Big Town Scandal (1948)

[bunniefuu]

Let's go quick.

Pinky, Pinky, no.

Basketball things, that's all.

OK.

Hey, Tom!

Get Dum Dum down!

Come on, let's go!

Let's go!

Hand this up.

Let's go.

Come on, Dum Dum.

Hand it up one.

Don't lose that sock.

Oh, oh.

All right.

Better come down peacefully.

Would you leave me alone?

Listen, I've been looking

all over town for you.

I need bail bond for my cousin.

Well, can you get the

bank before ten o'clock?

I ain't open for business yet.

Morning, Louie.

Out all night?

You are just a kid,


and where's Lorelei?

Making three phone calls.

Got anything good?

Now listen.

I may not be as pretty as Lorelei,

but "The Chronicle" has a

much bigger circulation.

Not according to


the latest figures.

Speaking of figures...

Sometimes I wonder why I

keep on working for him.

Hello, Louie.

Lorelei, I gotta talk to you.

[INAUDIBLE] for the junior

chamber of commerce.

Put a firecracker under


[INAUDIBLE] Quincy.

Lorelei, listen.

Junior chamber of commerce.

22.

342 Elm, [INAUDIBLE].

I'm sorry Louie.

What's on your mind?

Those kids that were picked


up robbing that sporting goods

store last night... you

can't print that story.

Wrong department, Louie.

I only do what Steve tells me

to in 4,000 or 5,000 words.

If you lay off, maybe "The

Chronicle" will play ball too.

You haven't got a

chance with Steve.

You know he's death on

juvenile delinquency.

Lorelei, you just gotta

talk to him, you gotta!

Why the interest, Louie?

None of those kids are

good for a bail bond.

One of them's my nephew, Frankie.

Oh, I'm sorry Louie.

But Steve thinks bad boys

belong in reform school.

Sure.

That's what makes real

crooks out of them.

Come on over to Judge

Hogan's chambers with me.

I want you to meet those kids.

They're not bad, none of them!

But I just got through telling you

what Steve expects me to do today.

I'm late for the

Benson trial right now.

Won't take long.

Give me a break, will you?

I gave you plenty.

You've been swell about

tipping me off to stories Louie,

but I...

Oh, please, Lorelei.

OK.

Steve calls, I'll be in

Judge Hogan's chambers.

What are you, a frustrated mother?

Ah, crawl back in the woodwork.

Uh, how's that again?

Pst.

We'll plead guilty.

Get it over with.

I don't want to go

to reform school.

What's the matter with you?

You scared?

What do you mean?

We ain't going to

go to reform school.

Wait till Uncle Louie gets here.

He'll fix up everything.

Quiet, boys.

Uh huh.

Caught stealing sporting goods.

Parents here in court?

None of these boys live

with parents, Your Honor.

Tommy Malone lives with a

cousin, Jim Malone, who's

a laborer and he can't

take the day off.

Ms. Dale Peters is

here, Harold's sister.

Johnny Jones, known as Pinky, has

a grandmother who is bedridden.

It would be cruel to

ask her to come here.

What you balling about?

If it hadn't been for you,

we wouldn't be in this jam.

Why don't you shut up,

Frankie, and leave Pinky alone?

Waldo Riggs is a deaf

and dumb boy living alone,

but he seems quite capable

of taking care of himself.

As for Frankie Snead,

he has an uncle well

known to this court who

is quite able to take care

of his nephew,

financially at least.

Smart guy.

Hey fellas.

Everything's set.

My uncle Louie's here now.

We'll be sprung any time.

Quiet.

Your Honor, all of these

boys are first offenders.

I would suggest that

they be given probation.

Your Honor?

Yes?

I'm the owner of the store

these hoodlums robbed,

and I'm sick and tired of

mollycoddling young gangsters!

You a frustrated mother too?

No, I'm a frustrated messenger boy

delivering a message

from [INAUDIBLE].

I'm managing editor.

Judge Hogan?

Yes, Mr. Blake?

I know that this is an informal

hearing here in your chambers

and that you'd like to hear all

the viewpoints on the matter.

- May I speak for my paper?

- Go right ahead.

Well, sir, "The Chronicle"

feels that these boys should be

sent to reform school, and

will say so editorially.

There's been a crime wave

here in Big Town recently,

and well, my paper

feels the only way

to handle it is to, well,

nip the thing in the bud

by punishing young [INAUDIBLE].

Your Honor.

Yes Ms. Kilbourne?

"The Illustrated Press" disagrees.

These boys are

entitled to probation.

Boys sent to reform school

often return to prison

as hardened criminals.

Ordinarily they would

be given probation.

But unfortunately,

they have no one

to whom they can be paroled.

I'm afraid I must hold

them for sentence.

Would you parole these boys if

a reputable citizen of Big Town

would accept

responsibility for them?

Is such a citizen present

and willing to do so?

Your Honor, these

boys must be punished!

Please Judge.

Give me five minutes.

A little

irregular, Ms. Kilbourne,

but, uh, we'll continue

in five minutes.

Everybody rise.

This had better be good.

Mr. Wilson, I...

Steve.

Lorelei, what is all this?

Everybody rise.

The hearing has resumed.

Sit down.

Now about that story.

Ms. Kilbourne, we can go

on now if you're prepared.

Your Honor, Steve

Wilson, managing editor

of "The Illustrated Press."

Your Honor.

Mr. Wilson.

You are the citizen

Ms. Kilbourne sent for?

Yes.

Mr. Wilson, you're a

credit to the community.

These boys will be

paroled in your custody.

You'll receive the papers

for signing tomorrow.

Boys?

Custody?

What's he talking about?

The story I phoned about.

Thank you, Your Honor, for your

splendid handling of the case.

The hearing is adjourned.

Everybody rise.

Lorelei, what the

devil's going on here?

You heard the judge, you're

a credit to the community.

Thanks a lot, Mr. Wilson.

Congratulations, Steve.

Thanks a lot, Mr. Wilson.

I appreciate it.

Thanks, Goldilocks.

I told you my uncle Louie

would fix everything.

Uncle Louie'll fix it!

Go on home and wash the dishes.

All right.

Now be quiet and tell me,

what was all that about?

Those boys were

arrested last night

and given probation,

providing a prominent citizen

would be responsible for them.

You're the prominent citizen.

Yes, I know but... no, no, no.

No, no.

It's a rip.

Tell me it's a rip.

Nothing of the kind.

Well Lorelei, I'm

not going probation

for those young hoodlums!

Judge Hogan asked

you and you said yes

in front of a court

full of witnesses.

Do you want to be

held in contempt?

-Why, it's ridiculous!

What are you trying to do?

Make me... make me the

laughing stock of Big Town?

Why, even when you called,

I was dictating an editorial

stating that for

the first time, we

were [INAUDIBLE]

with "The Chronicle."

Why don't you ask

me about those boys

instead of condemning

them without a hearing

liked "The Chronicle?"

Do you know their offense?

Do you know what they

were trying to steal?

Sporting goods, just so they

could have a basketball team.

Why, there are half

a dozen organizations

with... with free gyms in Big Town.

Why do those kids

have to be thieves?

Those organizations

don't want street boys.

They want nice, clean little

boys from nice, clean homes.

What do you want me to

do? [INAUDIBLE] them?

I want you to use your head.

You've got a big story

and you don't see it.

Besides, you'll be

doing some real good.

What story?

Oh, Steve, let me

spell it for you.

"'The Illustrated Press'

Builds Better Boys."

"'The Illustrated..."

Oh, Lorelei!

I love you!

Yes, what a story!

Sure I see it!

Let "The Chronicle"

yap about sending

delinquents to... to reform school.

Our newspaper will give

them another chance,

a chance to make good.

Sure!

Oh boy, what a story!

"'The Illustrated Press'

Builds Better Boys."

Get it?

Write an editorial proving

that the present system

of handling delinquents

has its defects.

Show up "The Chronicle."

Campaigning against homeless

kids just to build circulation.

Start it this way:

"The Illustrated Press"

is proud to report that Judge

Hogan of the juvenile court

has paroled the following

youngsters to his custody.

Right, Curly Locks?

Right.

So Steve Wilson wants

a battle, does he?

Well, "The Chronicle" will

take the wind out of his sails.

Here, take down this editorial.

Finding its circulation

steadily declining,

one of our

competitors... just, uh...

a question mark

after competitors...

just as a cheap newspaper trick...

Will coddle a group

of young delinquents

caught breaking into a store.

This is ambitious an

editorial as "The Chronicle"

has ever printed.

I'm only the publisher

of this paper,

but, uh, is it in order

for me to ask a question?

Hmm?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Of course, Mr. Peabody.

And what was the idea of

getting into this crusade?

And what are you

going to do about it?

Well, we honestly

feel we want to help

these boys get a

fresh start in life.

First thing, you'd

better get them jobs.

News boys, copy boys, anything

as long as it's honest work.

Oh, that's a cinch.

But when they're

not working, we've

got to keep them off the streets.

I know.

A recreation center.

Yes, that's it!

A recreation center.

"The Illustrated Press"

Recreation Center.

The citizens of

Big Town contribute

to the rehabilitation of the boys.

We could raise half

a million dollars.

Put a big thermometer in

front of the building.

Now wait a minute, gentlemen.

Do that and "The Chronicle"

will really ride us.

This is our job, not just

another charity drive.

And would you kindly

tell me how we're going

to build a recreation

center without financial help?

Just a moment, all of you.

You're floundering around

like a bunch of fish in a net.

Mary.

Mr. Peabody, I've worked for

this paper for 40 years now.

I brought up three

generations of youngins

in the streets of Big Town.

Maybe I got a right to talk.

I'll says she has.

And we fish had better listen.

Go on, Mary.

Now listen.

You remember where "The...

The... The... Illustrated Press"

started in the old building,

the other side of town?

Yes.

Well, we still own

the building, don't we?

Corporation still owns it.

Well, what's wrong

with turning that over

for a... a recreation

center for the lads?

Oh, Mary.

Ah, you're a gem.

An emerald from the

[INAUDIBLE], huh?

Oh, I was born in

Brooklyn, Mr. Wilson.

Tommy, you have a

bad habit of hacking.

Remember, you... you grab the ball,

not your opponent's wrist.

OK?

OK.

Dum Dum.

You can read my lips, can't you?

Naturally you can't

hear the whistle?

Maybe we'd better make

you a substitute, huh?

Well, we're apt to get into

serious trouble in a real game.

You've got to put Dum Dum on

a regular team, Mr. Wilson.

He's the best guard we got.

Yes, I know, but

the whistle, Tommy.

Well, don't worry about that.

When we hear the whistle

we'll quit playing,

and we'll signal to

Dum Dum like this, OK?

OK, you're the captain.

Come on boys. [INAUDIBLE].

Steve Wilson, the

all American boy.

He's the first managing

editor everybody

I ever met who knew

anything about sports.

He loves every minute of it.

Did you get enough pictures?

Used every plate.

Plenty of Steve in them?

Oh, Steve and the

basketball just like that.

Good boy, you'll get a raise.

Nothing like a sweater to bring

out the ham in a man, is there?

I wouldn't know.

My wife never wears them.

Good boy!

Steve, this is a good

thing you're doing.

But you know, we've put ourselves

in a ticklish position.

If the boys back...

Don't you worry, A.P.,

they're a fine bunch of boys.

They'll work out all right.

And in another week, I'll

have them a first class team.

Good.

Well, I'm glad I remember a

thing or two about basketball.

Gave them a pretty good

workout, if I say so myself.

Can I feel your muscle, Coach?

How about lunch, eh?

Good enough, but, uh, no

carrot juice and spinach.

You won't have to.

Be with you in five minutes.

Swell car, isn't it?

Hello Marion.

Yeah, it sure is.

Joe's isn't it?

Mm hmm.

-All right.

Come on, kids.

Beat it.

Joe won't like you

hanging around his car.

Come on, come on.

Let's go.

Get in.

Oh, I'd better not, Tommy.

Joe won't like it.

Now look.

Joe's a pal of mine.

He won't mind.

Get in.

It's all right.

Well, let's have some music.

Now look.

Stop worrying.

Relax and enjoy the music.

Gosh, that's pretty.

Yeah.

Tommy?

Yeah?

Think you'll ever

have a car like this?

Oh, sure, only better.

You and me will take a trip

up to the Bear Mountain.

Oh, it's beautiful up there.

Yeah.

We'll park way up

on that high road

and look way down on

that river underneath us.

We'll see the pines

at night with the moon

sitting right on top.

Oh, it's wonderful.

Yeah.

It ain't a bad job.

Well, you don't have

to rush out, baby.

My mother's waiting.

Not a bad looking pigeon.

Yours?

Yeah, [INAUDIBLE].

Hey, it's a sweet car.

When you get it?

Pretty classy, huh?

Yeah.

Hey, which way you going Joe?

Downtown.

Want a lift?

Yeah, I was just going

down there myself.

You know what?

A car like this, Joe, you

ought to have to chauffeur.

You want to drive, huh?

OK.

- See how she feels.

- All right.

Thanks Joe.

Thanks a lot.

Cops.

Better slow down.

No, keep going.

This car is hot.

Hot?

Step on it, I got a

rap hanging over me.

What do you think I've got?

Furs!

Pst!

Tommy.

Hey Tommy.

Been waiting for you, kid.

How'd you know I'd show up?

Those cops could have got me.

Not a smart kid like you.

What's on your mind, Joe?

What happened to the car?

I stashed it.

Good.

Let's go get it.

Hold up, Joe.

I took a lot of

changes with that car.

Well, sure I know you did,

Tommy, but I had to scram.

They'd have caught me, I'd

have gone up for a stretch.

Well, what about me?

I'm on probation!

They would have

been tougher with me.

I know why, Joe.

What do you mean?

I told you the car was hot.

That ain't all.

You looked in the back.

You know, that's a

nice load of furs.

Oh, listen you...

Don't try that, Joe.

OK Tommy.

Where'd you hide the car?

I'll take you there, but first

we got to settle something.

What?

My cut.

Your cut?

You heard me.

I'll talk to the boys about it.

No Joe.

You'll talk to me

about it right now.

You're getting a little

big for your britches.

Maybe.

All right.

You're in.

Now let's get the car.

Thanks, Joe.

And my g*ng uses the

upstairs for a gym.

Nobody ever comes in here.

Perfect, huh?

I got to hand it to you, Tommy.

It's a good drop for hot goods.

Kind of gives me an idea.

I know just what

you're thinking, Joe.

Yeah, I guess you do, Tommy.

You're pretty hip.

You cut me in and I'll

get you an extra key.

A deal.

You keep your eyes open, let me

know when they bring in a load,

and you'll make a few

bucks for yourself.

That suits me.

Lovely costume

you're wearing, Mr. W.

Oh, you like that, huh?

That was something he picked

up in the comment section.

Press box comedians k*ll me.

I'll weigh you three

to one on the Big Shots.

Are you kidding?

Young Scrubs ain't got a chance.

Well, five to one, just

to make it interesting.

OK, [INAUDIBLE].

But no more.

Some boy I got there.

Yeah, and me making a sucker bet.

He'll make it back for you.

Plenty more.

Uh, nice gentle bunch of boys

you've got there, Lorelei.

Come on, Frankie!

See what I mean?

I, uh, beg your pardon, lady.

Where would I find Mr. Malone?

Mr. Malone?

-Yes, uh, Thomas R.

Malone. [INAUDIBLE].

That's Tommy.

Oh... oh, in the

dressing room in there.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

And if [INAUDIBLE] diamonds,

watches, knickknacks,

just call on Smiley Charlie Kaye.

That's me.

Smiling Charlie.

Just like it says there.

Thank you.

Uh, Mr. Malone.

Huh, Malone?

Oh.

Hey Tommy.

There's a duck out

here to see you.

Duck?

Uh, Mr. Malone?

Yeah, that's me.

Smiling Charlie Kaye.

Joe made an appointment.

Oh yeah, about the [INAUDIBLE].

Yeah.

Marion, come here.

Uh, this is my girlfriend, Marion.

Mr. Kaye.

How do you do?

I'm sure.

And a beautiful girl

needs a beautiful watch.

And Smiling Charlie's got them.

Oh, they're wonderful.

Take your pick.

Oh, no.

You pick it.

Look, it's your birthday,

and I want you to pick it.

Well, all right.

How about this one?

A genuine, gold filled,

seven jeweled [INAUDIBLE].

Uh, try it on for size.

How much is it?

Well, anybody else, $35.

But you're a friend of Joe's,

and Joe's a friend of mine.

Never mind.

It's not good enough.

Oh, Tommy.

Look, I want you to have the best.

Now what's the best watch

you got in that thing?

Well, there's a beauty.

No finer timepiece made anyplace,

even though you hear different.

Diamonds.

Now there's a smart

girl, Mr. Malone.

Those real genuine

diamonds one you sees them.

And there they are,

18 beautiful chips.

How much is it?

Well, it's been an off season.

You know Joe, Joe's

a friend of mine.

He sent me over.

How much?

Cash?

What do you think?

$165?

Good deal.

Say that's, uh, $200.

You owe me $35 bucks.

Ah, that

makes us even, Mr. Malone.

Exercise tax.

Exercise?

Sure, I've been

running around all day.

Look, I've been running

around too. $35 bucks.

Oh.

Can't fool you,

can I, Mr. Malone?

You sure tried, didn't you?

-Well, there you are.

$10, $20, $30, $35.

And with every tick of that watch,

you should have happiness.

And if you ever need

any more jewelry,

diamonds, watches,

knickknacks, just

call on Smiling Charlie Kaye.

OK?

We, good luck folks.

Have fun.

You like it?

Oh, it's wonderful Tommy.

I don't think you should.

Look, it's your birthday.

I want you to be happy.

Now come on.

Oh, Steve.

Hello, Tommy.

This is my girl Marion.

Ms., uh, Harrison, I'd

like to take the pleasure

to introduce Mr.

Wilson, Ms. Kilbourne.

Hello.

How do you do?

Hey Lorelei, did

you know that Steve

is getting out of coaching?

No, Steve.

Well now, I can't coach the team

and run the paper properly.

You know that.

And who takes the coaching job?

The guy they should have

had in the first place,

the sports editor.

Well, it'll be OK.

Beautiful watch, Ms. Harrison.

Yeah, I just got

it for her birthday.

Look, we got a little

stepping to do yet.

Goodnight Steve, Lorelei.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Where'd he get all that money?

Selling papers, of course.

Well, I'm going to find out.

How about stopping

by the [INAUDIBLE]

for a cup of coffee?

Coffee?

Tommy takes his girl stepping.

OK, I'll buy you two cup.

Come on.

Hi Steve.

You want to see me?

Yeah, come in, Tommy.

Come in.

Sit down.

Thanks a lot.

Breaking training?

Oh, a cigarette once

in a while don't hurt.

You mind if I see that case?

No, sure.

Thanks.

Very nifty.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's all right.

Oh thanks.

Tommy, where are you

getting the money?

What money?

You know what money.

To buy cigarette cases and clothes

and presents for your girl.

Where are you getting it?

OK, Mr. Wilson.

I'm betting on the Big Shots.

Aren't you getting

on the gravy train?

You mean to say you're

betting on the team?

Why sure.

What's wrong with that?

Plenty.

Why, even professionals

aren't allowed to bet.

You're supposed to be an amateur.

Now look.

Everybody in town's betting.

Why can't I?

I'm working for it, ain't I?

It just isn't done, that's all.

They don't allow it in

football or horse racing.

You know yourself

that a jockey can't

bet on the horse he's riding.

Are you kidding?

If he's caught, he gets

sent down and you know it.

Tommy, I'm going to put

this to you straight.

If you don't stop betting, I'm

dissolving the basketball team

and closing the recreation center.

Just for a few bets?

Yes.

The whole idea is clean sport.

Betting among players

leads to bribery,

jealousy, and out and out crime.

Choice is up to you, Tommy.

Either you quit betting

or the team's through,

and you and the boys go

back to juvenile court.

Oh now, wait a

minute, Mr. Wilson.

Don't blame the whole

team on account of me.

I'll do what you say.

I'll quit betting.

That's a promise.

All right, I'll take

your word for it.

But I've got ways of finding

out if you're not doing it.

And if that happens, you go

straight to reform school.

No more betting.

That's a promise.

All right.

Now take over your

newspaper corner

and do some real

work for a change.

That's all, Tommy.

OK, Mr. Wilson.

'Bout time.

We've been waiting

for half an hour,

and that truck's plenty hot.

Steve Wilson sent for me.

Trouble?

I'll tell you later.

I'm not crazy about

moving in daylight, either.

The best time, Joe.

The kids are all working.

Yeah, well the cops

can see you better too.

Come on.

Let's unload this thing.

Thanks.

How about leaving

that for a little bet?

Oh, that's what I

wanted to tell you, Joe.

Wilson warned me against betting.

How's he gonna find out?

I don't know, but I'm

not taking any chances.

You see, it's not only me.

It's the whole team.

He'll break us.

We're betting four to one

on a sure thing, Tommy.

So are you.

Four to one?

That's the odds

against the Wildcats.

They haven't got a chance.

Oh no?

What do you mean?

We're talking about

insurance, Tommy.

You're gonna take

that money I gave you

and bet it on the Wildcats.

What, you want me

to throw the game?

You get it.

Hey, I'm not going to

get my team in trouble.

How are they gonna know?

If I throw a game?

What do you think,

they're dumb or something?

I don't know if I can do it alone.

Oh, you can do it Tommy.

You're the captain.

Then let's put it this way.

I won't do it.

You'd better think it over, kid.

You cut yourself in.

We didn't send for you.

OK.

But after this game, I'm through.

Better wait until you

make yourself a few grand.

You might need it.

I said I'm through after I throw

this game for the Wildcats.

Good enough.

Tommy?

Yeah.

Give me that bankroll.

We're betting this on

the Wildcats for you.

Yeah, it's insurance,

like Joe said.

He's getting hard to handle.

No, he ain't.

Too late for him to

be getting ideas.

Better get that money down.

Well, it looks as

though we're about

ready to go now.

The Big Shots will

defend the north basket.

The Wildcats, the south.

And [INAUDIBLE] of the Wildcats

driving in for a layup shot.

And it's good.

First [INAUDIBLE] small game.

It's two to nothing,

Wildcats leading.

[INAUDIBLE] gets the ball

from [INAUDIBLE] with his long

down to Boyd.

That's a nice pass in to Holton.

It's good.

It's Snead now hunking one

in from off the [INAUDIBLE].

And it's the Big Shot's

first goal of the game.

[INAUDIBLE] now to [INAUDIBLE]

down the far sideline.

Cutting in down the middle

and looking to pass fast

to Malone. [INAUDIBLE]

Riggs now, runs far out,

and it's good.

And it frames the score

up to eight to four,

the Wildcats still leading.

What happened to Tommy?

He's certainly off

his game tonight.

Beginning to think it's my fault.

Your fault?

Yeah.

Balling out I gave

him seems to have

taken the steam out of him.

Don't worry about that, Steve.

He deserved it.

That's young

Tommy Malone with it now.

No good.

That Malone now off

his customary game,

and th Big Shots don't

look quite themselves yet.

There goes [INAUDIBLE]

of the Wildcats driving

in for a layup

shot, and it's good.

It's good.

[INAUDIBLE] shot. [INAUDIBLE],

putting the Wildcats up

from 25 to 20 as the half nears.

Well, Tommy Malone, star

of the Big Shot team,

has scored only one

bucket in the first half.

And you know what they say.

As Malone goes, so

go the Big Shots.

I just had a horrible thought.

What?

You don't suppose

Tommy isn't trying

because he isn't

betting on the team?

I don't think Tommy

would play that dirty.

There she goes.

[INAUDIBLE] picks

it up. [INAUDIBLE]

core pass and they flip

to Boyd who scores.

Don't think they're

going to be [INAUDIBLE].

Another miss by Malone.

Tommy makes those

with his eyes shut.

Malone is on the free throw line.

It's no good.

I can't understand why

Ed doesn't take Tommy.

Take out the

captain? [INAUDIBLE]?

Just isn't done.

Mr. Malone sh**ting

now in a bank shot from the side.

Too long, no good.

And it's Glen taking

the rebound, going down

the floor in a long

pass down to Tarnell.

A nice big [INAUDIBLE] on

[INAUDIBLE] [INAUDIBLE].

And there goes the g*n

ending the ball game.

The score 44-38, for the Wildcats.

Wildcats win going away.

Not to be tracked from

their performance a bit,

it must be conceded that the

Big Shot's star, Tommy Malone,

had a very sour night.

Well, guess we can't

win them all, huh Tommy?

Ah, it was my rotten

playing, Pinky.

Oh no, it wasn't.

You were just off your feet.

Still the best, Tommy.

Thanks, Pinky.

Well, I guess everybody

has off days sometimes, huh?

Yeah.

But I can't understand

why Tommy didn't

catch the signals we gave him.

Nice work, Tommy.

You made yourself some real dough.

Stop over tomorrow

and we'll settle up.

Yeah.

What's eating you?

Nothing you'd care about.

Oh, I know, kid.

It was tough taking that beating.

Don't let that bother you.

We're going out on a job tonight.

You'll have some more dough

in that kitty tomorrow.

I don't want that dough.

I don't want any part of you guys.

The whole thing's off,

and I mean everything.

I don't get it.

I don't get it at all.

Keep your shirt on, Tommy.

I'll see you at the

office tomorrow.

Hello, Tommy.

About the game...

I get it.

Wait a minute, Marion.

I'm sorry, but everybody's

been talking about the game.

I'm just sick of hearing about it.

I understand, Tommy.

How about asking a

girl to take a walk?

Not tonight, Marian.

I... I think I'll hit the hay.

All right.

You know something, Tommy?

What?

You always wanted a lot of money

so you could do things,

have a good time,

and wear swell clothes.

You were unhappy because

you were broke all the time.

Now you've got all kinds of money,

but you're sure not happy.

Something's gone wrong.

What is it, Tommy?

Nothing.

It's none of your business anyhow.

I'll call you back.

That's nice publicity

you guys got.

Well, not as nice

as some of yours,

Tommy, but we hit the front pages.

I went by and saw you left

the furs in my building.

What's the idea?

Your building?

Well...

You know what I mean.

I told you I was

through last night.

Yeah, well we ain't.

What's more, we'll be

through when we say so.

You put in with us,

and you're staying in.

And the softer you

get, the harder we get.

Lucas said you'd let me

up when I threw the game!

We didn't say nothing like that.

Did you say it, Joe?

Well, we couldn't

have said it because we

got another game for you to throw,

the big game between

your team and the Giants.

Well, you get yourself

another boy, huh?

Tommy...

Let go.

You listen to me, Tommy.

You wanted to be a big shot.

You cut yourself in for

a piece of our racket.

OK.

Now you're in.

We've got a few

grand coming to you.

We're betting out on

the basketball Giants.

Now beat it.

He'll do it.

He's scared now.

Yeah, well I don't trust him.

He's liable to sing to the cops.

He does, he goes to reform school.

He does, he goes all right.

But not to reform school.

He said he was

having lunch with you

in the [INAUDIBLE] Press Room.

Yeah.

Well, if you hear

from him, send him

down to the center in a hurry.

Fine coach, keeping

the team waiting.

Go on, fellows.

Choose up sides.

I'll see if Ed's come in yet.

All right, Frankie.

You can be captain

of the scrub team.

What do you call?

Heads or tails?

Heads.

Toss.

Must have fell

all the way through.

Ah, forget it, Dum Dum.

You'll never find that anyhow.

Here, use this.

Dum Dum sure hates to lose money.

Yeah, he'll be

tearing up the floor

looking for that quarter.

You two stop beating your gums.

Forget it, I said.

You're wasting your time.

Now toss it!

Heads again.

Tails.

I'll take Skinny.

Dum Dum.

Pinky.

Well boys, I can't

stay any longer.

Ed should have been here by now.

Let's call it quits

till tonight, huh?

See you later.

What's this for, Dum Dum?

I gave it to you for

the two bets you lost.

Ain't got time to

play around, Dum Dum.

Wait a minute, Tommy.

Dum Dum must have found

something downstairs.

Look, it ain't our

business what's downstairs.

[INAUDIBLE], Dum Dum

thinks it's important!

Come on, fellas.

Hey fellas, look!

Somebody stashed them

right under our feet!

Yeah.

How 'bout it, Tommy?

How's about nothing.

I'm just as surprised as you guys.

In a pig's ear.

You didn't want Dum Dum

to look for his quarter.

And you didn't want

us to come down here.

You're in on this, Tommy.

And after we promised

Steve and Lorelei...

All right, all right.

So I knew about it, but

I couldn't say anything.

Joe Moreley and his g*ng

brought the furs here.

If I'd squawked, they'd

have bumped me off.

You didn't get paid off, maybe.

Yeah.

Sure.

That's how he got all that

money to make them bets.

No, I just happened

to be here when

he brought the hot skins in.

What could I do?

How'd you happen to be here?

Because I had to get something

from my locker that I needed.

We'd better call the

cops and tell them.

We'd better not call

the cops, or they're

liable to think we did it.

We're on probation, remember?

Yeah.

And that'd sure put

Steve and Lorelei

on the spot and [INAUDIBLE]

up their whole idea

of helping out fellas like us.

Hey, wait a minute, fellas.

Why can't we take the

furs back to the store

where they came from?

Then nobody'd know they were here

and we wouldn't be in trouble, and

neither will Steve and Lorelei.

Pinky, that's a wonderful idea.

We'll take them tonight,

get in through the skylight.

Suppose we get caught?

We won't get caught.

Well, I don't like it.

But I guess there's

nothing we can do about it.

We got to get these

things out of here.

Well, OK.

You sure got us in a jam.

Let's all meet here

after practice tonight.

Now Pinky and I will

go up and [INAUDIBLE].

You guys wait here.

As soon as we break in,

I'll give you [INAUDIBLE].

Then you get the furs out

of the trunk, follow us.

OK.

Now watch for cops.

Understand?

Come on, Pinky.

We could never get [INAUDIBLE].

Well, why don't we just

leave the furs on the floor

here and beat it, Tommy?

That's what we'll have to do.

What'd you do?

What'd you do?

Tried to open a window

to call the fellas.

Well, you little stupid!

Don't you know all windows

have burglar alarms?

Well, I... I didn't know!

We gotta get out of here now.

Get up!

Beat it!

Beat it!

Now we're on our own.

Stick close to me.

Come on!

Ah, go ahead, Tommy.

I can't get over that fence.

I can't leave you here, Pinky.

Go on, the cop will get you!

Pinky!

Pinky!

"The dead boy, Pinky Jones, was

one of the delinquents paroled

to 'The Press' by juvenile

court Judge Hogan.

It is significant that he was

k*lled after trying to break

into the Mason Fur

Company from which

a quarter of a million

dollars worth of furs

had been stolen recently."

How vicious can they get?

Can't expect any sympathy

from "The Chronicle."

Pinky, that poor kid.

Yes?

Captain Henry and Lieutenant

Peterson to see you.

Send them in.

I wonder if they found anything.

We'll soon know.

Hello, Captain.

Hi, Steve.

Lieutenant.

You know Lorelei Kilbourne?

Oh, sure.

We found two sets of fingerprints

on the skylight

above the Mason loft.

Sorry, Steve.

But one set belonged

to Pinky Jones.

And the other?

We don't know yet.

We're going over to your

recreation center now.

I understand the boys are

practicing for the game

tonight.

That's right.

I'm taking pieces with me to

fingerprint the whole team.

We'll soon know

who was with Pinky.

Do you have to do

that before the game?

Well, why not?

Well, if one of

the boys is guilty,

I want you to get them, of course.

But suppose they're innocent.

We've got to find out who

that other boy was, Steve.

Lieutenant, uh, how long will it

take you to, uh, check

these fingerprints?

Oh, couple of hours.

Peterson's meeting me at the

gym after he does the lab work.

|'ll see you there.

All right.

Thanks, [INAUDIBLE].

You know we're in trouble,

don't you Curly Locks?

Hey Skinny.

Toss me my jacket, will you?

Get it yourself.

Look guys, about

last night, I'm...

We got to play this

game, but outside of that,

we don't want nothing

to do with you.

What's the matter with you guys?

If it wasn't for you,

Pinky'd be here right now.

Don't you think I know that?

Don't you think I'd

rather got that cop's

b*llet instead of him?

Do you have to keep sticking

that knife in and turning it?

You want to treat me

like dirt, go ahead.

You've got a right.

But snap out of it for

the game, will you?

You want to win the

game, don't you?

Pinky would've wanted it that way.

All right, Big Shots.

On the floor, ready to go.

All right, let's go.

What are you in

on the game, Louie?

Two and a half

[INAUDIBLE] the Big Shots.

-Give me [INAUDIBLE]

[INAUDIBLE] the Giants.

You're on.

Sucker.

Hey, [INAUDIBLE].

There's Louie now.

Why don't you ask him?

Come and sit down, Louie,

I want to ask you something.

Is there a lot of

betting on this game?

This game?

This is just a nice,

clean sport, ain't it?

There you are.

There was any [INAUDIBLE]

going on, Louie would know.

How'd you make out?

I paid another four

grand on the Giants.

Good.

[INAUDIBLE] is over.

About ready to go now.

The Big Shots will

defend the north

basket, the Giants the south.

And now here's the starting

line up for the Big Shots.

Uh, center, Frankie Snead.

Forwards, Connor

and Malone, captain

of the team, a valuable

basketball player.

And guards, uh, Dum

Dum Riggs and Peters.

[INAUDIBLE] counters

now. [INAUDIBLE]

dribble down the far side line.

Cutting in towards the middle

and flipping a fast pass

to Malone, who's in

there, and scores!

And a nice layup shot.

The Big Shots [INAUDIBLE]

two to nothing.

Some fancy passing

by [INAUDIBLE] now.

Got a nice pass in to

Holton, goes in to the hole,

and it's good!

[INAUDIBLE] with 2-0.

There's young Tommy Malone

with it now, a [INAUDIBLE].

And [INAUDIBLE], and it's good.

And the Big Shots go

out in front, 12-8.

Hope that kid ain't

pulling a switch on us.

Pulling too good to suit me.

We'll have a talk with

him between halves.

Al Barrows gets

the ball off the back board

now.

There's a long pass down to Boyd.

Boyd sh**ting, and it's good.

And the Giants now

trail just 20 to 17.

Come on, Frankie boy!

Come on, Frankie!

There's big

Frankie Snead now taking a one

hander from the foul

line, and no good.

And, uh, rebounding and picked

up by Riggs [INAUDIBLE].

He thinks [INAUDIBLE]

play nicely and drives in.

There she goes! [INAUDIBLE].

That's 24-19, That's the

g*n sound, [INAUDIBLE].

Shot's out in front,

and that's the way

it is at half time

in this epic contest

between the Big

Shots and the Giants.

24-19 at the half.

Oh, the boys are certainly

in there pitching.

Don't see Lieutenant

Peterson here.

Oh, don't worry.

The way those kids

are playing, they

haven't anything on their

minds except basketball.

And let's take a rundown on

the individual scoring now.

Well, Tommy Malone

is red hot tonight.

He scored 16 of his team's 24

points, a great performance.

Yeah?

I'm going to cut it short, kid.

I don't know whether

you're making it look good,

or what you're trying to do.

But the second half

better be different.

Double cross us and try to win it.

Take a look up

where we're sitting.

I'll have my heater

on you every minute.

Hey there, folks.

It's all on Louie.

Oh, Louie.

Popcorn.

-Why so big hearted, Louie?

[INAUDIBLE] on the game?

Boy, am I cleaning up.

I mean, uh, we're sure cleaning

up on the other team, ain't we?

Well, ready

to go for the second half now.

There's the center jump.

Frankie Snead passes to Malone.

Uh, Holton steals

the ball from Tommy

and [INAUDIBLE] some fancy

passing by the Giants now.

Holton is driving in [INAUDIBLE]

center, and it's good too.

The score is 24-21.

It's Riggs with the ball

now for the Big Shots.

sh**ting... no good.

Al Barrows of the

Giants picks it up.

It is a cross core pass, and

they flip to Boyd who scores.

24-33.

[INAUDIBLE], captain [INAUDIBLE].

There's Malone.

It's no good.

What's happened to Tommy?

That was an easy shot.

Tommy certainly has

lost his eye here

in the second half.

There's Peterson now.

I'm going to find out

about those fingerprints.

All Barrows of

the Giants has the ball now.

It's a long shot, and it's good!

The Giants go out in

front in this ballgame

for the first time.

25-24.

Two shots.

Two shots.

Malone is on the free throw line.

Two gift tosses, and they

could be important points.

No good.

Play this.

One shot.

Ready now for the second try.

Nope!

Nothing there.

Five, number five.

Foul on number five, pushing.

And now it's a foul on Malone.

He makes it.

Who's been deliberately throwing

the game right in

front of your eyes?

Not Tommy.

Yes, Tommy.

What's more, the

captain tells me there's

been a lot of wise money

laid on the Giants,

and I'll bet Tommy's

in on that too.

I can't believe this.

What a couple of saps.

And the Giants are now

out in front, 29-26.

These are the skylight prints,

and these are Tommy Malone's.

That's him there with the ball.

We'll have to pick him up.

You take care of these.

Right, Captain.

They're going to take

Tommy out of the game.

Afraid we've failed, Curly Locks.

And the basket

was scored by Tommy Malone.

Well, what a hectic ball game

this has turned out to be.

Malone's sensational

shot mid quarter's

put the Big Shots right

back in contention.

It's 29-28 now,

the Giants leading.

Oh, Malone has the

ball of the game.

If he scores, [INAUDIBLE]

ball game for the Big Shots.

He better not make this one.

Well, I ain't taking any chances.

And the game is over.

The Big Shots win by one

point on that sensational last

second shot by

captain Tommy Malone.

Malone... uh oh.

Malone is down on the floor.

He's bleeding!

What happened, Tommy?

It was Cato.

He shot me.

Something wrong.

He seems to be seriously hurt.

Captain, police!

Tommy's been shot!

What's that?

Those guys over there did it!

Joe Moreley and Cato!

Grab them, boys.

Hey Moreley!

Cato!

Stop there!

Take him in there.

Tommy Malone's

confession at the Big Town

Hospital has started

a general clean up

of the underworld

element in the city.

Even "The Chronicle"

let you down easy, Tommy.

Yeah, I know, but I got a

rap to take, and I deserve it.

Say, this won't ruin chances

for the guys, will it?

I mean, they won't

take them off parole?

Oh no.

After all, the other boys

have been doing fine.

Judge Hogan thinks our

experiment in juvenile work

is succeeding.

He's sending us three more boys.

Ah, that's swell.

Marion, why do you waste

your time on a guy like me?

I'm going to waste a lot more

waiting for you to come out.

What was that for?

Well, Mariam's probably

kissing Tommy right now,

and I don't see why I

should let the younger

generation get ahead of me.

Ah, that's a good question.

Also a good answer.