Original subtitles

[theme music]

I don't believe it.

What?

I just bought new batteries for this radio

and they've gone sour already.

Don't worry about it.

We'll stop up ahead, we'll get you some new batteries.

Ah, no rush.

I'll listen to the car radio.

Oh, hey, come on, like I said.

We'll stop up ahead, and we'll get you some batteries.

I can't believe it.

Another poor cop has been brought up on charges,

big uproar from the community.

Maybe there's a reason for it.

Just because you're an ex cop doesn't mean everybody's

perfect?

Come on, don't give me that, will you?

I mean, a 15-year-old kid pulls a gun on a cop in an alleyway,

so the cop shoots him.

They found out later the kid's gun wasn't loaded.

I mean, what's the cop supposed to do?

I don't know, maybe he could have talked him out of it,

got him to put the gun down.

Oh, yeah.

By then, he'd been an angel, like you.

You just said the gun wasn't loaded.

It's easy to say now, you weren't standing

in the alleyway with that kid.

I mean, if there's any fault here it belongs to that kid.

I mean, when you were young, did you ever

think about talking back to a cop,

let alone pulling a piece on him?

No.

All I'm saying is that might have

been a better way to handle it.

God, I wish you had to be a cop for a while.

You'd look at this thing different, believe me.

Maybe you're right.

Oh, I forgot the radio.

Oh.

Hey, I'm sorry.

After you.

Go ahead.

I think while we're stopped, I'm going to get

some donuts or something.

Take your time.

Hi.

Can I help you?

Yeah.

Yeah, you can help me.

Just give me your--

Give you what?

Nothing.

Nothing.

Never mind.

I--

How are you doing?

Oh, fine.

Fine.

Will this be it?

No, actually, I need some batteries for this.

Ah.

- Ah. - Help.

Don't shoot. - No.

I don't know where I got this. - Take it all.

Take everything.

Don't shoot.

Jonathan?

Jonathan?

Don't shoot.

[alarm]

Freeze.

Drop the gun.

Drop it.

He tried to rob me.

He tried to rob me.

I don't suppose you'd believe me if I

told you an angel did this?

You want to plead insanity, pal, that's up to you.

Hey, excuse me.

Officer Smith.

That's Gordon, Waterton Division.

What's going on here?

My partner picked up on that junkie in the car over there.

When he passed him going in the store,

he slipped his piece out.

His prints will be on it.

I'm sure he's on the sheet.

He's your collar if you want him.

We were just passing through.

OK, thanks.

Sorry for the mistake, Gordon.

No problem.

Out of the car.

Move it.

Let's go. Let's go.

Let's go.

Hands on the hood.

That was cute.

Where'd you get the ID?

From the same place you got yours.

Why would He give us an assignment like this?

Because you asked Him for it.

I did not ask Him for it, I said,

God, I wish you had to be a cop.

Hm-hmm.

What do you listen to me for?

I'm just a person.

Partner?

You are going to be my partner in a black and white unit?

Oh, no.

No, Jonathon, I tell you, it just wouldn't work.

Why?

What's the big deal?

Well, you're an angel, not a cop.

That's what the big deal is.

Now, look, Jonathon, I love you like a brother,

we have been through all kinds of stuff together,

but this is different.

Why?

Well, because, because your partner is your lifeline.

He's your, he's your backup.

You might do everything perfect, but if your partner screws up,

it's adios.

Now, no offense, Jonathan, this is

something I know more about than you do,

and I say, no way, Jose.

Yeah, well, I don't think we have much choice.

I mean, this order didn't come from the police department.

It came from the boss.

Well, no offense, but I think He's making a mistake.

Oh, you want to tell Him that no?

No, I don't want to tell Him. You tell Him.

You're the angel around here.

Oh, come on, Jonathon, you don't know the first thing

about being a cop.

Try me.

You wouldn't even understand what they're

saying to us on the radio.

Try me.

All right, I will.

What's code 211?

Robbery.

Oh, well, big deal.

You could have heard that on TV.

What's code 6 Charles?

Vehicle and/or occupant wanted in a felony,

considered armed and dangerous.

Standard issue weaponry?

Model 15 Smith and Wesson 38 caliber 4 inch revolver.

What kind of ammo?

125 grain plus piece and my jacketed flat nose

soft point, sir.

Code 11.

No such thing.

Hey, do you mind if I borrow your razor?

Right. Right.

Code 7.

Your favorite, meal break.

I'll be darned.

An angel for a partner.

That might not be so bad after all.

Hey, what time you got?

A little after 5:00.

We get plenty of time, roll calls not till 6:00.

What are you doing that for?

Doing what?

Shaving.

I don't know.

I've never done that before.

Montoyo.

Perez.

Reese.

Masera.

Price.

Reynolds.

Sico.

Smith.

Tommasino.

Good morning, Mendoza, glad you could join us.

I've signed your overtime sheet.

Thanks, Sergeant Leonard.

Yeah, now we'll both go to jail.

I got a sheet on guy that's wanted for murder from LA.

They think he's up here.

Pass those around.

Hey, this guy looks like Errol Flynn, doesn't he?

Hey, any of you guys interested in the intramural softball

game?

[groaning]

Good.

Softball is a sissy game anyway.

Oh, yeah, what do you play, Sarge?

Bench press, sucker.

One final piece of business.

We have two new pukes, Smith and Gordon, take a bow.

OK, boys and girl, let's rock and roll.

Glad to have you, man.

Thanks a lot.

See you later.

Take it easy out there.

We're not looking for a hero.

Hey, I've been around the block, Sarge.

I'm talking to your friend here.

Yes, sir.

I'm not going to make any fuss of it,

but I think you should trim your hair a bit.

It could slow you down when you're running.

Yes, sir.

This guy can fly, Sarge.

Oh, really?

How's Sergeant Winnofsky doing?

We read about it in the paper.

The best he can.

He has a 15-year-old kid of his own, you know?

Hey, he did what he had to do.

Have you ever put a kid down?

No.

Then you don't know.

Let's go.

This darn thing won't stop bleeding.

What's that?

My finger.

I cut it putting a blade in the razor this morning.

How could you cut yourself?

You're an angel.

Angels don't bleed.

I guess He wants me to go through this assignment

without the stuff.

What, protection?

Right.

How else am I going to know what it's like to be a cop?

You mean, I'm going to be riding with you

and you're just a guy?

Hey, Gordon?

What's taking you guys so long?

I said, let's shag it.

Yeah, well, he cut himself, Sarge.

Oh, what a shame.

He cut himself.

Sarge, you don't seem to understand.

I do understand.

Now if you want to kiss it and make the boo boo better,

but do that on your own time and not the department's.

So let's shag it.

Jon-- Yeah.

Yeah.

Jonathon, you sure you're up to this?

Mark, will you stop worrying?

I can't stop worrying.

You know, you haven't been earthly in a long time.

Look, I know as much as any rookie cop would know.

I'll be fine.

Listen, buddy, what I'm talking about is instincts.

Not cop instincts.

Human survival instincts.

You cannot react like an angel on the streets.

Just because a man is a policeman

doesn't mean he can't have compassion for people.

Jonathon, tell me something, you going to be able to drop

somebody if you have to?

What do you mean?

I mean, shoot somebody before they shoot you.

I don't know.

I hadn't thought about it.

Oh, great, just great.

Let me ask you a question.

How long were you a policeman?

15 years.

In those 15 years, how many people did you have to shoot?

Huh? - OK.

OK.

But you never know when one is going to pop up.

RADIO DISPATCHER: Any unit in the vicinity of 4th and Argyle

respond to a 211 at 1523 Argyle.

See the manager, Mrs. Krebbs.

Code 2.

I thought you told me crooks didn't get up this early.

What we need to start the day, a burglar with a work ethic.

Baker 84 responding to the 211 on Argyle.

Let's go.

Hit it.

[interposing voices]

What do we got, Sarge?

This lady's apartment was burglarized.

Some of them got away.

They tied sheets together, climbed down, and jumped.

We put out a description of them already.

You know I got a feeling one of them is still in there.

What makes you think so?

I'm Mrs. Krebbs.

I'm the manager and Miss Alexander

here was across the hall in my apartment.

We both live on the fourth floor,

and we both were watching that game show on television.

The fortune on the wheel.

"Wheel of Fortune."

Whatever.

And Poopsie heard some noise and ran across the hall

to see what it was, I guess.

Did Poopsie get a look at them?

I don't know maybe.

Well, can we talk to this Poopsie?

Poopsie is a dog, Officer.

Did you ever hear of a human called Poopsie?

Don't they give IQs to you people down there?

Clara, he's only trying to help.

Well, let him help and stop asking stupid questions.

We heard noise even after that first one jumped.

But you didn't see anyone?

Didn't see anyone.

The door was locked, just like I left it.

I could have been killed.

I could have been killed or worse.

Lady, why don't you calm down?

Calm down?

Do you understand what I have been through?

You're telling her to calm down?

Ladies, ladies, ladies, ladies.

You stand out here and cover the front in case

he comes out the window.

Mendoza, you take the fire escape and check the roof.

We'll go inside the apartment.

Everybody switch over to channel six, all right?

Let's go.

[interposing voices]

Oh my baby.

Get inside.

Just go inside the apartment, please?

Inside.

Inside.

Smith?

Yeah?

Your gun?

What?

Your gun.

What are you going to do, spit on him?

Oh, yeah, yeah.

Gordon.

Now, go on.

Put your gun down.

Look, I don't want to shoot you.

Look.

See, I'm putting my gun down.

Now go on, put your down, please?

Please, put it down?

Nothing.

You OK?

Yeah, I'm OK.

I could have gotten you killed in there, you know?

But you didn't.

You know, Mark, I looked in his eyes.

I was trying to find some kind of feeling.

He would have shot me.

Yeah, buddy.

He would have shot you.

I'll make it a nice batch of tea, and you'll feel better.

Feel better?

Lord in heaven, look at my door.

Ma'am, you want to look around,

see if anything's missing?

Oh, I think they took your radio, Clara.

Can you describe the radio, ma'am?

Who cares about the radio?

Look at my door. - Yeah, but, see--

Look at the molding.

I can't afford to pay for that.

Yeah, I know, ma'am, but the door was locked.

Of course, it was locked.

I lock it to keep the burglars out?

Well, there was a burglar in there.

We didn't have any choice.

Did you ever see these before?

These were invented so apemen like you don't

go around kicking in doors to get

into other people's apartments?

If you don't have any insurance,

you can recover the damage--

I'll recover it, all right.

I'll recover it right out of your pay envelope.

Now, look, lady, my partner and I

were damn near shot in there.

I think that's a little heavier than your door.

That's what you get paid to do.

Why, the burglars left this place in better shape

than you did.

Well, the next time you need help,

why don't you call a burglar?

Come on, partner.

Let's go.

Ma'am, there'll be an officer up in a minute

to take your stolen report.

You can file a complaint then if you want to.

Oh, I'll file a complaint, all right.

You can depend on.

I can't believe how they--

I can't believe that old woman.

Do you believe that old woman?

Sure.

What do you mean sure?

We almost get blown away, all she

can think about is her door.

It was her door.

It was her apartment that got broken into.

She's scared.

She could have been beaten or robbed.

Now she can't even lock her own door.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

I never thought about it.

Well, neither did until just now.

You know what that makes you, don't you?

What?

Human.

Why don't you radio in a code 7?

Code 7?

It's a little early for lunch, isn't it?

I want to go back and fix the old lady's door.

You know what that makes you, don't you?

Yeah, an angel.

Are you sure you don't want some pickles, too?

Oh, no, we're fine.

Next time you stop by, I'll have potato knishes.

They're delicious.

We'll be back to see you.

Thank you.

You're good boys, both of you.

Bye.

They make a good sandwich.

Mh-mhh.

You know, it feels weird.

What?

Being hungry, it's been a while.

You know, I never would have thought about that before.

What's that?

When I was a cop.

I never would have thought about the old woman, you know,

about how scared she was or about her door.

I'd had been a better cop, you know?

I know.

Hey, finish your sandwich.

We got another appointment.

With who?

Sergeant Winnofsky.

Mrs. Winnofsky?

- Yes. - Hi.

My name's Smith.

This is Gordon.

We're new at the Waterton Division.

We were in the neighborhood, thought we'd stop by

and see if you needed anything.

That's very kind.

Most of the guys have been by.

Jerry just doesn't want to see anybody.

We understand.

We just thought, you know, sometimes it's

easier to talk to strangers.

I know you mean well.

He knew the boy, the boy he killed, Todd Biggs.

He coached him in T ball years ago.

Our son Terry was on the same team.

They won little league title in '78.

The team picture is hanging in our living room.

How the hell does a kid like that end up in a rock house

with a gun in his hand?

Drugs or money.

God.

Why wasn't the kid's gun loaded?

If only it would have been loaded.

Could have been.

But it wasn't, and my husband will always know that.

I'll tell him you stopped by.

We're going to read about this in the newspaper.

You know what they're going to say?

Another trigger happy cop.

I'm not saying there aren't lousy cops.

There are.

This guy Winnofsky is a victim too.

RADIO DISPATCHER: Any units in the vicinity

of 2nd Street and Hill.

See the woman at Agajanian Travel Agency.

Victim was strangled.

1 Baker 84 responding to the call at 2nd and Hill.

Let's go.

OK, girls, let's get back to work.

Come on.

It's not a break. She's OK.

Come on, let's get back to work, please?

Please?

Can you tell us what happened, Mrs. Davis?

Well, I was sitting out there at the bus stop on the bench.

Thank you.

He's a very nice man, Officers.

Well, I was sitting here in my office,

and I hear this little lady's voice, you know, help.

Help.

She says, so I run outside.

You know, I don't like those people

who just make like ostrich.

You know, hide their heads.

He's a very nice man, an Iranian fellow

or some such thing.

Armenian.

Oh, well, he's a wonderful man, and you police are, too.

Most of you.

There is a policeman on your police force

who is an absolute swine.

Could we just get back to what happened, Mrs. Davis?

What happened?

When?

When you were sitting on the bench.

At the bus stop.

Why, yes, how did you know?

You told us, ma'am.

I did?

Yes, ma'am.

I don't know how I'll get to my beauty appointment now.

You were sitting on the bench.

I told you that.

That's when she grabbed me.

Who grabbed you?

I don't know.

It was a woman.

I could see her hands.

She took my scarf and put it around my neck

and started pulling and strangling.

Then, I thought I was going to die.

She didn't try to take your purse?

No, she just started strangling, and then I prayed.

I prayed to God.

I prayed, if you have to take me now, OK,

but I've got things to do.

My niece is giving a party, and that's

why I was sitting at the bus stop

so that I could get the number nine

bus to go to the beauty parlor.

You were pulling down on your scarf?

Yes.

Yeah.

And God must have heard me, because I

was able to pull down hard enough

so that I could yell help.

Help.

She just stopped and walked away.

Did you get a look at her face?

No, well, just for a second.

She had on a brown coat and long black hair,

not very tidy either.

And she had a mustache, she had a little mustache.

She should use some of that what do you call it?

Depilatory.

Yes, that's right.

And then I yelled help, help, and this nice Iranian gentleman

came and brought me inside.

Armenian.

Did you get a look at him, Mr. Agajanian?

No, I didn't see her.

I go outside, and she's not there.

All I saw was this sweet lady calling

in her little voice help.

Sounds like a psycho.

I'll get it on the radio.

Right.

Are you sure you're all right, Mrs. Davis?

We could take you to the hospital

and have you checked on. - No.

No.

I'm all right, but now I've missed my bus.

Another one doesn't come for 40 minutes.

Senior citizens depend on those, and now I've

missed my beauty appointment.

Well, what time was your appointment for?

2:30.

Well, look, as soon as we put down your statement,

we can take you to the beauty parlor in the police car.

You could?

Sure, we could.

Well, then the girl at the beauty parlor

might think I'm a criminal if you bring me in a police car.

Oh, no, no, we can explain that to her.

No, no.

What do you mean explain?

Let's go for it.

Let's give those old biddies something to talk about.

All right.

[siren]

Thanks, fellas.

Oh, there's an Officer Johnson on your police force.

He;s the swine I told you about, an absolute pervert.

He said I was crossing a red light and he took my ID.

Then he called me up and asked me for a date.

You're kidding?

No, I'm not.

I want him reported, too.

When did this happen, ma'am?

July 12, 1942.

And he never showed either.

We better get you inside for your appointment.

What are you all looking at?

Go back inside.

Haven't you ever seen an old broad get busted before?

Thanks so much.

That will hold them for a year at least.

Sorry it took so long, but that shower felt great.

How come you're still in your uniform?

I thought we were going to eat?

I was going to, but I got an assignment.

- The boss? - Yeah.

I'll just be a minute.

No, no, don't worry about it.

I can take care of this one alone.

Wait a minute, you can't go out in that uniform

without the stuff.

Don't worry, I've got the stuff.

How do you know?

I'm not hungry anymore.

[heckling]

Oh, man, rolled all the way back here.

[interposing voices]

What are you doing walking around here?

I'm looking for a friend.

What friend you got in this neighborhood?

You, for one.

Me?

Hm-hmm.

You're Arnold Pope, right?

Yeah.

How'd you know?

Through a friend of mine.

He said you could tell me where Carl Biggs lives.

I could, but you don't want to see him,

not wearing no uniform.

His boy got shot.

Yeah, I know, that's why I want to talk to him.

Hey, don't worry, I'm a friend.

88332 122nd Street.

Thanks, Arnold.

Hey, who's this friend that knows me?

The one you talk to every night before you go to bed.

Who do you talk to before you go to bed at night?

Hell, I don't know what he means.

God, it's hot today.

I'll be seeing you, Arnold.

RADIO DISPATCHER:

One nothing, Atlanta, the run came in the third.

Diaz back, and there's a ground ball to third.

Bob Bailer now playing for Cavelle,

picks it up and throws him out.

One away.

Here's Dale Murphy.

Grounded out.

Aboard on an error, and fly to left.

O for three.

Murphy went all for four last night

and struck out three times.

What the hell is this?

I'm talking to you.

What are you doing in here?

Why are you in my house?

I'm sorry.

I tried the doorbell.

It was out of order.

I heard the radio playing.

Well, what do you want?

I've answered all your questions.

What do you want from me?

I understand Sergeant Winnofsky tried to contact you.

Yeah, that's right.

He tried.

And for what?

To tell me I'm sorry I killed your son?

I shot your boy down in cold blood?

I'm sure he wanted me to hear that.

He was afraid, just like your son was afraid.

It's like a war, Mr. Biggs, everybody's afraid.

My son was 15 years old.

15.

He was a boy.

With a gun.

I don't know where he got it, but he wouldn't have used it.

You're really sure of that?

I already told the police that.

Why else would he have a gun with no bullets in it?

I thought you could tell me that.

I've got nothing else to tell.

Do you know where my wife is?

Huh?

Do you?

At church on her knees asking God

to forgive her for her sins.

She thinks it's her fault that our boy is dead.

Something that she'd done.

Well, it ain't.

It ain't her or God or nobody, but the man

who shot my boy dead.

He's the one.

You looking for blame?

He's the one.

You really believe that?

As God as my witness.

He is Mr. Biggs.

Leave me alone.

Leave me alone.

Just get out of my--

[whistling]

Hi, doll.

Coffee ready?

I'm late.

Mom, what's going on?

Never mind, eggs, I'll grab something later.

Jerry, where are you going?

Very funny.

Come on, where are you going?

What are you talking about?

I'm going to work.

Remember?

What the hell's the matter with you?

And you?

What is this TV bloopers and practical jokes, huh

I thought you were suspended?

Suspended?

What is this?

What are we in?

April.

Here it is.

April 1st.

All right, you got me.

April fool.

I'm late.

I'll call you.

If I'm near Phil's, I'll drop off and get some shellfish.

Why cook?

Wow.

He's as tall as I am.

But don't get too big for your britches.

I can still kick your butt.

How'd you make out yesterday?

OK.

I was worried about you.

Why?

I told you I had the stuff.

I don't know.

I was still worried.

You're my partner.

This is like the army, you know?

Who's on your right, who's on your left.

Not like some factory job.

When your partner screws up the parts don't fit.

In this job, the parts that don't fit are yours.

RADIO DISPATCHER: All units in vicinity

respond to 415 at 423 Marine Street.

Men with gun, shots fired.

Address is expected rock house.

Let's go.

Hey, stop the car.

What do you mean?

Just stop the car.

Go ahead.

I'll meet you there.

Jonathan?

[knocking]

Mrs. Biggs?

Yes?

I'm Officer Smith.

I spoke to your husband yesterday.

What do you want?

I did all the talking I had to do with you yesterday.

Jerry Winnofsky has got himself holed up in that rock

house where he shot your son.

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about a man, a father like you,

who's taken all he can take.

He's pretending to be strong, but he's just run out of gas.

I think you know what I'm talking about, Mr. Biggs.

Why weren't there any bullets in that gun?

I told you only yesterday.

What the hell you coming here for?

When your son turns into someone you don't know,

someone you're afraid of, do you really

believe that's all your fault?

Get out of here.

Listen to him, Carl.

We raised that boy right.

My God, look.

Look at that.

Always together.

Always doing things together.

Ain't that right, Myra?

Yes, Carl.

Ain't that right.

Look.

Look at these pictures.

Look.

Look at that face.

Look at that face.

I love you, Papa.

Good night, Papa.

Give me a kiss good night.

What happens to them?

Where do they go, these babies?

Where do they go?

I told him he was running with the wrong crowd.

I told him to stop, ain't that right, Myra?

I told him the night that I found the gun,

I said, you stay in this house tonight.

It's all right, Carl.

It's all right.

It's all right.

No, it ain't.

It ain't all right.

It ain't all right.

My son, he knocked me down, and he said,

give me that gun, you old man.

And I gave it to him.

I gave it to him.

Not these.

Get a couple of guys over near the side of that house.

You got it.

Hold it. Where do you think you're going?

I'm Carl Biggs.

I'm looking for Winnofsky.

He's snapped.

He's inside the house and he think he has your boy.

And every time we move, he fires,

and he says it's your son.

You've got to let me go.

I can't do that.

You've got to let me go.

Hey, Jerry?

Jerry, it's me, Carl Biggs.

I've got to talk to you.

Mr. Biggs, go back.

Your kid's armed.

He's dangerous.

Please, listen to me for your own good.

Please?

I've got to talk to you, Jerry, please?

No.

He's armed, Mr. Biggs.

Please, take cover.

Please, take cover.

It's all right.

It's all right.

There's no bullets in his gun.

Yes.

Yes, there are bullets in his gun.

It's loaded.

He thinks it is, but it isn't.

I took the bullets.

I didn't want him to kill anybody, so I took the bullets.

He didn't even know the gun was empty.

He would have killed you, Jerry.

He, he wasn't the boy that we used to know.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Hey, policeman?

What is it, son?

Anything wrong?

Is it OK to across the street here?

Haven't you ever crossed the street before?

Yeah, but this is my first day going home from school alone,

you know?

Ah, kind of scary, huh?

Yeah, but it means I'm a big kid now.

Yeah, I guess it does.

It's OK to cross here.

Thanks, Policeman.

Why can't it always be like that?

I don't know, Mark.

I don't know.

11:45 AM, my partner and I were on our way

to hand in our uniforms.

My name is Gordon.

I carry a badge.

His name is Smith.

He carries a harp.

[theme music]