|
Battle Creek Brawl (1980)
[theme]
- [cheering] - [music stops] Enough! [man:] Enough! Enough! [inaudible] [inaudible] All right. That's it, Billy! Billy, put him down! [man:] Go sit down, Billy. [man:] Billy! Very good work, Billy. Now, I'm proud of you. Very good. Wait a minute. Hold it. Now let's have a little quiet. That was a good gimmick, Morgan, that kiss of death gag. Oh, well, that's not a gimmick, gentlemen, I mean, Billy Kiss is sincerely interested in his fellow man. I mean, these are just sudden impulses of love that take hold of him. Well, I'm glad it's takin' hold of him rather than him takin' a hold of me. [laughter] Was it, was it one of those sudden impulses of love that killed that man in Atlanta last year? Oh, no, no. That was just an accident, gentlemen. I mean, Billy Kiss just squeezed a little too hard and the man was just a little too brittle. What about you, Kiss? What do you think? All I can say is, I'll be the last man standing when it's all over in that town in Texas. - [spectators:] Yeah! All Right. - [applause] - What about the... - Another time, another time. - All right, Billy... - [spectators shout] And that was the killer you were going to enter into the Battle Creek Brawl, huh? You saved me the trouble. Count it, Maxie. You needn't, but you must. Good day. I told you we shouldn't have stacked them up against Kiss. - We learned something. - And it cost us twenty-five G's. Just make your rounds, David. Do your job. [train whistling] Show-off! Hey, Batman, come on! We have to go see your brother about the money! [woman:] It's time! In a minute. Ten more of those and you won't be able to go tonight. [woman:] Hey, Is your brother still gonna marry that girl from China? Pretty soon. Even though they've never met? [man:] That's not unusual... for Chinese. [woman:] But they've only written to each other! Ten thousand times! Well, it's a pretty strange way to fall in love, licking stamps. - [music stops] - Protect me from what? What you say I need I do not need! There's not enough money to pay my wages. Some days they work hard for nothing. I hate Chinks that whine. You are playing it too poor, Kwan. Go! go! [speaks Mandarin] [hood:] Ah. Right here, John. Put his hand right here! Count 'em. Count your fingers! One, two, three, [man:] four, five. Good. You do real good with English. Maybe next time you won't have five fingers to count. When you pick up a meat cleaver, you'd better be ready to use it. They beat your father! Dad, are you okay? In back. Take care of him, Nancy. No, no! Hey! This place is my father's. You hurt him. [John:] Yeah, well, he's OK. Maybe just a little bit smarter. [John:] Oh! Jerry! [Kwan:] Jerry, you must not fight! [John groans] [Kwan:] Jerry! Jerry, you must not fight! Wha-?? You must not hit anybody! [Kwan:] You promised me! Jerry, you promised your dead mother! - Get out... - I'm sorry. Jerry! You are fighting! Jerry! What is this? Jerry! Chink bastard. - [Nancy:] Are you all together? - One piece. [man:] Was it the same bunch? Yeah. [man:] Hey, Jer, Dad's pretty upset. One day they will get tired of coming here. - [Jerry:] Maybe. - It is my will against theirs. You go up and take a nap. I'll wash the dishes. Will you be here this evening? I'm going to the race tonight. A cash prize, $25. Yes, you'll need it for car payments. Nancy, don't let Jerry go down the street to his uncle's place. It is very bad for him. [Kwan:] You can stop him. He will listen to you. All that fighting. Training, Dad. Training for what? And my brother has never been worthy. He's a fine chiropractor. Your brother is the doctor. Your uncle is a bone cracker. And you could have been a doctor, tool. Two years! Such a waste. It just didn't happen fast enough for me, Dad. But you have time for all these things. There's plenty of wonton. Get something hot in the stomach and take a clean handkerchief. [Kwan sings in distance] Hey, I know a way you can double your money... on every dollar. [dishes in water] You need money to enter that roller race. Four bucks. Double my money back? We'll chew 'em up! [woman:] Oh! Oh! Thank you, doctor. Oh, I feel relieved. Marvellous. You have such marvellous hands. Such strength. Jerry! On the square! - [Jerry coughs] - Get up. Get up! Sometimes you make me tremble with disgust. I'm sorry, Uncle. [uncle:] I have but one pupil because there is no one else worth teaching except you. You have a chance. [uncle:] Yes, a chance. Does your father know you're here? I told him I was going to the race. - [uncle:] Are you? - Yes, but later. To your father. [uncle:] May he have a toothache for every grain of rice he sold today. Hah! You cannot accept that, even in fun. [uncle:] You love him, despite his foolish demands. May his tea hold the sweetest leaves. [indistinct talking in distance] It'll be interesting to hear David's story. When a man has no sons and only one nephew... he has to do the best he can. I told your foolish sister not to marry that turd Leggetti. Now, Mama. At least David doesn't lack for ambition. I'm gonna have to make a decision about him soon. - Well, John and I wanted... - We heard. Not important, but annoying. John wants to kill him. Him? The old Chinese? Na, the young one. The son. [man:] Why would you want to do that? I want that goddamned Chink! He don't fight right. Are you saying there was only one man? We assumed there was a gang of Chinese. What about you, David? I would think you'd have been anxious to break the young man's head. I was on the corner. I can still find him if you want. You couldn't find a whore on Rush Street. Aw, now, Grandmama. Don't Grandmama me, you lazy fart. I think you'd better find him, David. He beat three of your men, Including John here, and John isn't that easy. [man:] Go out of your way to stop him. Test him severely. And, John! I don't want that boy killed. Right, David? You should have written it down for him. Now, Mama. You never know. We may have found somebody. [master of ceremony:] Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Chicago's favorite Tuesday night entertainment, the Knockdown, drag out, Anything Goes, action, Roller Race! And now, our host, the Big Wheel himself, Dudley Powell! - Two minutes to mayhem! - [cheering] [judge:] The contest is between three teams. Each skater must complete one circuit of the course before passing the baton to his or her teammate. The team that gets their skater across the finish line first will receive a cash prize of $75. Other than that, anything goes! [Jerry:] Hey. [Nancy:] Hey, let's just skate, okay, Jerry? Hey, no harm, no foul, huh? - Hi. - How you doin'? Hey. [David:] How you doin'? What I want you to do is take care of my friend Jerry there. Okay? Take care of him and I'll take care of you real good. Do a good job, all right? - Okay. - All right. [master of ceremonies:] Get your teams lined up! - Start your engines! - [cheering] Give us a lead, baby. I'm gonna skate the crap outta this place. [laughs] Remember those fire hoses! [cheering and screaming] - [car horns] - [grunting] Get-get outta here, will ya?! You stupid jerk! [car horn] [shouting and screaming] Get out of my way! Throw it! [crowd booing] Creep! - Get out of the way! - What are you doing? - Hey, don't push me. - [Jerry:] Leave it alone. C'mon. C'mon! We are breakin' bones over here! [squealing] [car horns] [inaudible] [squealing] Jerry! Let go! [Nancy:] Jerry! Catch! There's a fight over here! C'mon! Hold this. [skater:] Whoa! [groaning] C'mon! Move it! C'mon! 25 bucks! Umm! I love you! Thanks, Jug. Hey Jug, we can drop you off. Nah, I'm too excited to sit. But you can take my stuff home, okay? - Okay, see you later. - All right, I'll see you later. - [car starts up] - Listen, don't do anything I wouldn't do. John... Please... ple... [Jug groans] [jazz music playing] Let's do some nice-nice. [uncle clears his throat] [music stops] To be superior, one must be pure of body, as well as mind. [uncle:] This is essential to gain harmony with one's soul, hmm? [woman:] It's about time you stopped meditating Shh! [woman laughs] - Hi kid! - [indistinct conversation] Psst! Here, sit down. Well, how'd the race go? - I won $25. - Great! Congratulations. I doubled your money. Nice. Doctor! Doctor! Hurry! [doctor:] He's alive. Christ! They look like razor cuts! I'll get my car! [doctor:] We'll take him to the clinic! They're here. You stupid fool. [man:] All you know how to do is break arms and kill. You're a slow learner. How many times I've got you out of jail? How many times? New clothes... new cars. I gave you responsibility. You don't know how to handle it. All you know is the one thing. Somebody oughtta take your wad out and step on it. It's okay. L-l took his wallet. It had $25 in it. The police will think it's a robbery. Get out. I don't wanna see you for a while. [man:] I don't know what I'd do if I see you too soon. You stay here, John. This, uh, Kwan kid. Handled himself very well, huh? That Chink don't fight right. He fights foreign. [chuckles] I wanna see him myself. How about the Wu brothers? Those little yellow bastards fight like a pack of foreign devils. Mama's right. [man:] Set it up, will ya, John? Oh, look, here's that fight thing. Here's that Pittsburgh fighter. He's going to Texas. Yeah, and his boss Morgan is a gangster. - [water sloshing] - [phone rings] Hello? - Kwan? - Yep. Are you the son, uh, Jerry? Yes. For a few bucks I can tell you about your friend Jug. How he got beat up. It wasn't no robbery. What do I do? I'll meet you in the outdoor theatre in two hours. And, oh, yeah... don't bring anybody with you. - [caller hangs up] - Okay. Uh... [Nancy:] Who was that? [yelling] [inaudible] Hi Dad. I know what you have been doing. Fighting. And I will bet you have not eaten. - Don't move! - What?! All I felt was a little wind. - You are very quick. - And accurate. Indeed amazing. What can you do with that? Kicking? Defend myself. Is there a great need for that? Sometimes. It's an art, too. After you are done with this training, how can you support yourself with this skill? How much do you charge to defend yourself? You don't believe it has value. I'm only trying to understand what you do with this. Maybe I'll be a teacher. This will be yours. It is something real. And paying gangsters to keep the doors open. I will not pay them! And you will not have to either. - Jug? - [doctor:] Still the same, Jerry. Well... May's arriving two days early. The steamship company notified me. Oh, my. [doctor:] I won't be able to go meet her. Can you go, Jer? When? - [doctor:] Today. - Today?! I've got rail tickets waiting for you and May at the Chicago and Northwestern. There's nothing to stop you. You're the only one with nothing to do. Okay. [Jerry:] When does it leave? In an hour. In an hour? I. Jerry! [doctor:] The name of the boat and the pier number is in there. Also where to pick up the train tickets. Get a taxi. There's one out on the street. Call Nancy. Tell her what's going on. Take a clean handkerchief! - [door closes] - [chuckles] I have to get to the railroad station right away. - Chicago Northwestern? - Yep. It just so happens I know right where that is. Go, go. - Keep the change. - [cabbie:] Thanks. [cabbie:] The City of San Francisco is about halfway through the station on your left. Good luck with that girl comin' in from China! Ah. That smells wonderful. - Yes. - [both chuckle] - Hello. - You wouldn't believe it. I didn't even have to follow him. He jumped right in the cab. [cabbie:] I got everything but his laundry mark. - Like what? - Like he's going to San Francisco to pick up some girl that's gonna marry his brother. Got her name, everything. Good. Come on in and tell me all about it. I'll, uh, catch a plane to the coast. Get there one day ahead of him. That's very interesting about the girl. Could be useful. [foghorn] [Jerry whistling] So... you are Jerry. Robert wrote a great deal about you. You hit people, is that not true? [May:] I am so happy. It is wonderful to be in America. - [May screams] - [Jerry:] Stop that thief! You could have stopped him. You saw the girl. Where did she go? Yeah, I did, Jerry. But we'll need to talk. [taps bench] Sit down. [man:] She's safe. But we still have to talk. Beautiful day. A bottle of Chablis, Harry. And some of those wonderful finger sandwiches that you make. Yes, sir. I've looked forward to meeting you, Jerry. Well, I can see that you're worried. And to that end let me reassure you. The young lady is just fine. She is having lunch at the moment, and eating heartily. What are you after? [laughs] I like that. Straightaway. No nonsense, huh? All right. You know the way Uncle Sam sticks his finger out of the poster and says, 'I want you.' Well, that's me, Jerry. I want you. You're a great fighter. [man:] Great! You ever hear of Battle Creek, Texas? There's gonna be a fight there. [man:] A very large and expensive fight. I wanted a man of mine to participate, but unfortunately he was severely beaten recently. I'm not a man of yours. [man:] Have you forgotten the young lady so soon? Now my proposal is simple. The fight is three weeks away. We'll pay your entry fee and take care of the expenses. The young lady remains in my possession until the winner is announced. I'm betting it'll be you. [man:] You'll have to return to Chicago immediately to begin training. There's no way I can go back without the girl. I couldn't face my family. My brother. It's a disgrace that I've lost her. I recognize that and I want to help. I don't want your concentration diminished. After all, the thought that your brother is awaiting your return must be maddening. And then having to come home empty-handed... [man:] Now May and I have been talking. Uh, it appears that she and your brother have never actually met. [man:] They've just exchanged pictures, huh? Hi, guys. We brought Miss Wong in from one of our businesses here in San Fransisco. You mean fake this girl for May? Why not? It'll relieve the pressure on you and your brother. [man:] A hoax, yes. But a humanitarian gesture to ease the pain. [Jerry:] He will never buy it. May is an educated, classy girl. She is even a trained nurse. Uh, Miss Wong took first aid in high school and she studied lifesaving techniques under a lifeguard last summer. Mouth to mouth, and all that. She's been briefed on the situation. It's a terrible disgrace. If you don't go home soon, your family will have the police looking for you. If I win, I keep the fifteen thousand. [man:] Absolutely. And if I win, you keep your men away from my father's restaurant. [Jerry:] Or anyplace in the neighborhood. How's that for nerve? Huh? Beautiful. You've got it. - [Jerry:] Forever. - Forever. Here we go. Uh... I'll wait here. [car horn] Get rid of the gum. Dad, they're here. Jerry, hi. Geez, we were starting to get worried. May. Your bride to be. [Robert:] Finally. [Robert laughs] My God, finally. May, this is my father. Hi, Dad. May Chan... welcome to our home. We are very happy. You two have a lot to talk over. I'll see you later. [laughs] What do you think, Uncle? I could make a guess. Robert's fiance is here in Chicago. Dominici would not let her get far from his side. He has a big place in... Lake Forest. I guess it's stupid to suggest the police? Stupid, no. Unwise, yes. If it is known that Jerry has gone to the police, I think we'll never see the girl again. I have to try for her. We. We meaning the three of us. The would be unwise... - and stupid. - [Nancy tuts] Just keep on walkin' the way you're goin'. Hold it. Wait a second. [dogs barking] [Jerry:] Shh. [barking stops] [hood:] Get him! Try to get inside. - [Jerry:] Behind you! - I know. [dogs barking] [hood:] Hey! [hood:] Aah! [cocks gun] [hood:] C'mon, c'mon. [Dominici:] Wonderful, Jerry. Wonderful. Come into the living room. Oh, yes! [Mama:] Beautiful! I knew you'd come here. You'd have disappointed me if you hadn't tried. I know she's here. I want to see her. I honestly believed we'd reached, uh, an agreement. And here you are trying to change everything. [uncle:] My nephew does not know if she is dead or alive. He is very upset. Uh huh. Well, that's terrible. Jerry shouldn't have to worry like this. His mind should be free to train. His opponents are gonna be quite formidable. Billy Kiss from Pittsburgh is entered. And, uh, that other fellow from Morocco. We're putting a lot of faith, to say nothing about money... in Jerry's ability to win this thing in Texas. I'm sorry, gentlemen. I can't grant your request. But let me tell you this. The young lady is quite well and in very good spirits. [Dominici:] A wonderful, lively girl. We have a fine gym, if you'd care to use it. Completely equipped. No? You sure? Well, if you need anything, please allow us to help. It is best that you stay with me during your training. I will set up a cot. - [yells] - [hood screams] - [hood lands] [glass clinking] - [cat meowing] - [dogs barking in distance] [man:] Hiya! Hiya! Woo - woo, woo. Come on, come on. Let's go. Come on! Move it, move it! Move it, move it! Hiya. - [Morgan:] David Leggetti. - Mr Morgan. [Morgan:] Come on in, kid. Yeah, sit down. - [door closes] - How ya doin'? Fine. You know, David. Pittsburgh isn't so far away. I mean we hear things. Uh... rumors. - Like what? - A Chinaman. Lots of chinks. Which one? My boy Billy Kiss is very, very good. But we've heard good things about this, uh, Chinaman that your uncle found. He's all right. Your uncle picks a lot of winners. I don-l don't like that. It, uh, worries me and worry puts wrinkles in my forehead. I could take him. [laughs] Straight up, or in an alley? Anywhere. Yeah... I understand your uncle's been pickin' on you. That he's uh... pushin' you off to one side. I'm family, Goddamn it. That's right. And you don't treat family like dirt. I mean the Leggetti side of the family is as legitimate as the Dominici side. What is right is right. I'd be lying if I said I haven't been thinking about that. I mean, what the hell. You're the rightful heir. You help us... and I help you. Pittsburgh, Chicago. Together. I could like that. That's fine. Fine, David. We'll talk some more. It stinks. Let's get outta here. Now you must learn to hate this. So... everything is not as it seems. [uncle:] Your training has begun. Every time you make a mistake, this brute will sleep with you on your small cot. [Jerry:] Ow! [laughs] [uncle laughs] You're ready for Texas. - [marching band playing] - [crowd cheering] [indistinct shouting] At the conclusion of the National Anthem [judge:] and at the sound or the siren... you may do battle with anyone you wish. When the bell tolls up there in the courthouse, those of you who are still fit will be paired off for the individual fights. You know you can't use no guns, or knives, or no hardware like that. [plays National Anthem] [music stops] All right! [crowd booing] [band starts up] No! No! Not me! [crowd booing] Shut up! [bell rings] Stop 'em, I say! Right now! Stop the fight! I can't believe it! We're still in it. Which is more than could be said for most of 'em. Don't walk, Jerry. Come. Run with me. - Cool off by warming up. - [drumroll] The first bout will be between Billy Kiss of the United States [judge:] and Bustamonty of Jamaica! Jerry looks very good, doesn't he, Mr Leggetti? Across the street, there. We don't want Morgan to surprise us. [Dominici:] Do we, David? [siren] - [band plays interlude] - [woman:] Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! [booing] [inaudible] Hey, you can't do that! [crowd booing] [inaudible] - [cracking] - [Bustamonty:] Ahh! Whoo! [crowd:] Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! [crowd continue chanting Kiss] - [man:] Give him a kiss! - [cracking] I'm gonna kiss ya good-bye, Jamaican. [crowd shout] [crowd booing] Next on the agenda, ladies and gentlemen, is a contest between Ben Akari of Morocco [judge:] and from the mighty city of Chicago, Jerry Kwin. I, I mean Kwan. [drumroll] [crowd:] Jerry! Jerry! Jerry Kwan! Jerry! [laughs] [cheering] Stop! Stop! [policeman:] Hey! Hey! Get out! Stop! Stop! Stop! [policeman:] stop! [policeman:] That's it. Stop! [car roaring] [laughs] Beautiful! Hey, where's Leggetti? Aw, I saw him go sneaking his ass out of here. - He left without a word. - Aw, it doesn't matter. - Morgan must be one worried bastard. - [both chuckle] - [Leggetti:] David Leggetti. - Yeah. Yeah, let him in. We have to talk over here. My uncle can see us from his room. Yeah, well, I'm gettin' creases in my forehead. You're gonna have to drop a bomb on that Chinaman. Look, I can put a stopper on that Chink. All I need is a little help from a few of your men. Also, I, uh, I need someone to tell the uncle. Sure, Davy boy. I mean, that's what partners are for, right? The next bout is between Hiram Johnson of Liberia and Kiro Atashi of... of Japan. - Get him! - [crowd shouting] Jerry! Jerry! May I interrupt, ladies and gentlemen. Jerry Kwan has defeated Ben Akari. Jimmy Watkins. Jerry, you're a Dark Horse in this Battle Creek Brawl. Nobody knows much about you. - What do you think your chances are? - I believe in myself. Some others believe in me. Fifteen thousand dollars is a lot of money these days. What do you plan to do with it if you win? I'm going to give it to my brother in Chicago. [Jerry:] He has a clinic, and he needs equipment and all of that. [reporter:] No one can argue with that. Let's get back to action. Thank you, Jerry Kwan! That Jamaican fellow is dead. - Kiss killed him. - Jesus! An accident? Maybe. [cheering] - Johnson is resourceful. - Vicious. - Then there is Billy Kiss. - A lover. Come on, let's run to the hotel. Hup! [chief judge:] The next fight is eight tonight. Hiram Johnson versus Jerry Kwan! [siren] Come on, Jerry! [indistinct] [man:] Easy! Easy! [Johnson:] Hit 'em out! [man:] Jerry. [crowd:] Jerry! Jerry! [crowd continue chanting Jerry] Come on, Jerry! Go! [cheering] [reporter:] Tomorrow, the final bout between Billy Kiss, the Man Mountain of Pittsburgh against that amazing young man from Chicago, Jerry Kwan. It should be a dandy! The Man Mountain, the Colossal Kiss, against the little guy with the windmill-like moves. How do you describe it? Our verbal view [reporter:] coast to coast tomorrow, here from Battle Creek. - All right! We, we did it! - [Kwan makes whooping noises] [Robert:] Jeez! [laughs] - [uncle:] Jerry! - Herbert! Nancy. - What are you doing in there? - I'm playing nurse. Jerry's in the shower. - Let me in! - I can't. Jerry said nobody could come in. - [Nancy:] But nobody. - He must get to bed. - [Nancy continues tearing bandages] - He must sleep. Don't worry. That is exactly what he's going to do as soon as I put some bandages on him. I will wait. Sit here. This won't take long. Hey... you need to get some sleep. We'll do some nice-nice. Remember Billy Kiss? Hey! [Nancy:] Jerry, I can't get you ready this way. [Jerry:] I am ready this way. [Nancy screams] No! No! [Nancy:] Jerry! [Nancy:] Jerry! Waiting by a locked door whilst an open door beckons is both foolish and futile. Honestly, you-you'll be 22% less efficient. Yoo-hoo. [cocks gun] Yoo-hoo. [cocks gun] Folks, it's fifteen minutes until the final bout between Billy Kiss and Jerry Kwan. [cheering] Uncle Herbert, he is an hour late. [Nancy:] Jerry! Excuse me. Jerry. Somebody just shoved this in my hand. Herbert's been kidnapped. - What? It must be a joke. - But this is his hat. And it says he won't be hurt if you lose. But I must win. I know. Well, look, try to stall, okay? And I'll see if I can find him. [cheering] Everything's fine. [siren] [crowd applauds] Jerry! Jerry! [crowd booing] [crowd members:] Get him! Get him! [crowd continues chanting] [crowd booing and chanting] Don't use it, there's cops outside! [man:] Behind you! [man:] Watch out! Get him! Get him! Jerry! How about a little kiss, Kwan? A little kiss won't hurt you none. [crowd booing] Getup! Get up! [man yells] - [Herbert:] Hm! - You got no right up here. I'm in charge! You-you're gonna have to get down. Identify yourself. Just a minute! Just a damn minute! [Herbert:] Hey! Go ahead! I'm okay! [Herbert:] Hey! I'm okay! [Herbert:] Do it! [cheering] Get him into the movie house. I've found David. And good riddance. [Leggetti:] Go claim your prize, Kiss. - [door closes] - They'll find Kwan here. You are the one who beat up Jug. Your friend? Maybe. [yells] No! No! [judge 2:] Hey, shut up a minute! [judge 2:] Be quiet! Be quiet! Be quiet now! We have to verify that your opponent can't continue. [crowd booing] [judge 1:] Quiet, please. [man:] Somebody go find out! [woman:] There he isl. [woman:] There he isl. [crowd:] Jerry! Jerry! [crowd continue chanting Jerry] [woman:] Yeah! Come on! Yeah! Come on! Yeah! Ow! Ow! [woman:] I liked that. [man:] Hit him, sweetheart! I'm going back to Chicago. Everything will be taken care of. [theme] |
|