Original subtitles

(zapping)

(engine revving)

(atmospheric music)

- [Narrator] That day when I walked out

of the chief's office at city hall,

I didn't feel so good.

You see, I'm a reporter.

Jim Bradford's my name.

I broadcast on radio and television

and I cover a lot of stories

but this one scared me a little.

Our greatest national resource was in danger.

I wasn't thinking about oil or water

or things like that.

I was, well, thinking about kids.

Yours and mine.

Youngsters are the future.

I know that school and church and government officials

work hard to preserve this resource.

Not to mention all the efforts of mothers and fathers.

But this story, it made me think.

It was the story of five boys, ages 16 to 18.

(truck rumbling)

(chickens clucking)

(clanking)

(cracking)

(dramatic music)

Boys who steal hubcaps and gasoline

may become young men who dismantle entire automobiles

or rob banks or enter the rackets.

A kid with a doting parent can get too much too early.

That can lead to a craving for more excitement

than any teenager can handle.

This is Jack 'Cruiser' Bryan.

His family is wealthy.

He has never known his father.

His mother spends most of her time in Las Vegas,

Palm Springs, or New York.

The Choppers call him Torch.

He's made a buck any way he could since he was six.

He has seven brothers and sisters

and a father with a fondness for spirits

and can't afford a large family.

Torch loves convertibles, pretty girls, ready cash.

This is Tony 'The Snooper' Pinelli.

He can strip the valuables off a car

in less time than some people can comb their hair.

His story is too many stepfathers.

Tony can make a radio out of wire and tin cans.

With proper guidance, he might've

been a first class engineer.

This is Ben Shore.

Powerful as a wrestler and a wonderful sense of humor

and the idle time to be a Chopper.

Still growing, his brain hasn't caught up with his biceps.

Flip Johnson isn't sure if he's 16 or even 19.

He was left with an aunt and uncle

who have a family of their own.

His first theft was a peanut butter sandwich at school.

Now he'll steal anything he can carry

or load on a truck.

Faster than life, he's convinced he

can bluff his way out of any sort of trouble.

- Okay, come on, let's flip it.

Here we go.

(groaning)

Once more.

Over she goes.

(blowtorch crackling)

- Okay, count it.

That's all the time we got.

(engine revving)

Go ahead, go!

(engine rumbling)

(tires squealing)

- Sounds like these hens are allergic to smoke.

Reminds me of my mother.

- They got the pit, that's why they squawk.

- Well I sure hope it isn't contagious.

I'd hate to break up with these chicks.

- Cruiser says they're the best investment we ever made.

(engine rumbling)

- Well, we're just in time.

See that pickup coming.

- Cruiser was right.

He said we'd have to knock on it.

(gasping)

- Good heavens, what happened to my car?

- Can't understand it.

There, there now.

After all, it's only a car.

What about it, Mr. Snyder?

- Only one thing to do.

Go back to the station and phone the police.

Sure looks like the Choppers have been here.

- The Choppers?

- Yeah, it's a gang of thieves

operating across the whole county.

- What about the car?

What can we do?

- Well if I were you good people, I'd forget it.

It's a total wreck.

Let the insurance company worry about it.

We'll go back to the service station.

I'll pick up the tow truck and tow it in.

(downbeat jazz music)

(moves into upbeat jazz music)

(engine rumbling)

- Hi, Moose.

Gang get here?

- In the yard.

- Don't get up.

- Punk.

(harmonica blowing)

- What's the matter, Cowboy?

- Your chickens ain't getting enough exercise.

I'm trying to make 'em happy.

- See, I told you.

Looks to me like you're trying to drive 'em crazy.

- They ain't made so much as one egg in a week.

- Neither have we.

Five jobs, just like that.

We can count.

- Oh, the brain.

- Just once why don't you show up on time

so you can lift something?

- Oh, just thought maybe there's something I can use

on my (mumbling).

Just think, Cowboy.

Half an hour ago, this pile of junk

was moving 60 miles an hour.

- You think the square John even knows he's been hit yet?

- Oh, he does now.

I'm giving him 10 minutes to weep over his wreck.

He should be on the phone right now

crying his little heart out to the cops.

- Okay, goodbye.

Well, it's the Choppers again.

They cut up a new car on 18

while some guy and his wife went after a can of gas.

Speaking of wife, means I won't make it home tonight.

Poor Mary will understand.

She was having friends in too.

- Any time I eat a sandwich,

I can always tell whether Helen or mother made it.

Boy.

- I'd better call Tom Hart.

After all, those insurance investigators

are as anxious to grab those Choppers as we are.

Tom may want to ride along.

- She never puts anything on a sandwich

to make it swallow easy.

No butter, nothing.

- Ah, she probably just forgot.

- Forgot?

Forgot my eye.

She wants to choke me to death.

- Hello, let me speak to Tom Hart, please.

Hi, Tom.

Frank Fleming, car theft detail.

Yeah.

Just got a call from out on number 18.

The Choppers pulled off another job.

Thought you'd like to go along.

- All right, Frank.

How about my picking you up on the way over?

All right, about 10 minutes all right?

Good.

Well, that's it for today, beautiful.

- Oh, I suppose you forgot all

about the steak dinner you promised me.

- Dinner schminner.

We'll both be eating bird seed

if Frank and I don't break up that Chopper gang.

- Oh, I hate you.

- Oh no, we can't do that.

Babe, why not feed you on the way, huh?

- On the way?

Suppose I'll settle for another hamburger

at Bill's Drive-In.

- Come on now, beautiful.

You know a big steak has too many calories.

- You're so thoughtful all of a sudden.

(guitar plucking)

♪ Entertain your friend, she said ♪

♪ For a fuller, richer life ♪

♪ I entertained my lawyer ♪

♪ And my sweet and loving wife ♪

♪ And I want to tell her something ♪

- Lot of money, boys.

Lot of money.

- Yeah, it's 10 cents on the dollar and you know it.

- You give us the same story every time.

- Grease this palm, big daddy-o.

Peel off those cabbage leaves.

- Every time I see that loaf of bread, I flip.

Some night, Moose, you go home with me.

- Like tonight, kid?

- Keep counting, Moose.

He's just talking and don't get shook.

- 30, 35.

- That's the kind of music I like.

The sweet whisper of them greenbacks

kissing each other.

Oh man.

- Well it's better than the cowboy

singing those lullabies.

- You'd better like to hear him sing.

When he stops, it means the fuzz is here.

- We're scared silly.

- That's 200 even.

- Mucho gracias.

- Split it up on the outside.

You guys bother me.

- For you, Moose, anything.

Let's cut out and grab some grub.

- Some guy'll stick a shiv in you some day, Moose.

Hoarding all that bread.

- That'll be the day, kid.

(downbeat jazz music)

(engine rumbling)

Punks.

- You gotta admit, though.

Them kids really move.

- Yeah.

Some day, somebody's gonna have to slow them down.

They're getting a little too cocky.

- Somebody like the Moose?

- You lose those parts?

The junk detail will be here first thing in the morning.

- Don't worry, boss.

Ain't they always?

- Yeah, always.

See you in the morning.

♪ Entertain your lawyer ♪

♪ Said my sweet and loving wife ♪

(dramatic music)

- They hit hard and fast.

There's no amateurs in this outfit.

- Oh no, these guys are artists with their torches.

Come here, look at this.

- It must've taken five or six of them

to upend this baby.

- Well, it's worth the energy.

Makes it easy to get at the goodies.

- The owner says he ran out of gas

but he's sure he filled it up in town.

- [Tom] Well, they must have drained most of it.

Just left enough to get out here.

- No, Tom, there's too much margin for error that way.

They drain it completely dry

and then put enough back in to call their shots.

- Yeah, I guess you're right.

Must've been that way all right.

- Come on, are you gonna be here all day?

It's getting late.

- There's no chance of picking up any tire marks

on this stuff.

- It's way past supper time.

- Yeah, it's the Choppers all right.

There getting as regular as a TV show.

- Well I'll put the jump detail on it the first thing

in the morning.

Meanwhile, you have your insurance agents

give me all the numbers.

And we'll prowl these spots.

Maybe one of these days, we'll get a break.

- Look, I don't care where we eat.

Let's just eat, okay?

- Did I hear you say something about being hungry?

(growling)

What's the matter?

- Feather, a chicken feather.

Must be from one of your other chicks.

- Oh, cut it out.

- A fine thing, not a single clue.

(jazz music)

(engines rumbling)

- [Torch] Hiya, Susie, how about a kiss?

- Oh, she's beautiful in them pants.

- Hey, it's not that I like girls so much

but there's something about the way they're built.

- [Torch] How about five cheeseburgers, cutie?

- I admit that I like girls but girls don't like me.

The Cruiser keeps telling me to get contact lenses.

- Sure.

They give your eyes that dreamy look.

- Let's all go over to Susie's pad after midnight.

I could go ape for you, baby.

- [Susie] Get lost.

- Would I do, baby?

Kiss me.

Hey, where's all the girls?

You guys got anthrax or something?

(laughing)

- Get a load of that big smooch.

Talk about tall in the saddle.

- [Jack] Yeah, couple of fanatics.

They go wall to wall.

- Get a load of the shimmers on that tank.

- I got the message, man.

I got the message.

- Put your tools away.

These aren't exactly business hours.

- [Tony] Wanna bet?

- Diplomatics ought to be ashamed.

Chomping up a big love nest right here

in front of us young people.

Things like that are a bad influence on Ben.

- Go on, Snooper.

Pick up a couple extra bucks.

- You shouldn't shake him off like that, Ben.

You know that he'll do anything.

- Well, it'll keep my boy happy.

- You drinking?

- Only with my eyes.

Here, keep the change.

- Thanks.

- Look, Flip's gotta place (mumbling) nice

for the chicks maybe.

- Give me the layout, Flip.

I'll cruise it and call in Red after school.

- Get a load of that candy and cake.

- Wow.

That's what I call genuine laughing plastic.

- Well thank you.

Gosh am I starved.

- Sure a lure all right but eyeball the fuzz.

Better call Snooper in.

- That ain't fuzz.

- Cruiser calls it fuzz, that's good enough for me.

He could smell (mumbling) in a Catalina.

- You square.

(mumbling) calling fuzz.

- Hey.

- We'll be seated a lot faster inside.

- Even faster if you went straight

in the kitchen, served yourself, wouldn't it?

- [Torch] You don't get merchandise like that

in no supermarket.

- How does fuzz rate that carriage grass?

- Hey, that reminds me.

I've got a date with Gyp tonight, I'm cutting out.

- Yeah, we'd better get out of here too.

I don't like the clientele in this place,

it's getting lousy.

- Hey, what's the action?

- We're getting out.

You guys better do the same.

If that smoocher comes up for air,

he's gonna start screaming for those hubcaps.

(engine rumbling)

(tires squealing)

- Big man.

Scared out by a little heat.

- Yeah.

- You know, I think this fuzzy little car is sick.

Hot head.

Might need an emergency operation.

- Oh, I agree.

By all means, let's operate, doctor.

- [Tony] Scalpel.

- Scalpel, doctor.

(upbeat jazz music)

- [Frank] What's the matter?

- I don't know.

Won't start.

- Say, Tom, don't you have any hubcaps?

- Hey, my battery's gone!

- Your radio's gone too, darling.

- What?

- And your carburetor.

You've been stripped, pal.

- Oh no!

(laughing)

- Really, Tom.

- All right, all right, now don't you dare laugh.

All right, you either.

- Excuse me, Tom, but it is kind of funny.

- I don't see anything funny.

(laughing)

All right, all right.

- Where have you been, you lazy good for nothing?

I've been waiting for you for hours.

- [Torch] Hiya pop, what's the matter?

- We gotta get to the store, that's what's the matter.

You know my truck's broke down.

- No sweat, I'll take mom.

- [Father] Your mother's cooking supper.

She can't get away.

- I'll go then.

No sweat, what's she need.

- Well as a matter of fact, she don't need nothing.

I'm a little short, son.

You got any money I can--

- Sure I got money.

Get in, you know they won't sell it to me.

What's all the fuss about?

If you're out of booze, why don't you just say so?

- That's a good boy son.

I knew you'd get it for me.

(upbeat jazz music)

- Yes sir.

Oh yes, sir.

Right.

Oh yes sir, I've had more police cooperation

than I've ever had before in my life.

The auto theft and junkyard boys are all over the place.

They've given it the fine toothed comb treatment.

They've come up with absolutely nothing, nothing.

Well we're up against a pretty smooth operation.

- The Choppers chopped again yesterday on Route 18,

dismantling a new automobile in broad daylight.

Later that evening, investigators

had their own car stripped up--

- Well sir, I don't need any more help, sir.

I just need a little more time

and I think I can come up with something.

Oh yes, sir.

Yes sir.

Right.

Look, beautiful, if you read that bit

just one more time, I'm gonna fire you

and I've never been more sincere

about anything before in my life.

- I'm sorry, Tom.

Really I am.

Don't get so shook about it.

- Of course I'm shook.

I'm one half as shook as Frank is

and the police department.

Having those poor guys on the city hall.

Chief of police has even called a special meeting.

Frank called me and asked me if I'd go with him.

The poor guy feels like an idiot.

- Imagine how that makes you feel.

- Oh thanks, thanks.

Look, you are gonna let me use that little car

of yours, aren't you, while mine's being fixed?

- Oh sure.

On one condition though.

I'd like something left for a souvenir.

Maybe a couple of bolts or a wheel or, you know.

(downbeat jazz music)

- Hey, cut it out!

- What's so interesting, genius?

- Get away, Gypsy.

Can't you see?

I'm reading about a new kind of axle.

- Axle?

How can you get all bugged about an axle?

- Oh, listen.

With this little trick, I can get another 20,

maybe 30 miles per hour and with less RPM.

- Well.

That's what I don't understand about men.

Here we have a pool and a high five

and you talk about axles and RPMs and all that junk.

- Well this is what I don't understand about women.

They're always nagging a guy.

- Oh, I didn't mean to.

I don't wanna nag.

See, well.

That's why my pop walked out on mom.

- Gee.

I sure wish I'd have known my old man.

He likes speed too.

Guess he was a really great flyer.

He was the hottest pilot in his outfit.

- I bet he was cute.

Just like you.

- The Japs dived on him when he

was drifting down in a parachute.

Machine gunned.

Poor pop.

He didn't have a chance.

- I bet I could beat you.

Three laps, freestyle.

Come on.

(splashing)

- Is this everything?

I'm not keeping you awake, am I?

- Oh no, officer.

It's just that we do so little business here,

I sort of got in the habit of taking a little nap

in the sun once in a while.

- According to this ledger, you don't do much business.

You mean that's all there is.

- Oh, absolutely, officer.

Why, old Moose wouldn't buy a Hershey bar

without writing it down in that there book.

- Yeah, I'll bet.

- I can't afford to take any chances.

Not if you wanna stay in business.

- [Detective] You find anything?

What are you doing with that thing?

- It's protection.

Never know when you'll get held up around here.

There are thieves after my kind of merchandise too,

you understand.

- I understand this.

Somebody around here's dealing the hot stuff

and we find the party,

they're gonna cool off up the river.

You'd better get rid of that cannon.

It might get you in trouble.

Give him that gun, (mumbling).

- Drop in any time.

- Don't worry, we will.

- Stinking junk detail.

I'd like to let 'em have both barrels.

- Boss, that stuff's piling up.

It's all I could do to hide it.

Them kids are bringing it in faster

than we can get rid of it.

- Yeah.

Maybe we ought to chop off a few of them Choppers, huh?

- Yeah.

Pow!

Pow, pow, pow!

- Ah, knock it off, Cowboy.

Here, get some hotdogs.

(upbeat jazz music)

(engine rumbling)

- Come on, let's go!

(engine idling)

- What's your dial setting?

- 700.

There's a good spot up above here

so I'll keep you in (mumbling).

- Got you.

Take off.

- [Tony] What a set of wheels.

- [Torch] Come on, move it.

(engine rumbling)

(downbeat music)

- This is JB, in position, testing.

(blowtorch crackling)

JB, can you read me?

- Loud and clear, JB, loud and clear.

- All clear.

Proceed according as planned and standing by.

Roger and out.

♪ There's a (mumbling) and Conga Joe ♪

♪ Got a crazy pad down in Borneo ♪

♪ From his little black feet ♪

♪ To his fuzzy duck tail ♪

♪ He's a (mumbling) captain with a jungle quail ♪

(humming)

(glass shattering)

♪ Little black Minnie, put hair on her bone ♪

(muffled singing)

(humming)

♪ Dragging and a-dragging ♪

♪ Let their elbows (mumbling) ♪

♪ To the jungle rock ♪

♪ Baboons laughing in the tree tops ♪

(muffled singing)

♪ Drinking and grinning and a-having a ball ♪

(humming)

♪ Funny little monkey swinging into the crowd ♪

♪ (mumbling) and yelling out loud ♪

(muffled singing)

♪ Drinking nappy juices makes a tiger high ♪

(humming)

JB calling.

Square John has returned.

I repeat, Square John has returned

ahead of calculated schedule.

May involve PD.

I repeat, may involve PD.

- He'll be blasting up here.

(mumbling)

- Load up!

- And leave the wheels?

- Don't be greedy.

- JB calling.

Quit dragging your tails.

Expedite.

I repeat, expedite!

- Cruiser sounds great, don't he?

Just like TV.

(mumbling)

- (mumbling) in back.

(engine rumbling)

- What's the matter, Flip?

- There's a flat!

- Hey Ben, bring out the (mumbling)!

- Mobile unit LT calling JB.

Come in, JB.

- This is JB.

What's wrong, mobile unit?

You've stopped.

Over.

- We've got a flat tire.

Estimated delay, three minutes, over.

- Tough luck, mobile unit.

Mobile unit, mobile unit.

Unidentified vehicle approaching from side road.

May be a bandit.

- Having any trouble?

Oh, flat tire, eh?

- [Torch] Yeah, pop, but we don't need any help.

- I should think not.

Four young huskies like you.

- I told you, pop, we don't need no help.

- Well I didn't offer any.

I just like chicken.

What kind are they?

- [Torch] White ones.

- Do you wanna sell 'em?

- [Torch] No, I don't wanna sell 'em.

Now buzz off, will you, buster?

You're blocking the high way.

- Mobile unit, bandits, bandits, cut out!

- What are they, layers?

- No, they're not layers and they're not for sell.

Now burn out, mister.

We love them chickens.

- Okay, okay.

You don't have to get so hot about it.

What's the matter with you?

You punk.

(horn honking)

(engine rumbling)

- [Jack] Mobile unit, mobile unit.

Can you read me?

Come in.

- Mobile unit to JB.

We had to get off the air for a while

but we're moving now and all is well, over.

- [Jack] Mobile unit, there are bandits approaching.

I repeat, bandits.

And you are on a dead end street.

Reverse.

I repeat, reverse.

- If we reverse, we'll be going right back to the cops.

- Cruiser knows what he's doing.

- [Torch] Hey, what's going on?

- [Jack] Mobile unit, mobile unit.

You turned the wrong way!

- Here they come.

- We'll beat 'em to the corner.

- Yeah, but if we turn right,

we're heading straight for 'em

and if we turn left, we're going back to the wreck.

JB, JB, can you see us?

Which way do we turn, left or right?

Over.

- [Jack] Turn left, mobile unit.

I repeat, turn left.

I can see you.

(tires squealing)

Flip, Snooper.

Give 'em the farmer routine, get it?

- [Ben] Hey, what's going on?

- Fuzz, keep it quiet.

(tires squealing)

Howdy, officer.

Was we going too fast?

- [Officer] We're looking for a stolen car.

Have you seen anything, a blue car with a white top?

- No sir, but I seen a green car with a white top.

It passed us back there a piece.

- No, that was a white car, wasn't it?

With a red top?

- [Officer] What was it?

A blue car or a white car?

- [Flip] I don't know but it was going that way.

- No, bud, it was coming this way.

(engine rumbling)

- [Officer] All right, let's start all over again.

(shouting)

- Hey, who does that guy think he is?

He pretty near hit you fellas.

- Darn, I hate them smart alecks.

- [Officer] All right, you guys can go.

Thanks just the same.

- Just sorry we can't help you none.

There's nothing on wheels

that will catch up with the Cruiser.

- Just like this when you found it, huh?

- Just like that.

Didn't stay stolen very long.

- Well, they never do.

What do you think, Tom?

- Well, insurance rates are going up again.

- The Choppers.

- Sure, who else?

This job was done by experts.

- You say.

(downbeat jazz music)

You say this was a hotshot, Carl?

The car had just been stolen, huh?

- Yes sir.

The owner said not more than 10 minutes.

I let him go, he was late for work.

- How much time do you figure to do this?

- Well, it's not a complete job.

I'd say at least 10 minutes.

- 10.

You want an introduction?

10 minutes, huh?

That would put you and the Choppers

in this area about the same time.

Did you see anybody?

- Nobody that could've done it.

- Did you see anybody who couldn't have done it?

- There was a kid in a hot rod.

He almost ran into us when we were talking

to a truck driver but he came from the wrong direction.

- Kid in a hot rod?

Was he alone?

- Yes sir.

There isn't much traffic on this road.

- [Frank] Well officer.

- Liz, will you please wait for us in the car?

- What did I do?

- Will you just please wait for us in the car?

- Okay, deal.

- Now if you don't mind, let's

get back to that truck driver.

- [Carl] Just a couple of kids hauling poultry.

- Poultry?

What kind of poultry?

- Chickens, a whole mess of 'em in crates.

- White chickens?

- Yeah, come to think of it, white.

- What's this?

- The last time the Choppers hit,

Liz picked a chicken feather just like that off my sleeve.

(dramatic music)

(engine rumbling)

- Hey Cruiser.

I wanna talk to you.

- [Jack] Why not?

- Snooper says you had a close call today.

- What's the matter?

You worried about us?

- No, kid, I worry about me.

You guys have been pulling too many jobs lately.

I think you ought to lay off for a while.

- You really think so, Moose.

- Yeah.

You guys are getting too hot.

You got the junk detail coming here every day.

- Well that's your problem.

- That's right.

And the answer is we don't do no more business for a while.

- Here's the tally, boss.

We owe 'em 128 bucks.

- Hey Torch, you wanna hear something funny?

The Moose thinks we ought to knock off for a while.

- Well, that's a gas.

What's the matter, chubby?

We making too big a dent in your bankroll or something?

- I'm just trying to tell you that for your own good.

You gotta get smart.

Don't do no more jobs until the heat's off.

- Well maybe we like it hot.

- Then you'd better take your business someplace else.

(laughing)

What's so funny?

- You are, Moose, if you think you can shut us off.

- You'll buy anything we bring in

as long as we're in business.

- One word to the junk detail and you're out of business.

- Well, that's even funnier, isn't it, Torch?

Listen, fat stuff.

If we go down, you go down and don't you forget it.

This whole operation was your idea.

We were just a bunch of punk kids

stealing hubcaps for kicks.

But who showed us where the big money is?

And who rigged up the torches

and showed us how to chop a car?

I never even knew what the word meant

till you and I started having our little talks.

- That's right, Cruiser.

And you know what else, Moose?

You'll even get an extra bolt

for contributing to the delinquency of minors.

- Say the word, boss.

- The word's 120.

- Eight.

- Sure, boys.

Only let's make it 130, shall we?

A nice round figure.

Cowboy, put that away.

After all, like they say, we're partners.

Here.

- There it is!

Green!

My favorite color.

Ah, Ulysses, take me to your leader.

- So long, partner.

Come on.

- I got one just like that, Cowboy.

Someday I'll show it to you.

(upbeat jazz music)

(engine rumbling)

- Why didn't you just lay down

and let 'em walk all over you?

- Don't be as stupid as they are.

Any trouble right now and we'd all end up in the jug.

But tomorrow, that's gonna be a different story.

- What's tomorrow gonna change?

- By tomorrow, I want everything those jilted punks

ever lifted out of here.

I want this yard picked clean.

Dump the stuff at cut prices if you have to.

- Yeah, but boss, we'll lose dough.

- I'll get it back.

I'll break in a new bunch of brats.

Might even expand a bit and go in for the big stuff.

But I don't want nothing here

that'll tie me in with the Choppers.

- We still got the truck and the chickens.

- Not after they drive outta here on their next job.

Close the gate behind 'em

and they can yell copper all they want

but they can't prove nothing.

- Hey boys.

How are you?

- Boy, I never knew there were so many produce companies

in this town.

- That's a blank wall too.

- I think those chickens are the answer to our problem.

- Yeah, you may be right.

- I know we've been running around

like a couple of chickens with their heads cut off.

Now, here's what we're going to do.

So far, the Choppers have pulled all their jobs

in this area.

- Right.

- That's because there's not too many houses

and the service stations are far and few between.

Now you know we don't have enough men

to keep the whole area under surveillance

but we do have enough time.

- Stake out, huh?

- Yeah, exactly.

So I'll put the bite on the chief for a new car

and we'll have it run out of gas right here.

Then the driver will walk back to the service station

and we'll be where we can see what happens.

- And what happens if nothing happens?

- Well, we go on to the next road.

And the next, and the next.

- All right, all right, I'm with you.

Meantime, I'm late for a date.

See you.

- Later.

- Frank, wait, don't do it.

(mumbling) mother made that.

If you're not used to it, you'll kill yourself.

Put it down, please.

- Well, if you don't mind,

I'd like to risk a half of one anyway.

- It's your funeral, go ahead and eat it.

- Well, with all this work we've got ahead

of us tonight getting ready for the stake out,

I'll never make it home on time.

- I thought you were gonna take (mumbling) and the kids

to the movies.

- Yeah, I thought I was gonna take my wife

and kids to a lot of places a lot of nights.

Listen.

Check the garage and see what kind of a car we

can get for tomorrow.

- Well, I'm hungry but I've had (mumbling).

(engine rumbling)

(downbeat jazz music)

(tires squealing)

(horn honking)

- Hey fink!

Out of there, I want in there!

- If I were you, buddy,

I'd do like the man says.

- Why should I?

I was here first.

- Well this is a democracy, isn't it?

- You'd better move.

- Well, that's just it.

That guy had no right to bull his way around.

- Gee whiz.

It sure is a beautiful paint job.

Probably got 50 coats and lacquer.

Man!

- I bet you can't even scratch it, Ben.

- What's the big idea?

- Them aluminum hubcaps sure are soft.

Look at that, will you.

- Are you crazy?

- Oh, is this your car.

- Of course it's my car!

What are your names?

- Me Geronimo.

He Chief Crazy Horse.

We scalp finks like you.

- We are just a couple of small businessmen.

- I'm not afraid of you--

- Oh Norman, please, let's go.

- You'd better listen to the cutie, Norman.

- Yeah, she is cute, ain't she?

- She is.

- Oh come on, Norman, please, let's go.

(engine rumbling)

- How do you like that (mumbling) character for nerve?

- Do you notice how he stole that tray?

What a thing to do.

Get lost, will you, Cruiser?

Gypsy and I wanna smooch a little.

- Gypsy?

'Cause you're with a lady now.

- I'm sorry, Snooper, but you're just not my type.

- I bet if I had me some contact lenses,

I could look real dreamy.

(laughing)

- I'd better call mom.

Order me a hamburger.

- Without onions.

- Without onions.

(downbeat jazz music)

- Hey!

Get a load of that shark.

(whistling)

(horn honking)

- Gee, how classy can we get?

- Thanks.

- Do you mind if I have a look?

You know, it sort of reminds me of the car my brother

used to drive.

Nearly bankrupt the family.

- Nearly 5000 bucks right here.

- Really?

- I don't have a rod like this

but I'm a lot better looking than him.

Besides, I'm free.

- You wanna see her muscles?

- Can I?

Good heavens.

What'll it do?

- Dollar 50.

Maybe more when I get my new axle.

Six jugs.

Cherry all the way.

- Wanna go for a little moonlight and roses?

- Remember, no contact lenses, dear.

- Some other night it might be a real blast

but right now I'm kind of busy

so I'll talk to you later.

- Any time, baby.

Any time.

- Partner, she can have my ranch and all my cattle.

- Yeah.

- Down, boy, down.

- What in the world?

- It's a wonder that some of these kids

don't freeze to death.

- Well look, I'm not knocking you but why?

- Jack Bryan, 132 North Lafayette, Taluca Woods.

- Huh?

- Well that's the registered owner

of a hot rod that exactly fits the description

of the one that almost

ran down the two policemen this afternoon.

♪ Come, baby ♪

♪ Come on, baby ♪

♪ Come on, baby, come on, baby ♪

♪ Come on, baby, that's all I want ♪

♪ Come, baby, let's cruise the scene ♪

♪ And be long gone from Bowling Green ♪

♪ Monkeys in my hatband ♪

♪ I can do a handstand ♪

♪ Got funny money in my old blue jeans ♪

♪ Be long gone from Bowling Green ♪

♪ Well, I got a cherry Chevy and a tankful of gas ♪

♪ And a (audio glitching) for moving fast ♪

♪ Monkeys in my hatband ♪

♪ I can do a handstand ♪

♪ Got funny money in my old blue jeans ♪

♪ Be long gone from Bowling Green ♪

♪ Well ♪

♪ I know I've been with a big connection ♪

♪ Live it up with a wise selection ♪

♪ Come, baby, you got protection ♪

♪ You got, you got anything you want ♪

♪ Come baby, let's cruise the scene ♪

♪ And be long gone from Bowling Green ♪

♪ Monkeys in my hatband ♪

♪ I can do a handstand ♪

♪ Got funny money in my old blue jeans ♪

♪ Be long gone from Bowling Green ♪

♪ Be long gone from Bowling Green ♪

- Come on, little boy, give us a hand.

- Sorry, buddies.

I got an important stop to make.

- Is it still Charlie Blue One?

- [Jack] Charlie Blue One.

- [Tony] Who the heck is Charlie Blue One?

- [Torch] Shh, it's a military secret.

(guitar playing)

- They'll be gone any minute now.

- Taking the chicks out for a little air?

- Any objections, partner?

- Not at all, partner.

Lock the gate.

- There'll be trouble when they come back

and can't get in.

- Yeah.

- Maybe we ought to tip off the cops

and make sure they don't get back.

- You mean fink?

- Just an idea.

- I get the ideas.

You just lock the gate.

Then maybe you ought to oil up that pea shooter

of yours, huh?

- Can I wear my holster?

I can draw faster.

- Why not?

- Pow!

Pow, pow, pow!

- Oh, come on.

Lock that gate.

- Hi, Jim.

Should've known we couldn't hide from you.

- You almost did.

I just about got lost coming up the back way.

- Say, meet Tom Hart.

National Car Theft Bureau.

Jim Bradford, worldwide broadcasting.

- Oh, I listen to you every night.

- Thanks.

- Almost.

Gonna broadcast from up here?

- No, we'll just record now

and put it on the air later.

- You know what's happening?

- They filled me in down at headquarters.

Sounded pretty interesting.

Thanks.

You think we'll see any action?

- Oh, we think so.

Stakeouts get awful tiring

but we have good reason to believe the kids

will hit pretty soon.

- You think the Choppers are kids then?

- Well, we're pretty sure.

We don't know.

- [Frank] Start talking, here comes Officer Mike.

- Ladies and gentlemen, this is Jim Bradford,

your news reporter on a hilltop

overlooking Highway 18, east of the city.

This is the police department stakeout,

one of the many attempts of your police force

to apprehend a gang of auto wreckers

who've been given the name of the Choppers

because of the manner in which they operate.

Right now, I'm watching Officer Frank Martin

in plain clothes.

He's in the act of running out of gas

on a deserted section of highway

just as you and I've done at least once in our lives.

He's getting out of his car,

cursing himself for passing that last gas station.

Now he looks about for help and there is none.

There never is.

There's nothing that he can do

but start walking back to the nearest gas station.

Now he's starting out to walk.

Here on the hill there's nothing to do

but just wait.

Perhaps nothing will happen on the highway

here below us today but of this we can be almost certain.

Somewhere in the area today,

a gang of car strippers will strike

and you and I will pay some of the bills

in higher insurance premiums.

I understand that you're not fishing on this,

that you've really got a lead, Frank.

- This just for you?

- Just for me.

- Some kid with a 5000 dollar hot rod.

(whistling)

Yeah, five g's.

He's been known to be in the vicinity of the choppings.

He might be a lookout.

We've been tailing him and getting reports on him.

- Hey Frank.

Car 13 reports that Bryan kid is heading right this way.

- That's the one.

(upbeat jazz music)

- This is Fleming in car nine.

Tell car 13 to drop back and give the suspect room.

I repeat, give him room.

(engine rumbling)

JB calling mobile unit, JB calling mobile unit.

Standby.

I'm on target Charlie Blue One.

I'll buzz it and let you know.

Over and out.

- Hey.

What's the big idea?

- Never mind, baby.

I might have a job to do.

- [Tom] All right, men.

Here comes something.

- [Jim] Hey, he didn't stop.

- Not supposed to.

He's just a lookout.

He finds everything clear, then the Choppers come in.

- And right away.

- Well, how can he contact them?

- We haven't figured that out yet.

- What's going on around here?

- Look, baby.

I told you I might have a job to do.

- Job?

What kind of a job?

- Never mind.

(downbeat jazz music)

- [Frank] There they are.

You were right, Tom, and so help me,

they're carrying a load of chickens.

- Chickens?

(chickens clucking)

- Mobile unit!

Fuzz, emergency, cut out!

I repeat, fuzz!

Emergency, cut out!

- Come on, let's go!

- That's it.

Tell 'em to shut out the road!

- [Officer] (mumbling) car five.

Hold (mumbling) truck with suspects heading your way.

Roadblock per plan.

I repeat, roadblock per plan.

(sirens blaring)

- Hang on.

We're gonna play chicken.

- [Callaway] This is Callaway in car nine

to Lieutenant Fleming.

We just got pushed off the road by the Choppers.

Caution.

- Seven and eight should have to chase them

down this road here.

- You gonna have to use that?

- I hope not.

- I hope not too.

But they're just kids.

- Yeah, probably.

- Roadblock!

(tires squealing)

(sirens blaring)

(engine rumbling)

- [Officer] This is car seven to Lieutenant Fleming.

The hot rod of the Bryan kid's heading your way.

There's a girl in the car, lieutenant.

- The hot rod!

- Hey!

Head for the Big Deal!

- Why go to the Big Deal?

We can get fenced in there.

- It's part of the plan.

Give us 20 minutes and we can have this truck

chopped up into little pieces

and no one can prove a thing.

- What's Cruiser doing with Gypsy in his car?

(dramatic music)

(engine rumbling)

- Stay in the car.

Moose!

The gate's locked!

- Hey, what are you doing?

The cops are right on our tail!

- [Jack] Moose!

- Out of here, you squirts!

I don't know you.

(siren blaring)

Looks like it's too late to run.

- Remember, you're in this too!

- Not me.

I'm holding you for the cops.

I'm a respectable citizen.

I seen my duty and I done it.

- [Jack] Why, you dirty fink!

And you too, Cowboy!

(gun firing)

(screaming)

- Come on, then!

(guns firing)

- Drop it, jet.

(guns firing)

(screaming)

- They got Ben too!

(gun firing)

(groaning)

(mumbling)

- Don't leave me, I'm hurt!

- Nobody's leaving, Flip.

- [Officer] I got the (mumbling) coming.

The meeting wagon's on its way.

- [Frank] Damn.

Damn!

- Frank, what about the girl?

- She's all right, let her alone.

- It's been a half hour already.

What do you suppose they're waiting for?

- Who knows?

Maybe the police man's ball.

How is it?

- I don't know.

It's a little numb.

Should it be?

- You boys in there, you Choppers.

This is Lieutenant Fleming speaking.

Now you're surrounded and there's no escape.

We don't want any more shooting.

There's been enough already.

So I'll give you just five minutes

to come out of there with your hands up.

- Ladies and gentlemen, that was the voice

of Lieutenant Frank Fleming speaking

to the three boys who are trapped inside.

Do you think they'll give themselves up, lieutenant?

- I don't know, I sure hope so.

- And if they don't?

- Then we'll just have to take them the hard way.

- I see.

Thank you, lieutenant.

For the benefit of those who've just tuned in,

this is Jim Bradford with another on the spot broadcast

coming to you from the Big Deal junkyard

where three young car strippers

have been cornered and are awaiting capture.

Now.

I've just been informed that the father

of one of the boys trapped inside is here.

I'll see if I can't get him to say something.

Excuse me, sir.

- Oh, a reporter, huh?

- Well, that's all right, we won't bother about--

- It ain't no bother.

Did you tell everybody my boy Torch is in there?

- No, I didn't.

- Well then how's anybody gonna know it's him?

They got my boy Torch, Torch Lester, in there!

The smart cops think they got him!

- Please, Mr. Lester.

- What's the matter?

This is a free country, ain't it?

Can't I talk?

I wanna tell the whole world something.

Those cops ain't gonna take my boy Torch.

There ain't enough cops in the whole world

to take my boy Torch.

You hear me?

They ain't gonna take my boy Torch!

- Ladies and gentlemen, when you

pick up your morning newspaper and read

about some youngster getting into trouble

and wonder why, I think you've heard one good answer.

- Frank, they found a couple of places

where they can drop over the fence

and I found this in the kid's car.

- Well what do you know?

A rigged up transmitter.

- Just think of what that kid might've been, huh?

- Yeah, too bad.

Well, they have one minute left.

I'd better tell 'em.

You have one minute.

One minute left.

Now give yourselves up.

Don't make us come in and get you.

- Listen to that fuzz.

Next thing you know, they'll be crying.

- Yeah, they're all alike.

They just wanna get us out in the open

so they can cut us down.

- Will they do that?

- Sure they would but they're not gonna get a chance.

This pile of iron is like a fort.

We can stay here forever.

- Or at least till they get hungry.

- [Frank] Time's up.

- Well lookie here.

(gun firing)

(laughing)

How about that?

You shoot him?

- [Jack] No.

- What, something wrong with Cowboy's gun?

(gun firing)

There's nothing wrong with this.

Here!

- Look, I think we ought to give up.

We can't get out of here and you know it.

- So we take a couple of lousy cops with us.

- [Jack] Well what'll that get us?

- The gas chamber.

- He's right and I don't wanna go out that way.

- So you're yellow?

- No, and I'm not stupid either.

So we had a ball stealing hubcaps

and then starting after the big stuff

but the ball's over!

At least let's get out of this alive.

- Now who's stupid?

I just killed a cop!

And the law says you two helped me.

Chew on that!

- I wish I'd never seen Moose!

- Wish I hadn't brought Gypsy in this.

(crunching)

(crumbling)

We give up!

We're coming out!

- Well, it's all over, ladies and gentlemen.

What started with the theft of a pair of hubcaps

has ended in the violent death of five persons.

How do you feel, son?

- I ain't saying nothing till I get a mouthpiece.

- [Father] Torch!

- Knock it off, pop.

Find someone else to buy your booze.

- You got anything to say, son?

- Yeah.

We had a ball.

A real ball.

(upbeat jazz music)

- [Jim] That's the story of the Choppers.

The three boys left alive face jail and disgrace.

One probably imprisonment for life.

This is Jim Bradford saying goodbye for now.