20,000 Years in Sing Sing (1932) Movie Script
20,000 Years
in Sing Sing
- That's it, Connors.
- That's your castle on the Hudson,
Tommy.
- Sing Sing?
- That's a lousy name. It sounds
like a chap in the joint.
Tom, we got to tell your
public, how do you like
the place?
You inform the boys saying
it's like a dormitory to me.
- That's right kid. Don't let you
get you down.
- There is nothing to get me down.
- After I'm in, I alone the chief.
That might take you a little
time, but you've got plenty of that.
Yeah, five to thirty
is no lunch hour.
It'll be quite a change for you,
Tommy. No tailor shop or speakeasy
in there.
If I don't like the joint,
I move out.
- Yeah, in a two dollar coffin.
- So you never kid yourself?
I'll kick my way out of that
dump...
He's kidding you fellows. With
the connections I got he don't
have to crush out.
- What do you mean, Finn, connection?
- I mean, I'll bring this case to the attention
of the right people.
- Square people.
- Certainly.
Tommy was just mocked up wrong.
That's all. But justice is not always
blind, you know.
You bet she ain't.
That's why he is here.
Listen, is there going to be any
photographers to catch me when
I'm going in?
- I've got my man there.
- You are a saint. Every paper
has sent a man there.
You are still news until the big
gates slams on you.
After that you are just a number.
Ossining. Ossining.
- What are you doing now?
- I got to look my best to the
crowd, Conny.
Hey, you, what do you mean by
that just a number stuff?
Save after right up
getting your grandchildren be
talking about me.
You think so? Now listen.
A month from now,
the dames that you wrote
wouldn't give you a tumble
of mesionette desert island
Hey Tommy, many of the tough guy
coming up to take your place in this...
Nobody can take my place.
I got colur, I got personality.
You guys writing that
yourselves.
That's our racket giving you
guerillas a personality.
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Give me a break, will you?
- Hey Tommy, how about an interview?
Come on, girls, come on,
get out of the way.
Thank you folks coming around.
Don't forget to send the papers
to my girl.
She is going to take care of
all my press conference.
- So long, folks, I'll be seeing you...
- Come on. You're to taking bawls.
Come on, come on.
Come on, take a walk.
- Make it snappy, Finny.
- Right.
Hey, you! Where is the warden's
office?
- Upstairs.
- Right.
You'll soon find out you don't
know this prison. All right Murph.
Okay with me.
Hello, sweetie.
- Is the warden in?
- Sit out there on the bench.
Tell him Joe Finn.
Hello warden.
How are you?
I guess you don't remember me?
I'am Joe Finn.
You know.
Deputy leader of 28 district.
Well.
Can I see you a minute?
- Well, Finn, what's on your mind?
- Oh, nothing much.
I just came up with
Tommy Connors, Warden.
He is a nice boy.
A little high spirited, but
that's all.
And he's got a lot of friends
on the outside. They would
appreciate it if...
- Yes, but Connors is on the inside.
- Oh, give him a break, Warden, he
is a nice kid.
Bright, likeable and a lot
of funs too.
Off course he loses his head once
in a while, but that really doesn't
mean anything.
You know how these young
fellows are, Warden
That's all in fun.
All in fun, eh?
Well, listen to this.
Thomas Connors, sentenced to serve
from 5 to 30 years for robbery first
degree,
additional indictment for assault
with deadly weapon
Previous arrest with commitments:
January the 5th 1919, juvenile
delinquency and truancy.
Commited to
catholic protectory.
October 23rd 1925, arrested suspicion
breaking and entering. Discharged.
May 30th 1927, arrested assault
and battering. Discharged.
June 18th 1927, seven felonious
assault. Sentence suspended.
April 1st 1928, sentenced to
indeterminate sentence, New York city
prison for assault with a deadly weapon.
All in fun.
Well,a lot of us down in New York
wouldn't like to see a kid who
has too tough a time up here.
We'd like to know that he could
buy things himself in a comissary,
you know.
So, we made up a little purse,
something sure, something he
can go to sleep on.
Good old bonds.
Looks like a lot of money
in these bonds.
- 5,000 dollars.
- And there is bails more
where that comes from.
We want our boy to have the best
of money can buy.
Hey, what is the idea? What
do you think you're doing?
- After all, I wanted to ask you a little
favour.
- Listen Finn!
I'm running this prison.
And while I'm running it,
I run it without politicians and
without bribers.
People on the outside is supposed
to be created free and equal, but
they aren't.
In here they really are.
One inmate is just as good as
another inmate, but no better.
Now clear out and don't
come back.
When you get back to your ward,
tell your boys you're talking
about
that I don't want any of
them around here any more
than I want a flock of maggots.
And if Connors has got any ideas
that he is going to get any favours,
he'll find out different right away.
But, you don't understand.
That's all.
What kind of suit?
What kind of...?
What is it, what is it?
Is it a gag?
Hey, look at this, look at
this...
Who's the main guy here?
What do you have to see...
Hey, you! Look, look.
Hey, look at this.
What kind of a...? How do
you think a guy is...?
What are you guys trying to
make a monkey out of me?
Go on and sit down.
I guess you don't know
who I am.
Maybe the warden didn't tell you.
- I'm Tommy Connors.
- Oh, yeah? What of it?
Why you...?
Playing tough, are you?
Come on, I'll show you
how tough you are.
Lock him up.
Alright. If he doesn't wear
the uniform, he doen't have to.
But don't keep him in the
punishment cells.
Stick him in the reception
company along with the
rest of new men.
Just fun of the regular routine,
but no uniform.
Get me?
Yeah, you fixed all right!
With this everyone
freezes.
Alright.
Hey, you, come on out.
If you are taking me out to give
me the work, you'll have to drag me
out.
No, no, no, no more of that.
You got a big pull around here.
The warden said you don't have
to wear the uniform.
Well? There, you see?
Sure. That's what I'm trying to
tell him right when the fight
started.
Certainly.
Certainly...
Okay, let's go boys.
Hey, chief, how about a
cigarette, ha?
- Ah, come on, be good.
- Why don't you be a good pal,
and why don't you be a regular guy?
Ain't you got cute leg?
Get like Marlene Dietrich.
Keeper, you better assess that guy.
Looks like he got a boy boss twos and
bbd.
Bye, bye, baby.
Well, isn't he cute?
You party in tail. March.
- When are we going to D wing?
- How do I know?
We've gone on a governer's
staff.
Fight the big shot, will you?
Come on.
Hey, wait a minute.
What about my clothes?
You said you didn't want a uniform
and the warden said, it would be
all right.
Ooo, that is the gag, ha?
Okay, baby, it's all right with me.
How are you, Gandhi?
Got a load of outfit.
- Go on, go on.
- All right, I'm going, take it easy, you...
Okay, on the job.
Back face.
March.
Let's lead them to working
room.
Not you. You work in here.
ICE HOUSE
Alright, Larson.
Put that down.
Put it down!
Okay, okay.
I understand you didn't like
the uniform I issued to you.
I still don't like it.
I suppose you didn't care for
the food of ours, either.
And I suppose, you don't care
very much for yourself.
It's lousy.
No.
It doesn't get any sunlight, it's
badly vantilated, it's hot in summer
and cold in winter.
It's bad for man's health.
But it's clean.
I rate better joint than
that.
It's the same as every new man
gets until we get room for him in
the new cell blocks.
All you are entitled to in here is
food and a place to sleep.
Anything else you get you get
from me.
What makes you think you
rate anything better than
anyone else?
Well, a sort of they promised me...
They promised? I don't care who they
are or what they promised.
They are not running this prison,
I am.
You are getting the idea you're
a big shot. Get it out of your head.
There aren't any big shots here
except me.
And remember this. If two men
in this place know anything, I know it.
- Ever do any work?
- What do you mean, work?
Honest labour with your hands.
Take a look at those match.
You don't see any callouses on them,
do you?
Only sap's work.
You are going to find out that
you got a figured out all wrong,
Connors.
I'm going to show you that
it is a privelege to work.
A privelege you've got to earn.
You're going to make me want
to work?
The miracle man of Sing Sing.
You talk about callouses,
I'm going to let you sit in your
cell in that hard iron bench
until you get callouses where you
can show them.
Maybe, but you never put any
on my hands.
Then you are going to pray to God
to let you work,
to berak rock, shavel coal,
pick up garbage,
- anything to get out of that cell.
- Take it easy, Warden, don't let
me get on your nerves.
Then you are going into rock
pile gang and swing a sledge
that you can't stand up
and you are going to thank
heaven for the privelege.
Take him back.
All right, now I'll tell you
something.
If I find that I've got a chance to crush
my way out of here and I've to rob
somebody out to do it, I'll just
as soon rob you out as the next
guy.
Yes, I know.
If I were in your place and I had
the chance, I probably do the
same thing.
But the point is, Connors, you haven't
got a chance.
- Not one in a million.
- No, I don't know about that.
There ain't one guy in a million
like me.
Get all those ideas out of your head.
One of these days, you'll learn,
Connors,
that no man has respond in this
world except in relation to the
people around him.
That you've got to be useful
to live.
Save that for Sunday,
Warden.
And let me pass the plague.
Connors.
Pick up that matches you
threw on the floor.
Pick it up!
- Hey,chief.
- What?
Come here..., please.
Well? What is it?
- How long have I been sitting in here?
- Three months.
You're daft? It is over three
years now.
- How much longer do I get?
- It's up to you.
Ah, wait a minute, wait a minute,
take it easy. Don't be... Listen, listen.
Now listen.
- Will you tell the warden something
for me?
- Maybe?
Well...
you can tell him that I'm ready
for that rock pile.
Ah, listen, don't anybody get the
idea that I want to work. See the
idea,
- but, well, I'll do anything to get
out of here.
- I'll... I'll tell the warden, Connors.
- Calm yourself, go and sit down.
- I can't sit down.
You can tell him I got
them callouses.
- Ah, is this a plague!
- Are you sure?
Come on, knock out of there,
big boy.
Connors is doing three man's
work around.
Hey, Connors, you have a visitor.
Get cleaned up.
Oh, oh, yeah... Okay, thanks.
Hey, you got to know
break down.
What is the big ideas to ask me a
million questions? Do you think
I'm kidding?
I'm telling
the truth, that is that.
Okay, Miss. Don't get
upset. Regulations.
Tommy.
Tommy, darling.
Darling.
- Are you okay?
- Yes, sure.
It's swell to see you.
- How are you? All right?
- Yes...
- Oh, darling, I'm glad to see you.
Are you okay?
- Sure.
Except that you are in New York
and I'm up here behind bars.
Sitting in that cell,
thinking about you was making
me go crazy.
I'll give a million bucks to be alone
with you for a little while, honey.
Do you love me?
Yeah.
Don't come up here dolled
up anymore.
- Ah, Tommy!
- What is the matter with you,
do you want me to go crazy?
You let me foam at the mouth with
a clean puff.
Oh, I'am sorry, Tommy, I've
never thought of that. I just
wanted to look nice for you.
That's all right. You know you
don't have to come up here
too hot?
And don't ever come up to see me
on Saturday again.
- Why?
- Because I tell you not to,
that's why.
All of bad breaks I ever
had on a Saturday.
Look at this case.
I was caught on a Saturday,
I was tried on a Saturday...
I was convicted on a Saturday,
I was sent up to this camp
on a Saturday.
They make it binding, I was born
on a Saturday.
And you met me on a Saturday,
what about that?
Yeah, that's right.
Ohh, why you are so sure about it,
I don't know how you are
going to turn out either...
- Ah, you don't, ha?
- No, I don't, ha.
You bet I do, I was only kidding.
Time's up.
Well, that splits us.
Will I see you next week?
Every week,
twice a week.
Let's go, miss.
This is the sample of psychological
testing that is done in the classification
turning.
This particular test will not
be used in every case,
but the test will vary from man
to man.
Now watch me and do just
as I do.
Very good.
You are quite a high type,
aren't you?
Quite, bachelor of arts.
Summa cum laude.
As a matter of fact,
we are brothers in erudition.
My Phi, Beta, Kappa keys is down
in the safe in the administraion
building.
If that key unlock anything,
I am going to get myself on him.
What is your university?
What is the difference? Well, I suppose
we are through with the monkeyshiness
now.
Drop back to my cell?
No. Go across the hall and report
to Dr Meeker, the psychiatrist.
- Alright Connors.
- Yes, sir.
Sit down.
Now take your time and think
hard. Put these pieces into the grooves
that fit.
Well, I haven't played puzzles for
quite a while, I might be a little
rusty.
Can't we cut out of paper a kite
or something?
Are you going to sit down or
am I going to call the guard?
I'm going to sit down,
sweetheart.
Oh, no. Look at that, I'am
very sorry.
That's all right, Connors,
sit down.
Chair's all full of ink.
I said, sit down.
What's the assignment for Nathan,
doktor?
- What did you do on this test?
- 91 seconds.
That's not very good. Put him
on the coal showelling squad.
Put him on the coal showelling
squad.
Well, I guess I'm ready
to start, doc.
Fine.
There you are.
Fine.
- You are pretty smart, when you
want to be.
- Not so smart, I wouldn't be here.
- Is there a wagon there?
- Sure.
What, what's that?
He wants a wagon. Who has carried
up here a bed wagon?
Seem bed wagon, about to call
this morning when you gave
a head when you fell out you said,
- What do you say?
- When you fell down you called
me this morning to the garage.
What are you talking about?
The same falling of this morning
call. What do you have to say
about the gate? Aha, gate, gate, gate.
Next.
Hey, Connors?
How did you come out?
- I picked the shoe factory.
- Same here.
I guess you are about the
best you can do in this joint.
Sit down.
Now, put these little pieces
into the groves that fit.
Come on, come on, open up.
Five minutes and you haven't put one
piece in place yet. What's the trouble?
I'm colour blind.
Where're you sending me, doc?
Laboratory detail.
Thanks.
Hello, kid.
Oh, darling, I'm so glad
to see you.
- How are you feeling?
- I'm all right, honey.
I'm glad you came up today.
Oh, Tommy, this is my wife.
Babe, this is Tommy Connors.
How do you do?
All right, lady, over here.
You got to sit around there, honey.
Come on, come on, sit down.
She doesn't know.
She has been here for the first time.
I've been worrying about you,
darling.
There is no need to worry
about me, dear.
If I could only be near you.
What that happens?
Tommy!
Tommy.
I'm so glad to see you again.
What do you make up for?
- Where is your cigar?
- Well, you told me not look too hot.
Don't get sore. I got a swell news for you.
Well, go on and spell it, I need it.
Looks like you might be out
of here not for long.
Joe Finn is working on a new
angle.
Ee, who told you?
Joe Finn himself. He is puttin on
plenty of pressure getting results.
Why didn't he tell me about it?
I'm the guy stewing the bed.
I don't know. I guess he doesn't get
you more steamed up before it was set.
He has been working night and day.
Who is the one put the smoke
all of a sudden.
Can't you guess? Just little
Fay.
She put the works on him and
he fell over with a splash.
- He did, ha?
- Yeah, I got him do anything for me.
Yeah, that is what I thought so.
Listen, I don't want you playing
around with that guy if I have to
stay here rest of my life.
Now, don't get excited, he
won't get a first place with me.
You know that.
I know he ain't spring me out
of here unless he does.
Ah, don't be silly. He is stuck on
me amusing him, that's all.
What is the matter with your head?
Having you read the press?
Don't you realise that the more that
guy stuck on you
the longer he is going to
keep me up here if he can?
He is putting plenty of pressure, ha?
The only pressure he is putting on anybody
is on you.
Well, I wasn't getting any pleasure
out of it,
but I've got to help you, Tommy,
I've got to do something for you.
Well, I don't want you to help
me that way.
Stay off the guy, will you?
Remember this. You are still
my girl even if I'm up here,
aren't you?
You know I am, love.
Something else for me to worry
about.
Connors, thanks for telling your
girl to look after my wife.
That's okay, kid.
I'll be cashing out of here
before the baby is born.
Are you coming with me?
I'll give my leg to get
out of here.
- You like yourself, ha? Stepping
out on this tonight, Lucky?
- Not tonight, no.
Good night.
Good night.
The lights are off in one
minute.
Quiet.
I'm dying...
Oh, get me doctor. Oh, I'm dizzy,
I can't get my breath. Ohh!
Hey, guards!
Hey, guards, guards!
Help me!
- Hey, here, what's wrong with you?
- I don't know, I got an awful pain.
I think I've been poisoned.
I'll keep your show down
to fix you up.
Hey, sergeant!
Yeah?
Man sick in cell block 5, tier 3.
You better call the hospital
to send an ambulance.
All right.
Saturday,
Nisan 30.
I got word that there might
be a little trouble tonight, boys.
I hear somebody is going
to try a break.
There may be nothing in it
but we better walk around.
Any dope on who it is.
That's the trouble.
We haven't much to go on.
Richard, send out an order to
all guards to watch out for a
break.
And send word to me in
slightest irregularity.
Right.
Come in, boys.
Quiet down there, quiet
down there.
- I'm dizzy. Help.
Help!
- I'm poisoned.
- Aah, quiet down, will you?
Come on, lover boy.
Come on, get up on your feet.
- Let's go.
- No, no, I can't go with you.
- What's the matter with you? Are you
yellow.
- It's Saturday. It's my jinx.
You better come on or I'll kill.
There's got to be three of us
in all this.
All right, go ahead, and it's
Saturday, I tell you, I ain't going.
Bud, Bud, get me out of here,
will you?
- Let me go with you.
- What?
Look, what I've got:
- Let me go with you, will you, Bud?
- All right, swell.
Go on, stay in there.
Clear,
we need a guy like you. Got it?
Get this guy here. Get him in.
- Warden, warden!
- Yeah?
Man sick cell blok 5, tier 3.
New building.
This might be it. Boys,
let's get over there.
Scram.
Come on, let's go fast.
Medicals will come soon.
Come on, quickly.
I'll send you a post card,
idiot.
Wait a minute.
Hold it, James.
- What's the matter?
- It won't work on this one.
That's it.
Not working.
It has to work.
It has opened the other,
why not this?
We have to get out of here
anyway.
Lets hope. Push it.
Hey, what is all that fussing about
up there?
Mike, at the back, beware
the guards.
Here is the warden.
- Can I get him, Warden?
- No, give him a dose of gas.
You can't escape, boys.
Throw your gun.
Come down here, a single file.
Come on, lets get out
of here.
- Come back here.
- Let me go, let me go.
Come you get me.
Take it easy, Bud.
It's a hopeless fight.
You won't have to hit the
... for me.
That guy won't bother us anymore.
Calm down, you, men.
It's all over.
Go to bed.
No, no, stop it, stop it.
We got worse coming to him.
Stick him down on the solitary.
Maybe one day they'll learn that
they haven't got one chance in
a million to get away with this.
We didn't do so good, did we?
- How many men did we lose?
- Two, sir.
Take care of them.
Hey, warden?
- Come here.
- What?
If you don't mind, come here.
Maybe you better lock this cell.
What's the matter, Connors?
You lose your nerve?
Don't tell me this place is
softening you up.
Don't think that I'm playing
smart, that I'm getting soft.
Maybe I took too much credit to
myself for your good behaviour.
But I'm glad you didn't try,
Connors.
Or you might be on your
way to the morgue.
Say, how did a guy like you
do ever become a copper?
I mean, you are not a bad
guy, after all.
You didn't think so much of me
when you came up here.
- You were pretty tough.
- I'm still pretty tough.
I just happened to realise that
today is Saturday and Saturday
is the one day that can't win.
That's all.
You, son of a...
Hey, Connors, warden wants
to see you right away.
I'll take this over.
- Hi, Warden.
- Good morning, Connors, I want
to talk to you.
What are you going to do,
fire me?
Telegram.
Please inform Thomas Connors,
Fay Wilson condition critical, not
expected to live.
That's crazy.
Aaah, somebody is kidding me,
Warden.
It's true.
We'd it investigated.
But... there is no chance.
Fay was just up here.
There was nothing wrong with her.
Automobile accident.
I can't believe it.
Sit down.
Poor kid.
Out there, dying.
If I can only do something,
if I can...
Warden...
She's the only thing I had.
I can't do a thing.
Being buried in here was never
really tough till now.
I know. You're hit pretty hard.
She is the only thing I had.
Connors...
suppose I told you there was a train
leaving here in twenty minutes
and I'd let you go to her...
on your honour,
would you come back tonight?
You know what it means to me
if I let you go and you don't
come back.
I understand.
Warden, I never broke my
word, you see.
Not even to a rat.
And I won't break it now to a
square guy.
After what you are doing to me,
I'll come back.
Even if it means the chair,
I'll come back.
All right.
Thank you, Warden.
Get me the administration office.
Good luck.
June, 11
Saturday
- Who is it?
- Morris, Morris to see Finn.
Go on, make it snappy. - Okay.
- Well, we got her home.
- What did the doctor say, she hurt bad?
- Plenty.
- Is she spoked?
No, but she is going to...
Oh, didn't you talk her scare
into us, Stoken.
She don't scare.
She thinks she is going to die.
She's got a lot of friends, suicide
bother hers up in the stir.
Well, you are the lawyer.
What are you going to do
about it.
His later mortem statement is awful
tough.
Well, I gave her a proposition.
What she say?
She'll clear you for
five grand.
That's a lot of money. A lot of
money
As you said, those later mortem statement is
awful tough.
You draw up the papers
and I'll get it signed.
Too bad she didn't crocker
when she jumped.
I never get a break.
- Sam, am I getting screwed yet?
- What's wrong?
I gues I see a guy who buy
that delivered up the river.
- He'e doing five to thirty.
- Are you sure?
I'm going to make sure.
Fay.
Fay, honey. Fay, it's me,
it's Tom.
Tom!
It's really you this time.
I'm so happy.
I prayed all the time to see you
just once more before...
Once more...?
What are you talking about,
once more?
Fay, honey, how did this happen?
You are going to be all right.
I'll be all right now you are here.
But you won't leave me, won't
you?
- Don't leave me, Tom.
- I won't, honey.
Honest, I won't.
We are going to be together,
always.
I'm so happy for you.
You mean, for us?
No, Tom, I haven't got a chance.
I know.
Aah, who told you that?
The doctor who brought me back.
What you... What do you mean, Fay?
What happened?
You were right about him, Tom.
But I still half believe that
he could help us.
I had to take a chance.
Any chance, didn't idea.
So I went in his car with him.
With who?
What's the difference?
Come on, tell me.
Tell me!
Finn.
Yeah...
He said, he had everything fixed.
Why didn't you squawk?
You could have send him where
I was. I would have fixed him.
- I was going for a...
- Why didn't you?
Finn is giving me five grand for
clearance.
Here you are almost dying,
talking about clearing him?
I thought five grand might
help you to quit.
That was swell of you, kid.
Swell.
Take it easy, now, will you, Fay?
Please, please.
Tom? Where're you going?
I'll be right back.
Don't do it, Tom, don't do it.
You're crazy.
Look, how we suffered already.
Look, what it has done to both.
Come back here, please.
Please.
You promise me,
you won't leave me.
You promise.
- You got to stay with me.
- That rat.
With me safe in jail, he can't
get away with it.
Don't do it, please, please
give me the gun for my sake.
Please.
I don't want you go back up there.
dying myself.
I won't let you, now that
you're free.
All right, Fay. I won't.
Honest, I won't, honey.
Listen to me, please.
Thanks.
Take it easy, now, will you, Fay.
Miss Wilson is to right turn,
sir.
Hello, Fay. What's the matter?
It's Joe Finn. Now, feeling
better?
That's good. Say,
Morris told me about the dove.
You should have known you could
have anything I got without putting
on the pressure.
You lied to me. Get out, please.
I don't want anything. Get out.
So, you've changed your mind, ha?
You are just a troublemaking
broad.
You don't have the chance to
squawk.
She ain't going to squawk.
Neither am I.
- Connors!
- Yeah. Yeah, it's me.
And I got here just in time to rub
you out your dirty s...
Tom!
I'm going to kill you,
old rat.
No.
Open the door.
Let me in!
Open the door.
Quick, fire exit.
Open the door.
Open the door.
- Who did this?
- Connors.
Don't believe him. He's crazy.
He is lying to you.
There wasn't anyone here.
Just us two.
He attacked me. I had to,
I tell you.
You did, eh?
You wouldn't fool a fellow,
would you?
Hello?
Hello? Yes.
Just a minute, please.
Oh, Paul, the district attorney's
office calling from New York.
Hello.
- Warden Paul speaking.
- Hello, Warden, how are you?
Say, you have a prisoner up there
by the name of Thomas Connors,
haven't you? Doing 5 to 30?
Still up there, isn't he?
Another one of those cases letting
a man out for a day on his honour,
he?
Well, I wouldn't expect this one
back tonight.
He bumped off a guy by the
name of Joe Finn this afternoon.
- You're sure, there's no mistake?
- That's an airtight case.
What do you think of
his honour, now?
I think Connors will come
back tonight and give himself
up.
- Is there anything wrong, dear?
- No, no, nothing.
Daddy, listen to this,
it's so funny.
- Daddy, listen...
- Sh, sh, darling...
Away she goes like a cannon ball
and she won't stop until she hit
that all electric tree.
Say,will you quit worrying?
I tell you this joint ain't hot.
We haven't full of the number
over a year.
It's hot as long as I'm here.
I tell you I got to get out
of here, out of the country.
Sure, but how?
- The cops will be watching all the trains.
- How about an aeroplane?
You, shut up. That's a smart idea.
Going by aeroplane is like sitting
in an electric chair.
- Okay.
- They'll be watching the docks
all over the waterfront.
That is the only chance I got,
slip away on some tram steamer.
That might be fixed.
I know a lot of people.
But they want plenty of dove.
I got plenty of dove.
That's swell.
Come in.
- No news, eh?
- No.
Top break for you, warden.
This will bring the newspapers
and politicians around my neck.
I can see the headlines, now.
"Gullible warden releases maniac
killer."
They have been waiting years for my
foot put to slip on this honour system.
Warden, I want to know that we
are all with you.
Thanks, Richard.
I suppose we all make mistakes
somtimes.
I've given many a prisoner the same
privilege and all came back.
I thought I knew Connors.
I was sure of him any
of the rest.
Too bad.
Too bad.
- It's all fixed.
- Swell, when do I land?
- Tonight. - Good.
- Right now you better get
a little shut eye.
You'll be standing on your head
and hold of steamer tomorrow night.
Come on, get
moving.
- Come on, come on, get moving.
- Hey, slug, keep your feet on the
ground.
Murderer of Finn Released by
Sing Sing Warden!
'Honour Killer'
Still at Large.
Warden Long's releasing of
prisoners on their honour to return,
is receiving much comment and
criticism from prison boards throughout
the country.
I tell you the warden's instructions
are never seen nobody.
I don't handle it that way.
How do I go to the city editor.
Give us a break, will you?
We can't wait here rest of our
lives, you know.
- Ah, here's the warden.
-Hi, Warden, what is the dove?
Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen.
I've nothing to say.
You have to say something.
The whole town is waiting for
an explanation.
Give us a break, warden.
It is the biggest story in years.
You know everythin about it
I do, boys.
I have nothing to tell you.
Governor's calling, sir.
Hello?
Hello, Governor.
"Be sure to come back before dark,
little children."
Warden Long still believes in "Honour
System;" Confident Connors Will Return.
Your Excelency: In view of unfavourable
criticism of my conduct in the
performance of my duties as Warden
of Sing Sing Prison,
I hereby tender my resignation.
Very respectfully, Warden.
I told you I'd come back.
Even if it meant the chair.
'Honour Slayer' Gives Self Up; Warden
Long Vindicated.
Connors Goes on Trial
For Murder.
Connors Convicted of First
Degree Murder!
Well, I work my way through this
joint right up to the death house.
When I graduated, it would be
other door, wouldn't it?
And that's that.
Happy days.
Mighty few of them
These guys have got a
sense of humour.
- You have to have.
- Eeh, right you are, baby.
- How can you write?
- I think I can practice
while you call it a jello.
Another chicken to be fried.
- Hi, Connors.
- Hi, Hype.
Welcome to Cincinnati.
You're the since end up here when
you don't get murder up for us.
You will just playing hockey.
And the same goes double for me,
see?
That's right. Get ready for
the soft shoe dance.
Take off your shoes and
give them to me.
- For what?
- To rest your feet.
My feet are alright.
I like to see open this door
and give me a chance to show you.
- Regulations, Connors.
- What is the matter with you?
You think I got callouses on my
feet too.
Hey, Warden...
You know that old water mill
starts upon the hill?
- Yes.
- Why, you better start having
it plugged
Because I've been working on
that baby for the last year.
Yeah, another week and another
crashed out too.
Now, listen. That was my job
and I was out of the lawn.
If anybody else drawn out,
I'd not have told you.
Wouldn't have told you if I
didn't know they are going to
wheel me out of here in a little while.
You're a strange fellow,
Connors.
You had a chance to get away,
but you came back
to the chair.
I had you size up right from
the beginning.
You're not as tough as you
pretend.
Hey, wait a minute. Don't you
ever think I ain't tough.
If I get a chance to crash my way
out of this death trap, I'm going
to do. And don't forget that.
All right, Connors.
Hey, Warden...
Yeah?
How about a cigar, ha?
Hah, you are a pest.
Listen, Warden, if I'm such a pest,
why don't you open those big gates
and throw me out?
- Hey, Eight Ball!
- What is it, Hype?
I'll give you plugs on this, this is
a long cigar, there is no time to
finish it.
I say, that talk busted out here
never get to no place.
I don't have that mug to think
this joint softened me up.
He is right, Connors.
I know guys six months thinking
way out of this prison but come up
in the warden's office.
Hey, did you hear that, Tommy?
I could have played real good
that is, if I've had more time.
Hey, gang...
How do you like this?
"My Dear Mr. Connors..."
unless you apear immediately at
the internal revenue office
to adjust your income tax for 1926
we shall
be forced to your arrest.
Very Truly Yours,
Collector of Internal Revenue.
No kidding?
How do you like it?
It's alright, Mr. Connors, I'm
going today, I'll take care of
your little matter all the way out
- Hello, boys.
- What's the matter?
- 12 hours more to go, Hype.
The dance hall for you.
Is it alright take my tumble
with me?
- Sure.
- Thanks.
So long, fellows.
I guess catching up to me.
So long, Hype.
Give my regards to Mike.
- And you don't catch cold.
- Okay, Connors.
So long, Eight Ball.
Here is that butt
I promised you.
Goodbye, big boy.
Don't let them get you down.
- So long, Tony.
- I wish you the very best luck,
boy.
Keep your chin up. Buon giorno.
Ha, ha, I'll be seeing you.
I say, boys, did you hear that note?
It is the first time I put it.
If only I've had two more weeks,
I'd get play the rose picketty poyfril.
Boy, you my high.
Thanks, gentlemen, it is the first
I've had a free pest of dance hall.
Hello, Hype.
Hello, Mike.
Connors sends his regards.
Thanks. You better get yourself
ready for the doctor.
He wants to see you well enough
to die.
Who goes first, me or you?
I don' know, whoever does he won't
have to see the other guy.
Yeah, I guess so.
Say, do you ever hear me play
"shade of the apple tree"?
Did I ever hear to play it? I got an
idea why they are burning you.
Ain't you funny?
Court of Appeal Sustains
Judgement of Lower Court;
Connors Goes to Chair!
Officer Daniels Proves Testimony
of Killer's Girl to be Perjury.
You've won.
Yeah, I'm afraid that's it.
You're in good shape.
I was never better shape
in my life.
I wish you let me do something
for your soul too.
No, no, I don't go for that holy
gate stuff.
There might be all right for some
people but I don't want it.
It may come to you, Tom.
All right, if it does I'll tell you
what I'll do. I'll give you all my
business.
Let us try another gaming before
I go for the... ha?
I ain't got so long, you know.
- I make a point of it. Goodbye.
- So long. I'm much obliged to you,
Father.
Tommy, Tommy.
You wouldn't believe me, Tom.
I swore hundreds time I did it.
- You know that, don't you?
- Honey, I know you did all you
could.
I had to clear you.
I killed him.
Warden, I killed him.
I'm telling the truth.
Why can't they believe me?
Oh, Fay, that's no use. Now
they knew I was there. Now
they knew I killed him.
But you didn't.
I lied.
Tell them there was a lie.
Tom was with me when Finn
came to see me.
Just as the copper testified.
They were fighting.
Finn was killing him.
I had a gun and I shot him.
Tom took gun away from him and
beat on the fire escape.
That's the truth you
got to believe me.
Oh, Tom, tell him it is the truth
before it is too late.
Take it easy, Fay, look here.
That's no way to act.
Warden, you know that
it ain't the truth.
She's still just trying to clear me.
I told you she was a champion?
- Yeah?
- Yeah...
That is that, you see.
And there is nothing to be done
about.
Now, you listen to me.
You say you did it, all right,
suppose they believe you.
Then what?
They'll send you off the river
for a life.
What happens to me?
I'm still doing my stretch for 5 to 30.
Don't you see, honey, we
couldn't be together any way?
Fay...
This a chance for me to do
something decent in my life.
You can't take that away from
me.
I love you, kid.
- Oh, Tommy...
- That's all.
Okay, that'll do it.
Tom,
I want you to do something
for me.
You know, I will, honey.
Will you marry me before you...
Marry, oh, hoh, ho?
Fay, honey, why do you want
to wish that on yourself?
Being married to a guy that
went to the chair you'll be
marked for your life.
I don't care.
Fay, you were alright
to have met me.
I got you into all this trouble.
Forget me.
You go and grab yourself
a square guy. You see?
A guy that works for a living,
he can give you some happiness,
give you a home, kids, all that kind of stuff.
I don't want anybody but you.
Ever.
Well, you can't have me.
Because I belong to the state
of New York.
In a few hours the state of
New York take me out and burn me.
And then ther are going to take out
my brains and shove it in a jarr of alcohol.
- Tom, don't say...
- I have done enough to you
when I was alive.
It is no use to carry me with you
on the other side of the grave
Tommy.
Fay...
Fay, honey...
It's time to go now.
Let's just remember the swell times
we had together, kid.
And remember, Fay, I love you
more than...
Yeah, I know, Tommy.
More than life.
Time is up.
Father of mercies and God of all
comfort who wouldst
that none should perish who believeth
and trusteth in Thee.
According to the divine tender
mercies.
All right, Father, thanks.
I've still got an hour to make
up my mind.
Leave me alone, will you, please.
All right, Tom.
Let's go Father.
I tell you what you can do for
me, you can give me a light.
Sure.
in Sing Sing
- That's it, Connors.
- That's your castle on the Hudson,
Tommy.
- Sing Sing?
- That's a lousy name. It sounds
like a chap in the joint.
Tom, we got to tell your
public, how do you like
the place?
You inform the boys saying
it's like a dormitory to me.
- That's right kid. Don't let you
get you down.
- There is nothing to get me down.
- After I'm in, I alone the chief.
That might take you a little
time, but you've got plenty of that.
Yeah, five to thirty
is no lunch hour.
It'll be quite a change for you,
Tommy. No tailor shop or speakeasy
in there.
If I don't like the joint,
I move out.
- Yeah, in a two dollar coffin.
- So you never kid yourself?
I'll kick my way out of that
dump...
He's kidding you fellows. With
the connections I got he don't
have to crush out.
- What do you mean, Finn, connection?
- I mean, I'll bring this case to the attention
of the right people.
- Square people.
- Certainly.
Tommy was just mocked up wrong.
That's all. But justice is not always
blind, you know.
You bet she ain't.
That's why he is here.
Listen, is there going to be any
photographers to catch me when
I'm going in?
- I've got my man there.
- You are a saint. Every paper
has sent a man there.
You are still news until the big
gates slams on you.
After that you are just a number.
Ossining. Ossining.
- What are you doing now?
- I got to look my best to the
crowd, Conny.
Hey, you, what do you mean by
that just a number stuff?
Save after right up
getting your grandchildren be
talking about me.
You think so? Now listen.
A month from now,
the dames that you wrote
wouldn't give you a tumble
of mesionette desert island
Hey Tommy, many of the tough guy
coming up to take your place in this...
Nobody can take my place.
I got colur, I got personality.
You guys writing that
yourselves.
That's our racket giving you
guerillas a personality.
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Give me a break, will you?
- Hey Tommy, how about an interview?
Come on, girls, come on,
get out of the way.
Thank you folks coming around.
Don't forget to send the papers
to my girl.
She is going to take care of
all my press conference.
- So long, folks, I'll be seeing you...
- Come on. You're to taking bawls.
Come on, come on.
Come on, take a walk.
- Make it snappy, Finny.
- Right.
Hey, you! Where is the warden's
office?
- Upstairs.
- Right.
You'll soon find out you don't
know this prison. All right Murph.
Okay with me.
Hello, sweetie.
- Is the warden in?
- Sit out there on the bench.
Tell him Joe Finn.
Hello warden.
How are you?
I guess you don't remember me?
I'am Joe Finn.
You know.
Deputy leader of 28 district.
Well.
Can I see you a minute?
- Well, Finn, what's on your mind?
- Oh, nothing much.
I just came up with
Tommy Connors, Warden.
He is a nice boy.
A little high spirited, but
that's all.
And he's got a lot of friends
on the outside. They would
appreciate it if...
- Yes, but Connors is on the inside.
- Oh, give him a break, Warden, he
is a nice kid.
Bright, likeable and a lot
of funs too.
Off course he loses his head once
in a while, but that really doesn't
mean anything.
You know how these young
fellows are, Warden
That's all in fun.
All in fun, eh?
Well, listen to this.
Thomas Connors, sentenced to serve
from 5 to 30 years for robbery first
degree,
additional indictment for assault
with deadly weapon
Previous arrest with commitments:
January the 5th 1919, juvenile
delinquency and truancy.
Commited to
catholic protectory.
October 23rd 1925, arrested suspicion
breaking and entering. Discharged.
May 30th 1927, arrested assault
and battering. Discharged.
June 18th 1927, seven felonious
assault. Sentence suspended.
April 1st 1928, sentenced to
indeterminate sentence, New York city
prison for assault with a deadly weapon.
All in fun.
Well,a lot of us down in New York
wouldn't like to see a kid who
has too tough a time up here.
We'd like to know that he could
buy things himself in a comissary,
you know.
So, we made up a little purse,
something sure, something he
can go to sleep on.
Good old bonds.
Looks like a lot of money
in these bonds.
- 5,000 dollars.
- And there is bails more
where that comes from.
We want our boy to have the best
of money can buy.
Hey, what is the idea? What
do you think you're doing?
- After all, I wanted to ask you a little
favour.
- Listen Finn!
I'm running this prison.
And while I'm running it,
I run it without politicians and
without bribers.
People on the outside is supposed
to be created free and equal, but
they aren't.
In here they really are.
One inmate is just as good as
another inmate, but no better.
Now clear out and don't
come back.
When you get back to your ward,
tell your boys you're talking
about
that I don't want any of
them around here any more
than I want a flock of maggots.
And if Connors has got any ideas
that he is going to get any favours,
he'll find out different right away.
But, you don't understand.
That's all.
What kind of suit?
What kind of...?
What is it, what is it?
Is it a gag?
Hey, look at this, look at
this...
Who's the main guy here?
What do you have to see...
Hey, you! Look, look.
Hey, look at this.
What kind of a...? How do
you think a guy is...?
What are you guys trying to
make a monkey out of me?
Go on and sit down.
I guess you don't know
who I am.
Maybe the warden didn't tell you.
- I'm Tommy Connors.
- Oh, yeah? What of it?
Why you...?
Playing tough, are you?
Come on, I'll show you
how tough you are.
Lock him up.
Alright. If he doesn't wear
the uniform, he doen't have to.
But don't keep him in the
punishment cells.
Stick him in the reception
company along with the
rest of new men.
Just fun of the regular routine,
but no uniform.
Get me?
Yeah, you fixed all right!
With this everyone
freezes.
Alright.
Hey, you, come on out.
If you are taking me out to give
me the work, you'll have to drag me
out.
No, no, no, no more of that.
You got a big pull around here.
The warden said you don't have
to wear the uniform.
Well? There, you see?
Sure. That's what I'm trying to
tell him right when the fight
started.
Certainly.
Certainly...
Okay, let's go boys.
Hey, chief, how about a
cigarette, ha?
- Ah, come on, be good.
- Why don't you be a good pal,
and why don't you be a regular guy?
Ain't you got cute leg?
Get like Marlene Dietrich.
Keeper, you better assess that guy.
Looks like he got a boy boss twos and
bbd.
Bye, bye, baby.
Well, isn't he cute?
You party in tail. March.
- When are we going to D wing?
- How do I know?
We've gone on a governer's
staff.
Fight the big shot, will you?
Come on.
Hey, wait a minute.
What about my clothes?
You said you didn't want a uniform
and the warden said, it would be
all right.
Ooo, that is the gag, ha?
Okay, baby, it's all right with me.
How are you, Gandhi?
Got a load of outfit.
- Go on, go on.
- All right, I'm going, take it easy, you...
Okay, on the job.
Back face.
March.
Let's lead them to working
room.
Not you. You work in here.
ICE HOUSE
Alright, Larson.
Put that down.
Put it down!
Okay, okay.
I understand you didn't like
the uniform I issued to you.
I still don't like it.
I suppose you didn't care for
the food of ours, either.
And I suppose, you don't care
very much for yourself.
It's lousy.
No.
It doesn't get any sunlight, it's
badly vantilated, it's hot in summer
and cold in winter.
It's bad for man's health.
But it's clean.
I rate better joint than
that.
It's the same as every new man
gets until we get room for him in
the new cell blocks.
All you are entitled to in here is
food and a place to sleep.
Anything else you get you get
from me.
What makes you think you
rate anything better than
anyone else?
Well, a sort of they promised me...
They promised? I don't care who they
are or what they promised.
They are not running this prison,
I am.
You are getting the idea you're
a big shot. Get it out of your head.
There aren't any big shots here
except me.
And remember this. If two men
in this place know anything, I know it.
- Ever do any work?
- What do you mean, work?
Honest labour with your hands.
Take a look at those match.
You don't see any callouses on them,
do you?
Only sap's work.
You are going to find out that
you got a figured out all wrong,
Connors.
I'm going to show you that
it is a privelege to work.
A privelege you've got to earn.
You're going to make me want
to work?
The miracle man of Sing Sing.
You talk about callouses,
I'm going to let you sit in your
cell in that hard iron bench
until you get callouses where you
can show them.
Maybe, but you never put any
on my hands.
Then you are going to pray to God
to let you work,
to berak rock, shavel coal,
pick up garbage,
- anything to get out of that cell.
- Take it easy, Warden, don't let
me get on your nerves.
Then you are going into rock
pile gang and swing a sledge
that you can't stand up
and you are going to thank
heaven for the privelege.
Take him back.
All right, now I'll tell you
something.
If I find that I've got a chance to crush
my way out of here and I've to rob
somebody out to do it, I'll just
as soon rob you out as the next
guy.
Yes, I know.
If I were in your place and I had
the chance, I probably do the
same thing.
But the point is, Connors, you haven't
got a chance.
- Not one in a million.
- No, I don't know about that.
There ain't one guy in a million
like me.
Get all those ideas out of your head.
One of these days, you'll learn,
Connors,
that no man has respond in this
world except in relation to the
people around him.
That you've got to be useful
to live.
Save that for Sunday,
Warden.
And let me pass the plague.
Connors.
Pick up that matches you
threw on the floor.
Pick it up!
- Hey,chief.
- What?
Come here..., please.
Well? What is it?
- How long have I been sitting in here?
- Three months.
You're daft? It is over three
years now.
- How much longer do I get?
- It's up to you.
Ah, wait a minute, wait a minute,
take it easy. Don't be... Listen, listen.
Now listen.
- Will you tell the warden something
for me?
- Maybe?
Well...
you can tell him that I'm ready
for that rock pile.
Ah, listen, don't anybody get the
idea that I want to work. See the
idea,
- but, well, I'll do anything to get
out of here.
- I'll... I'll tell the warden, Connors.
- Calm yourself, go and sit down.
- I can't sit down.
You can tell him I got
them callouses.
- Ah, is this a plague!
- Are you sure?
Come on, knock out of there,
big boy.
Connors is doing three man's
work around.
Hey, Connors, you have a visitor.
Get cleaned up.
Oh, oh, yeah... Okay, thanks.
Hey, you got to know
break down.
What is the big ideas to ask me a
million questions? Do you think
I'm kidding?
I'm telling
the truth, that is that.
Okay, Miss. Don't get
upset. Regulations.
Tommy.
Tommy, darling.
Darling.
- Are you okay?
- Yes, sure.
It's swell to see you.
- How are you? All right?
- Yes...
- Oh, darling, I'm glad to see you.
Are you okay?
- Sure.
Except that you are in New York
and I'm up here behind bars.
Sitting in that cell,
thinking about you was making
me go crazy.
I'll give a million bucks to be alone
with you for a little while, honey.
Do you love me?
Yeah.
Don't come up here dolled
up anymore.
- Ah, Tommy!
- What is the matter with you,
do you want me to go crazy?
You let me foam at the mouth with
a clean puff.
Oh, I'am sorry, Tommy, I've
never thought of that. I just
wanted to look nice for you.
That's all right. You know you
don't have to come up here
too hot?
And don't ever come up to see me
on Saturday again.
- Why?
- Because I tell you not to,
that's why.
All of bad breaks I ever
had on a Saturday.
Look at this case.
I was caught on a Saturday,
I was tried on a Saturday...
I was convicted on a Saturday,
I was sent up to this camp
on a Saturday.
They make it binding, I was born
on a Saturday.
And you met me on a Saturday,
what about that?
Yeah, that's right.
Ohh, why you are so sure about it,
I don't know how you are
going to turn out either...
- Ah, you don't, ha?
- No, I don't, ha.
You bet I do, I was only kidding.
Time's up.
Well, that splits us.
Will I see you next week?
Every week,
twice a week.
Let's go, miss.
This is the sample of psychological
testing that is done in the classification
turning.
This particular test will not
be used in every case,
but the test will vary from man
to man.
Now watch me and do just
as I do.
Very good.
You are quite a high type,
aren't you?
Quite, bachelor of arts.
Summa cum laude.
As a matter of fact,
we are brothers in erudition.
My Phi, Beta, Kappa keys is down
in the safe in the administraion
building.
If that key unlock anything,
I am going to get myself on him.
What is your university?
What is the difference? Well, I suppose
we are through with the monkeyshiness
now.
Drop back to my cell?
No. Go across the hall and report
to Dr Meeker, the psychiatrist.
- Alright Connors.
- Yes, sir.
Sit down.
Now take your time and think
hard. Put these pieces into the grooves
that fit.
Well, I haven't played puzzles for
quite a while, I might be a little
rusty.
Can't we cut out of paper a kite
or something?
Are you going to sit down or
am I going to call the guard?
I'm going to sit down,
sweetheart.
Oh, no. Look at that, I'am
very sorry.
That's all right, Connors,
sit down.
Chair's all full of ink.
I said, sit down.
What's the assignment for Nathan,
doktor?
- What did you do on this test?
- 91 seconds.
That's not very good. Put him
on the coal showelling squad.
Put him on the coal showelling
squad.
Well, I guess I'm ready
to start, doc.
Fine.
There you are.
Fine.
- You are pretty smart, when you
want to be.
- Not so smart, I wouldn't be here.
- Is there a wagon there?
- Sure.
What, what's that?
He wants a wagon. Who has carried
up here a bed wagon?
Seem bed wagon, about to call
this morning when you gave
a head when you fell out you said,
- What do you say?
- When you fell down you called
me this morning to the garage.
What are you talking about?
The same falling of this morning
call. What do you have to say
about the gate? Aha, gate, gate, gate.
Next.
Hey, Connors?
How did you come out?
- I picked the shoe factory.
- Same here.
I guess you are about the
best you can do in this joint.
Sit down.
Now, put these little pieces
into the groves that fit.
Come on, come on, open up.
Five minutes and you haven't put one
piece in place yet. What's the trouble?
I'm colour blind.
Where're you sending me, doc?
Laboratory detail.
Thanks.
Hello, kid.
Oh, darling, I'm so glad
to see you.
- How are you feeling?
- I'm all right, honey.
I'm glad you came up today.
Oh, Tommy, this is my wife.
Babe, this is Tommy Connors.
How do you do?
All right, lady, over here.
You got to sit around there, honey.
Come on, come on, sit down.
She doesn't know.
She has been here for the first time.
I've been worrying about you,
darling.
There is no need to worry
about me, dear.
If I could only be near you.
What that happens?
Tommy!
Tommy.
I'm so glad to see you again.
What do you make up for?
- Where is your cigar?
- Well, you told me not look too hot.
Don't get sore. I got a swell news for you.
Well, go on and spell it, I need it.
Looks like you might be out
of here not for long.
Joe Finn is working on a new
angle.
Ee, who told you?
Joe Finn himself. He is puttin on
plenty of pressure getting results.
Why didn't he tell me about it?
I'm the guy stewing the bed.
I don't know. I guess he doesn't get
you more steamed up before it was set.
He has been working night and day.
Who is the one put the smoke
all of a sudden.
Can't you guess? Just little
Fay.
She put the works on him and
he fell over with a splash.
- He did, ha?
- Yeah, I got him do anything for me.
Yeah, that is what I thought so.
Listen, I don't want you playing
around with that guy if I have to
stay here rest of my life.
Now, don't get excited, he
won't get a first place with me.
You know that.
I know he ain't spring me out
of here unless he does.
Ah, don't be silly. He is stuck on
me amusing him, that's all.
What is the matter with your head?
Having you read the press?
Don't you realise that the more that
guy stuck on you
the longer he is going to
keep me up here if he can?
He is putting plenty of pressure, ha?
The only pressure he is putting on anybody
is on you.
Well, I wasn't getting any pleasure
out of it,
but I've got to help you, Tommy,
I've got to do something for you.
Well, I don't want you to help
me that way.
Stay off the guy, will you?
Remember this. You are still
my girl even if I'm up here,
aren't you?
You know I am, love.
Something else for me to worry
about.
Connors, thanks for telling your
girl to look after my wife.
That's okay, kid.
I'll be cashing out of here
before the baby is born.
Are you coming with me?
I'll give my leg to get
out of here.
- You like yourself, ha? Stepping
out on this tonight, Lucky?
- Not tonight, no.
Good night.
Good night.
The lights are off in one
minute.
Quiet.
I'm dying...
Oh, get me doctor. Oh, I'm dizzy,
I can't get my breath. Ohh!
Hey, guards!
Hey, guards, guards!
Help me!
- Hey, here, what's wrong with you?
- I don't know, I got an awful pain.
I think I've been poisoned.
I'll keep your show down
to fix you up.
Hey, sergeant!
Yeah?
Man sick in cell block 5, tier 3.
You better call the hospital
to send an ambulance.
All right.
Saturday,
Nisan 30.
I got word that there might
be a little trouble tonight, boys.
I hear somebody is going
to try a break.
There may be nothing in it
but we better walk around.
Any dope on who it is.
That's the trouble.
We haven't much to go on.
Richard, send out an order to
all guards to watch out for a
break.
And send word to me in
slightest irregularity.
Right.
Come in, boys.
Quiet down there, quiet
down there.
- I'm dizzy. Help.
Help!
- I'm poisoned.
- Aah, quiet down, will you?
Come on, lover boy.
Come on, get up on your feet.
- Let's go.
- No, no, I can't go with you.
- What's the matter with you? Are you
yellow.
- It's Saturday. It's my jinx.
You better come on or I'll kill.
There's got to be three of us
in all this.
All right, go ahead, and it's
Saturday, I tell you, I ain't going.
Bud, Bud, get me out of here,
will you?
- Let me go with you.
- What?
Look, what I've got:
- Let me go with you, will you, Bud?
- All right, swell.
Go on, stay in there.
Clear,
we need a guy like you. Got it?
Get this guy here. Get him in.
- Warden, warden!
- Yeah?
Man sick cell blok 5, tier 3.
New building.
This might be it. Boys,
let's get over there.
Scram.
Come on, let's go fast.
Medicals will come soon.
Come on, quickly.
I'll send you a post card,
idiot.
Wait a minute.
Hold it, James.
- What's the matter?
- It won't work on this one.
That's it.
Not working.
It has to work.
It has opened the other,
why not this?
We have to get out of here
anyway.
Lets hope. Push it.
Hey, what is all that fussing about
up there?
Mike, at the back, beware
the guards.
Here is the warden.
- Can I get him, Warden?
- No, give him a dose of gas.
You can't escape, boys.
Throw your gun.
Come down here, a single file.
Come on, lets get out
of here.
- Come back here.
- Let me go, let me go.
Come you get me.
Take it easy, Bud.
It's a hopeless fight.
You won't have to hit the
... for me.
That guy won't bother us anymore.
Calm down, you, men.
It's all over.
Go to bed.
No, no, stop it, stop it.
We got worse coming to him.
Stick him down on the solitary.
Maybe one day they'll learn that
they haven't got one chance in
a million to get away with this.
We didn't do so good, did we?
- How many men did we lose?
- Two, sir.
Take care of them.
Hey, warden?
- Come here.
- What?
If you don't mind, come here.
Maybe you better lock this cell.
What's the matter, Connors?
You lose your nerve?
Don't tell me this place is
softening you up.
Don't think that I'm playing
smart, that I'm getting soft.
Maybe I took too much credit to
myself for your good behaviour.
But I'm glad you didn't try,
Connors.
Or you might be on your
way to the morgue.
Say, how did a guy like you
do ever become a copper?
I mean, you are not a bad
guy, after all.
You didn't think so much of me
when you came up here.
- You were pretty tough.
- I'm still pretty tough.
I just happened to realise that
today is Saturday and Saturday
is the one day that can't win.
That's all.
You, son of a...
Hey, Connors, warden wants
to see you right away.
I'll take this over.
- Hi, Warden.
- Good morning, Connors, I want
to talk to you.
What are you going to do,
fire me?
Telegram.
Please inform Thomas Connors,
Fay Wilson condition critical, not
expected to live.
That's crazy.
Aaah, somebody is kidding me,
Warden.
It's true.
We'd it investigated.
But... there is no chance.
Fay was just up here.
There was nothing wrong with her.
Automobile accident.
I can't believe it.
Sit down.
Poor kid.
Out there, dying.
If I can only do something,
if I can...
Warden...
She's the only thing I had.
I can't do a thing.
Being buried in here was never
really tough till now.
I know. You're hit pretty hard.
She is the only thing I had.
Connors...
suppose I told you there was a train
leaving here in twenty minutes
and I'd let you go to her...
on your honour,
would you come back tonight?
You know what it means to me
if I let you go and you don't
come back.
I understand.
Warden, I never broke my
word, you see.
Not even to a rat.
And I won't break it now to a
square guy.
After what you are doing to me,
I'll come back.
Even if it means the chair,
I'll come back.
All right.
Thank you, Warden.
Get me the administration office.
Good luck.
June, 11
Saturday
- Who is it?
- Morris, Morris to see Finn.
Go on, make it snappy. - Okay.
- Well, we got her home.
- What did the doctor say, she hurt bad?
- Plenty.
- Is she spoked?
No, but she is going to...
Oh, didn't you talk her scare
into us, Stoken.
She don't scare.
She thinks she is going to die.
She's got a lot of friends, suicide
bother hers up in the stir.
Well, you are the lawyer.
What are you going to do
about it.
His later mortem statement is awful
tough.
Well, I gave her a proposition.
What she say?
She'll clear you for
five grand.
That's a lot of money. A lot of
money
As you said, those later mortem statement is
awful tough.
You draw up the papers
and I'll get it signed.
Too bad she didn't crocker
when she jumped.
I never get a break.
- Sam, am I getting screwed yet?
- What's wrong?
I gues I see a guy who buy
that delivered up the river.
- He'e doing five to thirty.
- Are you sure?
I'm going to make sure.
Fay.
Fay, honey. Fay, it's me,
it's Tom.
Tom!
It's really you this time.
I'm so happy.
I prayed all the time to see you
just once more before...
Once more...?
What are you talking about,
once more?
Fay, honey, how did this happen?
You are going to be all right.
I'll be all right now you are here.
But you won't leave me, won't
you?
- Don't leave me, Tom.
- I won't, honey.
Honest, I won't.
We are going to be together,
always.
I'm so happy for you.
You mean, for us?
No, Tom, I haven't got a chance.
I know.
Aah, who told you that?
The doctor who brought me back.
What you... What do you mean, Fay?
What happened?
You were right about him, Tom.
But I still half believe that
he could help us.
I had to take a chance.
Any chance, didn't idea.
So I went in his car with him.
With who?
What's the difference?
Come on, tell me.
Tell me!
Finn.
Yeah...
He said, he had everything fixed.
Why didn't you squawk?
You could have send him where
I was. I would have fixed him.
- I was going for a...
- Why didn't you?
Finn is giving me five grand for
clearance.
Here you are almost dying,
talking about clearing him?
I thought five grand might
help you to quit.
That was swell of you, kid.
Swell.
Take it easy, now, will you, Fay?
Please, please.
Tom? Where're you going?
I'll be right back.
Don't do it, Tom, don't do it.
You're crazy.
Look, how we suffered already.
Look, what it has done to both.
Come back here, please.
Please.
You promise me,
you won't leave me.
You promise.
- You got to stay with me.
- That rat.
With me safe in jail, he can't
get away with it.
Don't do it, please, please
give me the gun for my sake.
Please.
I don't want you go back up there.
dying myself.
I won't let you, now that
you're free.
All right, Fay. I won't.
Honest, I won't, honey.
Listen to me, please.
Thanks.
Take it easy, now, will you, Fay.
Miss Wilson is to right turn,
sir.
Hello, Fay. What's the matter?
It's Joe Finn. Now, feeling
better?
That's good. Say,
Morris told me about the dove.
You should have known you could
have anything I got without putting
on the pressure.
You lied to me. Get out, please.
I don't want anything. Get out.
So, you've changed your mind, ha?
You are just a troublemaking
broad.
You don't have the chance to
squawk.
She ain't going to squawk.
Neither am I.
- Connors!
- Yeah. Yeah, it's me.
And I got here just in time to rub
you out your dirty s...
Tom!
I'm going to kill you,
old rat.
No.
Open the door.
Let me in!
Open the door.
Quick, fire exit.
Open the door.
Open the door.
- Who did this?
- Connors.
Don't believe him. He's crazy.
He is lying to you.
There wasn't anyone here.
Just us two.
He attacked me. I had to,
I tell you.
You did, eh?
You wouldn't fool a fellow,
would you?
Hello?
Hello? Yes.
Just a minute, please.
Oh, Paul, the district attorney's
office calling from New York.
Hello.
- Warden Paul speaking.
- Hello, Warden, how are you?
Say, you have a prisoner up there
by the name of Thomas Connors,
haven't you? Doing 5 to 30?
Still up there, isn't he?
Another one of those cases letting
a man out for a day on his honour,
he?
Well, I wouldn't expect this one
back tonight.
He bumped off a guy by the
name of Joe Finn this afternoon.
- You're sure, there's no mistake?
- That's an airtight case.
What do you think of
his honour, now?
I think Connors will come
back tonight and give himself
up.
- Is there anything wrong, dear?
- No, no, nothing.
Daddy, listen to this,
it's so funny.
- Daddy, listen...
- Sh, sh, darling...
Away she goes like a cannon ball
and she won't stop until she hit
that all electric tree.
Say,will you quit worrying?
I tell you this joint ain't hot.
We haven't full of the number
over a year.
It's hot as long as I'm here.
I tell you I got to get out
of here, out of the country.
Sure, but how?
- The cops will be watching all the trains.
- How about an aeroplane?
You, shut up. That's a smart idea.
Going by aeroplane is like sitting
in an electric chair.
- Okay.
- They'll be watching the docks
all over the waterfront.
That is the only chance I got,
slip away on some tram steamer.
That might be fixed.
I know a lot of people.
But they want plenty of dove.
I got plenty of dove.
That's swell.
Come in.
- No news, eh?
- No.
Top break for you, warden.
This will bring the newspapers
and politicians around my neck.
I can see the headlines, now.
"Gullible warden releases maniac
killer."
They have been waiting years for my
foot put to slip on this honour system.
Warden, I want to know that we
are all with you.
Thanks, Richard.
I suppose we all make mistakes
somtimes.
I've given many a prisoner the same
privilege and all came back.
I thought I knew Connors.
I was sure of him any
of the rest.
Too bad.
Too bad.
- It's all fixed.
- Swell, when do I land?
- Tonight. - Good.
- Right now you better get
a little shut eye.
You'll be standing on your head
and hold of steamer tomorrow night.
Come on, get
moving.
- Come on, come on, get moving.
- Hey, slug, keep your feet on the
ground.
Murderer of Finn Released by
Sing Sing Warden!
'Honour Killer'
Still at Large.
Warden Long's releasing of
prisoners on their honour to return,
is receiving much comment and
criticism from prison boards throughout
the country.
I tell you the warden's instructions
are never seen nobody.
I don't handle it that way.
How do I go to the city editor.
Give us a break, will you?
We can't wait here rest of our
lives, you know.
- Ah, here's the warden.
-Hi, Warden, what is the dove?
Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen.
I've nothing to say.
You have to say something.
The whole town is waiting for
an explanation.
Give us a break, warden.
It is the biggest story in years.
You know everythin about it
I do, boys.
I have nothing to tell you.
Governor's calling, sir.
Hello?
Hello, Governor.
"Be sure to come back before dark,
little children."
Warden Long still believes in "Honour
System;" Confident Connors Will Return.
Your Excelency: In view of unfavourable
criticism of my conduct in the
performance of my duties as Warden
of Sing Sing Prison,
I hereby tender my resignation.
Very respectfully, Warden.
I told you I'd come back.
Even if it meant the chair.
'Honour Slayer' Gives Self Up; Warden
Long Vindicated.
Connors Goes on Trial
For Murder.
Connors Convicted of First
Degree Murder!
Well, I work my way through this
joint right up to the death house.
When I graduated, it would be
other door, wouldn't it?
And that's that.
Happy days.
Mighty few of them
These guys have got a
sense of humour.
- You have to have.
- Eeh, right you are, baby.
- How can you write?
- I think I can practice
while you call it a jello.
Another chicken to be fried.
- Hi, Connors.
- Hi, Hype.
Welcome to Cincinnati.
You're the since end up here when
you don't get murder up for us.
You will just playing hockey.
And the same goes double for me,
see?
That's right. Get ready for
the soft shoe dance.
Take off your shoes and
give them to me.
- For what?
- To rest your feet.
My feet are alright.
I like to see open this door
and give me a chance to show you.
- Regulations, Connors.
- What is the matter with you?
You think I got callouses on my
feet too.
Hey, Warden...
You know that old water mill
starts upon the hill?
- Yes.
- Why, you better start having
it plugged
Because I've been working on
that baby for the last year.
Yeah, another week and another
crashed out too.
Now, listen. That was my job
and I was out of the lawn.
If anybody else drawn out,
I'd not have told you.
Wouldn't have told you if I
didn't know they are going to
wheel me out of here in a little while.
You're a strange fellow,
Connors.
You had a chance to get away,
but you came back
to the chair.
I had you size up right from
the beginning.
You're not as tough as you
pretend.
Hey, wait a minute. Don't you
ever think I ain't tough.
If I get a chance to crash my way
out of this death trap, I'm going
to do. And don't forget that.
All right, Connors.
Hey, Warden...
Yeah?
How about a cigar, ha?
Hah, you are a pest.
Listen, Warden, if I'm such a pest,
why don't you open those big gates
and throw me out?
- Hey, Eight Ball!
- What is it, Hype?
I'll give you plugs on this, this is
a long cigar, there is no time to
finish it.
I say, that talk busted out here
never get to no place.
I don't have that mug to think
this joint softened me up.
He is right, Connors.
I know guys six months thinking
way out of this prison but come up
in the warden's office.
Hey, did you hear that, Tommy?
I could have played real good
that is, if I've had more time.
Hey, gang...
How do you like this?
"My Dear Mr. Connors..."
unless you apear immediately at
the internal revenue office
to adjust your income tax for 1926
we shall
be forced to your arrest.
Very Truly Yours,
Collector of Internal Revenue.
No kidding?
How do you like it?
It's alright, Mr. Connors, I'm
going today, I'll take care of
your little matter all the way out
- Hello, boys.
- What's the matter?
- 12 hours more to go, Hype.
The dance hall for you.
Is it alright take my tumble
with me?
- Sure.
- Thanks.
So long, fellows.
I guess catching up to me.
So long, Hype.
Give my regards to Mike.
- And you don't catch cold.
- Okay, Connors.
So long, Eight Ball.
Here is that butt
I promised you.
Goodbye, big boy.
Don't let them get you down.
- So long, Tony.
- I wish you the very best luck,
boy.
Keep your chin up. Buon giorno.
Ha, ha, I'll be seeing you.
I say, boys, did you hear that note?
It is the first time I put it.
If only I've had two more weeks,
I'd get play the rose picketty poyfril.
Boy, you my high.
Thanks, gentlemen, it is the first
I've had a free pest of dance hall.
Hello, Hype.
Hello, Mike.
Connors sends his regards.
Thanks. You better get yourself
ready for the doctor.
He wants to see you well enough
to die.
Who goes first, me or you?
I don' know, whoever does he won't
have to see the other guy.
Yeah, I guess so.
Say, do you ever hear me play
"shade of the apple tree"?
Did I ever hear to play it? I got an
idea why they are burning you.
Ain't you funny?
Court of Appeal Sustains
Judgement of Lower Court;
Connors Goes to Chair!
Officer Daniels Proves Testimony
of Killer's Girl to be Perjury.
You've won.
Yeah, I'm afraid that's it.
You're in good shape.
I was never better shape
in my life.
I wish you let me do something
for your soul too.
No, no, I don't go for that holy
gate stuff.
There might be all right for some
people but I don't want it.
It may come to you, Tom.
All right, if it does I'll tell you
what I'll do. I'll give you all my
business.
Let us try another gaming before
I go for the... ha?
I ain't got so long, you know.
- I make a point of it. Goodbye.
- So long. I'm much obliged to you,
Father.
Tommy, Tommy.
You wouldn't believe me, Tom.
I swore hundreds time I did it.
- You know that, don't you?
- Honey, I know you did all you
could.
I had to clear you.
I killed him.
Warden, I killed him.
I'm telling the truth.
Why can't they believe me?
Oh, Fay, that's no use. Now
they knew I was there. Now
they knew I killed him.
But you didn't.
I lied.
Tell them there was a lie.
Tom was with me when Finn
came to see me.
Just as the copper testified.
They were fighting.
Finn was killing him.
I had a gun and I shot him.
Tom took gun away from him and
beat on the fire escape.
That's the truth you
got to believe me.
Oh, Tom, tell him it is the truth
before it is too late.
Take it easy, Fay, look here.
That's no way to act.
Warden, you know that
it ain't the truth.
She's still just trying to clear me.
I told you she was a champion?
- Yeah?
- Yeah...
That is that, you see.
And there is nothing to be done
about.
Now, you listen to me.
You say you did it, all right,
suppose they believe you.
Then what?
They'll send you off the river
for a life.
What happens to me?
I'm still doing my stretch for 5 to 30.
Don't you see, honey, we
couldn't be together any way?
Fay...
This a chance for me to do
something decent in my life.
You can't take that away from
me.
I love you, kid.
- Oh, Tommy...
- That's all.
Okay, that'll do it.
Tom,
I want you to do something
for me.
You know, I will, honey.
Will you marry me before you...
Marry, oh, hoh, ho?
Fay, honey, why do you want
to wish that on yourself?
Being married to a guy that
went to the chair you'll be
marked for your life.
I don't care.
Fay, you were alright
to have met me.
I got you into all this trouble.
Forget me.
You go and grab yourself
a square guy. You see?
A guy that works for a living,
he can give you some happiness,
give you a home, kids, all that kind of stuff.
I don't want anybody but you.
Ever.
Well, you can't have me.
Because I belong to the state
of New York.
In a few hours the state of
New York take me out and burn me.
And then ther are going to take out
my brains and shove it in a jarr of alcohol.
- Tom, don't say...
- I have done enough to you
when I was alive.
It is no use to carry me with you
on the other side of the grave
Tommy.
Fay...
Fay, honey...
It's time to go now.
Let's just remember the swell times
we had together, kid.
And remember, Fay, I love you
more than...
Yeah, I know, Tommy.
More than life.
Time is up.
Father of mercies and God of all
comfort who wouldst
that none should perish who believeth
and trusteth in Thee.
According to the divine tender
mercies.
All right, Father, thanks.
I've still got an hour to make
up my mind.
Leave me alone, will you, please.
All right, Tom.
Let's go Father.
I tell you what you can do for
me, you can give me a light.
Sure.