I don't care whether you're broke
or on the bread line
or ready to lay down and die.
You're not gonna get rid of me
at bargain rates, Tom Moody.
You want a divorce?
Just lay 5, 000 bucks on the line,
and you'll find yourself a single man
so quick it'll knock you dizzy.
Monica. Monica.
Ten million men were killed
in the last war, 10 million.
Why did they have to let me
come back to marry her?
Five thousand bucks
for a divorce.
I can't even raise the dough
to pay my hotel bill, and she wants 5 grand.
What am I gonna do, Lorna?
What am I gonna do? This is the end.
We'll start by fixing your tie.
She's kicked me from pillar
to post ever since I met her.
What does she want,
my head on a plate?
I've done everything
I could for her.
Now, when the only fighter
I've got left is Lucky Nelson,
she wants $5,000
for a divorce.
I don't see that it's funny.
I'm not laughing.
This means as much to me
as it does to you.
If she's out of the way,
we can get married.
Otherwise, I'm just
a dame from Newark.
I don't like the feeling.
Oh, for Pete's sake, Lorna. I'd give
my right arm to say "Mrs. Moody" to you.
As soon as I get rid of her,
we'll get married.
Don't worry. I'll hang on.
I've got nothing to do
for the next couple of years.
Gee, if I had some money, I'd buy you
something. I don't know what.
Look, if Lucky Nelson wins tonight,
I'll take you dancing at the casino.
He won't win.
How do you know? I don't know,
so how do you know?
Are you crazy? Nelson hasn't a chance
against Sailor Anderson.
It's the 20th century, Tom.
No more miracles.
Yes, I know. I've been off
the gold standard for ages.
This used to be
a gorgeous town.
In 1928, New York was
hot with money.
My mother died in '28.
I haven't had a break in years.
"Carry Me Back to Old Virginny."
That's how I feel.
I'm down for the count, Lorna.
You know what
I like about you?
You take everything so serious.
Come on, get up off the floor.
You still look good to me.
I need you, Lorna.
I need you all the time.
I wish I could give you
everything you want.
Mr. Moody.
Don't you knock when
you walk in an office?
Sorry, I forgot. If you want, I'll...
Speak your piece and get out.
I just ran over from the gym.
What gym?
Where Lucky Nelson trains.
He just broke his hand.
What?
It's a fact.
Is Borneo over there, my trainer?
He's looking after Nelson.
Well, you can put me
in a bughouse right now.
"Moody's the name, folks.
Step right up and wipe your shoes."
That Nelson.
Well, come on,
let's go to the funeral.
I gotta get hold of Roxy Lewis
and cancel the match.
I don't think it's necessary
to cancel, Tom.
Oh, you don't?
Who the devil are you?And who are you
to call me Tom? Are we acquainted?
Why don't you let me
take Nelson's place.
What?
I can take Nelson's place.
Did you hear that, Lorna?He wants
to fight Sailor Anderson. Him.
He's got curls too.
Going down.
Can't you fix it
with Roxy Lewis?
Can't you do it?
Now look, kid, go on home
before I forget my manners.
Then you won't like it, I won't like it
and Miss Moon here, she won't like it.
How do you do, Miss Moon?
I need a good manager, Mr. Moody.
You used to be tops around town,
everyone says so.
I think you can develop me.
I can fight.
You don't know it,
but I can fight.
Main floor. Watch your step, please.
Why don't you give me
this chance, Tom?
I don't want you calling me Tom.
You're brash, you're fresh,
and your hair's too long.
In fact, you're an insult to my
whole nature. Now, go home.
Let's get together, Tom.
It isn't safe to walk
in the streets anymore.
Lunatics on every corner.
Maybe you're wasting your time.
Look, I've studied Anderson's style
for months.
I've perfected the exact punch
to stop him cold.
Have you ever watched him closely?
He likes to pull your lead.
He hesitates for a second,
slips his face away and he's in.
Suppose you catch that second when
he hesitates, he's open for the punch.
What do you do with his left hook?
Avoid it.
I'm waiting for your answer.
Look, you idiot, did you
ever hear of Phil Marco?
I heard of him.
Anderson put him away in 12 minutes.
Ever hear of Eddie Newton,
Frisco Samuels, Mike Mason?
Did you ever hear of me?
No. Who are you?
I would honestly like
to know. Who are you?
My name's Bonaparte.
That isn't funny.
Didn't that name used to get a laugh?
Now, tell the truth. Didn't it?
Call me Joe.
And your hair, didn't that
used to get a giggle too?
You don't seem as intelligent
as I thought you were.
Oh, stop it, Tom.
You can't blame me.
I haven't laughed in years.
I don't like it.
I don't want you to do it.
I'm sorry I did that, Tom.
We should be together,
Tom, not apart.
Leave me alone. You're nuts.
Do you know what you do to me?
You embarrass me.
What's the good word, doc?
You know, it's like a dream.
One minute I got a middleweight,
and the next minute he's a piece
of pulp with a busted mitt.
It was sort of funny, but you see...
Funny?
Get him out of here.
I can't stand his sense of humour.
I phoned Roxy, Tom.
He's on his way over.
Ah, this is the end. I'm off
my top with the whole thing.
We ought to get together, Tom.
What are you doing here? Didn't I
park you out in the fresh air?
You ought to be ashamed
to show your face around here.
This is the boy that did it to Nelson.
What?
Yeah, Nelson was tuning up,
sparring with the kid.
The next thing he knows,he's on
the floor with his hand cracked.
Why, you...
Hold it.
Where do you come from?
Here.
How old are you?
Twenty-one tomorrow.
Fight much?
Enough.
Where?
Oh, out of town.
You take a chance the day you're born.
Why stop now?
You don't think Roxy Lewis is crazy?
He wouldn't use a boy he don't know.
Talk him into it. He'd sell his heart
not to cancel a bout.
Give him 5 percent of the kid.
He wouldn't take 5.
Give him 10, then.
Ah, sweet misery of life.
Okay, Borneo, look him over.
Come on, kid.
Just a second.
I wanna make a phone call.
I think you'll be surprised, Tom.
You call me Tom again,
and I'll break your neck.
Hello.
Hello, Papa?
This is Joe. Look,
Papa, I'll be late tonight.
Oh, why you must
come home late tonight?
I want you come home
on time tonight.
I got something.
I'm in a rush, Papa.
I'll explain tonight. Goodbye.
Joe, Joe.
A friend of mine stayed
out late at night.
Two days later,
I went to his funeral.
Pneumonia.
Ah!
Joe's young, strong.
Pneumonia. What do you say?
It's all right to stay
out sometime.
Young people must
have a fling around.
But tonight...
Tonight is a special time.
Come on. I'll show you.
Tomorrow Joe's 21 year.
I got a big surprise I'm gonna give
him when he come home tonight.
Say, a surprise is a surprise
an hour later too.
My son, Joe, has
got a big talent.
It's a most wonderful present for
his birthday, what I give him tonight.
Fine, fine, beautiful.
It's a Ruggieri.
How much, if I'm not getting too
personal, did such a violin cost you?
Fifteen hundred dollars.
I wait for this moment many year.
Fifteen hundred dollars?
A sum that staggers the mind.
My friend, does any boy
deserve such a sacrifice?
Deserve?
Joe's practised ten year.
He work hard. He get a scholarship
in the Music Institute.
And this is a gold medal he get.
The best in the city.
Could a boy make a living
playing this instrument
in our competitive
civilisation today?
Why, don't expect for Joe
be millionaire.
Millionaire is no necessary.
Joe love music.
Music, it's a great cheer-up
in the language of all country.
Joe take this violin...
a piece of wood...
and with his two hands...
hands so beautiful...
so fine...
he make music.
How about it, Mr. Bonaparte?
No, Siggie, no.
No what?
No taxicab.
Listen, I'm married
to your daughter, ain't I?
And when you do this little thing,
you do it for her and me together.
A cab and two shifts
is a big source of profit.
Joe takes the night shift.
I'm married, so you don't
expect me to take the night shift.
I no expect for Joe drive a taxi.
What's he gonna do?Play the violinski
in the back yard all his life?
Siggie!
Come to bed, Siggie.
Papa, don't talk to him
so he'll come to bed.
Women, women,
always buzzing around.
Women. The less we have
to do with women, the better.
As Schopenhauer says,
"Much ado about nothing."
I'm hungry, but I ain't got the heart
to go into the kitchen again.
It reminds me how my wife slaves
for this dizzy family.
A fine future for an
intelligent woman.
Hey, she's your wife,
but she's also my daughter.
And she's not so intelligent
like you say.
Also, you are not
so intelligent too.
You can't insult me.
I'm too ignorant.
What do you want?
Siggie. Papa, why don't you let
Siggie come to bed.
I no stop...
Sure he stops me.
He stops me every night.
I'm worried. I can't sleep.
Why don't you buy Siggie a cab, Papa?
You got the cash.
It don't have to be a new one.
It don't have to be a...
Sure, even an old one.
The way they're reconditioned nowadays...
Look, kids, go to bed, will you?
Come on, Mr. Carp,
one more game.
Wait a minute. Now, don't tell a lie.
How much you got in the bank?
I got millions.
How much?
What's your business
how much he's got?
Shut up, Duchess.
Am I asking for my health?
If I wanna take you out of the kitchen
is that the gratitude I get?
You and your father,
you get my goat. I'm sore.
Come to bed, Siggie.
"Come to bed, come to bed."
What's so special in bed?
It's a conspiracy
to put me to bed.
I'm warning one thing:
If matters go from worse to worst,
don't expect me to support this family.
I'm warning.
Okay.
We have receive the
warning. Go to bed.
And who asked you to stick in your
two cents about secondhand cabs?
As long as I'm not gonna get it,
I'll tell you what I want:
A first-class job
fresh from the factory.
You've got some nerve, Siggie.
Oh!
Next time I'll break your neck.
I'm super disgusted with you.
Hey, stop...
And with you, I'm super finished.
Sit here with this unholy alliance.
I sleep alone tonight.
You hit your wife in
private, not in public.
A man hits his wife,
and it's the first step to fascism.
What are you talking about,
my little prince? I love my wife.
And as for you,
don't make believe you care.
Let me see you help us out first.
We wanna raise a family.
It's a normal instinct.
Take your hands off my wife.
That's right, Papa.
He can hit me any time he likes.
And we don't want you
interfering in our affairs
unless you do it the right way.
Into bed, Duchess.
- Good night.
- Good night.
Get out of here.
There's old remark:
"You must never interfere in the
laws of nature, and you'll be happy."
Gee, you're up late.
Yeah, waiting for you, Joe.
What's...?
Oh, I had a fight.
A boy in the park.
Why you fight?
It's a long story.
I'm tired.
Good night.
Joe.
I was saying to Mr. Carp,
tomorrow's your birthday.
Twenty-one, eh?
How you like to be
so old, my boy, eh?
Papa...
do you wanna know where I was?
Do you wanna know the truth?
Sure, Joe. You always
tell me truth.
I...
Here. Here's my name in the paper.
I had a fight, ten rounds.
I got $100.
Had a fight?
That's no possible.
Joe Bonaparte.
Prizefighting, the
act of a foolish boy.
I don't wanna be criticised.
Joe, it is not true.
You sound like crazy.
Prizefighting it not for you.
I wanna do what I want.
Look, I proved it
tonight, I'm good.
I had a professional fight.
I can have some more.
But you are a musician, no?
Tomorrow's my birthday.
I change my life.
Just like that?
Just like that.
To me, it's a mystery.
Where did you learn fighting?
Oh, all over the city in the past
two years in the gyms.
Who could believe it?
But your music.
What will happen to your music?
I take a vacation.
The notes won't run away.
Papa.
Papa, don't hate me
for what I did.
I love the violin.
I love it more than
anything else.
But I've practised
for ten years, and where am I?
You and Siggie,
everybody I know,
the kids I went to school with,
all out working,earning real money.
Look at Anna. Even she does more
around the house than I do.
Your way to live is more
important than Anna or me.
No, Papa. People laugh at me
walking down the street
with my fiddle case,
year after year.
You better than them.
Someday you be big artist.
Someday?
Papa, everything
moves too quickly.
Life goes by 200 miles an hour, and
you want me to wait for the future.
It might never come.
Papa, I want to own things
and to give things.
Everything you want from breakfast
until you turn out the light.
I want you to go
to concerts every night.
Money's the answer.
I can get it fighting,
no other way.
I won't get it
playing a violin.
Money, money.
We got hearts,
we got souls.
We gotta take
care of them.
Joe, listen to me.
Do what's in your heart,
not in your head.
In there is music...
violin.
It comes out, it sings when you play.
Then you happy.
You do what
you born for.
The other thing is fake.
It's a bad dream.
And when you wake up,
it's too late.
Papa.
I wish I could make
you understand.
I gotta do what
I gotta do.
You're in a draft.
I just had a tough workout
at the gym.
Borneo says my left jab's
getting to be streamlined.
That's fine. A fighter
needs a good left.
Do you ever watch fighters train?
I might watch you someday.
Tomorrow?
Maybe.
I work with McCoy tomorrow.
He brings out the best in me.
A lot of clippings
for a newcomer.
Two months and you're ready for a
personal scrapbook.
By the way, have you read
Johnny Meyers' column?
Yeah, I read it.
"If that gorgeous curly hair doesn't
plop over in his eyes..."
I said, I read it.
You don't like my hair?
Sure, I like it.
Women are fools
for curly hair.
But in the ring, it's a different story.
They'll kid you to death.
All right, let them.
I'll do as I please.
Sorry I blew up.
You're a tough one
to figure out, all right.
So are you.
Sometimes you're like
a little girl in pigtails.
Sometimes...
Sometimes what?
There's something
about you so sad,
your eyes, your mouth,
even your hands.
Don't pick me
apart like that.
You mean, I look like I've
been kicked around.
Oh, no. I mean...
Say, they have concerts in the park
every Wednesday night.
Will you come
with me sometime?
Oh, hello.
What are you doing here?
This place is for business. You can't
train for your next fight in an office.
I did my work at the gym.
Borneo said I could go home.
This ain't home.
I know it ain't.
Any objection to my being here?
Save some of that fire for the ring.
We want you in tiptop shape
for the next bout, that's all.
You don't have to worry
about my condition.
You'll find me in the gym
tomorrow morning, early.
Funny kid. Like a firecracker.
Yeah.
I see trouble ahead unless
you handle him with care.
I can take care of him.
Lorna, darling, we've got the Pittsburgh
date, and there's the word clinching it.
All set, and Buffalo too.
Yes, and these are
real money bouts.
Boys and girls, I'm getting
to feel like 1928 again.
I can smell the dough all around me.
I've got that swimming sensation.
If you hear a noise,
it's my mouth watering.
Lorna, darling, do you
know what I see?
I see a penthouse
in your eyes.
Oh, yes, bread.
Excuse me, what you say?
Bread.
Bread.
You hear music?
Sure.
You hear me say, "bread"?
Joe.
Papa, it's beautiful.
Where did it come from?
You like it?
Like it? It's a Ruggieri.
I buyed it for your birthday.
Your teacher tell me it's one
for which you dream.
Oh, Papa, it costs so much.
You shouldn't have done that.
Play, Joe. Please,
no stop playing it.
How do you like
my haircut?
It grow back.
Play, Joe.
"Brickbat of the Week
to Joe Bonaparte,
hailed three months ago
as a new Mickey Walker,
endowed with a champ's
speed and cleverness.
KO'd his first opponents
in short order.
Today he dodges and dances,
pulls his punches,
and was lucky to get a draw
in his last couple of fights.
Is Bonaparte another
flash in the pan?"
Brickbat of the Week.
Fine publicity.
The guy is right. Bonaparte used
to have a punch like dynamite.
Now a mosquito
even stings harder.
All he does is box, tries to use
his head. Just a brain trust.
What's wrong with that?
I'll tell you in a capsule.
The people who pay to see a brain trust
you could fit into a telephone booth.
Tom, you know Bonaparte's
not a slugger.
His main value is his science.
He's a student.
Excuse me, Miss Moon.
In the prize ring,
the cash customers
don't look for students.
When I want a student,
I'll hire Einstein,
a wonderful man
in his line.
Roxy's right. Not only won't
the kid fight like he used to,
he ain't even been to
the gym in two days.
I've stood enough from him.
Now, I'm going down to his house and
find out what's wrong. Let's go.
Service.
Joe Bonaparte live here?
That's right.
I'd like to see him. Moody's my name.
My name is
Joe Bonaparte's father.
Oh, well, we ought to know
each other. I'm his manager.
Oh, I'm pleased
to know you.
Well, well, we'd like to talk to you
for a minute, Mr. Bonaparte.
Sure. Come inside,
please. Sit down.
Your Joe's a very clever fighter.
We wanna make your boy famous,
a millionaire, but he won't let us,
won't cooperate. How do you like that?
Sit down, please.
Why? What he do?
I'll ask you. What does he do
that's right? Nothing.
We offer him on a gold platter:
Wine, women and song.
To make a figure of speech.
We offer him magnitudes.
Yeah. Take an apple.
You like to have some fruit?
No, thanks.
Your son won't fight.
He fight for you, no?
That's right. No.
Your boy has unexplored
possibilities. Unexplored.
He's trying to say that Joe
keeps holding back
in the ring.
Hold back?
Oh, his defence is brilliant...
But what about the offence?
That's right. Where's the sense to it?
He thinks it's wiser to receive than
to give. He'll take but he won't put.
Hey, you talk too much,
and nobody's contradict you.
Everybody's contradict me.
Even you, and I never met you before.
I no understand.
What did Joe not do right?
They think he don't
punch hard enough.
He seems shy
with his hands.
Hands? He could hurt them?
Every fighter hurts his hands.
Could get hurt? Could break?
What's so special about hands?
I suppose your kid plays piano.
My boy's playing the best
violin in New York.
Is this on the level?
If I had hair, I'd tear it out.
Five hundred fiddlers stand on the
corner of Broadway and 48th Street
every day, rain or shine, and your
boy dares... How do you like it?
Joe's afraid of his hands
because he fiddles?
I don't know. Must be.
Moody, do something,
do something.
I'll do plenty.
No.
No, Joe no like
to be disturbed when...
Say, this is a surprise.
What are you fellows
doing down here?
So this is the way
you waste your time.
Never in my nightmares could I imagine
such a thing. It's an outrage.
For days you ain't been to the gym.
What's the big idea?
Now, take it easy.
And for weeks now,
you've been holding back with your hands,
carrying a torch for that violin.
You should've seen that bunch
of fiddlers on 48th Street.
Not a dime in the carload.
I don't like you barging into my room.
I'll see you both at the office.
Now, look here, kid, let's talk plain.
I got a contract with you,and it
reads you're to fight, not fiddle.
Suppose you bust a hand,
what's a busted hand to a fighter?
Now look, we're all
in this game for dough.
Take some advice from a friend,
kid, and throw that 10-cent banjo away.
Friend? You act like you
own me bag and baggage.
Like I'm a bargain you
picked up in a basement.
Well, I've been thinking
I might give up fighting.
I'm not convinced it's what I want.
Now, don't get on your high horse.
We're talking for your own good.
When we tell you how to fight...
If I fight, I'd fight the way I want.
That way you'll be through in no time.
Okay, I'll be through.
In fact, I'm through
right now.
Come on, Roxy,
I've had enough.
I never had any brothers either.
No?
Joe's got a sister, my Anna,
and Siggie, her husband.
He's A-number-one
son-in-law.
Come on, Lorna.
I hope Joe's no angry
because you interrupt.
He should be angry. My friend,
your son is no prize package,
you can take my word
for it. Goodbye.
Come on, Lorna.
Looks like they didn't do so good
upstairs. Goodbye, Mr. Bonaparte.
I would like to talk with
you more sometime.
You come see us again.
Thanks. Maybe I will drop around.
Yeah, hear Joe play.
Goodbye. I'm glad
to have met you.
What happened in there?
You both look ready for the morgue.
Lorna, you can toss me to the hounds.
It's all over. Bonaparte just quit.
Quit cold. He says he's not convinced
he wants to fight. How do you like it?
There goes our last chance
of getting married,
and my last chance of making some dough
to buy that divorce. This is the end.
Come on, pick up
your chin, little man.
Don't Brisbane me, Lorna.
I'm licked and I'm tired.
Find me a mousehole
to crawl in.
Do you want Bonaparte to fight?
Do I wanna see tomorrow?
Well, why don't you ask me
when you want something?
I'll make him fight.
How?
How?
Oh, leave it to me, Tom.
I'm a dame from Newark.
I know a dozen ways.
Wasn't it wonderful?
Let's go somewhere else.
Swell.
New York.
We're standing on the heads
of 7 million people.
Gee, all those cars.
Like fireflies.
It's a big city...
and little people
don't stand a chance.
What are you
thinking about?
You and Mr. Moody.
I don't think about it,
why should you?
If you were my girl,
I wouldn't think about it.
Haven't you got
a girl, Joe?
No.
Isn't there anyone you
like well enough?
Anyone?
What have you been
doing all your life?
I mean, besides
playing that violin.
I've read every page
of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Is that your idea of a good time?
No.
But, well, I've always
felt different.
Even my name
was special.
Bonaparte.
And playing the violin.
People used to laugh at me.
They've hurt my feelings
for years.
You could get even.
Borneo says you could
go far in the fight game.
Lorna, I want to get ahead.
I want people to know who I am, but...
You were getting to be somebody.
You could make all that
your carpet to walk on.
You mean by fighting?
I thought so too.
No, Lorna, I've tried it
and I don't like it.
I hate it.
A prizefight is an insult
to a man's soul.
And besides, it might
mean the end of my music.
I need these
for the violin.
Feel how cold
my hands are.
It's a pity you feel
that way about it.
I used to watch
you in the ring...
handling yourself
smooth as silk.
I'll make a confession.
I was proud of you.
I saw your future in
big electric lights.
It's a pity never to see
you in action again.
It used to be a thrill.
Lorna, you're not
kidding me, are you?
You're like music
to me, Lorna.
Rich, soft music that goes
on in my head and heart
for days and nights,
with a crazy tempo
that seems to beat out...
Beat out what, Joe?
Your name, Lorna.
Always "Lorna, Lorna."
Why don't you fight, Joe?
You have to be what you are.
Joe, listen. Be a fighter.
If you made your fame and fortune,
you'd be anything you want.
Do it. Bang your way
to the middleweight crown.
Buy that car. Give some girl
the things she wants.
My nature isn't fighting.
All right, then,
fiddle away.
Why get angry?
Moody sent you after me.
A decoy. Well,
you've wasted your time.
You can't talk me into fighting.
I'll make up my own mind about that.
Point two,
I'll tell you something
Moody doesn't know.
You don't love him.
What are you talking about?
And there's a lot you don't know...
Forget about me.
You're lost...
I said, forget it!
I thought you knew how
to get what you wanted.
Well, I made a mistake.
I'm going home.
I'm tired. I'll get a cab.
I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to quarrel.
Skip it.
Lorna...
I'll tell you a secret.
I don't like you.
You're too mixed-up inside.
You're wasting your time
whining that things are wrong.
I like men who reach
for a slice of fame.
I can reach.
Where did you learn that,
in the "cyclopaedia"?
What makes you think
you can do that?
- Taxi?
- Taxi!
So long.
You've got plenty of speed,
but in the wrong direction.
See you in 1960. Maybe
you'll be somebody by then.
Long before. I'll get
what I want.
I'll buy that car.
Tell your Mr. Moody I'll dazzle
the eyes out of his head.
Tell him for me, he's handling
the next world's champ.
All aboard!
See America first,
what I mean.
Fight your way from
coast to coast.
Yeah, man!
- I'd like to be on that train.
- I'd like to fly.
Stay on the ground, Duchess.
Fly? What for?
Who do you know
up there? Eagles?
Here, you don't know how to pack.
You forget your good sweater.
Thanks, Papa.
Success is the word!
Need I say more?
I'm proud of you, Joe.
Come back a champ
and bring back enough dough
to buy your sister's
boyfriend a new cab.
Yes, boys and girls,
I am looking in that
old crystal ball,
and I see strange
and wonderful events.
Yazoo!
Drunk as a horsefly.
You can't drive me to the
station in this condition.
What condition?
You're drunk, stupid.
Shut your face, foolish.
Just because I don't hold in
my nerves, she thinks I'm drunk.
If you hold in your nerves,
you get ulcers.
Come on, Joe. Get your
chapeau and let's go!
Or don't you want me to drive
you down to the station?
No.
Eh...
My cab's in the
garage anyway.
Take it with you, Joe.
You can practise sometime.
I got no room
for it, Papa.
Maybe you'd better...
return it.
Look, here's Mr. Carp
to say goodbye.
Come in, my little prince.
I wish you good luck.
Thanks.
Have a good trip, Joey.
I have to do this, Papa.
Be careful for your hands.
Give me the word, Papa.
Give me the word to go ahead.
You be careful
for your hands.
I want you to give me the word.
No!
No word! No!
- You wanna fight?!
- Okay, you gonna fight!
But I don't gonna
give no word, no.
That's how you feel?
That's how I feel.
You should've seen the reception
they gave us in Pittsburgh.
The newspaper boys were great.
Borneo, in the past six months,
you done a noble job with that boy.
Okay, Roxy.
Moody, you're the best partner I got.
May we be healthy and successful
in our brand-new suite.
We're in the money now!
You said it.
We're in the money now!
Hi, ho, the merry-o...
Tom. Tom, I forgot to tell you.
Fuseli phoned you before.
Eddie Fuseli? What does that gunman
want with me?
A chance to talk turkey
to you about Joe.
Well, if he calls again,
tell him nothing doing.
Yeah?
I'm looking for Joe Bonaparte.
I'm his brother-in-law.
Well, hello. I'm Lorna Moon.
Oh, Joe's told me all about you.
This is Mr. Moody.
What can we do for you?
And Mr. Lewis.
For me? You can do nothing.
I'm sore. I'm here
against my better instinct.
Where's Joe?
We're expecting him.
- Have a drink.
- Thanks.
Look, could I have a minute
of your valuable time?
I got my cab outside
and I can't wait.
Sure.
Come on over here.
What's up?
Joe brought this dough
for my father-in-law when he got back,
but the old man was out.
When he saw it, he said he didn't
want it, no part of it.
Six hundred bucks,
enough to choke a horse,
and he treats it like
so much alfalfa.
Why?
Listen, I got a father-in-law,
nothing is nice to him but slicing
philosophical salami across the table.
Now, he's worried about this boxing
enterprise Joe got into.
Personally, I can't see
what's so terrible.
A boy gets in the higher brackets.
What's the worry?
That's too bad.
I'll give Joe the money.
I think he's marvellous.
I really do...
Hello, Eddie.
Nice of you to drop in.
Have a drink, Eddie.
There's too much
of a crowd.
It makes me depressed.
I wanna talk business with you.
Alone.
Borneo, take the gang down to
the corner, will you,
and buy them
a round of drinks.
Sure, Tom.
All right, come on, folks.
- See you later, Roxy.
- Bye, Tom.
- See you later, Tom.
- Bye, Roxy.
- Goodbye, Eddie.
- Bye.
How do you like our new place?
It's a cheap office.
Cheap? What are you talking?
It's Oriental luxury.
You, there, with the sense
of humour, get out.
Hey, don't give me
any of that double talk.
- Take it easy, Siggie.
- Hey.
Meet Eddie Fuseli.
Fuseli?
Hi, Eddie.
So long, folks.
Well, the place is empty.
What's on your mind besides trouble?
You got this
certain boy, Bonaparte.
I like his looks. American-born?
Right from here.
He appeals to me.
What's your opinion
of this boy?
Possibilities.
Could he get on top?
Well, I can't see that far ahead.
I don't read palms.
Could I buy a piece?
- No.
- Could I?
No!
I like a good fighter.
- This your girl?
- I'm my mother's girl.
Ha-ha.
That's a hot one.
Pretty flowers.
You like them? Somebody, we don't
know who, sent them to us.
I like them. I sent them.
I always send flowers.
You think this
is something?
You should see
what I sent Nick Polley.
He... He's dead,
ain't he?
To return to our
previous discussion,
I like to buy a piece
of that boy.
He's not for sale.
In fact, I had a visitation
from above.
An angel came down
and said,
"Let there be unity
in the ownership."
I had a visit too.
I was in a bar...
and the same angel came
down and ate a pretzel.
And he says, " Eddie Fuseli,
I like you to buy a piece."
But I can't make any
guarantee about the boy.
How do you mean it, Tom?
I don't know what he'll do
in the next six months.
Eddie, it's like flapjacks,
up and down.
You don't know which side next.
Ha-ha. That's a good one.
You ought to be on the radio.
It's a fact, Eddie.
We got enough
headaches already. He...
He's got a father who sits on
the kid's head like a bird's nest.
You know what I mean, Eddie.
Take your hand off.
Where is everybody?
Let the boy decide.
Joe, this is Eddie Fuseli.
Oh, I've heard of you.
He's a man around town.
With good connections.
Wants to buy a piece of you.
I'll tell him myself.
I'm Italian too.
Italian-born, but
an American citizen.
I like to buy a piece of you.
I don't care for no profit.
I could turn it back to...
You could have my share.
But I like a good fighter.
I like a good boy who
could win the crown.
It's up to you, Joe,
if he buys in.
Some managers can't
give you what you need.
Don't say that, Eddie.
Some managers can't.
I'll think about it.
Meet me tomorrow for
lunch at my hotel.
You give me your
answer then.
Okay by you, Mr. Lewis?
Frankly, it's okay with me, but don't
think it'll all be honey and cream.
The boy's a problem to handle,
he's an excitable character,
with responsibilities,
like I told you before.
There's a trick you
don't know, Roxy.
When a bird sits on your head and
interferes with the championship,
you shoot him off.
All kinds of birds.
You'd be surprised how fast
they fall on the ground.
Which is my intention
in this syndicate.
You're not going to lunch
with him tomorrow.
No? Why not?
Because I say so!
Another thing. I don't want you
flying around in that car of yours.
Talking to me?
Yes, you!
You gonna tell me what
to do and who to see?
You're not letting Fuseli in!
I'll do as I please.
No one tells me
what to do.
Will you listen to me?
The nerve of that kid
talking to me that way.
How do you like that for gratitude? He
leaves us standing here in our brevities.
What makes you think
you're worthy of gratitude?
You don't know how
to talk to that boy.
Lorna, we're in a
bad spot with Joe.
He's getting hard to
handle, just when things
are going good for us.
Now that gunman wants to muscle in.
You gotta help me.
- How?
- Go after the boy.
You can keep him away from Fuseli.
I still ask, how?
Oh, you know how.
Now you're talking.
You mean the way
I see it on his face?
For crying out loud,
what are you talking about?
You expect me...?
Where do you come off
to make a remark like that?
I think I'll go grab myself
a 12-cylinder lunch.
You're not mad?
No.
I'm not a bad guy, Lorna.
All right, I'm crude.
Sometimes I'm worried,
and I'm crude.
But we both want that sun
to come up and shine on us...
don't we?
Yeah.
That sounds like the
girl I used to know.
I see what you mean.
You're not mad?
No.
I'm not mad.
I'm glad you're still here.
I'm waiting for my car.
I forgot to tell you. Siggie
was here before you came.
He brought this.
Your father sent it back.
Haven't you seen him yet?
I guess I'd better
run right over.
Thanks, Lorna.
Say, this is the first good look
I've had at you in a long time.
You haven't changed.
Maybe I have.
Joe, there are a lot of things
I wanted to tell you
while we were on the road.
But, well, you acted as if
I were poison ivy.
Once someone told me to go out
and find fame and fortune.
It's been taking up all my time.
What do you think
of your pupil?
Joe, where are you going now?
Home.
Why don't you come along.
May I?
I'd like to.
Papa, what's the matter with you,
all alone here in the dark?
I'll go.
Papa, look who's here!
- Joey! Joey!
- Hello, Anna.
Hello, Joe.
- Papa.
- Joe?
Joe!
Papa, you remember
Miss Moon, don't you?
- Hello, Miss Moon.
- Glad to see you again, Mr. Bonaparte.
- And this is Anna.
- How do, Miss Moon?
Hello.
I came down here the day I got back.
You weren't in. I didn't get a chance...
That's all right. That's all right.
Anna, Joe will stay for dinner tonight.
Sure!
And Miss Moon too.
You're gonna stay, please.
I'd like to, very much.
Anna, big company tonight!
Yeah!
Sit down, Papa.
Sit down. I wanna look at you.
Let me see. Let me see.
Yeah, that's my father.
Why did you return the money?
I'm glad to see you, Joe.
It was such a long time.
Don't think I'm not hurt, Papa.
My money's yours.
I want you to take it.
We talk about it
some other time.
Okay, my mistake.
Here, Anna, give it to Siggie.
Let him buy that cab.
That'll make him happy.
Oh, gee! Thanks, Joe!
Oh, that's wonderful!
But now Siggie won't have
anything to be sore about.
How are things
around here?
You tell me. You happy?
Happy?
Sure.
You tell me, Miss Moon.
He's enjoy life? He's happy?
Well, I guess he is. I guess
he's got what he wants.
I'm glad.
You both say so, I'm glad.
Well, Anna, go ask
Mr. Carp for dinner too.
Sure!
It's gonna be a big
celebration, huh?
- Have an apple.
- No, thanks. I couldn't.
I've never eaten so much in my life.
You no eat enough.
My friends!
And I mean you
too, Bonaparte.
First, I wanna take this occasion
to thank Joe for his contribution
to the oppressed end
of the family, that's me.
And when I buy this new cab, I'm
gonna take you all for a ride.
Free of charge. And now,
from the bottom of my heart,
I wish you all a very
happy New Year.
Good speech.
Ain't he a riot?
Happy New Year in May!
Sit down, Siggie,
before you make another speech.
Twelve in one night is enough.
Speech, speech...
Nowadays, where have we
got freedom of speech?
It's a free country.
You can talk. I talk.
Even him, look
how much he talks.
It's a delusion.
America itself is a mirage.
And Europe.
Every time I read what
goes on in the papers,
I feel so bad I have to
close my shop and go see
a double feature.
Well, everybody,
you have enough to eat?
Let's go in the other room.
All right. Good.
Miss Moon, you're not hungry?
Oh, no.
I've eaten so much.
Beauty first, Miss Moon.
Thank you.
I think I've had too much to eat.
Oh, Miss Moon, look.
How do you like Joe?
What are you trying to
do, embarrass me?
That was his first violin.
You were a lovely kid. I would
like to have known you then.
Look, here's another one,
when he was 1 year old.
That one's censored.
Here.
No, no, Anna! Give me that.
Here, here.
Give me that, Anna!
Joe!
Give me that picture!
- Here, here!
- Joe, no, no!
Papa! Papa!
- Anna!
- Joe!
I've got it.
No, you don't!
Now, now. That's enough.
Come on, come on.
He's afraid of
the naked truth.
- Anna, how about some music, huh?
- Sure!
Yeah, music.
You like to sing?
Sure.
Come on, Anna, sit at the piano.
Come on, everybody.
You sit there, Mr. Carp.
All right, all right.
What do you like?
You know what I like. "Funiculi."
"Funiculi."
"Funiculi."
Everybody!
Beautiful!
Mr. Carp. Learn the words.
I know the words.
No, no. Leave him alone.
He's doing fine.
I know what we gonna do.
What?
Miss Moon, how you like
hear Joe play violin?
I'd love to.
Don't start that now, Papa.
I don't wanna play.
It's a good time for playing,
and Miss Moon must hear.
- No, Papa, no.
- Go on, play for him, Joey.
Please, no.
You shouldn't do this.
Here, Joe.
I haven't touched it for months.
Go on, Joe.
Please, Joey.
Come on, Anna.
Come on, everybody.
Come on, sit down.
This is big concert by
Joe Bonaparte, violin.
What shall I play?
Play...
Paganini Variations.
Oh, no, I couldn't do that.
Why, you play beautiful
eight months ago.
Eight months is a lifetime.
All right, play
Brahms' Cradle Song.
I'll try.
He play that when he
was 12 years old.
Try again, Joe.
What's the use?
But you haven't
played in so long.
Double notes is difficult.
He needs practise.
It was wonderful, Joe.
Joe, don't worry.
Play some...
I'm not worried, Papa.
Music and fighting just
don't mix, that's all.
We've got to go now.
Come on, Lorna.
We had a swell time,
Papa. Good night.
Joe, stay longer.
Good night, Papa.
Goodbye, Mr. Bonaparte.
Miss Moon...
you sweet, gentle girl.
You friend of my son.
He's got big trouble
in his heart.
He's musician.
He's no prizefight.
I ask you, look out for him.
Help him find what's right.
I'll try.
Joe, you're the luckiest
boy I've ever known.
What do you mean?
What a home,
what a family you have.
I've never seen such
happy people.
I've never been so
happy in all my life.
And your father,
he's wonderful.
The way he looked at you
when you picked up that violin.
Joe, I was wrong about you.
How?
I made a mistake, Joe.
Watching you become a fighter
taught me something.
I've seen you get
hard-shelled and tough.
You shouldn't be
in the ring, Joe.
You belong in your home,
with your violin.
Say, that's funny, coming from you.
I know.
Oh, Joe, do you remember
the night you spoke of music
and what it meant to you?
You knew what was right then,
how people should live.
Joe...
maybe you ought to
give up fighting.
Give up fighting?
You were the girl
that liked champions.
You were the girl that...
Stop it, Joe.
Don't try to get even with me.
Well, I've made up my mind
to win the middleweight crown.
But your heart's in music,
Joe. You know that.
I can't play anymore.
I've got the hands of a fighter.
No.
They've been soaked in brine for a year
and they're tough as nails.
No.
They're good for only one thing now:
Slugging.
Slugging my way to the title.
Oh, no, no, Joe.
You've got money now.
You can afford to practise
for months, years.
Your hands can
get right again.
Oh, you've got to try. You've got to.
No. Not now.
Then when?
After I'm champ.
First, I'm gonna
finish what I started.
I'm on my way. I can
get Fuseli to help me.
Joe...
do you know what
you're saying?
If you get mixed up with
Fuseli, it's the end of you.
Lorna, you're trembling. What is it?
Joe, listen.
I'll tell you the truth.
Moody asked me to keep
you away from Fuseli.
Now I'm here to beg you,
but not for Moody's sake.
It's for yours.
Fuseli's a gangster.
You'll find yourself
getting dirty inside.
Before you know it, he'll
put a gun in your hands.
Oh, don't do that to me.
Does it mean that much to you?
Say you won't tie up with
Fuseli. Promise me.
I don't need Fuseli.
I don't need anything
but you, Lorna.
You're real to me,
the way music was real.
Why don't you
belong to me?
Don't, Joe.
Don't.
Why not, Lorna? Why?
Tom loves me.
I love you.
Lorna, why can't you leave him?
What has he ever done for you?
Would you like to know?
He loved me in a world of enemies,
and I loved him for that.
He picked me up in Jackto's Hotel
on 39th Street.
I was nine weeks behind
in the rent.
I hadn't hit the gutter yet...
but I was near.
He washed my face
and combed my hair.
He stiffened the space
between my shoulder blades.
Misery reached out to misery.
And now you're dead.
If I am, I don't mind.
I'm tired.
All I want is peace
and quiet. Not love.
Once I was in love and
took a terrible beating.
I don't want it again.
I want you to stop it.
Don't devil me, Joe.
Let me alone.
Now I know you love me.
I'll tell Moody.
No, not yet.
When? Swiftly. Everything's easy
when you do it swiftly.
I'll tell him.
Tomorrow.
Gee. It's the beginning
of a wonderful new life.
A man and his girl.
A girl who shares
your home.
I'll share your home, Joe.
A home somewhere far away.
Lorna...
Lorna!
Honey, I've got terrific news.
At last we can get married.
I spoke to my beloved
wife last night.
She's begun to run around
with a retired brewer
and now she wants the divorce.
She's going to Reno.
Watch out, my hair.
Oh, that isn't all.
I signed a fight with Harrison today.
They meet six weeks from tonight.
That's nice.
A Harrison win clinches everything.
And then you and I,
Lorna, baby, we're set.
What do you
think of that?
You draw beautiful pictures.
Well, you're not
very gay about it.
What goes on?
You still wanna marry me?
Tell the truth. Love doesn't last.
What's got into you, Lorna?
I'm trying to tell you
how cynical I am.
Honest, you're so dumb.
Love lasts, if you want it to.
I want it to last.
I need it to last.
Why am I struggling to make a living,
if not for you and a home?
I don't kid myself.
Don't say that to me, Tom.
Why not? Why, in no time, we'll be
standing in front of the preacher.
I'm leaving you, Tom.
What?
It has to end.
What has to end?
Everything.
Lorna, I don't like a joke that pushes
the blood down to my feet.
I'm not joking, Tom.
No, Lorna, no.
Please give me a break.
Oh, the things I've planned.
I'm not a kid any longer.
Lorna, I don't deserve this. Lorna!
The first time I saw you two
that was going on.
What is this, one long duet?
I got news for you.
You meet Harrison in Rochester
six weeks from today.
I said, meet Harrison in Rochester...!
I heard you.
Well, answer me, then.
Rochester?
I'm sick and tired of fighting on the road.
Why can't you get me a fight in the Garden?
I don't need you to tell me
how to run my business!
I'll book the matches!
Yeah, and I'll be fighting
in tank towns until I'm 50.
I'm disappointed, Joe.
I thought you were coming
to see me this morning.
We were going to discuss
certain matters.
He's got nothing to discuss with you.
He's not talking to you!
How do you like it, Tom?
Big bills or little bills?
Don't think you're buying in!
Take big bills. They're new.
They feel good.
Joe, tell him you don't want him.
I can do you a great deal of good.
He don't need you.
He's got the best manager in town.
You are a funny man.
String with me and it's
a shortcut to the crown.
Can you get me a fight in the Garden?
Joe!
I spoke to the Garden.
They said he wasn't ready.
This is Fuseli.
Let me talk to
Moran personally.
Hello, Moran? Fuseli.
How are you?
Say, I'm interested in a
great boy, Joe Bonaparte.
I like you to use him
for an important bout.
You will do yourself a personal favour
and get my appreciation. Thanks.
How long will it take you...?
I'm in shape now.
Anytime, Moran.
That's okay.
I'll drop around and
get the contracts.
Who you talk to, Tom?
The office boy?
In five weeks.
Does it suit you?
Down to the ground.
You know why they do him favours.
Don't lose your head. You promised...
Look, in a half a minute,
I got a fight in the Garden,
something I've wanted for a year.
I'm through with the small time.
Don't worry about me.
You wanna buy in? You're in.
From now on,
he runs things.
Your insolence is gorgeous,
but this is the end.
For a cheap little fighter...
Don't talk so quick, Tom.
I wouldn't take this guff
from the president himself.
Cut me up in little pieces...
You could get cut up in little pieces.
You wanna manage this boy?
Help yourself. Do it!
Give me 20,000 and let me out.
Ten! I'll take 10! I got my girl.
I don't need crowns or jewels.
I'll take my girl. That's all I want.
What girl?
I'm not on speaking terms with you.
Well?
Lt'd be funny if your arms got broke.
Wait a minute.
Lorna loves me,
and I love her.
Crazy as a bat.
Tell him.
I love Tom.
Tell him what?
I was a fool to get sore.
Kid is a nut.
I don't like no one
to laugh at that boy.
You call a boy
like that a nut?
An educated boy?
When you do it in
front of me, I say,
"Tom don't like himself."
As for your resignation,
I buy you out when I'm ready.
Right now I got use for
you as my assistant.
Do your business, Tom.
That goes for you too.
No tricks, Miss Moon.
Listen, boys, the Chocolate Drop
is a tough customer.
This ain't no setup
we're meeting Saturday.
Don't make no difference
to Bonaparte who he fights.
Hold that a second, Mr. Fuseli.
How about the Chocolate's
uppercut, Bonaparte?
Uppercut?
Joe will chop him to pieces.
I'll make mincemeat out of him.
How does Bonaparte expect
to win Saturday, with a KO?
That's what we expect.
Sure, that's what we expect.
Can you name the round?
Which round would you like?
You're either a genius or an idiot.
Come into the bar.
I make an extra special
rum collins.
You make 20 drinks,
you won't change my mind.
Come on. Come on. I got a sweet bar.
You ought to see it, it's sweet.
Well, I could use a drink
about now.
Say, Tom, how's that
beautiful gal of yours?
Oh, she's fine.
When are wedding bells gonna ring?
In about a month.
Boy, that's swell.
That Drake fellow's a case.
So they're getting married.
Moody? I guess so.
Those writers hate me.
When did Moody
get his divorce?
A few weeks ago.
Why don't you forget Lorna.
What?
I'll say it again.
Why not forget her.
Joe, your heart
ain't in fighting.
Your hate is, and
that's no good.
Why don't you find
somebody else to love.
Or am I butting in?
I won't be unhappy if you
mind your own business.
Okay.
I'm sorry I said that.
Okay.
I thought Eddie was here.
Well, he isn't.
Funny seeing you without him.
Like seeing the shadow
without the man.
I heard you're
getting married.
Did you?
I'm looking for
the scissors.
Who are you
cutting up today?
Congratulations.
Thanks.
When I speak to
you, look at me.
What would you like to say?
Marry anyone you like.
Thanks for permission.
You haven't spoken to me for weeks.
Why break your silence?
Moody's right
for you. Perfect.
The mating of zero
and zero.
I'm not sorry
to marry Tom.
That's from the
etiquette book. Page 12.
"When you marry a man,
say you like it."
What do you want
from me, revenge?
Sorry.
We're all out
of revenge today.
You must've gotten a pretty kick when
you tossed me out of the window.
The fastest double-cross
of all time.
Yes, I tossed you
out of the window,
but not when I gave
you up for Moody.
I did it when I
walked into your life
and made you fight.
That's when I did it.
But I learned my mistake and I begged
you to turn around and go back.
I begged you to stay
away from Fuseli.
And what did you do?
The second he put a piece of bait
on the hook, you snapped at it.
You forgot your promise and took the
easy way out, and look at you now.
A bad imitation
of your gangster friend.
You're not the boy
I cared about.
The boy who loved
music so much, he...
You murdered him.
I don't know you.
Listen to who's talking.
The queen of the two-timers.
So you don't believe me.
Well, I've told you the truth.
What more can I do?
Marry Moody.
Is Joe inside?
Keep out of his sight.
They told me you
ran away suddenly.
I took a chance
you might be here.
What is your attitude
about Moody?
I was thinking maybe...
he should submit his resignation.
I'll pay him for his share.
How much he wants?
It's worth it not to have
him around. Okay?
I got something for you.
You like that colour?
Thanks.
What's the matter?
Why?
Do you see a crowd around here?
No.
That's right, you don't, but I do.
I see a crowd of Fuselis
all around me, suffocating me.
Burying me in good times
and silk shirts.
Do you want to see
a musical tonight?
I got tickets.
Charley.
Fuseli is speaking.
I'm giving 7-5
on Bonaparte.
Four thousand. Yeah.
It's gonna be a good fight.
How do you know?
I know Bonaparte.
I got a lot of money spread out on him.
Suppose Bonaparte loses.
I look at the proposition
from all sides.
I know he'll win.
What do you think
I am, a machine?
Maybe I'm lonely. Maybe I...
What do you wanna do?
Walk in a parade?
Get the money and
you won't be so lonely.
I want some personal life.
I give Bonaparte a good personal life.
I got loyalty to his cause.
You use me like a gun.
Your loyalty's to keep me
oiled and polished.
Before I stepped in,
Bonaparte was a rookie
with a two-pant suit.
I got him important
bouts in the Garden,
and now, after five months,he fights
the contender for the crown.
He walks down
the street respected.
They how their heads off when Bonaparte
steps in the ring, and I done it for him.
There are other things.
There's no other things.
Don't think so much.
It could make you very sick.
You owe me a lot.
I don't like you to forget.
You better be on your toes
when you step in that ring.
Your loyalty makes me shiver.
Take the shirts.
I don't care. I told you I don't wanna see
anybody before the fight. It makes me...
Hello, Papa.
Hello, Joe.
What are you doing here?
I come to see you fight.
Hey, sweetheart,
how about giving
me a chance to...?
Shut up, I'm not
talking to you.
Hello, Joe.
I dropped in to tell you
a piece of good news. For me.
I just got rid of you completely.
My bandages
don't feel right.
You know, I'm indebted to you.
Your pal Fuseli just
paid me plenty for my share.
Skip it. You picked
the wrong time.
Pepper White.
Ready, Pepper White.
Now I got one wish:
For the Chocolate Drop
to give you a shellacking.
I wanna see you hanging on the ropes
with your eyes popping out of your head.
You gotta be taught a lesson. Tonight.
I said, skip it, Tom.
That's no way to talk to
him before the fight.
Borneo is right. I gotta protect my
interest. Ten percent is 10 percent.
Get them out of here.
Get them out of here!
Don't disappoint me, Joe.
When you hit the canvas tonight,
hit it with a loud bang.
Yeah, do it for me too,
honeybunch.
If you bounce out of the ring,
your old man can catch you.
Hey, Joe,
save your heat.
What's the matter?
Cowboys and Indians?
Out.
I paid you off.
If I see you here again,
I'll know you don't feel like living.
Who is this?
That's my father.
I bought Moody out.
I heard.
I'm worried about
your mental condition.
Too much company.
I'll take care of myself.
I'll do it.
I don't want visitors.
I don't want anyone around here.
Borneo, I put 200 bucks
on Bonaparte's nose for you.
It's my appreciation to you.
Tell me if you want something.
Nothing.
Forget that Miss Moon.
Go out there and kill the Drop.
Send him to the cemetery.
Tear his skull off,
as I know Bonaparte can do it.
I bet a lot of money
on you tonight.
You're a smart boy.
You mustn't lose.
How is Anna, Papa?
Fine.
And Siggie?
He's watching the fight.
You look fine.
Feel good.
Why did you come here?
You sit there like my conscience.
Papa, I have to fight.
No matter what you think.
This is my profession.
Yes, I understand.
Go out and watch
the fights.
Please. I...
I... I go.
Now I know.
It's too late for music,
and now I see.
I give you the word to fight.
I sorry for you.
You'd better leave now,
Mr. Bonaparte.
I hope you win
every fight, Joe.
Lay down, Joe. There's
a minute left to tune you up.
I never worried less
about a boy in my life.
You're a real sweetheart.
You're getting good, boy.
I seen it happen before.
It seems to happen suddenly,
and a fighter gets good.
He gets easy and graceful.
Learns how to save himself.
No energy wasted.
He slips and he slides.
He travels with the punch.
Oh, sure.
I like the way you're
shaping up.
What was you saying
about the Chocolate's trick?
He needs a straight punch.
Now I'm alone.
They're all against me.
Moody, Fuseli and her.
I'll show them all.
Bonaparte, ready. Bonaparte, ready.
Nobody, nothing stands in my way.
Hey, Joe.
Joe. Hey, Joe. Look at me.
Joe Bonaparte,
you're wonderful!
Don't he look great
up there, Pop, huh?
Ladies and gentlemen.
Main bout of the evening.
Fifteen rounds between the contender
for the middleweight crown,
the Pride of Harlem
at 160 pounds,
the Chocolate Drop.
In this corner,
that popular young idol,
New York's favourite son,
at 157 pounds, Joe Bonaparte.
I'd like to see him
cut to ribbons.
Something he's needed a long time.
Why don't you quit, Tom.
Go on, Joe. Knock
his block off. Yazoo!
Hey, take it easy.
Take it easy.
That's my brother-in-law.
Which one?
The one with...
Referee, Larry Brown.
Come on, Joe.
Come on, Joe.
Let him have it, Joe.
Isn't it horrible?
My dear, it makes me quite ill.
Really?
Would you rather leave, darling?
What? And miss the rest of it?
Get up!
Joe's gonna win.
No, I don't wanna see.
Who's winning?
What's a difference who's win?
It's terrible to see.
Keep your hands up,
do you hear?
Take a deep breath.
One more, now.
Cigarette?
All right, Joe.
Come on. Go!
Get around there. Hook him!
Yeah. Yeah, come on. Get him.
Four...
One,
two,
three,
four,
five,
six, seven,
eight, nine, out.
My darling boy.
My dearest darling boy!
How do you like it? Eddie!
He knocks him out in two rounds.
Oh, yeah, a real sweetheart.
The monarch of the masses.
The way he fouled you twice.
I called him on it.
Believe me.
You won the right
for a crack at the title.
I wonder what Moody's saying now.
Take it easy.
What's the matter? Broke?
Yeah, it's broke.
No wonder it's broke.
Darling, how you gave it to him.
Not to my enemies.
A left hook and a right cross.
With no trimmings
or apologies.
Who's got Bonaparte's glove?
Here. Why?
What's the matter, Drisc?
Chocolate's a sick boy.
What?
What happened?
It looks like the Pride
of Harlem is out for good.
Hey, take it easy.
What do you mean?
Just what I said. Out.
Your hands are clean.
You didn't foul him.
You're a clean fighter.
If something happened,
it's an accident.
That's right. There's nothing
to worry about.
That's right.
Gee...
You... You murdered
my fighter.
He's dead, you killed him.
Just a minute...
He's dead.
Chocolate's dead.
We're very sorry.
Pull yourself together.
You ought to be strung up for it!
Get out of here.
He should, I tell you.
Get out, before I slug
your teeth apart!
Eddie, don't hit him.
Let him alone.
Come on, get out of here.
Get him out of here,
Roxy. Come on.
Papa, please go home.
I'll be all right.
Go home, please.
Come on, Joe. Get
into your clothes.
Those boys are too late. They better send
for the coroner instead.
Yeah, that's too bad.
What's happened?
Haven't you heard? Bonaparte killed
the Chocolate Drop in the fight.
What?
Joe killed the Chocolate?
Come on, Lorna. Come on.
Oh, Tom. I've got to see him.
What for?
I've got to see him.
But they're waiting for us
at the Paradise Club.
Think how he feels. Think
what he's going through.
What do you care
what he's going through?
I do care, Tom. I couldn't
leave him alone now.
You like that boy, don't you?
I love him, Tom.
That poor guy...
with those sleepy little eyes.
Outside, Miss Moon.
This ain't no cocktail lounge.
I'll stay here.
Joe.
I'll be back, Joe.
Gee, that poor boy.
But it wasn't your fault.
You didn't mean it.
That's right.
I didn't mean it.
I wouldn't wanna do
that, would I, Lorna?
Everybody knows I wouldn't
wanna kill a man.
You know it.
Of course.
But I did it.
That's the thing. I did it.
Lorna, my father was here.
He heard it himself.
I murdered a man.
No, Joe. No.
You don't know what you're saying.
I murdered a man.
Joe, where are you going?
I don't know.
Some place where
I don't have to think.
Joe, I'm coming with you.
No, Lorna. I've got to be alone.
Joe.
That's him. That's Bonaparte.
What you doing coming in here?
Sit down.
What good will that do now?
He done killed Chokky.
Don't you think you could
leave us alone, please?
Looking at you don't
make it no easier.
I know.
If I could only do something.
Tell me what to do.
I'll do anything.
You can't do nothing now.
I'd give my life to
bring him back to you.
My life.
It isn't worth anything.
That's wrong, son.
I'm much older than any of y'all,
and I ain't no stranger to trouble.
We's all just little people
with a burden, every one of us.
You got one too,
and you got to carry it.
Don't try to run away from it.
You tell me this?
You, his father?
Say, Joe, I was just speaking to...
Take it easy, Joe.
I said, take it easy, Joe.
What's the matter?
Here's your share.
How does it look?
Like blood.
Come on, come on.
Don't be a schoolgirl.
You killed him fair.
Nobody blames you.
Tonight you feel bad,
tomorrow you get over it.
I'm a cheap edition
of you, Fuseli.
But tonight's the end.
I'm quitting.
Maybe you change
your mind.
I already set the date
for the championship fight.
Your guarantee
is $65,000.
Should I repeat
the figure?
Sixty-five...
You're wasting your time.
I don't want it.
I'll never put on
a glove again.
You're hysterical.
I don't like it in a fighter.
I don't care
what you like.
I'm through with you
and I'm through with fighting.
You don't quit so fast
when I can make big money.
When I start something,
I do the finishing.
Your job is done.
You've made
a killer out of me.
I said I had plans
for your future.
I don't like to
change them.
I killed that poor kid
for no reason at all.
I wish I'd murdered a rotten
gutter rat like you instead.
When you talk
like that to me,
it's goodbye.
You've no guts,
no heart, nothing!
I'm sorry I wasted my time.
The Golden Boy.
I cross you off my list.
Here, put this on.
It's cold.
Be glad you're rid
of him. You're free.
Come on, we'll go
the other way.
I can see him lying there.
Come, Joe.
- Lorna...
- Joe, listen to me.
I love you.
We need each other.
We belong together.
I have nothing to
give you anymore.
I wanted to conquer
the world,
but instead I
smashed myself.
I'm lost, Lorna.
No, darling, you're not.
Now you can go back to
yourself, to your music.
With this?
A great violinist with
a broken hand.
Your hand will heal, and you'll play again.
You must.
Nothing can stop you when you do what's
in your heart.
We have each other, Joe.
We'll find a way.
Oh, don't you see, darling?
This is the beginning of
a new life for you and me.
What do you say, Joe?
Papa.
I've come home.
Joe, Joe.
Joe.