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The Evictors (1979)
Mr. sanford, you said
they shot at you? At me? Damn right I'm sure. I've never been so close to death in my entire life, and I sure don't want to get any closer. You mean to tell me that you tried to serve notice three times on those son of a bitches, is that right? And then they give us this crap? Don't you worry about a thing, Mr. sanford. We're gonna change all of that. I mean, we're gonna change it all... Today. Wait, we killed three people yesterday. We can't get away with that. They're coming again, Dwayne, ain't they? That's what Todd believes. Dwayne, let's get away from here. Le-let 'em have the place. Shut up! Oh hell, let's get out. Don't do anything until I tell you, just watch that window. I swear, I depend on you. Go on and get that ammo! Get that ammo. Get it, get it, get it! Mr. Monroe! Todd or Dwayne Monroe! It's me again, Benjamin sanford of the shreveport union bank. Now I'm just doing my job. The court has ordered that i should give you these papers and that you should vacate these premises immediately. Do you hear me? Get back! Let him have it! Well here it is. I'll show you the inside first and then we'll head around to the outside. Well now, here it is. I want you to remember now, it's about 40 acres. Two bedrooms upstairs and an inside bath. The wardrobe is good. I want you to look at this place and think about what it could be like with a woman's touch. Now over here's the living room, we've even got a fireplace. - Ben, it's beautiful, isn't it? - Yeah. Yeah. Now, there are three barns on the property, all their fences are good. There are three Wells that pump but unfortunately, the mineral rights don't come with the house, they belong to the previous owner. Yeah. Well, they don't make 'em like this anymore. I'd sure like to roll up my sleeves and get to work on this place. Yeah, you mean roll up my sleeves, don't you? Come on, let me show you the bedrooms upstairs. Alright. I'll try to push these papers through, I figure you two want to move in as soon as you can. Alright? Listen, why don't you stay here a while? Maybe you want to figure things out. Make sure you lock up and you just drop the keys back off at my office. Alright, thank you. You know honey, i have a feeling we'd have a great life here. Yeah. Can't you hear all those kids running around, wrestling with the dogs and all? Thought I'd come by and see how you're doing. Congratulations on your new home. You know, we're real lucky getting the financing through that quick. I mean with the war and everything going on these days. That was really good of you Mr. rudd. Well you know, it's kind of a special day for me too. I mean it's a pleasure to have new neighbors and uh, make them happy. Appreciate that. Oh, by the way Mrs. Watkins i uh, found another key, thought you might want it. Great, thanks. Well, I uh, guess i better be going. Hey, well, good luck to both of you huh? - Thank you. - Thanks. Well, guess we better start unpacking. Yup. What's this? Letter. "Welcome from your neighbors down the road. Call me, olie Gibson. 931. Come by for coffee and cakes." - Well that's nice. - Yeah, isn't it? Well, where do you want to start? Well... Well you could take me upstairs, we should set up the bedroom first, don't you think? That's the best offer I've had in a long time. I'll see you around 6. Okay, have a nice day. Try not to be late, okay? Yeah, I will. I'm going into town and get some groceries and stuff. Okay, long walk. I need the exercise. -L'll see you later. - Okay. Listen John, we've got ten wagons outside. Well, I know, but then you promised me those two sixteens for the belt two hours ago! Another two hours? Alright. Do the best you can. - Hey Ben, - hey, you're quite a slaughter. Looks like you've got your hands full there, huh? Yeah, Mr. Buckner's not going to be too pleased, that machine is falling apart. You're right, he's not going to be too pleased. Listen, he wanted me to be sure and invite you over to his place on Sunday, he's having the annual picnic for the company employees. So he said to get your wife and come on over. Tell him, "thank you very much." I should know what's what by then. Well, alright. I'll see you then. Alright. - How many did you order, there? - Four. Four? That looks like a nine. Mrs. Watkins! Real nice to see you in town. Well, you're the first one to say so. These townspeople don't take too kindly to newcomers. Oh, well you can't take the townspeople seriously, see they... do you mind if i call you Ruth? You see they're kind of shy with strangers at first, but before you know it... You're going to be hearing all the gossip. Well a smile or a nod will do for now, and thank you for yours. - You have a nice day now. - Thank you, see you later. Bye bye. "To occupant". Well, that's me alright. Fall is here. We're losing all the leaves. Well, how was work? Oh, it was nice enough. All the boys down there are nice enough. There was some trouble with the old machines, though. We got invited to an employee picnic on Sunday by Mr. Buckner. What's the matter? Ben, can we go to church on Sunday? Yeah. What brought that on? Well... Look at this. Where'd you get this? It was in the mailbox. I don't know if the postman brought it or somebody just left it, I don't know. Well, I think it makes no difference who brought it. I don't think it's meant for us. Looks like some five-year-old kid wrote it. I'm sure you're right. It's probably nothing, I just didn't think it was real amusing. It doesn't mean anything, they're just teasing you. I did worst things than that when I was a kid. Is that why you had that door locked? What're you cooking in there? - Don't you recognize the smell? -Ls that gumbo? - Yeah. - Yeah? - Hello ma'am. - Good morning. My name is Roy Lee, but everybody calls me the traveling man. And this Sunday morning, i hate to disturb you, but uh, I have a lot of things in my truck out there, pretty cheap. You interested in buying some of them? Well okay, let's go see what you got. Ben, I think, your tie clasp is up on the dresser! Ma'am, you can see I got a lot of different things over here. Pots, pans, teakettle... That's nice, coffeepot. I want to sell you something. And there's a nice necktie for your husband. There's another... And this is the umbrella right here. Well, you know really i got a lot of this stuff. I've got enough pots and pans, I've got ties, I've got an umbrella. You don't have any fresh vegetables, do ya? No ma'am, I can't. They spoil too quickly. I don't sell none of them. Come around to this side, I've got more stuff over here. This is what I have on the other side. Sure is nice to see somebody move into this place. Been vacant a long time. Has it? Why is that? Had a lot of strange things happen around here. What do you mean? What kind of strange things? Ain't you heard about the folks that were killed here? You ain't heard about all that killing out here, all them people dying? What... what do you mean? What's been going on? I believe in 1934, a lady by the name of Mrs. mullins, a mule kicked that woman to death. Then drug her husband all the way in the back of the field. It was in all the newspapers, but I tell it better than the newspapers do. Get up there! Come on! Come on, Linus! Eugene! Eugene? Eugene? Eugene? Eugene? Eugene, are you in there? Eugene? Eugene? Always been scared to come up here, but I'm glad to see nice folks like you living here. Ruth? We're late for service. Find anything you like? No. I've got twelve long horn hens out there. If you're interested in them, pay them in a day or two. Well, what's a barn without chickens? - You bring 'em around. - Yes, I'll bring 'em here. When you come by, well, you could chop some stove wood for me if you want. Pay you five dollars for the chickens and for the work. It sounds like a deal. Be here in a day or two. Alright. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins. How are you? Fine, thank you. I've been invited to Mr. Buckner's picnic today, - I hope I see you there. - You will. - See you later. - Alright. Stop right here, Bobby. I want to say good morning to y'all. Good morning. I'm the writer of that mysterious note, but I haven't seen you yet for coffee and cakes! - Oh, she meant the other note. - Oh! Mrs. Gibson. Oh, nice to meet you. I'm sorry we haven't been able to come over, we've just been running around like crazy doing things. Now, no apologies are necessary. Say honey, if you ever get lonely and you need somebody to talk to, you come right on over and see me, ya hear? Yes, I will. Alright Bobby, earn your money. Wheel me on home. 'Bye bye. - Bye bye, see you later. Well I like that lady. Yeah, that's a nice lady. Ben, thank you for coming to church with me today. Well, I'm glad I did. Now, let's go to the picnic. The rest of this day belongs to you. Alright. Here comes Ben now. Come on, I'd like for you to meet Mr. Buckner. Mr. Buckner, I'd like for you to meet Ben Watkins and his wife, Ruth. - How do you do? - How do you do? - Good to see you. - Thank you. - Nice to meet you. - Good to see you, ma'am nice to meet you Mrs. Watkins, so glad you could make it. There are some ladies I'd like for you to meet today. - This is Mrs. bland. - Hello. And her little daughter, Barbara. Now Ben, we just don't have money to replace these machines. But that's all there is to it. Well now, um. I might be able to patch them up, but uh, I've got a list of parts that I need. But the only problem is they're down in little rock. That ain't no problem. You can leave for little rock tomorrow and get what you need. Alright. There's something else that I've been thinking about too. I'm working on you at draft deferment. Now, uncle Sam needs you right here. If you can get this mess straightened out, you're gonna get a promotion plus a big bonus. Well, I thank you. Mrs. Buckner, telephone please. I'm sorry, would you excuse me please? Looks like we're going to get some money this evening. Hello Mr. rudd. Hi. It seems that you sold us that house without telling us a few important things about it. Like what? I was referring to what happened in 1934. Oh, you mean about those accidents? Well... A lot of rumors connected with those and... Why should I open a can of worms like that, huh? Yeah, especially if they were really murders, not accidents. You look real nice when you get angry. Who'd want to put a thought like that into your pretty little head? To answer your question, it was the peddler who told me about it. And Mr. rudd, I'd appreciate it if um, the next time you speak to me you remember please that I'm a married woman. How could I forget? You know Ben, we get around 74 bales of cotton through that old gin the shape it's in now. That thing ain't gonna take much... Excuse me, but Ben, can i talk to you for a second? - Yeah. Sure. -L'm sorry. Well, yeah. That's fine. I believe Ben's a good man, Mr. Buckner. What's the matter, hon? Those women are talking about the house. You know, every time I'd invite them over for coffee, every one of them found an excuse. Is that right? Yeah, they keep giving me the strangest looks, Ben I don't know what it is. Kind of gives me an eerie feeling. Well... You might be shy, you know. Feeling shy you know, it takes time to get to know people. Who makes time to come knocking your door down to come get that coffee and cake? I don't know but, do you mind if we go? - I would like to go. - Really? Yeah. Do you mind? Alright. - Mr. Watkins? - Yes ma'am? Mr. Watkins, are you folks leaving? Yes ma'am. I wouldn't want you to leave without taking this pie with you. - Thank you. - Thank you. You folks come back and see us again real soon. - Thank you, ma'am. - We will, thanks. - Bye, bye, 139"] Bye, bye. You want a piece of pie before we go to bed? - You tryin' to fatten me up? - Mm-hmm. Well you know I will. Go on upstairs and get ready, I'll bring it up to you. You don't have to do that. Well, I know I don't have to do that Ben, but I want to. Ben, I'm sorry I was sitting there crying the whole time you were telling me that good news. It's your day and I want it to end right, okay? 0k3)!- go on upstairs, I'll be right there. Alright, you hurry it up. I will. Ben! Ben! There's somebody on the porch! Ben, he was standing right there. Give me that flashlight. Stay inside. I didn't see anybody. Ben, look at that. And that's exactly where he was standing too. Ben, who do you think it was? I don't know. It could have been... One of the hobos, you know? Railroad tracks out on south 40. Looking for a place to sleep, you know, in the rain. Probably thought this place was still vacant. Your scream probably scared him more than he did you. Yeah I guess so. Oh, my China. Well, you want a piece of pie? No, no thanks. Ruth, come on! We're gonna be late. All passengers for the cotton line railroad now boarding. Little rock, Memphis, and Chicago. I brought some more cookies! Would you like some more tea? Yes please, I would. Thank you. Oh, it is so nice of you to drop by and see me, Mrs. Watkins. Oh, call me Ruth, please. Alright, I'll do just that Ruth. I'm also gonna give you some friendly advice about all this worrying you've been doing, hm? Now you listen to me honey, I know exactly how you feel. Before I moved here, i didn't see too much of my husband either. He's all the time working the fields, and at night he had a part time job. We had to live like that because that's the only way we could make ends meet. Ever since he passed away I... I learned how to live alone. Ruth... You be right thankful that you've got a good man like Ben Watkins. Even if you don't see him as often as you'd like to. My, it is so nice to see that old house come alive again. You know that old place was built back in the... 1840 I believe. Yeah, I know. I also heard about some murders in 1934. 1934? Well, I have always thought that that mean old mule kicked those poor folks to death. But you ask me about 1939, and I have got my suspicions. What in god's name happened in 1939? Well, there are other versions lord knows. But you see, I spoke to Mrs. reinhart the very night that it happened. They had left for shreveport that mornin', let's see I think it was around Christmas time that it happened. Yeah, that's right. Christmas. I remember that we had a couple of cold spells already that year. I thought you left the Christmas tree lights on. I did. I know I did. They were on when we left. We don't even have a flashlight, do we? I don't think so. Well, come on. Hm, electricity's off. I'm going to check these other rooms. Why don't you call Mrs. Gibson and see if hers is still on? May I help you? Operator, give me 931 please. One moment. Hello? Mrs. Gibson, this is Ethel reinhart. Oh, how are you dear? I'm fine, thank you. You finally finished all that unpacking. Well, we're just about settled in. Listen, the reason I'm calling is that our electricity has gone off up here and we were wondering if yours was still on. No trouble here, dear. Uh-huh. I imagine it's probably just a blown fuse. I guess it could be a fuse. I'll have frank check it. That's what it has to be. Now, when are you comin' by for a visit? I'm going to try to visit you in the next day or so. Don't you be a stranger! - Ok, thank you. Goodbye. - Goodnight. She has electricity. Well, it's bound to be a fuse then. Let me go to the shed and check the fuse box. Honey? They came on for a second and then they went back off again. Did you hear me? They came on for a second, but they went off again. Honey, did you hear me? Honey? Frank? Frank? Frank! Let me out! Frank, let me out! Well, that's all I know about it, and the papers printed it that way too. Well, I know I asked you to, but I'm sorry you told me about it. Ain't nobody here but I guess i can get started on the wood. Hm. What'd I do with my ax? Guess it must be here somewhere. Maybe it's around there by the house. Chick, chick, chick. Good mornin'. You lay me any eggs this morning, huh? Okay girls, breakfast. Chick, chick, chick, chick. Come on. Chick, chick, chick, chick, chick, chick. Chick, chick, chick, chick, chick. Chick, chick, chick, chick, chick. Hello? Hi hon! I've got great news. I got finished sooner than I thought I would, so I'll be in there tonight. I'm gonna catch the train in a few minutes. I should be there early evening, alright? Listen Ben, can you hear me? I think there's somebody in the house. Ben, listen I want you to call the cotton gin for me, okay? What? I can't hear you. I'll see you tonight, hon! Bye bye. Wait a second, Ben can... You say Mr. Wheeler's gonna come by to pick up those tools? Okay, I'll be expecting him. Okay, I love you too. Bye. Come on in! Oh Ruth, what's the matter? There's somebody at the house! They're trying to lock me in! Oh honey, now go on and sit over there. Everything's going to be alright. Now calm down. Where's Ben? L-i called him right before it happened, but he couldn't hear anything i was saying. I'll call him myself right now, what's the number? No, no. I mean he's in little rock. He won't be home until tonight. Now, don't you worry about a thing, honey. You want me to call the sheriff? No-no, i-l, Ben can do that. L just... You know the best thing for what ails you is a good stiff shot of Brandy. I'll get you one. B-but first, I better call the station. And... Leave word to have Ben catch a taxi right over here. Hello, operator? Operator. The cotton line train station, please. Wait here? Oh, that must be Ben now. I'm comin'! I'm comin'! Come in. She's here. - You can call me Ben. - Alright, Ben. Ben... There's somebody at the house again today, but this time he was inside the house. - Did you get a look at him? - No, it was too dark. But Ben, he put a two-by-four against the back door so I couldn't get out. Ben... He wanted to kill me. You don't have a gun i can borrow, do you? Well, my late husband had an old single barrel, but as to whether it will still shoot or not, I don't know. Do you have any shells? Yeah. Yeah, I think I got a box. Just-just a minute. Oh Ben, I'm so glad you're back. We've got to let the sheriff know about this. Ben, I had to break the glass in the back door to get out of the house. He chased me down the road. I had to run all the way over here. He was after me Ben, he wanted to... Well... Here it is. Alright. Nice gun. My husband took great pride in his guns. Been in there seven years. Ever since he passed away. I keep that room locked up tight and everything just the way he left it. Oh, oh. Here's the bullet things for it. Okay, thank you. I'll bring this back in a day or two. Oh, I don't reckon you really need to. I'm not going to need it anyway. I mean he's not gonna bother no cripple woman. Well, thank you for taking care of her. I'm just thankful I could be of some help. Alright, hon. Well, take care now. - Well, thank you again, olie. - Thanks a lot, olie. Ben, I don't like this at all. - You want to stay on the porch? - No. Ben, go look at the back door. Well, whoever it was is gone. Did you get a look at him? He was big, it was too dark to see anything else. Well... We can talk to the sheriff in the morning. Get him to patrol this area. Ben, I want to go back to New Orleans. We're not going back to New Orleans. We're signed up here. Can't we go back, Ben? I mean it. I can't stand it here. We were so happy there. We go back to New Orleans, we move in with your folks or my folks. We could get lucky, you know. I could get drafted into the army. Ben, that's not funny. Nothing's gonna hurt you. I just don't like this house anymore. We can move. But I want to finish this job first. Well, I have to go to the hardware store to pick up a few things. Going to meet back here in twenty minutes? - Okay. - Alright? Good morning. Good morning. Can you fill this for me? I certainly can. How's your bacon today, is it fresh? Bacon's good. Fresh. We got it this morning. Good. We'll be out twice a day and twice a night. I can't do much more than that. You've got what you need right there to protect yourself. Yeah, sure do. Well, I thank you for that, I appreciate it. - I just hope you can come out. - Alright, we'll be by. Alright. Did you get everything? Uh-huh. Richard Higgins says "hello". What'd you find out from the sheriff? Well, he said he'd start patrolling the area. Okay. Well, what'd you buy? Ooh, never thought I'd be glad to see one of those things. They scare me to death. Wait a second. Why don't you come up here, hon? Give you a break. Room that house, over twenty feet. - Alright? - Yeah. I like this better for you. Ok. - Alright, just on your own now. - Okay. Now hold steady. Whenever you're ready, -just fire. - Okay. Hey! Now listen, I got you a box of shells. I want you to -come out here every day... - Okay. ...'til you feel secure about it, alright ? Okay. - Mmhm? - Mmhm. Hello? Hi honey. Yeah, i have to work late. Oh no, Ben. Yeah, well i-l called olie and I thought you could stay over there. She says "alright". I'll pick you up after. Well, try not to be too late, okay? You know olie likes to go to bed early and... Ah, okay. I love you. Bye bye. Olie? Olie? Olie? Yes ma'am. 508. Thank you. Yes ma'am. Well, I guess there's nobody home, thank you. Wheeler! I called my house again, and I called Mrs. Gibson again and there's no answer. I'm worried sick. I think I'm gonna get over there, -will you take over for me? - Sure. But Ben, do you want me to go with you? No, that's alright. I'll see you tomorrow. Oh, my god. Get away from here. Ben! Oh, my god, Ben! God! Ben,no! No! No! Be quiet. Just be quiet. I'm not gonna hurt you. Please, don't. Don't. Be quiet and I won't hurt you. Please. Please. Police are coming. Please. I think someone's gonna be here-- please don't. Don't. No. Ruth! Ben! Ben, just hold on Ben. I'm going to get you to the hospital. Paging Dr. Williams. Paging Dr. Williams. Ruth, here comes the doctor now. Mrs. Watkins, I'm sorry. We did everything we could. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to return the body of this our neighbor, our friend and this loved one, back to the earth of which it came. Let us be reminded that death is only the golden key to the door to the kingdom of god. The Bible says, "oh death, where's thy sting. Oh pray, where's thy victory." Ashes to ashes and dust to dust. Let us pray. Kind, heavenly father, we beseech thee to watch over this family and the dark days to come, through their sadness to sorrow. Give them strength and courage to go on. We thank thee also for the privilege of knowing this young man for such a short time. May his peace be with thee always, amen. What are you doing? You put that knife down you son of a bitch! Dwayne, you hear me? You went to his funeral. Damn you, Ann. You went to his funeral. That bastard wanted to kill me. Dwayne. Now you put that knife down. Dwayne, it's part of our plan. That plan has always worked. Ever since the police thought that them court bailiffs, that we hid in the shed was us. Let's get away from here. Let's let 'em have the place. Todd! I see 'em Todd, here they come. The court has ordered that i should give you these papers. And that you should vacate these premises immediately. Do you hear me? When Todd slipped us away from the house that night, I knew we would have our revenge. And I've had to pay the price all these years. Sitting in this wheelchair. Nobody's every gonna live in our house. Honey you know that. I've always seen to that. And honey, I've always taken good care of you, haven't I? Ever since we was first married. It's not gonna work this time, Ann. You keeping me locked in here like some animal. All these years. Lettin' me out just to kill those people and then locking me up again. I ain't gonna be locked up again. Never. - Never. - No! No! No! No! No! Jake... I'd like to stop over by olie's on the way back. Do you mind? I'd like to say goodbye to her before I go back to the house and get my things. Would that be ok? - Sure thing. - Thanks. Olie? Olie? Olie? In here dear. I just wanted to come by to say goodbye to you before I leave. And to thank you for being so good to me during this time. Olie um... I came by the other day but the house was... Help! Jake! Jake! Jake! Help me! Please! Ruth. Open up, Ruth. It's me Jake. Everything's alright, Ruth. Ruth open... Everything's alright. Well come on. - Come on in. - Morning. Sit down. Well, what did you think of those two properties you looked at? Well, not fit for a dog. Wilbur, go ahead and tell him about it. - Huh? - Tell him about it. Oh, uh, yeah. Well, like the wife said. Those two houses we looked at, they just, you know, they weren't fit for stray dogs to live in. Anyway, we were comin' back on route 2 and we stopped and we looked and we looked. Bless you. We say this house, it just, i tell you, it's just something we wanted. It's got-the ground's fertile, and we just kept looking at it and finally we just... We drove in. House looked like it hadn't been lived in for years. No, there wasn't nobody around. And... It's the kind of house we want. - Route 2? - Yeah, it was right down there on route 2. Let's see here now. This the house you're talking about? That's it! Ain't it, wilbur? Yes sir. Yes sir, Mr. rudd, that's it. That's the house we want. And we're prepared to pay cash for it too. Alright. Asking price is $10,000. I want to make sure that you have the right paper. I want you to study these contracts, and you look them over tonight and be here first thing in the morning. Come on, wilbur. I'm gonna read this over with a magnifying glass. I'd like you to meet Mrs. rudd. These are the bumfords. Hello, nice to meet you. - How do you do, ma'am? - Nice to meet you. They're gonna buy the Monroe house. - Nice to have met you. - Nice to have met you. Ruth. Ruth. Time to go home. Jake you know I, never wanted anybody to live in that house again. You promised me. On Tuesday June 3rd, 1948, Mrs. bumford was found in an old well at the back of the house. Death ruled accidental. Three months later on September the eighth, Mr. bumford was found hanging in the front room, coroner's office ruled suicide. Today, this house remains vacant. |
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