now, mama.

I love you.

Take care of your mama, hear?

You're a big girl now, ruthana, hear?

Where will Willie go?

Oh, he'll find his way.

Well, are we gonna see him again?

Why don't you go on over and visit.

We're looking for your boy.

He ain't here.

You're just wasting your time.

I said he ain't here.

Well, where is he, then?

I don't know.

You're his mama, ain't you?

You want to know about my boy

you got to find him for yourself.

We'll see about that.

( Flora yelling )

Back seat. Back seat.

Henry, drive.

( Engine starting )

( Men whooping )

Come on, boys!

( Men whooping )

Over there!

Light it up!

All right, Gary. Do it.

Don't you close your eyes.

We want you to see this.

When we find him

this is what we're gonna do to him.

Look at your church now.

Look at your church, huh?

Open your eyes! What you think about that?

You gonna watch it.

Oh girl, I've been praying and praying for this day.

When your daddy left stockton

I didn't know that I'd ever see him again.

Flora: Willie! Willie!

But the war and all in Europe

threatening to come right over here

I guess Kevin Hopkins and his buddies didn't seem interested

in holding grudges anymore.

Hey, girl.

Flora: Boy, they done give you

some good hair.

Hey, girl.

You sure looking mighty fine there, girl.

Reverend Jackson: Heavenly father

we gather together today to render special honor...

Hope I ain't got to say nothing.

And we beseech thy continued blessings upon our dear sister

flora Palmer.

( Applause )

She has served her god faithfully

she's served her community faithfully

and she's served her family faithfully.

Sister Palmer, throughout this town

is known for her good works

and it is our privilege today

to pay tribute to her Christian charities.

( Choir ends song )

We also have here today

a young brother of this church.

Young brother Willie Palmer

here all the way from Chicago

and we ask him

for his testimony.

( Congregation encouraging )

Well, y'all know I ain't never knowed my pappy.

Y'all know that.

But my mama here, she...

I was fixin' to say

she always telling me the right thing to do.

Congregation: Amen.

And I ain't always done them.

As far back as I can remember

I've been... coming here to this church--

mama been bringing me here.

Amen.

All: Amen.

She tried hard to keep me in school.

I know I just about killed her

when I quit school, I know that

but I wanted to be a man.

I wanted to help out, 'cause, see, mama needed help.

That's my mama.

All: Amen.

So I... I left her.

I left home and I left my mama by herself

but she's been with me.

Whatever I done, she's been there.

I love you, mama.

God knows I love you.

* gonna lay down my burdens

* down by the river side

* down by the river side

* down by the river side...

Ernestine: You made your mama proud, Willie.

There wasn't a dry eye in that church.

Everybody's just been talking about you

coming back from Chicago, doing so good.

It's lies.

What you mean, lies?

It's all lies.

I ain't got no money.

Ain't nothing I got on paid for.

Dollar come in one hand and go right out the next.

What I've been doing up there is been gambling and...

I've been drinking and...

Been running around.

Been other women, ernestine.

I ain't kept my faith with you like I was suppose to.

The only thing I know right now

is that I love you, ernestine.

That's all I know.

Now, I'm going to pay off all my debts.

I'm going to do all of it.

If you don't want to forgive me, I understand.

No, it don't work like that.

Not with this girl.

Now, I'm not forgetting what you done

but I ain't going to let it come between US neither.

No, you straighten up, Willie Palmer

and we can make US that life together.

Not now.

( Laughing )

Willie: Where is my mama?

That sound like my Willie.

Today is your day.

I figured on finding you two like this.

Don't look like you spared yourself none.

Give it to me, let me clean it up for you.

Hey, Willie, you want a soda pop?

Sure.

Reverend Jackson said they building a big factory

over in millington.

Everybody says we're going to war.

Seems they got plenty of jobs there

making some airplanes.

They ain't going to let no colored folks work there.

Oh, Eleanor Roosevelt said

they going to have to.

Well, I ain't going to be the first negro

going up there looking for a job

and get kicked out the door, I know that much.

Then maybe you going back to Chicago.

I don't know, mama.

It ain't nobody's business what I do.

Long as you's my child you is my business.

I ain't your child no more, mama.

I'm a grown man.

Will you just let me...

Just let me be.

Where you going?

Where I belong.

Back to Chicago?

With them gamblers

and harlots and dope

and drinking yourself to death?!

This ain't my home no more, mama.

Oh, booker, booker, booker.

Done lost one son, about to lose another.

Help me.

( Gunshots and battle cries on TV )

Just ought to forget about catching them injuns.

Di...?

Diana?

Diana?

Next rack, we playing for shooters.

( Soul music playing )

I come to get you.

Girl, you hear me talking to you?

I said I come to get you.

Mama, you ain't got no right

coming up in here after me like this.

You listen to me, and you listen to me good.

I said, I come here to get you.

You said I was free to go, right?

Well, then leave me alone.

I ain't gonna leave you alone, no nothin'.

Not as long as there's a breath in my body.

You're stinking drunk again.

You comin' with me.

Oh, man!

All right, come on.

Come on, grandma.

Take me back to the penal colony.

Take me back, sister, to where I belong... amen.

Send me bowing and scraping for the massah, just like my daddy.

Hallelujah.

And where's my main man?

Now, where did he go?

How come Jermaine ain't here with me?

Where did he go with his... idealism?

His know-it-all on ice...

His flash and dash, his power to the people.

Hallelujah.

Huh?

People is just me and my son.

You finished?

End of service.

I think I'm going to be sick.

( Diana grunts )

Mama, you ever been on a ship on a stormy day?

No.

Well... me neither,

but this must be what it feels like.

Here, drink this.

That'll straighten you right out.

I ain't drinking no more.

My partying days are over.

Hallelujah.

Uck!

You know, I take one step forward

and 10 steps back.

I must be the two-stepping queen of bad excuses.

I don't know.

I look at my son--

I mean, how can I ever make it up to him?

He ain't asked to be born into this world,

and all I done was screw it up.

Well, none of US is perfect, baby.

Yeah, but I wanna do the right thing.

I just don't know if I know how.

God's given you a second chance,

and that's hope staring you dead in the face, baby.

I did what I was scared to do for so many years.

I went looking for the son I never raised.

I went looking even though I had been told

harm would come to him.

I went looking because I had to.

I just had to go back.

( Sniffling )

Man: Morning.

Morning.

I was on my way into town.

Thought maybe you needs a ride.

Well, now, I surely appreciate your kindness.

Don't reckon you from these parts.

I used to live around here.

Lord, ain't nobody lived around here...

Flora?

Flora henning?

Charlie.

Well, I'll be.

What-what... what you, what you doing here?

I'm headed for the Fleming place.

You know, I have some business there.

The Flemings?

Ain't too many folks got business around there.

Ain't nothing there no more.

Look here, you wants a ride?

Now, I don't want to be taking you out of your way.

I ain't got nothing better to do.

You, uh... you married?

No.

My husband, he done passed on.

A pretty woman like you

she ought to have herself a man.

I'll just take the ride, thank you.

Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.

Charlie: Well, Nana Fleming... dead.

Oh, miz Fleming, she still live there all alone

since her man done left her.

Young maz Lincoln, he still there?

Maz Lincoln dead.

He done got himself killed.

Some trouble with another man's wife.

Heard tell about some boy child.

Yeah, little maz Luke.

Yes, ma'am.

Luke.

He there now?

Ah, nothing around here for him.

He done gone to college

in Atlanta.

What you know about his mama?

Little maz Luke ain't got no mama.

They done found him in a cabbage patch.

Turned up one day out the blue

and his grandma

called him Luke from out the Bible.

Yep... sure did.

I'll wait here for you.

I come to see miz Fleming.

She's sick.

Bessie.

I'm flora.

Maz Luke's mama.

Flora.

Miz Fleming won't see you.

But she's gots to see me.

It's the past, child.

Just let it be.

Bessie, I gots to know.

Bessie, you was here.

You-you know.

Tell me that he's all right.

Girl, she'd kill me if I tell you.

But I'm his ma... His mama.

I'm his mama.

Maybe he don't want to see his mama.

Maybe he don't want to meet the mama

what give him away.

But you know the truth, bessie.

Tell him what they done to me, bessie.

Tell him that I never stopped thinking about him.

Please, bessie.

Tell him...

I was here.

When, uh...

He come home

he... he gets his mail.

You can write to him here.

I'll see that he gets it.

God bless you, bessie.

Thank you.

Flora: Are you getting

my...

Let...

Letter?

Oh.

I...

Won't...

Lord, I don't know what to do.

I've been writing and writing and writing and writing.

Can't get one single answer.

Not one letter from Luke.

Maybe... maybe it's your will.

If it is your will,

then thy will be done.

But I'm asking you, heavenly father

to look down on Willie.

Look down on Willie, lord.

Give him a helping hand.

He needs you.

He needs you.

God sent ab to Willie.

Palmer.

Hey, Palmer.

You should have been finished

with that truck an hour ago.

I got me one more load

and then I'll be done.

Every man here

has it just as tough as you.

If you drop the ball,

somebody else got to pick up the slack.

I'm working fast as I can, boss.

Fast as I can.

Don't make me have to let you go.

It was ab

who tried to save Willie.

Where's my rent, boy?

You know you'll be getting it, miss lady.

That's what you said yesterday.

Now...

A pretty woman like yourself

ought not to be worrying herself so, hey?

Well, if you don't get that rent,

you'll be out on the street.

Gots to have faith, miss lady.

( Swing music playing )

Cigarettes? Okay.

Come on, what you got? What you got?

Shoot that.

Oh! ( Laughs )

Hey, come one back! We've got some more playing we're gonna do!

You're a big timer-- with the suit, man!

All right, all right. Give me five.

Come on. Shoot. 10, you're a big time.

Five? 10!

Give me 10.

Yo, that's what I'm talking about.

( Laughs ) Come on.

Oh!

( Men laugh, yelling )

Hey hey, let me look at you.

Reg...

I see you throwing good money after bad.

I'ma pay you your money, reg. I'ma pay you your money.

That may be...

But in the meantime

I'm out of a grand and still counting.

Man, my luck is changing. I'm feeling--

there's not that much luck in all the world

that's gonna make you a winner, Willie.

Now if I were you, I'd start paying

or start praying.

Lookie, i'ma-- ( Grunts )

( Coughs )

Okay. So see you all next week, okay?

And make sure you get a flier now.

Thanks. There you are.

( Chatting )

We had a good meeting. Sorry you missed it.

Ain't nothing going right for me.

Ain't nothing I do--

who. It's-- it's okay.

Martha. Martha, I want you to meet Willie,

Willie Palmer. Here you go.

Mr. Palmer. Ma'am.

Willie's gonna come stay with US for a while.

Ain't that right?

Men do everything women do in our house.

Martha's bark is worse than her bite.

Go on, get out of here.

You give me your pay packet every week.

I'll take some for rent and paying your bills

and put some in a savings account.

You'll get $5 a week for your pocket,

and the rest will go toward paying off your debt

and sending money home to your mother.

Okay, Willie?

It's Sunday, mama.

You know there's no mail on Sunday.

I swear, mama, you been out to that box

half a dozen times since yesterday's morning.

We just got a letter from Willie with a check.

You got yourself a secret admirer?

Flora!

Flora, the Japanese done bombed Pearl harbor!

It's on the radio.

Flora, we're going to war.

President Roosevelt: December 7, 1941

a date which will live in infamy.

With confidence in our armed forces

with the unbounding determination

of our people...

We will gain the inevitable triumph

so help US, god.

Ab, you really think they're gonna let US fight?

( Laughs )

When they run out of white boys.

Flora: Willie and ab did go to war.

Strange enough, their first battle was with the white men

in their own platoon...

They don't want US seeing their Betty grable.

...who didn't cotton to the idea of colored soldiers

staring at a blonde bombshell in a bathing suit.

( People cheering )

Come back, now, safe.

I will.

I just want my chance to be a hero.

I don't need you to be no hero, son.

Mama, I'm going to make you proud.

It's all right. I ain't always listened to you.

And I ain't always been the son I oughta be to you.

But this...

I'm gonna do this right.

Come back, son.

I'm gonna make you real proud of me.

Just come on back.

Safe.

( Train whistle blowing )

I gotta go. I gotta go.

Ernestine.

I'm waiting for you.

I love you, star.

( Train whistle blows )

Ruthana.

Keep studying them books, you hear?

I'm gonna write you every single day, okay, mama?

You do that, son. I love you, Kevin.

Uh, you can call me.

Yeah, you take care.

Flora: I remember staring at Mrs. Hopkins.

For the first time in our lives, we were just the same.

Two mamas saying bye to their boys

and wondering if they'd ever see them again.

( Train whistle blows )

Hey, flora.

Miss Lilly.

What do you want?

Give blood.

Um...

Wait here.

You have to leave.

But I've come to give blood.

My son, Willie--

he's a soldier in the army.

We don't take colored blood.

Get out of here, nigra.

Quit makin' trouble.

What if my son gets hurt?

What kind of blood you gonna give him?

What's up, man? ( Sloshing )

"The souls of black folks," read it?

Nah. W.e.b. Du bois--

social scientist, political leader,

the force behind the Harlem renaissance.

He believed in an educated negro elite.

( Whispering ) Close it up on the right. Close it up! Come on!

Tight-- stay tight.

Hold hold. Hold!

( Guns firing )

( Grunts )

Ab!

Ab!

Hold on!

Cover me!

( Yells )

Oh, god.