Bowery Blitzkrieg (1941)

[bunniefuu]

[upbeat music]

- Economics is a science

of man's activities devoted to obtaining

the material means for the
satisfaction of his wants.

Economics is a science of
man's activities devoted

to obtaining the material means

for the satisfaction of his wants.

[speed bag clanking]

- You wanna keep your eye on Danny.

You're gonna see him down in
City Hall one of these days.

- So it says the proud brother-in-law.

- Not so fast. I'm not married yet.

Besides, Mary has nothing to do

with my being fond of her brother.

- I know, Tom. Guardian
angel of East Side.

Well, take it from me,

with the exception of
a few kids like Danny,

they'll all end up in jail.

- Danny is no different than the rest.

What all kids need is to be taught.

- Yeah, plenty.

When they get to reform school.

- Reform school is not the answer.

- Extra. Flynn dies tonight. Extra!

Flynn dies--

- Flynn Greeves, Slater fight
manager to die in chair.

Execution set for 9:00 p.m.

- So that's the end of Freddie Flynn.

- Say Tom, didn't you two
use the pal around once?

- We were brought up together.

We fought in the Golden Gloves.

He was the sweetest scrapper you ever saw.

He could give you the old one-two like--

- Like Muggs McGinnis down
the at Clancy's Pool Hall.

- Yeah, just like Muggs.

- Well, see you later, Tom.
I've gotta do a little leg work.

[boys chattering]

- You're one-two.

- Kids so good when you're all around me.

- Get up here.

- Lay off, Muggs. I ain't
done nothing to you.

- Saw you getting something for nothing.

- Ain't Muggs a generous individual?

- Hey, that ain't patriotic.

- Hey, where did I sock you?

- On the jaw.

- On the jaw?

- The jaw?

- Why, what's wrong with
me? I aimed for his chin.

What's the prescription, doc?

- Take Doctor Limpy's advice. Try again.

[woman shrieking]

- Bring him over here, Limpy.

- Get going, Mathias.

- Cut it out, fellas.
I've had enough of this.

- Now hold still. You'll
get this right in your eye.

- I'll get you back for this--

- Shut up. Gonna give
you a little mud pack.

Trouble is, there's no more
competition around here.

It's getting just like Park Avenue.

- Maybe you'd like reform school better.

- Hi. Did you say something about my form?

- Never mind that, Muggs McGinnis.

Come on inside. I want to talk to you.

- Talk to Limpy. He's my manager.

- Not today. I'm starting tomorrow.

- None of your lip.
This concerns you, too.

All of you. Come on.

Say, Muggs, pick up on these ground pads

and give me that nickel.

- Take it out of the
collection after the sermon.

Hold your sermon a minute,
will you, copper? I'm thirsty.

Hey, Clancy. Clancy, where are you?

- Did you call me, Muggsy?

- That was the general idea.

So, hey, Clancy, you got any


- I'll say.

It's 1910, 1916.

- Hey, that'll do.

That's a beautiful one. Did
you get any ice this morning?

- Sure, sure.

- How much?

- Nickel.

- Keep the change.

- Great child, aren't you, Muggs?

- I'm doing all right.

- Pretty handy with your dukes too.

- Well, there's always the--
- Don't fight any cops, Muggs.

I think they got the law on their side.

- Yeah. Sure. That's right.

Personally, they don't
come any better than me.

- Remember, the juvenile authorities gave

you one more chance.

- I don't need no reminding.
- Why don't you go up

to the police gym and do your fighting?

- Don't do it. That place
is full of shower beds.

- He wants me to join
the copper sewing cycle.

Is that a laugh?

- Hey, you'll get poison ivory.

- Ain't it bad enough

you've got Danny Breslin to go up there?

- You and Danny were pals once.

- We're still pals. We just
don't see things eye to eye.

What do you expect? He's got
a school teacher for a sister.

Now he wants to become
president of the United States.

- I don't know. Roso's doing
all right without Danny.

- If Danny runs for
president, I'll vote for him.

But I'm sticking to my trade. See?

- Freddie Flynn wasn't such a bad boxer.

- Yeah?

- He could have made the big time.

Only he didn't follow the rules.

- All right. Come to the point.
So he's in the big house?

- Yes, until nine o'clock tonight.

- Flynn dies tonight.

Governor denies Flynn a reprieve.

Slaver fight manager to die in chair.

Execution set for nine bells.

- Hello, Tom.

You shouldn't put bad
thoughts in kids' heads.

They won't sleep good at night.

- Slats, that chair up the
river will fit anybody.

- Why, d*ck Tracy said them very words.

- Boy, I sure like to see d*ck Tracy

and Superman in a good fight.

- Shut up, you stupid log.

- Here.

Let me recommend the
right kind of reading.

- Slats Morrison beats
fight fixing charge.

Boxing commissioner
renews promoter's license.

Hey, that's a nice piece of work.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

- Right. You've gotta be smart.

Freddy Flynn went to the fourth grade.

Me, I just went to the third.

- Hey, what's eating you?

- I don't get it.

- What do you mean, about Slats' joke?

You see Freddy, he only
went to the fourth grade--

- No, no. I mean the flat foot.

- What about him?

- Why is he so interested in
a crook like Freddy Flynn?

- Maybe it's a maternal instinct.

- Like me, huh?

Just like to rock 'em to sleep.

- You're getting so good,

you even got your shadow scared.

- Hiya, Danny.

- Hiya. How you doing, Monk?

- Wow. What a nifty boat. Is it yours?

- Sure. Maybe I'll even
let you drive it some time.

- Gee, I'd like that.

- Okay, it's a promise.

- Look, Danny, it's none of my business,

but I think you oughta know something.

- Know what?

- Well, I just heard
Muggs McGinnis talking

about your sister.

- All right. That's nothing.

He never did get along with Mary.

- Yeah.

But if I had a sister and Muggs said

what he did about her, well.

- Well, what did he say?

- Maybe I'm talking out of turn.

- No, come on. Spill it.

- It was about your sister and the copper.

- What about them?

- Can't you draw your own conclusions?

[ba*ls clanking]

- Hey, our boy's gotten two of them.

A genius, that's all. Pay off, Slats.

Well, if it ain't the president himself.

- Hiya, Prize. How about me for treasurer?

- I didn't tell me if
any wise cracking, Muggs.

- Well, if it's money you
want, I ain't got none.

- I don't like the way you've
been talking about my sister.

- Hey, what gives?

- You know what gives.

And you know I don't
like that kind of stuff.

- Hey, you're unloading in a parking zone.

- I said I didn't like it.

- Hey, Clancy.

What is this, a pool
room or the DA's office?

I never knew you was a
double crosser until now.

- Hello, police station?

Well, there's a fight going
on over in Clancy's pool hall.

Yeah. Yeah. That's right.

- You know, if we could get
them to rest between Roger,

we could charge admission.

- Yeah.

- Muggs didn't say anything
about Danny sister.

- Hit him all, Muggs.

Muggs, give him one right there, yeah!

- Come on. Get him. There we go.

- Get him on the trainer.

Come on, lay it on him.
Give it to him. Come on.

[tires screeching]

Hey, Danny, break it
up. The cops. Come on!

- Come on. Come on.

[footsteps rushing]

- Hurry up. Hurry up.

[footsteps rushing]

- So you wouldn't take my
advice, Muggs McGinnis?

- Believe it or not, officer.

I'm the victim of a young
lady, an apple, and a snake.

Pardon me. Two snakes.
With but a single thought.

- Come on, Muggs.

- [Mary] Is that you, Danny?

- Yeah, it's me.

- Hurry and change, dear.

We're having dinner
with Tom and Mrs. Brady.

- Why, Danny Breslin.

Where in the world have you been?

- At the gym.

- You should have taken
a shower before you left.

- If I take any more showers,
I'll need a new skin.

- You let nature worry about your skin.

You take care of the fella who's in it.

Now go wash up.

- Mary?

- Yes, Danny.

- You and Tom, you're gonna
be married. Aren't you?

- Why, Kenny. You're not
worried I might be an old maid.

- No, it ain't that.

- Is it?

- Well, Tom, he's a swell fella. Isn't he?

- He certainly is.

They don't come any better.

- That's what I thought.

Gee, Mary, you're the best
sister in the world, I bet.

- Flatterer. Now go on. Wash up.

- Okay.

- So you don't know who
the other kid was, huh?

- Nope.
- What did he look like?

- You know me, Tom. I'm
not good at describing.

- Yeah. Kind of wearing on the mind.

- Yeah. No speak English.

- You wouldn't know anything
either, would you, Monk?

- Who, me?

[cue ball banging]

- It's a funny thing.

Somebody phoned the desk about that fight.

Looks as though they wanted
to get Muggs in hot water.

- Look, I don't know nothing, see.

I wasn't even here.

- Okay. Don't got high blood pressure.

- But, Tom, I don't see why
you should worry about Muggs.

Reform school is where he belongs.

- Well, that boy never had a home.

No folks would tell him

the difference between right and wrong.

- Poor lad.

They say it be praised

that Danny here has had
you to guide him, Mary.

- I suppose I am rather hard on Muggs.

But it's his constant
fighting that annoys me.

- An Irishman needs a
good scrap now and then.

[Tom chuckling]

- You're not such a bad
scrapper yourself, Mrs. Brady.

- Well, I'm not needing police
protection, Officer Brady.

[Mrs. Brady chuckling]

I wish I knew what that fight was about.

Maybe I could keep Muggs
from being sent up.

- When did Muggs ever
need a reason to fight?

- Maybe Danny could help
me find that reason.

How about it, Danny?

- Just because you're
gonna marry my sister

doesn't mean you can make me do anything.

You're still a copper and I hate coppers.

I hate the police gym too and
I'm never going there again.

- Danny.

- Now it's all right, Danny boy.

Sherill Thomas mighty proud of you.

That's why he asked you to help him.

- I'm not gonna help any copper.

- Danny, you may leave the table.

- It's a pleasure.

- Danny, there are your books
you left in the pool hall.

Mary, I'm sorry for what
happened at dinner tonight.

- That's all right, Tom.

- No, it isn't all right.

I can't explain, but,
well, you do understand

the way I feel about those
Tenament kids, don't you?

- Of course I do.

- Every one of those
kids deserves a break.

It's just like a leak in the roof.

If you don't fix it, it gets worse.

And pretty soon, it
affects the whole building.

And then it's too late
to do anything about it.

That's the way it was with Freddy Flynn.

- Tom, darling, I understand.

- Don't k*ll the motor. I'll be right out.

Home, James.

[car engine roaring]

- Yeah, this is the place.

Give us some service, your honor.

- What would it give me?
Lieutenants are only in the army.

We've come to see Muggs McGinnis.

- Now isn't that nice?

And did you bring flowers and candy?

- I got a rabbit's foot.

- I brought dynamite.

- I got a saw.

- I got a machine g*n.

- You think you're smart?

Maybe you'd like to stay
here and spend a vacation.

- Look, boys, I got a deal
on. I'll see you later.

- You can't see McGinnis so beat it.

- Let's go to a better hotel.

- Yeah, I don't like the
bell hop at the desk.

Anyway, what do we wanna see Muggs for?

We all know what he looks like.

I hope they put you in
a parachute division.

- Why did you and Danny fight?

- Nick said something I'm
singing. I'm hard of hearing.

- This wasn't one of your usual brawls.

You and Danny must have had

a special reason for slugging it out.

- What makes you think so?

- And any way, who said
Danny and me was fighting?

- If I could convince the juvenile bureau

that this wasn't just another one-two,

I might be able to get you off.

Here. Take a look at that.

- So what?

- I'd like to see you in there.

- Me?

- It would give you a
chance to prove yourself.

- Prove what? That I can fight?

- That you can fight fair.

You could have a career
in the ring, Muggs.

Why don't you go after it?

- Muggs, you're leaving here.

- Well, it's a good thing 'cause
I had a swell escape plan.

These are officials
from the reform school.

- Young man, before
we're through with you,

you'll learn to have
respect for authority.

- Now if you had a best
example, I'll give you odds.

- Bring him along.

- Let go. I can walk.

Well, so long, Mr. Brady.

Here's where I get a
chance to prove myself.

- Hiya, Danny.

- Hiya, Monk.

- I just dropped by to
give you a little present.

- Gee. Thanks.

What a surprise.

- That's all right. You did okay.

Good seeing you, Danny.

- So long, Monk.

- I see what you're wearing, Monk.

- It fits.

- Well, can you wait till college, Danny?

- No, I'm not going to college.

[cue ball banging]

- That's funny.

I got Muggs just slipped your scholarship.

- What are you driving at?

- Come clean, kid. Why
did he give you the money?

- I drove him around in
his new car last night.

- Did you make any stops?

- Yeah, once at a grocery store.

We was only there a minute.

- And I bet you kept the motor running.

- How did you know?

- While putting away the day's receipts,

Tony Capri Grocery at 637 Chestnut Street

was slugged by an unidentified,

young bandit who made off with about $70.

- So what?

- Well, don't be afraid, kid.

Slats Morrison ain't no squealer.

Live and let live. That's me.

- Hey, did you see Monk?
- Yeah. Just drove away.

New car, new suit.

I bet his money's even though.

Hey, maybe he robbed a bank.

- Hey, Danny, we've just
seen him take Muggs out

of the clink to take him to reform school.

- Yeah?

- What's eating you?

- None of your business.

- Hey, our buddy got brain fever.

- That's what school does for you.

- Economics is a science
of man's activities devoted

to obtaining the material means

for the satisfaction of his wants.

- Where did you learn that?

He's absolutely illiterate.

You're pretty smart, kid.

What class you graduate from?

- Cut it out, you.

[door knocking]

- Hello, Ms. Breslin. Is Danny home?

- Why, yes.

- He wanted to see me.

- Just a minute. I'll call him.

Danny, someone to see you.

Did you hear me, Danny?

- I'm coming.

- Hello, Danny. Here I am.

- What are you doing here?

- Some of the boys said
you wanted to talk to me.

- Not here.

- Why not? Ain't we pals?

- I'll tell you more about that later.

- I don't mind if your sister hears.

- Danny, is anything wrong?

- No. Monk and me here, we
got something to talk about.

- Yeah, Danny's a great
one for talking secrets.

Now me, I ain't got no secrets.

- Let's go.
- Sure.

- Your brother's crazy about my new car

and boy, can he drive.

Gotten me skin by mile.

- Don't be gone too long, Danny.

- Okay, sis.

Hey, what's the idea of talking

like that in front of my sister?

- I talk that way on purpose.

I know you wouldn't want her to find out

about what happened last night.

- I thought you just wanted
me to drive you around.

- I don't need that kind of a chauffeur.

- I oughta beat your head in.

- Look, Danny get smart to yourself.

There's money. Lots of money
to be made in this town.

- Come on.

- Forget about going to college.

When you get out, all you'll have is

a desk in a room with your name

on the door, "Danny Breslin. Lawyer."

Not a dime in your pocket
to keep the dust off.

- That's my business.

- You think I'll be a cheap
crook like Slats Morrison?

I'm gonna make a couple of grand a week.

- A couple of grand a week?

- Yeah, and that's nothing.

I'm gonna buy me a stable of race horses,

maybe a race track.

Look, Danny. You're
smart. We're both smart.

And we can go places.

Now what do you say? How about it?

- Sure. Why not? Maybe I
can get me a car like this.

- Sure you can.

- You wanna get behind
the wheel and take a spin?

- What are we waiting for?

[birds chirping]

- Quit shoving. I don't wanna
see nobody I don't have to.

I still got some
constitutional rights left.

- Hello, Muggs.

- Talk fast, Tom. I'm in a
hurry reforming this place.

First of all, I'm gonna
throw out Picklepuss.

Then we're gonna exterminate
all the c*ck.

Put a radio on every room
and certain meals and bed.

That's what I say.

- You got a chance to leave here, Muggs.

- Yeah?

- If you'll come home to live with me.

- Live with a cop?

- Yup.

Ma Brady and I both want you.

And besides, here's your chance
to do some clean fighting.

Remember the Golden Gloves?

- Certainly.

Remember the Alamo? That's
history too. Ask Professor Danny.

- Danny isn't gonna fight
in the Golden Gloves.

He quit training.

- So that gives me a chance, huh?

- You've got what it takes, Muggs.

Even the boys at the
station are with me on that.

- Well, they ain't with
me and that's what counts.

I'm staying.

- You're an ungrateful boy.

- Picklepuss, you and me
was made for each other.

We could do things. We can go places.

- Well, if you wanna stay here

and outgrow go your pants
and your punch, suits me.

- My punch is getting better every day.

- So long, Muggs. I guess
a real fight scares you.

- Nothing scares me,
except maybe Picklepuss.

- Hello, Mary. Come in.

- Tom, I want to talk
to you about something.

- Sure. But first, I've
got some good news.

Ma and I have been talking
things over and we've--

- [Mrs. Brady] Mary, is that you?

- Yes, Mrs. Brady.

- Mary, I think we're going

to have a boarder, Muggs McGinnis.

- Muggs McGinnis?

- Sure. If ma and I give him a home,

I can get him paroled to my custody.

- And to my cooking.

- Are you serious?

- Of course we are.

Say, by the way, what
were you going to tell me?

- I wanted to talk to you about Danny.

But now it's no use.

- Mary.

- I think we'll have to be
considering Mary's feelings, son.

- But she's got to understand,
ma. This is too important.

- So long, curly nose.

Hey, where's our transportation?

- There it is.

- Are you kidding? Where's the motor?

- You're the motor. Start peddling.

You can limber up for the Golden Gloves.

- You want me to become anemic?

Go on, get your leg on those
pedals before I break them off.

- Who ever heard of a
manager training for a fight?

- You did starting right
now. Come on, roll it out.

Don't go to any red lights.

- I won't.

- Hey, why don't you sing
in a bicycle built for two?

- I'm not a member of ascar.

♪ I dream of being with a long girl ♪

♪ Or a princess ♪

[crowd laughing]

The Schwartz kid must have the jinx on me.

I'll never steal his bike again.

[crowd chuckling]

[crowd cheering]

- Here he comes, mom.

- The saints be praised.

[crowd cheering]

If that isn't just like Muggs.

- Now don't you go spoiling
that roughneck, Ma Brady.

- I know a spoiled roughneck

who grew up to be the handsomest
lad in the police force.

- Go on with you.

[both chuckling]

[crowd cheering]

- Hiya, boy!

Right up to the front door, boy.

Nice, and the pleasure is all yours.

- Step down, mayor.
- Yes, sir.

Friends, Romans, and countrymen.

- Countrymen? You know
we're only city kids.

- Lend me your ears and five bucks.

It ain't what you know, it's who you know.

And now that I've got
a pull with the coppers

I'm gonna fix all your tickets for ya.

It won't cost you a penny. Not one dime.

And when I get through doing that, I'm...

Well, guess I'm caught in a trap, huh?

- Yeah. Welcome to Camp Brady.

- See you later, folks.

- I'll take the wooden nickels.

Bringing on your golden gloves.

- Not so fast. You've
got plenty of work to do.

- What is this, a frame up?

- You know me, cop, I've
been his manager since

he swiped his first pair of boxing gloves.

- Sure, I'm a veteran.

- Maybe, but you've gotta
qualify for the preliminaries.

And that means training.

- Who, me?

Hey, gee, that means
Muggs begins his training.

Is that a laugh?

- And you can start doing that right now.

- Vitamins.

- And in case you don't know it,

I am your assistant manager.

- Why, you're the greatest
manager I ever saw.

[Mrs. Brady laughing]

Hey, who's doing the training around here?

- Why, the manager's
gotta have his calories.

- Sure, Muggs. There's
plenty more. Sit down, lad.

- I'll see you later, ma.
Take it easy today, Muggs.

But beginning tomorrow, you're
working off of ma's pie.

Hey, you better make that pie a la Mode

with a couple of hunks of cheese.

- Muggs McGinnis.

I never seen a champion that looked good

with a cigar in his face.

- Ma.

- Now if you'll follow me,
I'll show you to your room.

- Okay, pal.

- How's he doing?

- He's got what it takes.

- He's the next champ of the world.

Hey, what's your social
security number, X?

- You've gotta work to get
a social security number.

- You're not kidding.

- Listen, I'm gonna let you
work in Muggs' corner tonight.

Do you know anything
about cuts or bruises?

- No.

- Well, I wanna tell you something.

If Muggs gets hit in the
eye and he gets a cut,

I wanna show you what I'm gonna do.

Take the iodine, see. And we do that.

But that's no good.

See, because now the guy's got a target.

So I'll tell you what we
do to fool him. We do this.

Get the idea? Okay.

Now, suppose he gets hit in the mouth.

That's no good to put the iodine on

because it will be swollen.

So what do we do? We take tape.

Put it around the guy's mouth like that.

[Limpy groaning]

What did you say?

- Take it easy.

- Now, you know anything
about cauliflower ears?

I'll show you what we do
in the cauliflower ear.

Take a piece of steak, see.

Slam it on his ear like that.

Get the thing. Now there's gonna be a lot

of blood flying around out there tonight.

Are you afraid of blood?

Does blood make you sick?

Okay. You'll be okay down that ring.

Don't forget it now, kid. You're
gonna be okay in that ring.

Don't be afraid of no blood.

- What's the matter with you?

- My finger, it's bleeding.

- Real blood?

Let me see.

Blood.

[slow music]

- [Man] Calling guard 62. Guard


- That's us.

[car engine roaring]
- Let go. I didn't do nothing.

What are you playing, cats and robbers?

Hey, Tom. Tell him to lay off, will you?

Hey, you don't think I...

Just back to reform school, huh?

Got ahead. Say it. Say
it. I don't scare so easy.

- That's what I thought. Listen to this.

Whereas Muggs McGinnis has shown

a continued deposition to use his fists,

and whereas the said
disposition has resulted

in sundry misfortunes to
various opponents of said fists.

And whereas the said Muggs McGinnis

has used said fists fairly
with courage and sportsmanship.

Be it resolved that it is the prayer

of the executive committee

of the Police Athletic Club to win

that Muggs do them the honor
of wearing their colors

and permitting their sponsorship

in the Golden Gloves tournament.

Furthermore, Muggs McGinnis,

here is your discharge from parole.

- Well, Muggs. What do you say?

- Well, I...

For once in my life, fellas,
I ain't got nothing to say.

[officers chuckling]

[officers laughing]

- I got a full house.

[door knocking]

- Well, if it ain't the robo boy.

Guess that means we don't
wanna be toadstools today.

- No. Wait a minute, fellas.

I got an angle on the amateurs.

- You mean the Golden Gloves?

Those fights are on a
level. Get out. Scram.

- It's about Muggs
McGinnis and Johnny Ryan.

- It's a toss up between those two.

We don't make bets for fun.

- What's it worth to you
if I deliver the winner?

- You mean you can
reach one of those boys?

- Now you're catching on.

- Who's the boy? How can you do it?

- That's my business.

- Hey, Nick. Give Mr. Morrison a seat.

- Okay, Slats, if that fight
is fixed, I want exclusive.

- Sure, you know me.

- Yeah, that's why I'm
warning you beforehand.

How soon can you tip us off?

- I need a little cash to swing it.

- I thought there'd be a catch in it.

- Okay. How much?

- About two grand.

- There you are.

Remember, Slats, from now on,

the finger's on you, and no tricks.

- Don't worry. It's in the bag.

- Just be sure you're not

in that bag floating down the East River.

[Scruno exclaiming]

- Hey, fellas! Come here
and get a load of this.

Come here.

- Hiya, hip cat.

- Solid, old man.

- Take a gander, public
hero number one. That's me.

- So you joined the police force, did you?

When did you lead the parade?

- I never thought the day would come.

- Don't look kosher to me.

- A gum shoe.

- You can't get up in the
world these days legitimate.

- Anyhow, who said I was a gumshoe?

- Well, you might as well be.

- Yeah. Yeah. Maybe you're right.

- Keep the change.

- All right.

- Let's go, Monk.

- That was a quick rush.

What I ever do to him?

- You didn't do nothing,
but the Monk's doing plenty.

- I got it.

- What?

- The sister gag.

- What sister gag?

- You remember Danny accused
me of talking about his sister?

Well, Monk put him up to that

so if we could get in a
fight and me be set up.

Ain't that low down...

- Hello, Muggs. Hiya, fellas.

- Hiya.

- So the coppers are sponsoring you?

- What's it to you?

- A lot.

- What's the angle?

- This is private.

- See you later, fellas.

- Donnie.

- Now this don't mean a thing to me,

I'm doing it for a friend.

But if I was you, well, a
grand don't grow on trees.

- A grand?

- Yeah, and maybe more.
- What do I have to do?

- It's easy.

Look here, what's this fight

with Johnny Ryan gonna do for you?

Nothing.

- Says you.
- You don't have to win.

You can make money by losing that fight.

- Throw the fight so a bunch

of racketeers can clean up, huh?

- Now that's quick thinking.

- Sure, it's quick thinking.

Well, listen, Slats Morrison,

I'm winning this fight and
I'm winning it fair, see?

And you can tell those pals

of yours not to try to
muscle in the amateurs,

'cause it ain't healthy.

- Sure. Sure, Muggs.

- Hey, you've been doing all right, kid.

- That's all in a day's work.

- I notice that Slats Morrison
seemed to be full of ideas.

Was he thinking of trying to
coin some money on the fight?

- I'm thinking of winning
it. That's all I know.

- Attaboy. Come on.
I'll buy you short soda.

- What do we have for a
chaser? [Tom chuckling]

Hey, Danny. Hey, Danny.

- What do you want?

- Well, I'd just like to
have a little chat with you.

- Well, the feeling ain't mutual.

- Don't use them big words.

I wanna be your pal. That's simple enough.

- I'll make it even more simple for you.

This house is getting too small

for the two of us to live in.

- That crack about your sister. I--

- Leave my sister out of it.

- What's a matter with you, Danny?

We used to be pals just like brothers.

We used to do things together.

Remember the time we chased Butch

to give up the Lancy
Street with a pineapple

and he thought it was loaded?

- Yeah.

- Boy, them was the days.

- Sure.

I didn't know any better then.

- There you go again. Can't you forget it?

- Not me. You forget it.

- You're just a sore head. That's all.

You can't see any
farther than Monk's nose.

- You wanna make something out of it?

Golden Gloves champ [scoffs].

[footsteps departing]

- Hello, Mary.

- Hello, Mrs. Brady.

- Well, today I've had shopping
around for a new dress.

Will you come in and see it?
- I'd be glad to.

- It's that excited I am
about the fight [chuckles].

Sure, you'll be sitting with us

at the ring side, won't you, Mary?

- No, I'm not going.

- Not going? Sure, you'll
have to changing your mind.

It's a big night for Tom.

He wants to prove to himself
that he was right about Muggs.

- I'm glad Tom is so happy about it.

- Kids from six to 60 like

a fair fight in picture like that.

- Fights, fights, fights.

Ma, what's happened to Tom and me?

- There, there now, Mary.

- [Mary] But we're drifting apart.

I've known it ever since
Muggs McGinnis came here.

Danny has changed. Everything's changed.

- [Mrs. Brady] Nothing's
changed, Mary dear.

Tom still loves you.

- He has a strange way of showing it.

I haven't seen him for days.

- Well, after the fight's over--

- The fight.

Well, I'm not waiting.

Danny and I are moving as far away

from here as we possibly can.

Far away from everything.

[somber music]

- And where do you think you
would be gone, Mr. McGinnis?

- I just leaving.

- My eyes don't deceive
me in that, but why?

- Why? Just gotta go, that's all.

I'm not on parole, am I?

- Have you been in your
room all this while?

- Yeah. Yeah, I've been sleeping.

- Then maybe you're
walking in your sleep now.

- Yeah, maybe.

But I'm still leaving.

- You said that. But why so sudden?

- Well, see, I've been taken

with some big shots in a fight racket.

Starting Monday, I'm going
to be on easy street.

- So it's a prize fighter
you're going to be?

- Yeah. Yeah. That's the general idea.

Just tell Tom I'll see
him after the fight, huh?

- Goodbye, Muggs.

[slow music]

- So long, ma.

- Good luck to you, lad.

- Want to see me, lieutenant?

- Yes, Tom.

Looks like we sponsored the wrong boy

for that fight Monday.

- What do you mean?

- I just got word that the rackets

are trying to horn in
on the Golden Gloves.

And Muggs McGinnis is
gonna throw the fight.

- I don't believe that.

- I don't wanna believe it.
That's why I called you.

I know what this means to you, Tom.

You tell Muggs McGinnis he better make

a fight of it Monday or
we'll know what to do to him.

- Yes, sir.

- And one thing more. Keep
your eye out for Monk Martin.

I'm looking forward to seeing
him here one of these days.

I hope that don't go for Danny
Breslin as well. That's all.

- Yes, sir.

- There is a copper who
carries his heart on his badge.

[horn honking]

- Danny, I want to talk to you a minute.

- About what?

- I want to warn you about Monk Martin.

- Yeah?

- We're watching him. And
if you're caught with him

when he's picked up, you're in a jam.

- You're just trying to frame
him so you can boss me around.

But you're not gonna boss me, copper.

- Wait a minute, Danny.

I don't want anything like
that to happen to you.

Besides, think of Mary.

In case you don't know it,
copper, you and Mary are through.

- [Mary] Danny. Is anything wrong?

- This copper's picking on me.

- Mary, what's all this about?

- You heard what Danny said.

- I thought you understood.

- I do understand,

and that's just why Danny
and I are going away.

- Hello, son.

- Hello, mom.

- Tom, I've been eavesdropping.

- Everything seems to be going haywire.

- Well, don't worry, son.

When a man fights for an idea,

the devil sticks him with this Pitchfork.

- Is Muggs home?

- Well, he's moved out.

- Moved out?

- Said something about taken

with the big time Charlie
and the fight racket.

- Then it's true.

- What is, Tom?

- The lieutenant got word

that Muggs is gonna throw the fight.

- I don't believe it.

- That's what I said. But it all adds up.

That big shot in the fight racket.

Muggs leaving here like this.

- I'm surprised at you, Tom Brady.

Why, that boy didn't want to be

the cause of you and Mary breaking up.

You see, it all happened like this, Tom.

- Say, Clancy, I hear Muggs is parking

around here someplace.

- Yeah, temporary like.

He's using the back room
until it gets in the money.

- What do you want?

- I just heard about you
walking out on the copper.

- So what?

- So I'm figuring you
might need some money.

- Didn't you hear?

They just made me president
of First National Bank.

- Well, this might be
even the Federal Reserve.

- Scram.

- Okay. Okay. Fine way to treat a pal.

- I told you to move.

- Maybe you'll wish you listened to me.

- Did I tell you once to get out of here?

- All right. Have it your way.

- Hey, Slats. Who wears your clean colors?

- Keep dancing, the old one-two.

First with your right then with your left.

- First with your left
then with your right.

- Who's the manager here?
- All right.

- Get busy, you guys.

- Get out of here. tr*mp up fight.

- There you are, Madison Square Garden.

- Hey, where'd you get all that junk?

- From a warehouse on Spring Street.

- You found it, huh?

Yeah, only they don't know it.

- Peewee's taking it back after the fight.

- I gave that job to Scruno.

- Yeah, but I'm gonna wait for a blackout.

- What a nifty.

- Nothing but the best. Try it on.

We didn't wanna get anything too loud.

- Boy, fits like a glove.

- What size I tell you to get?

- I thought a big one will fit him better

when he gets to be heavyweight champ.

- I got an idea. We'll
put the belt around twice.

- Say, look here, Here's...

This is for the road.

- That ain't my initials.

- I know it. That H is for Harlem.

- We're pinched.

- Look, I got a deal on.
I'm gonna see you later.

- Well, we just wanted to
make Muggs feel like a champ.

- I'd say you did a good job.

- Then we ain't pinched?

- Not unless you go out
and hold up somebody.

Hey Muggs, I wanna talk to you

about going back home with me.

- Nothing doing. I got other plans.

- Yeah. So I heard, but
you didn't pull them on.

It was on account of
Mary and me, wasn't it?

- You're a baddie.

what do I care if you're
in love with some girl?

You know, the fellas that gave

you this think you're letting them down.

- So that's what they think, huh?

Well, let them think it.
Maybe it's true, see.

- All I can say is,

you'd better fight your
head off Monday night

to prove you're on a level.

- Here he comes.

- Hello, Dutch.

- The boss thinks you're stalling.

- But why? Everything's all fixed.

- Don't tell me. Save it for the boss.

- I'm tired of waiting, Slats.

Who's it gonna be, McGinnis or Ryan?

- Muggs McGinnis.

- That's fine.

Be sure you're better
on that name yourself.

You know what I mean? No tricks.

- I wouldn't double cross you, Dorgan.

I paid off McGinnis just a while ago.

- Okay. That's all.

Dutch, go see McGinnis and
find out if Slats is lying.

- Sure thing.

- Hey, that's supposed
to be a prize fighter,

not a marathon runner.

- Hey, Peewee, will
you give him a workout?

- I'm a peace-loving
citizen. You get in there.

- I'm a manager, the brains of the outfit.

- Go on. Get in there.

[blows landing]

- For a fight worth 1,000 bucks,

you're working pretty hard, Mr. McGinnis.

- Who are you?

- Dorgan's outfit. You know.

- Dorgan's outfit you know?
Sounds like Greek to me.

- Say, what do you mean?

- Look, this is a private training camp.

But I read a newspaper, man.

You're going to quote Lymp here saying,

"My boy will be next champ of the world."

- Shut up. Just a second.

- What's this about 1,000 bucks?

- You know, Slats gave you.

- Hot pork chops, fellas! Looky here.

- One, two, three odds.

- Don't forget I get two
odds for the manager's share.

- Where'd you get that?

- On the table, in the
box, under the ribbon.

Just like that.

Like it's been there for 1,000 years.

Just waiting for little Admiral Scruno

to come along and discover it.

- So you was gonna welsh?

- That's a lie. I wasn't
gonna welsh on nothing.

How was I to know you was with Dorgan

and not with the Athletic Association?

- Say, I think you're all right, kid.

- For that kind of dough, I'd
speak my life away in a ring.

- Say, Dorgan's gonna like that.

I'll put in a good point for ya.

- Thanks, pal.

- So long, fellas.
- Take it easy.

- Can you imagine that? I was framed.

You know who did it? That
dirty rat, Slats, that's who.

- What are you gonna do about it?

- What am I gonna do? I'm gonna do plenty.

- Take a letter.
- A letter?

- A letter, letter, take it.

- Get out of here. Get
me some paper. Go ahead.

- You start the letter
up with dear Ma Brady.

No, no, that's no good. That ain't it.

Dear Ma. Dear... Wait, hold on a second.

Dearest mother.

Enclosed, please find 1,000 bucks.

- I can't write 1,000 bucks.

It makes me nervous. My hand trembles.

- Write. Write.

[door banging]

- Remember, pal, the water's deep

so you'd better keep swimming.

- Morning, Tom.

- Hi. Good morning, George.

- Big day for you, ain't it?
- Yeah, and do I feel lucky.

- Muggs will take Ryan in two rounds.

- From what I hear, he's gonna lay down.

- Don't you believe it. I
know those East Side kids.

I know 'em like a...

[lorry engine igniting]

Hey George, block that car. Quick!

[car engine roaring]

[tires screeching]

- Hey!
- Hey!

Wait a minute.

[footsteps rushing]

- Tom, look out!

[g*n blasting]

[g*n blasting]

[g*n blasting]

- Doctor.

Is he going to be all right?
- Now don't worry.

We're going to do
everything we can for him.

- What are his chances, doctor?

- It's not a bad wound, but
he's lost a good deal of blood.

We'll need a transfusion
before we operate.

- How about using me for it?

- Very well. We'll try it. Come with me.

- Not a bad specimen, ay, doc?

- I'd say not. Next, please.

- Hey, Muggs. Meet Johnny Ryan.

- Hiya, Ryan.

- Yeah, hello.

- Hey, is he kidding?

Where does he get off giving
me that pocket and wrist?

- Word gets around, Muggs.

- Word gets around?

I'll take the guy right now, I could.

- Keep that for the ring
if you're so serious.

- So he even got you believing it, huh?

- Let's not talk about it.

- Hey, Muggs. Danny's been
shot. They say he's dying.

- Danny's been shot? Where is he?

- He's at the emergency hospital.

I tried to see him, but
they wouldn't let me.

- We'll see him.

- [Johnny] Hey, Muggs. Don't forget.

We got a date in just three hours.

- In three hours and one minute

you won't know nothing about it.

- I'm sorry, but your
blood's not the type.

But don't worry. We'll find it.

- Emergency hospital. One moment please.

- I'll bet you she won't let us see him.

I even told her was Robert Taylor.

- Didn't I tell you not to...

- Cool off, sister. You're
talking to Clark Gable.

- Yeah? Well that makes me an ice cube.

- Emergency hospital.

- Hey, keep her busy.

- Dr. Holden is off duty. I'm sorry.

- Say doc, where Danny's Breslin's room?

- He's in there, but he can't see anyone.

- But he's my pal. We grew up together.

- No, I'm sorry son, but
he can't have any visitors.

- Dr. Sterling.

We've just located a donor
with the correct blood type.

But it'll take at least two
hours to bring him here.

- I'm afraid that's too long

and we can't operate
without a transfusion.

- Hey, you mean Danny needs blood?

- That's right.

- Well, why waste time? I'm full of blood.

- Very well. We'll try it.

- Don't worry, Mary, now.

- They've got a blood donor,

so we'll perform the
transfusion right away.

- Thank you.

- The Lord be praised.

- If you need any more
blood, just say the word.

I can spare a gallon.

- Well, we got plenty and good blood too.

- Now Danny will get well, huh?

- He's got an even chance.

Now you go home and have a long rest

and don't do any violent
exercise for a couple of days.

- Muggs McGinnis, winner
of the Golden Gloves.

Muggs McGinnis, winner
of the Golden Gloves.

Muggs McGinnis, winner
of the Golden Gloves.

Hey, Muggs, you got 10
minutes. Rude, ain't you?

- Danny's going to be all right.

- I know. I just heard some noise.

- Come on, you gotta fight.
- Well, let's go.

- Some day, I'll come back

and sing a love song
over this thing to you.

Goodbye, Martha.

[crowd cheering]

- I hear McGinnis hasn't shown up yet.

- Well, it doesn't surprise
me. Probably get cold feet.

- Just to make sure I send
Dutch up to see the kid.

- And the looks of Dorgan and his mob,

this is not only amateur
night, it's also bank night.

- Okay, Slats. Introduce me
to the kid after the fight.

- Sure.

- It's about time you got here.

Some of the boys were
doubting if you'd come.

- Well, yeah.

Well, after tonight, I'm
through with the boys, see.

And I'm gonna tell 'em what to do

with that piece of ribbon too.

- Look, Muggs. Look what I
got. We gotta win the fight.

- What is that, propaganda?

- What does it say?

- I don't know. I got it
off the Chinese calendar.

- Well, read it.

[Clancy speaking in foreign language]

- Is there a road map with that?

[Clancy speaking in foreign language]

- Gesundheit, gesundheit.

- Locks man.

- Gee, I'm sorry, Mary.

- Don't worry, Danny.

The authorities have
put you in Tom's care.

- That's right.

Say listen, fella, you have
to hurry up and get well

so you can give the bride away.

- That's great, Tom.

I must have went crazy.

Monk said things about Muggs
and you and Mary and I...

- Monk confessed
everything before he died.

He lied about Muggs.

- You don't come no better than Muggs.

- Say, I have to get going.
That fight will be on soon.

take it easy, fella. So long, honey.

- So long , Tom.
- See you later, mom.

- I sure wish I could see that fight.

- There'll be plenty more fights, son.

- Yeah, but this is a special one, doc.

You see, Muggs and me are
pals. That is, we were pals.

- I'll tell you what. We'll
bring in a radio. Nurse?

- Yes, doctor.
- Bring in a radio.

- All right, doctor.

[crowd cheering]

- Hey, there's Muggs. Fellas, look.

[boys cheering]

[crowd applauding]

[crowd applauding]

- The kid's a natural. What a dead pan.

[crowd applauding]

- In this corner representing
the Boys Athletic Club

at 126 pounds wearing
purple trunks, Johnny Ryan!

[crowd cheering]

In this corner representing
the Policeman's Athletic Club

at 128 and a half pounds
wearing green trunks,

Muggs McGinnis!

[crowd cheering]

- All right, boys.

Now you boys know the rules.

I want a nice, clean fight.

In case of a knock down,

the standing fighter
goes to farthest corner.

Shake hands. Come on. Fighting.

[crowd murmuring]

[bell ringing]

[crowd cheering]

- Come on. Get him, Muggs.
Come on, Muggs. Get him.

- Come on, Muggs.

- First with the left
then the with the right.

- Come on. Get in there, Muggs. Come on.

[crowd cheering]

- You seem to be doing all right.

- I feel okay.

- It must have been wonderful blood

you found for him, doctor.

- It was. It came from
one of Danny's pals.

- Who?

- A boy with the name of McGinnis.

- McGinnis? Not Muggs McGinnis?

- That's the name he gave.

- Glory be. There he is
fighting his heart out

and a pint of blood
missing from his veins.

- Fighting? McGinnis is fighting?

- Yes, doctor. At the Manhattan Arena.

And we've got to do something about it.

- And we will.

Operator, this is Dr. Sterling.

Give me the Manhattan Arena
as quickly as possible.

[crowd cheering]

- Four!

[crowd cheering]

[bell ringing]

- Well, Muggs looks pretty good.

- Probably just an act.

He'll throw the fight in the next round.

- What are you puffing for?
It's only the first round.

- [Announcer] And it's coming to you

from the ring side at the Manhattan Arena.

We've just given you a blow

by blow description of the first round--

- Thank you. Strange that no one answers.

- They're probably all watching the fight.

- I'm going to take a taxi.

- Wait a minute, ma.

Mary, why don't you go with her?

I'm sure Muggs would like that.

- You think you'll be all right?

- Sure.

- We'll take good care of him.

- [Announcer] The dark-haired
Irish youngster carrying

the fight all the way.

- Nurse.

- [Nurse] Yes, doctor.

- You better stay close by.

- All right.

[footsteps approaching]

- To the Manhattan Arena.
- And step on it.

[car engine roaring]

[crowd murmuring]

[whistle blowing]

[bell ringing]

[crowd cheering]

[crowd cheering]

- Four!

[crowd cheering]

- Muggsy, everything is
going to be all right.

- Tom, we've got to stop this fight.

- Eight. Nine.

[crowd cheering]

- All right. Okay.

Three.

Four.

[crowd cheering]

Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10.

[crowd cheering]

- The one-two.

[crowd murmuring]

- Here, Tom. Read this.

- You see that?
- Yes.

- I told you no tricks, Slats.

- Listen, Dorgan, give me a break.

I didn't know the kid was
gonna welsh. Honest, I didn't.

- Come on. There they are. Come on.

[crowd murmuring]

- Hello, Dorgan.

- Hiya, Birdie.

- How'd you like to bet a grand

that Muggs McGinnis won the fight?

- What's the gag, Copper?

- The gag is you're going
with us. All right, boys.

And you too just the while.

- Look at me. No advertisement or nothing.

- We got one for you too.

- Well, no, not for me.

I wouldn't wear one of those
things even for a wedding.

- You're the best man in a ring.

- Didn't you always say you'd cut off

your right arm for Tom Brady?

- Certainly. Certainly, I would too,

but he's the one that's getting married.

Let him get dressed up.

- I see we're wasting our time, fellas.

- Well, no. Now wait a minute, fellas.

No, I mean, we've been pals a long time.

Don't do that to me.

I'm waring you, guys, if
you come on step closer.

- Hang on. Hang on.

- I got these socks.

[boys shouting]

- Hey, real silk.

[slow music]

Not bad. Muggs McGinnis, Esquire.

- Hey, how'd I get into these?

[slow music]