Boys of the City (1940)

[bunniefuu]

[lively orchestra music]

[train rumbling]

[boys clamoring]

[footsteps thumping]

- You see, Algy?

Emptier than Coney Island on Christmas.

It's been this way for
the last couple a weeks.

- Well, you can't blame
the boys, Knuckles.

After all, it's much too
hot to work out in a gym.

- Yeah, I know.

I could only think of some way

to get 'em off the streets.

They're bound to get
into some kind of a jam.

- Why don't ya talk to
the boys themselves?

- I have, they've been towing the mark.

Now the sponsor's got the idea

that I'm borrowin' worry, but I ain't.

Algy, I grew up on these streets.

They almost got me the chair.

And my g*ng wasn't any worse than Danny's.

- Where is the g*ng this morning?

- Search me.

[water pouring]
[can clanging]

[sighing]

[water pouring]
[can clanging]

- Hey, ain't you do with that water yet?

I wanna drink.

I'm hot.

- I'm roastin', can't we
do somethin' to cool off?

- Eh, ya could go swimmin' off the dock.

- Eh, the cops'll grab us for
not havin' no bathing suits.

- How 'bout the reservoir?

Nobody'd see us up there.

- Nobody but a hunk a brass
button guards they got.

- Eh, lay up,

will you, Scruno?
[water pouring]

Makin' me hotter with that coolin' system.

How 'bout the ice house?

- They run us outta there
yesterday, remember?

- Hey, why can't we dig up
some place with a shower?

That'd be somethin'.
[water pouring]

- I got it!

- What?
- Fireplug.

- Ah, the cops would grab us sure.

- What do you mean?

I seen a flame at 21 on Delancy Street,

just the other mornin'.

- That's different, they're legal.

- We'd only put it on for a few minutes.

- Yeah, just long enough to get cool.

- Man, I just loves wadin'.

- Yeah, let's do it.

- Well, if you guys know one

that ain't right out in
front of a police station.

- There's one right
down on Delancy Street.

There ain't no police
station there neither.

- Well what are we waitin' for?

[boys clamoring]

[boys clamoring]

[boys clamoring]

[boys clamoring]

[whistling]

[boys clamoring]

[boys clamoring]

[boys clamoring]

- Turn on the water!
- Open it!

[boys cheering]
[water splashing]

- Look at the beets!

Look at the beets!

Fresh.

What's the matter?

Nobody buy today?

What's the matter, nobody have [mumbles]

[water splashing]
[boys cheering]

[water splashing]
[boys cheering]

[water splashing]
[boys cheering]

[indistinct due to clamoring
and water splashing]

- Get outta here, you rats!

[boys clamoring]

- [Vendor] Tolley's got the best [mumbles]

ever in the street.

Hey, come over here!

You see the.
[vendor cart crashing]

Hey, hey!

[indistinct due to water
splashing and heavy accent]

[indistinct due to water
splashing and heavy accent]

Hey you, hey you!

What's the matter with you?

- Eh, what's the matter with you?

We was just takin' our fill.

[aggressively shouting]
[indistinct arguing]

[aggressively shouting]
[indistinct arguing]

[aggressively shouting]
[indistinct arguing]

- Police, police, police!

Police!

Police!

[whistle blowing]

- [Boy] Police.

[boys clamoring]

[boys clamoring]

- Police!

[boys clamoring]

[screaming]
[hollering]

[screaming]
[hollering]

- You're breakin' my arm!

- All right.

All right, I got your ringleaders.

- You got the right with them.
[groaning]

- It's just possible, Mister Wilkies,

that Dolan isn't the
right man for the job.

- You know his record.

Knuckles Dolan has the full confidence

of the cub's sponsors, Captain.

He is completely regenerated.

- I can understand that very easily.

Having his innocence established

just before he is to die
for committing a m*rder

should reform any man.

- I ain't a bit sorry for any of ya.

- But it's all hot.

- Yeah, what's a little water?

- You know, when the captain phoned me,

I had half a mind not to
bother tryin' to square it.

- Thanks anyway.

- Don't thank me.

Thank Algy.

He got his father to come down
here and go to bat for you.

- Did he?

- I hope he succeeded
with Danny and the others.

- I'm sure that he will,

and I want to thank you for
your cooperation, Captain.

- Keeping young boys
out of the reform school

is a hobby of mine,

but if Danny and his friends
get in any more trouble,

they can't any expect
any leniency from me.

- I'm sure there will be
no more trouble, Captain.

The boys will be very safe
where I am sending them.

- I hope so.

- Good day, Captain.

- Good luck.

[floorboards creaking]

- Uh-oh.

Here comes the old man

with another one of his lectures, I guess.

- Quiet, Mugs.

Where are you gonna send us, Mr. Wilkies?

- My summer home in the Adirondacks.

- I'd rather go to jail.

- Eh, summer camp, sissy stuff.

I ain't goin'.

- Not for this guy.

- Ditto.

- Me neither.

- What's doin' up there?

- Must you always have excitement?

- Let me talk to them, Father.

No wonder you don't wanna go, fellas.

It takes nerve to rough it in the country.

- Who says we ain't got no nerve?

- Listen to the guy.

- I read about them farms.

There ain't no future in that.

- You're crazy.

There's lots of excitement.

Exploring caves.

Tracking down wild animals.

Camping out at night.

Plenty to eat.

And no cops.

- Oh, m*rder!

Think of the things we could swipe.

- There's state cops.

I heard about 'em.

- And the fishing is great.

Imagine, early in the morning.

A rod and a reel, and a game fish.

- You hear that, guys?

He said fish.

- Fishin'

- And man, I just love some catfish.

- Mm.

- I promise you won't be bored.

- Well, it might be okay.

- It's up to you, boys.

It's either the mountains or.

- Okay, okay, we'll go.

Don't jump at confusions.

- I ain't gonna stay here alone.

- Good.

You will start this afternoon.

I have a station wagon,

which will be just right for the trip.

You drive, of course?

- Oh yeah, but I don't
know how good I'll be

where there ain't no traffic.

- You're not backing out
on us, are ya, Knuckles?

- Eh, course not.

I ain't got no lace on my undershirt.

- Good, then it's all settled.

It's Camp Wilkies or bust.

[boys clamoring]

- Let's go.

- Boy I'd be the open road for us.

- When do we start?

[boys clamoring]

[footsteps thundering]

- [Algy] All right.

- [Knuckles] All right, Algy, hop in.

- [Algy] Okay, Knuckles.

- [Boy] Hey, don't do it up there.

[boys clamoring]

[car door slamming]

[car engine revving]

[car engine revving]

[car door slamming]

[birds chirping]

[car door slamming]
[firearm sh**ting]

[car engine revving]
[multiple g*nshots firing]

[footsteps pounding]

- Yes?

Yes?

Thank you.

There's no boat sailing
for two days, Judge.

- Two days?

Two days?

That's too late, Giles.

- That's right, Judge.

Two whole days.

In that time, most anything can happen.

Probably will.

- That seems to amuse you.

- Hardly.

It's simply that I know that Maury g*ng.

Unless I'm very much mistaken,

they'll see to it that
you never have a chance

to testify against them.

They've too much at stake.

- Yes, I know.

They're threatenin' Louise, too.

And they got close enough to the apartment

to leave this in the mailbox.

If you and that ward of yours

wanna stay healthy,

keep away from that trial.

It means Louise, of course.

- That shouldn't worry you too much.

- No?

They could use her to
keep me from testifying.

And in the face of such publicity,

what could I do but stay
off the witness stand?

- Whatever happens, you can't win.

If you evade the g*ng,

the courts will convict you
on that bribery indictment.

- I'd rather take my chances at the trial.

Meantime, I'd better get outta town.

- Where?

- Briarton Manor.

- That mountain house of yours?

- It ought to be safe.

- How do you get out of here?

- We wait until tonight.

You bring the car around
to the back alley.

We'll come through the basement.

- You're going to take Louise along?

- Of course!

Tell her to pack.

And hurry!

[door clattering]

- You sent for me, Miss Louise?

- Yes, Simp.

I want you take those bags downstairs.

- Goin' someplace?

On a trip, maybe, with the Judge?

- Yes, Simp.

You're going too, in fact,

We're all going.

- Where?

- Well I don't know just where.

It's Uncle Mal's orders.

- Aw gee, I wish he'd had told me.

I can't go no place
without callin' me mother.

I didn't have no idea.

[footsteps tapping]

- Why aren't those bags
on the way downstairs?

- Simp wants to call his mother.

- He will call nobody.

[phone clattering]

Those phone wires may be tapped.

- Tapped?

- Yes.

With my trial coming off next
week, I can't trust anybody.

Take them to the basement door, Simp.

- The basement?

But why all the secrecy, Uncle Mal?

- Reporters, photographers.

I don't want them
trailing me every second.

- Where are we going?

- Briar place.

- That place?

With that spooky old Agnes?

Oh, she scares me, Uncle Mal.

- Nonsense.

She's a little peculiar,
living there alone

since my wife died.

- I don't like her.

- She was devoted to Lenora.

That's why I pensioned her and
let her stay on at the manor.

- I suppose it's better
than staying here alone.

But it's so gloomy.

It reminds me of a morgue.

- Is it haunted, Miss Louise?

- I don't think so,

but it needs a good ghost
to give it a little life.

- Come, Louise.

The car is waiting.

[metallic clinking]
Come on, Simp.

[foot steps tapping]

[metallic clinking]

- Get going.

We'll make Briar trip by midnight.

I don't think anyone's seen us.

[car engine revving]

[car horn honking]

[car wheels squealing]

[car engine revving]

- How do you like that?

Another flat tire.

Why the freaks on 11th
Avenue could beat this lump.

- Ya like our service?

Tell on us.

If you don't like it, tell us.

Well, I'm tellin' ya!

- Now look here, fella.
- I'm looking, I'm lookin'.

All I can see is a flat tire.

- Camp Wilkies or bust.

Well, we're a bust, aren't we?

- You drive, of course?

That's what he asked Knuckles.

Ya forgot to ask us if we could push.

- Push?

Oh no.

That's not for me.

- I'm leavin' a cool.

Wake me when it's fixed.

Hey, boy.

Bring me some ice water, will ya?

- Yes, sir!

Say, I's a guest here, too.

I say.

[car engine revving]

[metallic clanging]

- All right, boys, load up.

How much farther, Algy?

- Oh about 30 miles or so.

[boys clamoring]

[car door slamming]

[car engine revving]

[car engine revving]

[car horn honking]

[car tires squealing]

[car thumping]

- Get help!

Help!

- Lemme outta here.

- Why that dirty.
- I'd like to.

[car engine revving]

- Lemme outta here.

- I got annoyed.

- Sunday drivers, Sunday drivers!

- Gimme my piece, gimme my piece!

- Help, help!

I'm squashed!

- Somewhat screw up, get up here!

What's the matter?
[writhing]

Hey Danny, he's black and blue.

[car rattling]

- Anything wrong knuckles?

- Yeah, I think that rear-end's damaged.

- Ah.

- I think that's my troubles too.

[laughing]

[car engine revving]

[car tires squealing]

[car rattling, squealing, and sputtering]

- What is it, Giles?

What's the matter?

- I don't know.

- Are you sure you'll have enough gas?

- I filled up in town.

- Feed lines been leakin'.

I noticed that last week.

- I had that repaired.

We might've sprung it again.

The indicator reads empty,

- Empty, and that's what comes

of dealing with a pack of imbeciles.

Where are you going?

- We passed a gas station back away.

I'll bring a mechanic.

- All right Giles, but hurry.

- I'll be right back.
[car door slamming]

[car engine exploding]

- Well what is this?

- What is this?

What happened?

- The motor exploded.

A spark must've lit the gas from the leak.

- It's a b*mb.

A time b*mb.

- b*mb!

But, but why?

- We've got to get off this road.

Giles, do something.

You must do something.

[sobbing]

- Well, I'll try to flag this car.

[car engine revving]

[car engine stops]

[car door squeaking]

- In trouble?

- Yes, I have a blow out.

Get it into the bank.

Could you give us a lift?

- [Boys] No.

- Keep quiet, fellas.

Sure, we will be glad to have ya.

Tell him to get in.

- Thank you,

Simp!

Get the baggage.

All right, Louise.

- Ya going far?

- The Briarcliff Manor.

About five miles up the road.

- Well we're practically there then.

- Step in the back, folks.

- Plenty of room back here.

Don't crowd the front of the car.

[boys clamoring]

Have your exact fans ready.

Women and children first.

- I'm Judge Malcolm Parker.

- Judge.

[car door slamming]

- Five million guys thumbin'
their way along the road.

And we gotta pick up a judge.

That's fate.

[suitcases loudly knocking]
[boys clamoring]

[car engine revving]

[car door slamming]

[birds chirping]

[car engine revving]

[boys clamoring]

[car doors slamming]
[suitcases knocking]

[whistling]

- I ain't seen nothin' like this before.

Man.

Ghosts! [gasping]

- That graveyard has
stood there for centuries.

All my wife's ancestors are buried there.

So is she.

It's exclusively for the family.

- Mister, you has my word.

I, I won't to intrude on your family.

- Don't see any lights.

Where is Agnes?

I wonder.

- Well, that's that.

Rear-ends shot.

- What a heap.

- Yeah, I guess our bus is about done for.

I don't suppose you could
put us up for the night?

- Of course not.

We haven't the room.

- Boys, I guess we're gonna have to walk.

We'll send back for the baggage.

- Nice people.

[screaming]

- Hey lady, don't do that!

- What are ya tryin' to do?

Scare us to death, lady?

- The graveyard!

- Didn't you ever see a tombstone before?

- It was a man.

- It was a shadow.

Wasn't it, Giles?

Wait a minute, boys.

Oh, Simp.

Bring their baggage upstairs with ours.

- Okay, Boss.

- I'd be delighted to
have you stay with us.

Come on, boys.

[footsteps knocking]
- Whoa.

- Help!

Ghost, ghost, ghost! [sobbing]

- Calm yourself, calm yourself.

You don't believe in ghosts, do you?

- No, sir.

I don't believe in 'em.

I scared of 'em.

- What ails you?

- I saw a face.

A ghost's face.

- Nonsense.

It's probably Agnes, my housekeeper.

She's a little peculiar.

Come along.

[footsteps knocking]
[boys clamoring]

- Confound it, where is she?

- I telephoned her to expect us.

- This place make me awful nervous.

- And my stomach is
doing the jumping jive.

- Rubbish.

There's nothing to fear,

- Nothing to fear?
[footsteps knocking]

Then what's all the screaming about.

- Where is she?

[door knocking]

[door knocking]

[indistinct due to volume]
[suitcases thumping]

- Must be makin' a red cap out of it.

All them kids, and I gotta

bring their bags in.
[gold clubs clattering]

I got a way them.

Try to shine them.

What kinda guy does he think I am anyhow?

[suitcases thumping]

Well, wasn't?

[door knocking]

[birds chirping]

- Perhaps one of you boys'll
go around the back, climb

in the window, and unlatch this door?

- That's a good idea.

- Yeah.

- You go.

- What don't you go?

- He's goin'.

- You go.

- I would, but I can't convince my feet.

[boy clamoring]
- What's that?

- It's a light.

- Good evening.

- Why is the house dark?

- Won't you come in?

[birds chirping]

[leaves rustling]

- That's better.

You should've had this fire going.

- Lenora never likes heat.

- Lenora's dead.

- What makes this place so cold?

- It's age.

- And there's never any warmth

where the dead do not rest.

- Tommy rot.

- Oh, good evening, Cook.

- Good evening, sir.

- We have guests.

Unexpected guests.

Serve dinner for them.

We'll eat a little later.

- Yes, sir.

- Where are you going?

- I must get a little rest
and wash up for dinner.

Hey Boss, this stuff's heavy.

Where do I put it?

- Take it up to my suite.

- You show the boys to my quarters, Agnes.

Perhaps you'd like to
get ready for dinner?

It'll be served shortly.

- Come on, boys.

[door knob clicking]

[footsteps tapping]

- Why do you wanna clutter
up the house with that mob?

- That time b*mb has me worried.

Maybe Maury's g*ng has followed me here.

Those boys may prevent a m*rder.

- Yes.

Maybe.

- Come along boys.

[staircase creaking]

- Feel just like Snow White.

She gives you an apple, don't eat it.

[footsteps tapping]

- Man, I sure do miss that ol' plantation.

[staircase creaking]

[book page rustling]

[candlestick clattering]

- You cannot escape.
[knife releasing]

[paper rustling]

[door rattling]

[footsteps tapping]

- Oh, there you are.

I wondered where.

What's the matter?

Have you seen a ghost?

- I told you they'd trail me.

I'm not safe.

- I haven't seen any strangers.

- I did.

At that window, only five minutes ago.

- It's your imagination.

How could they find out you were up here?

- I don't know.

They must have a map of the house.

I found this note stuck
in the wall right there.

I'll sleep in Louise's room tonight.

- Aren't they after her too?

- I'll put Louise in the adjoining room,

so she can hear if anything happens to me.

And I can hear if anything happens to her.

- You'd like for something to happen

to Louise, wouldn't you?

[footsteps tapping]

With Louise outta the way,

your slow embezzling of her fortune

would never be found out.

- With me outta the way you

could get ahold of her and her money.

Perhaps, you know something
about these death threats.

- Don't be ridiculous.

Cigarette?

No, let's go into dinner.

[footsteps tapping]

[doorknob clicking]

[floorboards creaking]

[items on tray clattering]
[boys clamoring]

[boys clamoring]

- Oo boy.

- Oo, boy, I don't like that woman.

And I don't like that graveyard.

But watermelon is watermelon anytime!

Man oh man, mm.

[utensils clattering]

- Pardon me, Jackson?

Which one of these tools do you use?

- Do what you always do.

Use your mitts.

- Eh, use 'em.

- Where's Knuckles?

Isn't he coming to eat?

- He takin' a bath.

That kid's gonna get sick
from washin' himself so much.

[dishes clattering]

- Oh what have we got here?

Cigars!

- [All] Cigars!

[candelabra clinking]

[boys clamoring]

[candelabra clinking]

- Cigars ain't for kids.

- Have you got a matchbook?

[boys clamoring]

[coughing]

[foot thumping]

- Get him into the board.

Get me his quotation with the punk, see?

What we need is more cooperation.

- I protest.

- Sit down.
[thumping]

- Now we gotta stop amalgamated

from musclin' in on a small car wreck.

And see that's the
first thing we gotta do.

- I protest!

- Sit down.

- Who is that guy?

- That's the president.

- Throw him out, throw him out.

[lips tooting]

[coughing]

[indistinct due to coughing]

[coughing]

[coughing]
[indistinct due to volume]

- The best part of a
cigar is the last inch.

[chair thumping]

[footsteps thumping]

- What's up, Danny?

- I got sick.

- Uh, sissies.

- They shouldn't eat so much.

- Was the cigars, not the food.

- Yeah, well that serves 'em right.

Ya need any help, Danny?

- Nah, I'll be all right.

I only took a couple puffs.

- Cigars ain't for kids.

Come on.

[footsteps thumping]

- Agnes, we're ready for dinner.

Say, haven't I seen you somewhere before?

- Yes sir, I was on trial in your court.

I'm Knuckles Dolan.

- Knuckles Dolan?

- That's right.

You sentenced me to death for m*rder.

I was innocent afterwards.

Exonerated.

Remember?

I'm up here with the boys, their guardian.

- He's up here to m*rder me?

I remember now.

He's a member of Maury g*ng.

Those boys are just a cover up.

- I'm not a member of any g*ng.

- You're upset.

It's just a coincidence.

- He trailed me up here.

He's been watching me.

Spying.

- This place would drive
anybody drip dizzy,

and you're no exception.

- I saw you

at the living room window,

not 20 minutes ago.

- I was upstairs.

- Dinner is ready.

- Dinner.

Who could eat dinner with
a m*rder*r in the house?

- You should talk.

You've been indicted for bribery.

And you're goin' to jail yourself.

- You.

I'll have you watched every moment.

He will not get away with it.

Come along Johnny.

I'm going to bed.

You can eat later.

- Aww gee, and I was so hungry.

- Well why don't ya eat?

- He ain't payin' me for that.
[footsteps tapping]

- What a wacky joint.

Hey Knuckles, let's get outta here.

We can walk.

- That's my idea too, Danny.

- Don't go, please.

- Well I, I'd welcome.

- Would you stay and help
me please, Mister Dolan?

- Why do you need help?

- [sobbing] I'm in danger.

Judge Parker has been threatened.

I've been threatened too.

The Judge has been embezzling my money.

He wouldn't care if
something did happen to me.

Don't leave this evening.

I'm so afraid.

I'll go with you in the morning, if I may?

- Okay, it's a deal.

- Oh, thank you.

- Hi kid.

- Hi.

- Hey, what's the matter?

[mattress squeaking]

- Oh, it's this whole set up.

And you.

- Oh, you mean to go Judge Parker

thinks I'm up here to murdering.

- He don't believe him
[mumbles] been after us

and all that stuff.

If the Maury g*ng come
up here and get 'im,

they'll drag you in on it.

We just gotta get outta here, Knuckles.

- We will in the mornin'.

- It's that girl.

- Miss Mason needs
somebody to protect her.

- I don't mean any harm, Knuckles.

It's just that, I couldn't go it

if you was to get in another jam.

- Yeah, I know.

But there ain't any danger then.

- I'd like to believe that.

It seems to be danger all around here.

Death threats and people
peepin' in windows,

and that old Agnes.

- Yeah.

But don't worry about me, Danny.

- But suppose they do bump off the Judge?

Well, they'll try to pin it on you.

And gee, that'd be awful.

They might make it stick next time.

- Look Danny, I ain't never gonna

do nothin' that'll hurt ya.

But I ain't leavin' here 'til daylight.

Look you wouldn't want me
to run out like a coward

with Miss Mason on the spot.

Would ya?

- No, I guess I wouldn't.
- Yeah.

- Well, watch your step
and don't even trust her.

- Okay, kid.

Say, don't you think your
kids oughta be gettin' to bed?

Daylight's comin' pretty fast.

- It can't come too fast to suit me.

Where ya goin'?

- Oh around, come on.

[doorknob clicking]
[door squeaking]

[chuckling]

[door thumping]

[box clattering]

- Don't go, pretty lady.

Don't go, yet.

- What are ya want?

- You have such nice, soft, white skin.

Lenora had white skin like that

until it became yellowed and shriveled.

What a pity.

Pretty lady.

If your skin should lose its likeness.

- What do you mean?

- Strange things happen
when the moon is full

and Lenora cannot rest.

- Stop this nonsense.

- Stay here.

Lenora would like that.

- Just what do you.

[screaming]

[screaming]

[footsteps stomping]

- Gee, I wonder why they
keep this place so dark.

- You're not afraid, are ya?

- Who me?

- Have you seen Miss Mason?

- Judge Parker is trying to sleep.

Miss Mason has retired, which
shows her excellent judgment.

- Maybe he's right.

But Louise said she'd
meet me in the library.

Come on.

- I tell ya, Judge looked scared.

And that man, Giles, was
tryin' to calm him down.

Why I was as close to him as I am to you.

- I never had a front seat in a killin'.

- That old station wagon
had her break down like 'em

to pick out a better place.

- Yeah, maybe one of those camps, maybe.

We coulda been splashin' around a canoe

instead a jitter buggin' with our teeth.

- Is it my fault?

Next time I'll tell my
father to leave you in jail.

- You won't tell him.

We'll tell him.

Hey, that old dame said a couple of us

could sleep next door.

Come on Pee Wee.

- What a minute.

Knuckles said for us to go to bed.

We're leavin' early in the mornin'.

- Does he think there's
gonna be any trouble tonight?

- Nah, there's somethin'
funny about this old morgue.

It's so big and empty.

And yet, it's seems to be full of noises.

- There's lottsa houses like that.

Nothin' to be afraid of.

- Nothin' to be afraid of?

But even my goose pimples
got goose pimples.

[creepy organ music playing]

[creepy organ music ends]

Oo, what was that?

- It's only the organ in the living room.

- You ain't kiddin'.

- No, my grandmother used to have one.

- But everybody's in bed.

- Somebody ain't.

- Let's see.

- Yeah.
- Come on.

[boys clamoring]

- What's the matter, Squirrel?

Ain't you comin'?

- Comin'?

You feel that hot air on your neck?

Brother, that's my breath.

[footsteps thumping]

- Shh.

- Quiet, shh.

- What's a matter?

- Do ya see it, Danny?

It's a flashlight.

- I don't see no.

- It's them ghost-es again.

- It's probably that old Agnes,.

If I gotta choose between
Angus and those ghosts.

I'm going to take jail.

- Cut that comedy, will ya?

Nothin' to be afraid of.

Come on.

Let's see what it is.

[indistinct due to unclear annunciation]

Hi ya off.

- Go ahead, you first Danny.

[footsteps tapping]

[creepy organ music playing]

[creepy organ music ends]

- Still in there.

- Let's go back.

- Shh, let's rush 'em.

- Okay, let's go.
- Let's go.

- Yeah let's go first.

- Okay, come on!

[footsteps thundering]

- Nobody here.

- It's them ghost-es again.

- Hey, ghost don't play your organs.

- Maybe they learn how.

- Lenora wouldn't like that.

That's Lenora's organ.

She plays it every night.

- Lenora.

That's Missus Parker isn't it?

- Lenora cannot rest.

Her grave is ever empty at nights.

- Hey, you can't scare
us with that dribble.

- It's not a question of fear.

But of your safety.

- Go fly a kite.

- Lenora will never rest
until she gets revenge on him.

Malcolm Parker wronged her cruelty.

But he'll pay.

[diabolical laughing]

Remember, I warned you.

Leave this house tonight.

[diabolical laughing]

- She's crazy.

- She makes sense to me.

- Ghosts playing organs, phooey.

She was pushin' those keys herself.

- Aw come on, fellas.

Let's go to bed.

- You know, that's the best
idea you've had all night.

Yeah.

- Yeah!
[boys clamoring]

[footsteps thundering]

- Gee, it's so dark.

- That's all right.

Don't worry.

I'm right with ya.

- Yeah, me too.

- I can't see a thing.

[yelling and clamoring]

- Eh it's Simp.

- What's the idea sneakin'
up and choppin' me?

- We didn't know you were up yet?

What was you doin' hidin' out here?

- I wasn't hidin' out.

I was guardin' the Judge.

- Well until you through
make this far down the hall.

[boys clamoring]

- What are ya doin' here, huh?

[boys clamoring]

- What's going on out here?

- We heard a noise, sir.

We were investigating.

- Well, go back to bed.

It's Simp's business to do
the investigating around here.

- Yeah, so there.

- Well I guess we owe
you an apology, Simp.

- Yeah maybe we owe it to him,

but I ain't given it to him.

- So long as it's on the
cuff, you can have mine too.

- I get blamed for everything around here.

- Eh your crazy.

I tell ya.

There ain't no such thing as ghosts.

- My grand mamie seen a real heart once.

- She must've needed some glasses.

- I guess she aughta know what she see.

- And I don't believe in ghosts.

You went to that old graveyard
down there and everything.

I just assume go down there
and walk through it now.

I ain't if.

[ghoulish screams]

- Ghost-es, ghost-es, ghost-es!

[footsteps stomping]

[ghoulish screams]

I told you so.

I told you so.

- Maybe it's Missus
Parker, but she's dead.

- Maybe someone forgot to tell her.

- You said you weren't
afraid of the graveyard.

Go with me now.

See what it is.

- Yeah, go on, go on, go on.

What do you got to lose?

- Ghosts are nothin' to be afraid of.

There's nothin' in a
graveyard, but a few stones.

- You [stuttering] wanna go right now?

[boys clamoring]

- I'll go.

You go.

Come on, we'll go.

- Comin' fellas?

- [All] What?

- Yeah you, come on.

- Well I just stay here by myself.

[boys clamoring]

- No, don't hang onto me.

[boys clamoring]

- You.

No.

No!

[gagging, gasping, and choking]

[body thumping]
- Help!

Help somebody, help!
[footsteps pounding]

Help... Help!

Help... Help!

- What's cookin'?

[boys clamoring]

- The Boss is dead!

m*rder*d!

- [All] m*rder*d!

[boys clamoring]

- m*rder*d!

- Go and check.
[footsteps thumping]

[indistinct due to crosstalk]

- When did it happen?

[footsteps thumping]

- Knuckles, Knuckles!

I know what I told ya so!

- Take it easy, kid.

I didn't bump off nobody.

- You strangled Judge Parker with a cord

from one of your own bedroom drapes.

And you made away with Miss Mason, too.

- You mean Miss Louise.
- No Miss Mason to you.

She's vanished.

Not a trace of her.

Simp and I looked, before we caught you.

You kidnapped her, so you
can get through her bedroom

to m*rder the judge.

- That's a lie.

- Stand still or I won't wait

for the chair to finish you.

- Where you goin'?

- To call the police.

- But I didn't do it, I tell ya.

Somebody must have sneaked
that cord outta my room.

- Take that g*n off my brother.

- And let him get away?

Nothing doing.

No pardons for him this time.

- But I didn't do it, I tell ya.

Look.

Say, where were you
when all this happened?

- Yeah, where were ya?

- Yeah, had him spotted for a k*ller

since the first time I saw him.

- Look at them shifty eyes.

- And where was you?

- In the room, across the
hall from the Judge's.

Though why should explain
to you, I don't know.

- I think you oughta explain to me.

I'm the bodyguard.

- You do some explaining.

Where were you?

You're a fine body guard.

- Well I don't mind talkin',
but it's your turn now.

Go ahead, go ahead,
ask him some questions.

- How did you happen to find the Judge?

Or did you?

- Yes.

I thought I heard a noise
in the upstairs hall,

I went in to see if he was all right.

He was dead.

- Was the door locked?

- He locked it when I left him earlier

in the evening, but I found it open.

- And still ghost-es again.

- Yeah, well ghosts don't cut phone wires.

[telephone clattering]

- Uh, we can't get any
fingerprints off that phone now.

- Gee, I must've missed him.

- It's worse than that.

We can't call the police.

- Who'd ever think that I'd
be lookin' for the police.

- Now we'll have to send somebody.

- Don't look at me.
- Not me.

- Brother has a whole lotta mileage.

- Who would you suggest?

- Maybe Simp.

- Oh, I ain't goin' out when
there's no k*ller loose.

- And that k*ller's gettin' away

while you dumbbells are holding me.

And Louise may be in
trouble right this minute?

- Stop the dramatics.

You know where she is, all right.

Go on.

Simp and I'll keep an eye on you

in the living room until morning.

[footsteps tapping]

- Hey ya, Knuckles!

- All right, frisk 'em.

Now you two can do the
waitin' for the cops.

You kids get some rope,
curtain cords or something'.

- You favor curtain cords, don't you?

- We'll tie up these babies,

put 'em in an upstairs room,

and leave a guard on 'em.

Scram!

- I'll be a guard.

I learned how to handle a g*n at school.

- Swell, you can have one of
the other kids for company.

- And the rest of us
can look for Miss Mason.

- And the k*ller.

- We must find Louise.

- Who do you think you're deceiving?

You're only waiting to get us
tied up before skipping out.

- All right Pete, you can help Algy.

Step lively.

- This is the first time I was ever

on the wrong end of a g*n.

[footsteps tapping]

- All right, Algy, watch 'em close.

If anything goes wrong, fire that g*n.

- Where are you going?

- Outside to search the grounds.

I'll put Danny and the other boys

to work searchin' the house.

- I suppose it hasn't entered
that thick skull of yours

that the pure are innocent.

We are too.

Agnes might know something about all this.

- Yes it has.

But the way I see it,

and from what Louise tells
me about you and the Judge,

you're as guilty as if
you'd spilled the beans.

And that lets Agnes out.

Take it easy.

[door slamming]

- Have Peter watchin' Simp and Giles.

Pee Wee, you and Scruno see

if ya can find Agnes and the Cook.

They might know somethin'.

- What do we do with them if we catch 'em?

- Just hold 'em and yell for Knuckles.

- I'd rather hold the Cook.

Holden Agnes ain't my idea a romance.

- Hey, I'm goin' outside.

So if you find them, be sure
and holler good and loud.

- Mugs and me are takin'
care of this room.

And the rest is downstairs.

- Hey, just in case we got

the wrong guys tied up,
watch your step, kid.

- And look here.

Can we all stick together?

I kinda likes a crowd.

- Come on.

[golf club clattering]
- This oughta do it.

- Hey, ain't you too old to
be lookin' for Santa Claus?

- I don't know.

m*rder*r's sometimes used chimneys.

- Ya know, this joint kinda reminds me of

those old castles with dark
passageways and secret panels.

And all that junk.

[organ playing]

- Cut it out, will ya?

This ain't no time for music practicin'.

- Do ya think this organ has
something to do with secret?

Ya know, we heard it morning just

before that ghost showed up.

Then Agnes says not to touch it.

And Knuckles said, Miss Mason
was to meet him in this room.

She vanished from this room.

I'll betcha there's a secret panel.

- Your crazy.

You've been seein' too many movies.

- Movies.

That's it.

Say.

What's a thin man got, that I ain't got?

- Why, know why.

- Hand me a little time.

Boy, give me a little time.

[organ playing]

- Say Danny.

You know what I think?

You know what I think?

Hey Danny, why don't cha.

Hey Danny!

Hey Danny!

- Help, Mugs!

Hey!
[bookshelf thumping]

Hey Mugs!

Check the!

- Steel organ.

[organ playing]

Hey, what's the matter?

Ya hurt?

- No, I'm all right, I guess.

- Did somebody grab ya, or what?

- No, I was just leanin'
and I fell in some place.

- Hey, it's a secret passage [mumbles].

Call Knuckles, call.

- No, no.

You and me is gonna explore it.

- Oh no, not me.

- You're gonna explore it.

I'll stand guard.

- Listen, you're comin' in with me.

- Oh, well I been so near
dead a million times tonight,

I might as well get it over with.

- I'll get a candle.

You go ahead.

- Oh no.

I don't mind waitin'.

It's all right.

[footsteps thumping]

- Can we get a match?

- Yeah, sure.
[matchstick crackling]

Stop shakin' the candle, will ya?

- Your crazy.

Light it, light it.

That's it.

[floorboards creaking]

- Go ahead, go ahead.

- Don't rush me.

I'm goin'.

I'm goin'.

[footsteps tapping]

- Go ahead, go ahead.

Go on, don't be scared.

Go ahead.

[footsteps tapping]

Eh, I, I think I oughta get
back and get some help, huh?

- Wait a minute.

I think you better go first.

[footsteps tapping]

- Stop shovin', I ain't in no hurry.

C'mon.

[candle extinguishes]

Jeepers creepers.

[match igniting]

Thanks.

Help.

Help!

Mugs, Mugs!

Help!

- Keep quiet, will ya?

[coughing]

- Mugs!

- Aww, what's the matter wid ya?

- My candle went out and somebody lit it.

- Eh, your seein' things.

- I didn't see nothin'.

I felt him.

- Eh, then stop feelin' things.

We got work to do.

Come on now.

[footsteps tapping]

Stop kicking this.

- I'm gone.

[footsteps thumping]

- Hey, the turn's over here.

You go that way, I'll go this way.

Come on, give me half the candle.

- Okay
- Wait a minute.

I got me knife, yeah.

- C'mon.
- I f*ck' burned me!

- Do ya find some?

Do you wanna match?

[footsteps squeaking]

- All right, go ahead.

Now you see anything?

Just yell.

[lips blowing] Okay.

- Don't forget to yell yourself.

- I won't.

[Door clanging]

[Door squeaking]

[footsteps tapping]
[floorboards creaking]

[candle clattering]

This looks like the ghost.

[fabric rustling]

[recoiling]

It is the ghost.

Hey Danny!

[footsteps thumping]

- Ghost!

Help.

Mugs!

Mugs!

Help!

Help Mugs!

Mugs!

Help!

- What are ya talkin' for?

It's me!
[screaming]

Danny, I'm tellin' ya, it's me!

It's Mugs!
[screaming]

- Let go of me!

- What's the matter wid ya?

I'm tellin' ya, it's Mugs!

Look at me, look at me!

[labored breathing]

- What?

You.

Why do ya wanna scare
the life outta me for?

- Yeah, I found these things
in the room back there.

I think it belongs to Agnes.

- Why would Agnes want go

around makin' believe she was a ghost?

- Wants to scare us outta the place

so she can knock of the Judge!

[labored breathing]

- That's right.

- There might be some
more stuff back there.

Come on, let's look.

Come on, you go first this time.

- Why you makin' me go first?

I ain't even scared enough yet?

- And we gotta tell Knuckles.

Simp and Giles didn't
k*ll Parker, Agnes did.

- Maybe you're right.

She sure thought he was poison.

- Yeah.

That must be Missus Parker's.

- Hey, ya don't suppose
she's in it, do ya?

Nah, she's out gettin' a manicure.

Can I just explain a little
about the ghost stuff?

Come on.

We gotta find Knuckles and report.

- Hey, you're not gonna
go that way, are ya?

- Why not?

- That, that man.

- Man I knew, man.

We gotta go.

Ya think I'm gonna to stay in this dungeon

the rest of my life?

Come on.

[footsteps tapping]

[footsteps thumping]

- Hey, I wonder where
that k*ller's hid out.

- Bewaaaaaaaare.

Bewaaaaaaare!

Oo.

- What was that?

- Somethin' tells me, we ain't alone.

[candle clattering]
- There he is!

- Let's get him!

- Come on!

[footsteps thumping]

Hey, watch it!

- What was that?

- That's a sick girl.

- She's dead!

- No she ain't.

She's unconscious.

We gotta get her back to that house.

- But how?

- We'll carry her.

She ain't so heavy.

You take her feet, I'll take her head.

- Okay, what'll I do with this?

- Throw it away.

- And get back in the dark
with that k*ller loose?

- There's only one thing that's important.

That's her.

Come on.
- Do not tell me

it ain't good.

Take her head.

- K.

[grunting]

- The light goes where I go.

Ya wanna get separated in the dark?

[footsteps thumping]

- Go yell out the window for Knuckles.

- Okay.

Hey Knuckles!

- Yeah, what is it?

- [Mugs] We got the girl!

We got her, we got her, we.

- Go get some water.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- Oh you.

- Well, still, get a move on.

- Okay, okay, I'll get it.

- [chuckling] So they got her too.

Judge Parker always
preferred a young girl.

That's what broke Lenora's heart.

- Oh, I got the comedy, Agnes.

We know all about ya.

[hands rubbing]

He must be makin' that water.

[door rattling]
[footsteps pounding]

- Where was she?

How did ya find her?

- Well Mugsy thought
there was somethin' funny

about that organ over there.

- Hey Squirrel, Squirrel.

- Yeah, what?

[footsteps thumping]

What's the matter?

What's the matter?

- I heard somebody yellin'.

- Who?

Maybe somebody else is dead. [sobbing]

- Nah, sound more like
Mugs callin' Knuckles.

C'mon, let's go downstairs

and find out.
- All right.

All right.

[screaming]

Man, if it ain't one thing, it's another.

This house is giving me the creeps.

Creepy house.

Dead folks.

I wish my mamie were
here. [crying and sobbing]

I can't, oh no, how can
get out, grave ghosts.

[indistinct due to crying and sobbing]

- And the man ran down the alley

and we brought her back here.

- Here Danny, you take over.

I'm goin' after him.

[footsteps pounding]

- Oh, you found her, huh?

- Yeah.

- We didn't find that Cook.

- No?

- And where were you?

- With Lenora.

- Eh, she's off again.

Why don't you change that needle?

[hand lightly slapping]

Come on, wake up, babe.

Will ya?

[firearm sh**ting]

[footsteps thumping]

[grunting]
[fists pounding]

[clattering]
[heavy breathing]

[bodies thumping]
[grunting]

[grunting]

[footsteps pounding]

Been a long time since we heard that shot.

- Too long, I'm scared.

- I'm too scared to be scared anymore.

- Oh, leave it to Knuckles.

- Yeah, you okay, Knuckles?

- Yeah, I'm all right.

How is she?

- Ah, she'll come around
one of these years.

- Well you needn't to get sore about it.

- Oh, it's not her, Knuckles.

It's just that I'm so
glad to see you're okay.

- Hey he's a tremblin' mug, ain't he?

You gonna let Giles and Simp go

now that you got him?

- Yeah, I forgot about 'em.

Go tell Algy to cut 'em loose.

- No, no don't do that.
- Take it easy.

I'll give the order around here.

Go ahead, Mugs.

- Hey, she's comin' around.

- Are you all right, Louise?

[hands light clapping]

Well, the cops'll be glad
to find ya waitin' for 'em.

- Come on, come on.

Hurry up.

- Just wait until I get
my hands on that Dolan.

- Go on.

Start something.

- Oh, I'd like to start sleepin',

if you don't mind.

- Sleeping?

With all this 'citement goin' on?

- So what?

You got your k*ller.

You found Miss Louise.

Nothing to do now 'till the cops get here.

I'm goin' to bed.

- Yes, I am too.

Well, go on, get outta here.

- C'mon fellas.

[footsteps tapping]

Happy dreams.

[door clattering]

- I wanted to stay in the background

so that I'd have a better
chance of trapping the k*ller.

That's why I wanted the
boys to find Miss Mason.

I led them to her.

- You can prove this?

- If you let me reach my hand

in my pocket.
- [indistinct] I'll

do the reachin'.

Which pocket?

- Inside coat one.

[paper rustling]

- Jim Harrison.

District Attorney's Office.

- Yes.

Little the worse for wear.

- Well, I'm sorry.

- Aw, that's all right.

- Hey, then you ain't the k*ller.

- I'm sorry to disappoint you.

I came out here to see to
it that nothing happened

to prevent Judge Parker from
appearing for his trial.

- You didn't do a very good job of it.

- Yes I'm afraid the DA will say,

- Hey, she's the k*ller.

Mugs found the ghost of
Missus Parker's grave.

She tried to get rid of
us, so she could k*ll him.

- Is that right?

Is this boy telling the truth?

Why did you do it?

Why did you k*ll Judge Parker?

- I didn't k*ll him.

Oh, I admit I wanted to k*ll him

for the way he treated poor Lenora.

- Lenora?

- Lenora was Judge Parker's wife.

She lived here shunning the world

during her last years,
because of his cruelty.

- So ya k*lled him for revenge.

- No, I planned to k*ll him.

That's why I pretended to be a ghost.

To get these children to leave the manor.

But when I went to k*ll him, he was dead.

- Stop lying.

You k*lled Malcolm Parker.

- I didn't k*ll him.

But I'm glad he's dead.

- This is gonna be a long, hard job.

And I could do it better
without such a large audience.

If you kids wanna help, go and
see if you can find the Cook.

- The Cook?

That's right, he's still missin'.

- Hey, we looked all over for him before.

- C'mon, fellas!

Let's go!

- I sure could go for some of that.

- Squirrel, you and Pee
will take the dining room.

Mugs and me'll be upstairs.

- Okay, all right.
- Be sure to look everywhere.

- Hey Squirrel.

- Yeah.

- Find anything?

- Nope, not yet.

Did you?

- Nope.
[door clattering]

Oh 'scuse me.

[screaming]
[hand slapping]

[body thumping]

He's dead!

Help! [crying]

- Why did you k*ll him?

- I didn't k*ll him.

I liked the Cook.

- Listen, we're going to
stay here until you talk.

- I didn't do it.

- You did it because he
saw you'll k*ll Parker.

Didn't you?

Talk!

- Louise, you've got to
get ahold of yourself.

Tell me who did this

and we'll have the m*rder*r.

- I.

[screaming]

[footsteps thumping]

[screaming]

[bookcase rumbling]

- Knuckles, are you all right?

- What's the matter?
- Yeah. [groaning]

- Knuckles, ya hurt?

- I'm all right, I'm all right.

What happened?

Where's Louise?

- She ran through there.

Somebody was chasing her.

- Oh, why'ch you kids
go through the tunnel.

- Okay, but are you all right?

- Yeah, yeah, I know a short cut.

Get goin'!

- Come on, kids!

[footsteps thumping]

[screaming]

[screaming]

[footsteps thumping]

[firearm sh**ting]

[firearm sh**ting]

[footsteps thundering]
[boys clamoring]

[leaves rustling]

[footsteps tapping]
[whimpering]

- Louise!

- You ran yourself right into the grave.

Get over there.

- Simp.

- Come on.

[footsteps tapping]

- Hold it!

[footsteps thundering]

[indistinct due to background noises]

- All right, Simp.

There's your m*rder*r.

He was the Judge's bodyguard.

- Bodyguard?

That's Johnny Harris,
Maury's best trigger man.

- Simp.

Did he do it?

- Yes.

- Well, lock him up.

- That's what we're going to do.

And just so he won't be lonesome,

we're gonna lock you up too.

- Well, what for you?

- You knew all about
Judge Parker's business.

And when you talk to the court,

that'd be a lotta New York
crooks going up the river.

- Well, what are you thinkin'?

- Eh, knew it all the time.

Had him pegged right from the start.

- Aww yeah.
- Eh, sure.

[boys clamoring]

- C'mon, let's get outta here.

[footsteps tapping]

- I'm going back to town
with Mister Harrison,

but with Judge Parker gone,
I'll be very much alone.

- Well, I might be able to find
a place for you on our g*ng.

How about it boys?

- [Boys] [groaning]

- Hey fellas, look what's comin'.

- Oh boys!

Boys!

Cake!

[boys clamoring]

- Ouch!

- What's the matter, it's gross?

- No!

That's my hand, you eatin', man.

[hands lightly slapping]

[mellow orchestra music]