Silence. Silence. I call the court to order. The characters in this story
are ghosts of my youth. The war between the states
was over... but its tragedies and comedies
haunted all our minds... and these stories exchanged
took root in my memory. There was a man from Down Under
whom I particularly admired... because he seemed typical
of the tolerance of that time... and the wisdom of that
generation that has almost disappeared. I called him Judge Priest and
I tried to do him justice... and his neighbors
and the town he lived in. An old town in
in Kentucky in 1890. CIRCUIT COURT
Presiding Judge William Pitman Priest Your Honor, there is no doubt
in the mind of the Commonwealth... that this prisoner is a confirmed
of chickens. He doesn't belong
in this Christian community. He is a wanderer. He comes from who knows where. Since its arrival in our midst... we haven't known him
working honestly. The Commonwealth
of Kentucky requests- no, requires- that he be found guilty... and sentenced to six months
of hard labor. Hey! Hey, boy!
Wake up. Sheriff, wake him up. If anyone is going to sleep in
this courtroom, it's going to be me. Hey, wake up. Come here, kid. Here. Come here.
Right here. What's your name? Jeff Poindexter. - Poindexter?
- Yeah. - Who named you that?
- Mr. Ranny. Ranny? Are you talking about Major Randolph Poindexter
from Pine Bluff? Yes, Pine Bluff. Yeah. It looks like
like Poindexter... still involved in some
chicken story. Hey, Sarge... it seems to me that you
and Major Ranny... had something to do with
poultry flesh. And how! You know, Major Ranny
was the greediest soldier... who ever chased
a northerner! You know, Billy, you and I were
almost starved to death that day... when we went to get food
after the battle of "Chickamaugy. ''Chickamaugy''? No, no. This was the battle
of Kennesaw Mountain. It was not!
It was "Chickamaugy"! - You are both wrong!
- I am right! It was the summer of '63 and we were
was in the Nashville area. No, Billy is right. I remember.
I was there with you, right? Your Honor, the Commonwealth
objects to this digression! Senator, you know, I'm trying to say that the major, was a perfect gentleman
and soldier. He removed the temptation
from our path... by eating all
the biggest chickens... and leaving us only
only the little Dominicks roosters. Right, guys? On second thought, Billy,
it was Plymouth Rocks. No, it wasn't!
They were northern hens! They were Rhode Island Reds!
I know that because I... - Your Honor!
- Dominick! - Your Honor!
- They were Dominicks! Are we
in a court of law? I ask you,
are we in a court of law? Now, Senator. Don't get on
on your high horse. You know we're not in a hurry, but
in a hurry, but by the way... What are you being
accused of, kid? You're welcome, Judge, I wasn't even
I wasn't even near those chickens. I was fishing. Fishing? Where were you fishing? On the Sleepy River. - There are no fish on the Sleepy.
- There are. - There aren't any!
- There are lots of catfish. - The Doc's right, Jimmy.
- Yeah? Right on. I caught catfish
like this over there. That's proof that he's lying. Here. Come here.
What are you taking as bait? Beef liver. Beef liver? Yes. I take the liver, I put it on the hook
on the hook and cast the line. I let them have the first
piece for free, see? Then, I put some more
and restart the line. And they think they're going to
get that for free too. - As long as we have liver, it bites.
- Yeah? I go there all the time
and I only bring liver. Yeah. I remember. Oh, there. It must have been
long like that, I guess? It sure was, sir. That's right. I've got to get
the judge's clothes I have to get them
into the house Yes, Lord I have to go out
my life to iron. So that they look good for the judge
when he wears them. Yes, Lord That's what I'm going to do Praise the Lord! Mr. Rome! - Are you here or not?
- Hi, Aunt Dilsey! What are you doing here? The judge said
you're studying to be a lawyer. Aunt Dilsey,
I have an upset stomach. God bless you, my white child.
What are you eating at the northerners? Nothing.
That's the problem. - What are you cooking?
- Mr. Rome, stay here. We are going to kill the most beautiful rooster
that struts around the yard. - And serve it with milk and oatmeal.
- And waffles? Don't worry, honey.
You're home now. Mr. Rome is home
Mr. Rome is home Mr. Rome is home
Mr. Rome is home Hey, Uncle Billy! Hi, Uncle Billy! If it's not Rome. I'm speechless. What happened? The northerners
kicked you out of their school? Of course... with a diploma. You are looking at a member of the
of the bar. Let me look at you. In due form, my scum,
a lawyer. You know, you better have
a good pair of panties... because you're going to be on your butt for a long time
your butt before you get a customer. I don't mind, Uncle Billy. You know what happened to me before
I got my first client, right? God, I had to endure two
Republican administrations before... Who are you playing against? I'm training a little bit
before the championship. Jeff is here.
He brings me the balls. Me and Herman Felsberg are going to play
against Jimmy Bagby and Doc Lake. Put two balls there, will you, Jeff? Two more?
Remember what happened last time. I'll show you what happens
to Jimmy Bagby when he... I just want you to see
how far I can... Look at that! Look at those shoes
northerner's shoes, Jeff. Look at that. I've never seen
shoes with buttons on them before. I've seen pants
with buttons. - Judge...
- Oh, what a great shot! Use your button shoes... walk over there
and measure the distance for me. - Okay, Uncle Billy.
- I think that's a record. One, two, three, four. - Hello.
- Rome. Happy to see me? I thought you were
still up north. I arrived this morning. How did you know I was here? I didn't know,
but Uncle B... How pretty you look in that. Isn't that a lovely puke? - Young lady, I have a question.
- Let me down, Rome. Miss Gillespie, tell the court why
you haven't answered our letters? - I have to go home. I really must.
- Tell the truth... the whole truth and nothing but
the truth, in the name of... You know why. All I know is that you
changed since I left. It's not that, Rome. It's just that we've grown up. You mean you don't love me anymore? - Oh, Rome.
- If my mother or anyone said... Oh, Ellie May, I mean... - I can choose my friends.
- Let go of me, please. We have to settle this
once and for all. I've got to go. I really have to go. Okay, so I'll come back tonight
to find out what's going on. - You can't. I'm seeing someone.
- Who? Fleming Talley. And tomorrow night? Oh, Rome, it's no use. Okay. If you put it
like that... you're going to stay up there
until we understand each other. It's all right. It's okay. You don't need to practice
to beat old people. Besides, all that effort
deserve a whiskey and mint. Yes, but you'll have to wait for
this young gentleman before... Wait for him? Unless young people have changed
since the time I was one... he won't be back anytime soon. Hey, Judge,
look at that goat. - Isn't she pretty?
- What? That goat? There is nothing more beautiful in the world than two
two young lovers in springtime. About the goat? Oh, the goat. Oh, my God,
don't you have any feelings? Don't you have a girl?
Have you ever been in love? Talk about a goat. - But your mint.
- What's wrong with my mint? This goat is in your mint. - Get out of there!
- Get out! Get out of here! Playing hungry!
Go home! - Well, William Priest!
- Oh, hello, Carrie. What a nice welcome.
What will the neighbors say? You make me feel ashamed. What's wrong with you? That damn goat
has eaten all the mint. She must have wasted over a million
of peppermint whiskies. You and your peppermint whiskies,
a circuit court judge! Where is your dignity? Dignity? I don't think the
that the Priest family... will have to worry about their dignity
as long as you're alive. It's a good thing there's one
in this family with pride. I told my brother that he was saving
the honor of the family by marrying you. If he were alive, he wouldn't be
playing with a goat. I didn't come for that. Have you seen Rome? Oh, Rome? Rome? I happened to see your son
a little while ago. I guess he's in town,
you know... strutting around in his shoes
button shoes. Don't play possum with me. As if I didn't know
that you're encouraging this... that girl over there,
to have her sights set on Rome. Carrie, Carrie... if I didn't know you had
the biggest heart in the world... I'd think you were the most suspicious creature
creature in the county. Let it go.
Go up on the porch. I want to talk to you. If I had known the true nature
of your feelings... I wouldn't have hurried
hurry back. I'm sorry, Rome. After all, you have your career... your family and everything you care about
in the world that is here. - You don't care about what I care about.
- That's not true, Rome. After all, if I tell you,
it's for your own good. William, I'm not the kind of woman
I'm not the kind of woman to procrastinate. This business between Rome
and the neighbor must stop. Don't you love Ellie May? She seems very nice to me. She has character, teaches at school
school and supports herself. I don't want to be mean.
Maybe she's nice... but, after all, Rome is
a Kentucky Priest. And the name Priest
carries weight in Kentucky. I've never been told that it was
synonymous with intolerance. It is synonymous with a good strain
and family pride. You know the kind of stock
she comes from. Yeah... Her mother came here with no money
and died giving birth to Ellie May. I remember that night. She was a frail little woman... no bigger than Ellie May
but now... But who is her father? Nobody knows. The family may not mean
to you... but for me it's very important. I don't want grandchildren
born under a cloud. You wouldn't have chosen, by any chance,
Hod Maydew as your grandfather? I know you never liked
liked Senator Maydew... but you can't say anything
against his family. She has money,
it's an old family... and Virginia is charming. She's always been crazy about Rome. It could have been a worse time. I guess me and Rome... we have nothing to talk about. I knew you would understand. Are you going to stay for dinner? Not tonight, thanks, William. The Daughters of the Confederacy are giving
a chicken dinner at Kate Maydew's house... and I'm already late. It seems that the girls are
more and more voracious... with the Yankees and the fried chicken. - You're wearing your patch.
- Yes. - Very nice.
- Good evening, William. Sometimes I think that, Women have been more decorated
in this war than the soldiers. Good night, Carrie. Listen to this poor whippoorwill
calling for his mate. He and his kind have been nesting
here for almost 30 years. The song of a loner,
right, Uncle Billy? It is. You know, this was never
in the good Lord's plan. whether one is a man or a bird,
to live alone. Uncle Billy, why didn't you come to our house
after Aunt Margaret died? Oh, I... I always hated
your mother's cooking. Nice swing
on the other porch over there. I wouldn't be surprised if there's
a pretty girl sitting on it. She has a date
with another guy tonight. Ellie May is very beautiful. The guy who's going to get it
will probably have to look good. He can't always
and look gloomy all the time. - There he is.
- Who is he? That Flem Talley. - The barber?
- Yeah. He shaves very badly, this guy. Oh, baby. Here I am, baby! Ellie May, I have good news. Son, there is nothing that will make you forget
women like work. You can look up my Code of
Statutes in the bookstore? It's the old cowboy book
on the top shelf. It's annoying me, this braying. I'll see if I can't
put an end to it. Gabby Rives and Joe Herringer, you know, the guys who work
for me at the barber shop. They came to see me tonight
to go out on the town. There are some beautiful girls there. But I told them no. I can have fun here at home. Guess who I had in mind. Do you want some lemonade? Lemonade? Sure, honey. And I have something
to sweeten it up... that will give it some bite! Judge! Oh, Judge! Have you seen Mr. Mr. Flem Talley,
the barber, in these parts? No. What would he be doing here? I don't know, Judge... but they're coming after him. What are you talking about? Who's that? The father of a lady
with a shotgun. He says Mr. Talley has been fooling around. He has a strange urge to kill. What? You mean
he's going to annihilate her? No, sir. He's going to shoot it down.
That's it. Oh, there's nothing I can do. I'm starting to work... when we laid the body
in the morgue... full of lead, dead beat... and ready to be buried. And then I intervene. But you, Judge, you represent the law. Oh, I can't help it,
like I said... before they finish
of shooting each other. And then I'll make sure that
the murderer gets a fair trial. Uncle Billy, I couldn't
find that book anywhere. - What book?
- The Kentucky law book. Maybe I didn't have one. - Ellie May is waiting for you there.
- What? How do you know?
Are you sure? Don't stand there frozen
when I tell you she's waiting. Go ahead. My poor whippoorwill. You're not good company
on a night like this. Good night, Jeff. It's been a while, honey... that you and the babies... you're gone. Oh, Rome came home tonight. Little Robert E. would have had... He would have been
the same age as... as Rome is today. I guess seeing
Rome back... makes life around here a bit more exciting... a little more lonely. Honey, you know the guy who
enlarged that daguerreotype? He did a very good job. I wish you could see that, honey. But the gilding on the frame... doesn't fit at all. We'll have to get 9a fixed. Honey, it's a beautiful night. Spring was late in coming. But I don't think I've ever seen such
beautiful flowers at this time of year. BELOVED WIFE
OF WILLIAM PITMAN PRIEST DIED ON APRIL 24, 187 1 THE EARTH HAS LOST A GLORIOUS LADY People are weird, they always have their eye
on something. Rome, he has his eye on Ellie May. And Carrie, she keeps hers on Hod Maydew's
Hod Maydew's daughter who has it in for Rome. Old Hod, he's got his eye
on my job. And there are some who are going to be disappointed. This honeysuckle smells great. I can't breathe it in enough. Damn it, honey. That's Bob Gillis,
over there, in front of a grave. Ellie May's mother's grave. You're a good boy. Yes, sir, I am. - Hi, Jimmy.
- Hi, Billy. What are you doing here? Are you thinking of being called back
in the army? Hi, Gillis. Hi, Gillis. You never know
what those Yankees will do. We beat them once,
and I'm standing by... in case we have to do it again. Say, take a look
at old General Forrest. I think he's going to need
to be shod soon. I'm busy now, Billy... shoeing those two horses over there. Hey, Bob, we better take a look at
the judge's horse. He's got a problem. You want a drink?
It's good corn. You can feel the feet of the guy
who plowed the fields. You have candied fruit breath. - Where are you going?
- Fishing. On the Sleepy River. The Sleepy River? Why
are you fishing there? - Does he need to be shod?
- No. It's fine for now. Say, that's an ugly scar.
A bullet? - Yeah.
- Did you get that in the war? No. They say you're from the north. It must be from there. We'll talk to Jeff
to find out more. Hey, wake up.
Somebody could steal the horse... and leave you holding the ropes. Okay. Bring the beef liver. The bait is
in the bait bag. I always keep them in there. - Hurry up.
- The liver- Don't tell me you don't have it. It looks like this liver
escaped on its own. Lord. Here. How am I going to catch
catfish without bait? Take this coin
and go buy me some beef liver. - All right, sir.
- Hurry up. I'll do it.
I'm almost running. Aren't you going to put your shoes on? I keep them in case
my feet wear out. And then I'll get them. Always doing nothing, there is no danger
that your feet will wear out. ICE CREAM AND CARAMEL FESTIVAL
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST GREGORY DEAN'S BENEFIT BAND
CONFEDERATE UNION MEETING EVERYONE IS WELCOME Master Jesus
wrote me a note He posted it on the one He told me to put on
my Sunday clothes For he will soon come
to pick me up Master Jesus Wrote me a note He posted it from a state He says he'll make me white
like snow Even though I am as black
as tar A coat! I'm wearing a hat... and this nice jacket
that was hanging there for nothing. Damn you!
May the plague take you! I told you to stay away
near that jacket. - But, Judge, it was on.
- You're wearing my coat too! - Yes, that old skunk coat.
- Skunk? - I mean in opossum-
- Opossum? - Rabbit.
- Rabbit? It's raccoon. That's better.
I bought it from a rich Yankee. And now put it away. I'd better go
to that festival. Dilsey may need you. - How are you doing, Judge?
- It's tolerable, Reverend. Tolerable. It takes ice cream and fudge
to attract the soldiers to the church. Yeah. If the Lord has a glitch,
he knows who to call. That's right. It's not all about
to go to the church. - Good evening, Senator.
- Good evening, Reverend. - Good evening, Judge Priest.
- Good evening, Hod. This is one of our most
faithful parishioners. Yes, it's amazing to see
how far some men will go... to get some votes. Too bad we didn't get rid of him
by sending it to Congress... I am told that he believes that you
deprived him of that honor. Me? The great democratic party
and Thomas Jefferson instead. Obviously, the Senator
doesn't see it the same way. I'm told that his business
in your court... have become
personal quarrels... now that he is a candidate
for your position. Oh, I wouldn't say that, Ashby. But I'm going to have to
have to campaign, you know. Hod is hypnotic... and has always been eloquent. I'm just an old hand
who makes fun of babies. I don't have much to offer
by way of rhetoric. I am told that he does not approve
your grammar. My grammar? The first thing I learned in politics
in politics is grammar. Speaking of ice cream,
did I ever tell you about Shiloh? - Yes, you did.
- Really? Did you? Wait a minute, Doc.
I want you to hear this. Come on. I want you to hear this.
It was the day before Shiloh... and we had to get the orders through
to General Beauregard on the other side. What did I do?
I took off my clothes... I put the orders in my mouth
and I dived in. It was dark.
Sir, I was gone- Good evening. Are you still swimming, Jimmy? Where was I? - Where was I?
- In the middle of the river, Jimmy. Yes! Yes, sir! Here I am!
Swimming and still 20 km to go. Here I am, swimming, swimming... diving to avoid
the Yankee gunners. Yankee gunners
all around me! Surrounded by Yankee gunners
and me avoiding them. - Gunners?
- Yes, sir. That's new, the gunners,
right, Jimmy? - Hi, Rome.
- Hi, Rome. Young people, don't think
that you have to distract the old people. That's right. Go have fun. They're getting ready to pull the fudge. Maybe Rome has other plans. Oh, no, not at all. Honestly, Virginia gets more beautiful
every time I see her. And I know you're happy
that Rome has come home. He's such a nice boy. Aren't they beautiful
together? Look at them, Horace. Yes. Youth, beauty. I remember when I crossed
the threshold of my young adult life... and listened to the soft whispers
of my heart. A double portion, please. You already have a full serving. Oh, but we can pay,
can't we, Rome? Gentlemen! I propose to conduct
a dignified campaign. Nothing personal. Let others censor the manners
of Judge Priest on the bench. I don't. That others question
the methods he used... to keep political control
of the county for a quarter of a century. Not me. For gentlemen, only merit will count
will count in the coming election. Where have you been hiding, Rome? I thought you had forgotten
where I lived. I didn't. Mother and Dad always tease me
about you. I tell them you're kidding me. I bet you have a daughter
in the north. Even if you did, all the boys
in town would be hanging around you, right? Oh, those good-for-nothings... they make me tired. And then I was waiting for
for someone else. Attention! Say, what is the most beautiful
girl of the festival... doing here moping around, huh? Would you like some fudge, Judge? I don't like to overdo it
on the fudge. On second thought, give me some. All right. Smear your hands
with butter first. Hi, Uncle Billy. Oh, hi. - You're not doing it right.
- What am I doing wrong? Here. Let me see your hands. You didn't put any butter on it.
No wonder. Here. Here, let me show you.
With mine. I'll show you. Here. Go ahead. Go and put
butter on your hands. - Go ahead, all the way over there.
- Okay, Uncle Billy. There you go. Here now.
Put that there. Now here. Here, here.
Like this. To pull the caramel, you must not let yourself
to be distracted. Never. Look, this is how
you get it on your hands. Don't get distracted. Lord, you're pulling the fudge
with a champion now. I think it's your fault. The sun is shining In my life in Kentucky It's summertime The niggers are happy The corn is ripe The meadow
is in bloom While the birds are in bloom Singing all day long No more crying My lady Oh, don't cry anymore today We'll sing a song From my old Kentucky home From my old Kentucky home So far away - Good morning, everyone.
- Good morning, Judge. You're next. Say, Flem, you got the most populated
most populated place in town. Hey, Gabby, what's new in the
in the paper this morning? - Hi, Lige.
- Good morning, Judge. Say, you haven't been here
for a while, huh? - Good morning, Mr.
- Good morning. - Nice day.
- Yeah. Oh, Flem, there she is. How she seems to
to love her Flemmie! Hey, Flem,
when are you getting married? I don't know because I haven't heard
anyone talking about marriage! Aren't you afraid to get married
in a hurry, I hope? Well, no, because she doesn't have a father! Say, this guy is going to make himself
very unpopular around here. - That's right, Judge.
- Yeah. There's about 2,000 citizens
here who are going to be pretty pissed off at him- Yeah. when they find out
that we beat you up before they do. Yeah, he's gonna be pretty
unpopular around here. We're not beaten until
the last shot is fired. He won't have an excuse.
The field is in good shape. - Choose with Billy.
- There you go. - Yeah.
- One, two. Oh, you got me. - Who goes first? Herman?
- Yes, sir. My wife and I
live alone In a small hut
of our own You're not putting in enough, Dilsey.
The Judge wants more than that. I said! Yes, ma'am. You don't have
a glass too many? I'm not trying to tell you what to do. Always someone trying to... Hey, enough with the antics! How can the Judge win at croquet
croquet on an empty stomach? Hey, Dilsey, you forgot the jug. That jug there. Okay. You can't say
I didn't warn you. Leaving someone here
with all this food. I bet she'll blame me- We don't see you much. No. - Pretty lonely, huh?
- Yeah. Go get some beer while
while I put 14 in the corner. I'll pay for it. - Hey, Flem, Gillis is here.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
- Come on. Let's go see it. No. Wait. He's going to come through here
in a minute on his way out. - Are you with me?
- Of course I am. Of course we're with you. - Another one?
- No. Get him, Joe!
A knife! He's got a knife! I've got it! Oh, he hurt me. - Medic, quick!
- What's happened? He stabbed Flem. He stabbed Flem. We saw him. - With a knife?
- Yeah. We saw it. Check it out. Hey, Uncle Billy! - Uncle Billy! Uncle Billy.
- Okay. - Careful. Careful. In a minute.
- This is important. - Oh, no. No, no.
- No way? You're already out. - Giddy up! Get out of here.
- Oh, no. - Oh, no.
- Go ahead and hit it. - Go ahead. Come on.
- Uncle Billy! He missed it! He missed!
He missed! - He missed it.
- Rome, I beg you. Please? - Wait a minute. This is an important part.
- Don't move. Don't move. Don't move. Don't move. Yeah! Yeah! We are the champions! - Uncle Billy, let me talk to you.
- Damn. I don't see how the South could lose
the war with a smart guy like you. Uncle Billy! What's the matter?
You already lost me the game. - Uncle Billy, I have a customer.
- Who? What did he do? Gillis. You know,
Mr. Bagby's employee. Who? Bob Gillis?
What did he do? - He stabbed Flem Talley.
- Yeah? And right after he turned himself in,
he called me. Oh, my goodness. - Did he slash it right?
- We don't know yet. Uncle Billy sent for me. This is going to be the biggest case
of the season and I'm going to defend it. I wouldn't brag about it just yet. Don't worry about it.
Hey! Ellie May! I'm going to go to that prison... see what the guy has to say. - I'm going to see Talley.
- Damn thieves. We've been robbed, Herman. You better come with me... because you could
come in as a bailiff. - Ellie May, I have a client.
- I knew you could do it! Come on. I want to talk to Uncle Billy
and tell you all about it. That's original, Herman,
the barber getting stabbed. Whoever did this must not have hurt him
hurt him much if he used his razor. Where is Rome? It's out of the question! I don't want
to have anything to do with that kind of people. - What has he done now?
- He's done enough! Mother, what's the matter?
Is something wrong? You may be used to talking
in front of strangers, but not me. - Ellie May is not a stranger.
- Excuse me, Rome, I'm going to leave. - No, wait.
- Okay. I have nothing to hide. Carrie, what's up? - Did you get too much sun?
- Shut up, William Priest. I hold you responsible
for everything that's happened. Are you going to defend this man? Mr. Gillis? Of course I will. - Oh, no, you don't.
- Mother, what do you mean, no way? I guess you know who is
who's behind this feud. No? Then I'll tell you. - They were fighting over that girl!
- Mother, that's not true! Carrie, you can accumulate
false information... faster than anyone else... - Who told you this nonsense?
- Virginia Maydew. - Who did?
- Virginia Maydew. Her father told her. And she reported it to you directly. She wanted to tell Rome! I know you never liked me
never liked me, Mrs. Priest. I know you tried to stop
Rome from going out with me. I'm not good enough for him. Let me tell you something. If Rome were as bad as you,
he wouldn't be good enough for me. Goodness! Carrie, it looks like you're coming in
second. No, no way. If Rome's father
was alive, he would approve of me. Rome has already made enough noise
with this girl. I won't let him
defend her in court! Rome, you see what your mother thinks
your mother thinks... then I think you've lost
your first customer. And they're not easy
to find. - No, Uncle Billy, I didn't lose anything.
- Rome! Mother, I think I'm old enough
to know what to do. I said I would defend Mr. Gillis
and I'm going to go through with it. This way, Reverend. Please sit there,
please, sir. - Hi, Reverend. How are you?
- How are you doing? The session is open. And it's going to be a long one today. If it pleases the Court... I would like to point out that for several years
several years of different... and personal differences have existed
between Your Honor and myself. Now that I am a candidate
for the exalted position... that you have occupied
for so many years... these different
have reached a point... where for the protection of the public... I have to ask for an impartial judge. Maybe I'm going deaf... but these facts had never been communicated to me
but these facts had never been communicated to me. Are you saying that you can't get justice
get justice in this court? I maintain that my language was
clear enough to be understood... though perhaps a bit obtuse. And I'll be even more clear. I accuse you of having,
in the presence of two witnesses... taken facts and weapons
for the accused Gillis... in a previous attack
on the complainant. I have been presiding over this court
for almost 20 years. And no one has ever asked
that I be substituted. I will file an affidavit
under oath of prejudice. That won't be necessary. So I would ask you, Judge Priest, to
leave the courtroom during this trial... and give up your seat
to a competent judge! I... I don't deny it, Senator,
that you... That you took my
a bit breathless. I guess I had... used to be taken for granted
taken for granted in this court. Gee, I was almost
raised in this courtroom. When I stopped
fighting in 1865... for a cause
that we thought was right... I've calmed down a bit... I came back here,
in my hometown. And I hung up my jacket. A short time later,
I was sitting in this courtyard. I may have a tendency to
to follow the spirit of the law. rather than staying
the letter of the law... but as far as I know,
no one has ever complained... until now. Now you from the jury... forget everything I said. My feelings have no place... in the annals of this trial. Now,
if you'll excuse me... and if neither party
has any objection... I would like to ask
the Right Honourable Floyd Fairleigh... to come up here... and take... the seat for me. What happened then? Gentlemen of the jury,
in plain English... the accused has burst in
before these three honorable citizens. Objection, Your Honor. I deny that my client ever
barge in anywhere. Objection allowed. So be it, Your Honor. Nevertheless, I will demonstrate that the client
of my young friend here... has broken in somewhere. Armed with a deadly weapon,
that is... a dagger, a dagger or a knife
of deadly length and sharpness... he broke into the quivering flesh
Mr. Talley's quivering flesh. - Objection, Your Honor.
- Objection allowed. Your Honor's humble servant
bows to your decision. Eventually, Mr. Talley,
marked and mutilated... will certify the truth
of what I am saying... with a silent eloquence
more powerful than my poor tongue. We were playing pool when
he came in and attacked me. It wasn't you who attacked him
with a pool cue? Only after he attacked me
attacked me with a knife. It's like Flem said. We didn't pay any attention to him
until he attacked Flem. But you didn't have pool cues
pool cues in your hands? I've never heard of a pool player
pool players without cues. It's like Flem and Joe said.
He was looking for trouble. - You don't like the defendant, do you?
- Who likes him here? Your Honor, the defense rests
with this witness. I would think
that my young colleague... would be happy to be done with this
with this witness. Your Honor, the prosecution
has no further questions. Before the defense proceeds,
the hearing is suspended for half an hour. That told him something. I don't know why
you did that, Mr. Gillis... but Judge Priest told me
what happened at the barbershop. Oh, we have to tell the jury. You won't be convicted for defending the honor of a
defending a woman's honor. Don't you see? Don't think of me
about me. Think of yourself. Mr. Gillis, I don't want
to involve Ellie May in this... but she's right. We can sentence you
to 10 years for assault... and the way Maydew works
the jury, they'll give you the maximum. You have to tell the truth, Mr. Gillis.
You know what I mean? You've got to. I won't say anything. Yes, sir, Talley lied
about everything. And Herringer and Gab Rive,
they lied too. It was three against one
in Billy Gaynor's back room. And it's three against one
in that courtroom. You've been involved
in other knife fights? - No, sir.
- That's it. Just a moment. Where did you come from, Mr. Gillis? I won't say. You're not what we in the South would
would call a people person? - I mind my own business.
- Precisely. - Except when you're looking for trouble.
- I'm not looking for trouble. But I'm not the type to run away from it. Since when did you have
a grievance against Mr. Talley? We had a few days of confrontation
before he jumped me. A confrontation, huh?
About what? Come on. Tell it to the jury.
Why did you hate him? - I'm not gonna say.
- You had no reason to kill him? - I didn't say that.
- Make up your mind. Why the hatred? I won't say it. That's all, Your Honor. Any further questions? None, Your Honor. This hearing is adjourned
until tomorrow morning. We hope that the conclusions
will be brief... so that we can all go to the
to the Reunion ceremonies at noon. Reverend Ashby. Say, what a pleasure...
to have you here. I don't get this chance often.
It's a real honor. Here you go, Jeff.
Make the reverend comfortable. Looks like you've got me
caught me red-handed. Maybe I could
convince you to... It's been a long and tiring day
and it's mostly mint. No, thank you, William.
I appreciate your subtlety. You know, I thought that- you'd be working on your speech
tomorrow for Memorial Day. Oh, it will write itself. The one I'm worried about
is that poor bastard Gillis. Do you know Gillis? My job sometimes takes me
to some strange places. I feel almost as sorry
for poor Gillis as you do... except that I'm out of stock. Hod beat me to it.
No doubt about it. It's a done deal.
Everything is settled... and I don't think Hod- is crazy enough to reopen the case
for anyone or anything. William, I have a duty to perform- my duty as a good Christian. I will violate the sacred trust
trust of another. I will break
the seal of silence... because it's the only recourse
I see before me. Go ahead, Ashby. Twenty-five years ago... The judge really... suffered a lot He thinks that the people
have not been fair. Maybe he has
stomach ache And he needs a grog
tonight Yes, Lord
Yes, Lord Because tomorrow
he must be like Mr. Samson Saving Daniel
from the lion's den Sauvant Daniel
of the Ion Pit Yes, Lord
Yes, Lord the Judge could use
a good grog - Yes, Judge
- Yes, DiIsey - As soon as I get the mint
- As soon as you bring me the mint Oh,Jeff.Jeff. Come on. Come quickly. Come so I can stop screaming. - Where were you?
- I was... Hey, listen. You want to earn
my old raccoon coat? Can I have it, Judge?
Thank you, Judge. Just a minute.
Come back here. You can have it if you do
everything I tell you to do. You know a gentleman
by the name of Mr. Hod Maydew? Yes, the bad guy from the court? Yeah. Make sure he gets this. But don't let him know
how it got to him. That's all I have to do,
Judge? Thank you. Say, wait a minute. Can you play
"Dixie" on this thing? For that coat? Yes, sir, I play
''Dixie,'' ''The Georgia March''- Wait a minute. Hey.
"The Georgia March"? Yeah. I already saved you
a lynching. Yes, but for that coat
raccoon coat... If you play "The Georgia March",
I will join the lynch mob. WELCOME
TO THE CONFEDERATE VETERANS - Hi, kids.
- Hi! What do you have
in your baskets? - Fried chicken.
- Chicken! That's exactly what I have. That's what the
what the judge likes, you hear? Hey, the jury's coming in! Hey! Come on!
The jury is coming back. I'm telling you, sir.
We lost the bass drum! How can you lose a bass drum?
lose a bass drum? Somebody stole it.
We need it for the parade. You may begin your closing argument,
Mr. District Attorney. Your Honor... since yesterday's suspension, some information
information has reached us... which in the interest of justice,
I am compelled to reopen the case. The Commonwealth wishes to recall
the defendant Gillis for questioning. Very well, Mr. Maydew. Proceed. Robert Gillis, take the stand. Your Honor, as I recall
of the proceedings, at this time... I am still an ordinary member
and in good standing of the Bar? Not ordinary, sir... but quite
in good form. Thank you, sir.
Thank you very much. Then I have the honor
to designate myself... as a defense associate... since the case has... been... reopened. Mr. Gillis, have you always been
an unruly and violent man? I never bothered
those who didn't bother me. Really? What was the name of the man
you once murdered? I never thought it was... - No, it wasn't a murder.
- A man was killed, wasn't he? - Yes.
- And you were put in jail? - Yes, they did.
- You were accused of murder? - Yes, I was.
- And the jury found you guilty? - Yes, they did.
- You were sentenced to hang? - No, to life imprisonment.
- Did you flee or were you given amnesty? I won't say it. I won't say anything more
I won't say anything more, no matter what you ask me. That won't be necessary. Judge Priest, your witness. No questions, Your Honor. But Uncle Billy- The defense is not going to refute anything,
Judge Priest? I call a character witness,
Your Honor. Mr. Clerk, can you call
Reverend Ashby Brand? You swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but the truth... - in the matter before this court?
- I do. Reverend Brand, before you came here,
what was your occupation? In my life as a young man,
before I entered the order... I had the honor to be captain
artillery captain in the last war. In the War of the Rebellion? No, sir. The war
for the Southern Confederacy. Yes, sir.
That's right. - He's right.
- Yes, sir. My mistake... One moment, please,
Your Honor. I concede to no man
more love and devotion... for that sacred and lost cause
in which my people have fought. But though I cherish
all the imperishable memories... that the mere mention
of this great conflict... awakens in the heart of every
true inhabitant of Kentucky... I don't see a possible link... between the military career
of this reverend... and the guilt of this Gillis. I don't think the court is committing
a serious miscarriage of justice... by letting a pastor tell his story
his story in his own way. Please continue, Reverend Brand. As many of you know,
I'm from Virginia. The day my state seceded
from the Union, I enlisted. I was a soldier in the Virginia
Virginia Battery at Penn. Toward the end of the third year,
I was in command of that battery. All my senior officers
had been killed or wounded. We lost heavily
at Chancellorsville. At Fredericksburg,
we were almost annihilated. We kept our artillery. We kept it until the end. But we didn't have enough men
to handle the cannons... nor reinforcements to draw these men from. There were no more men to come. Confederation in 1864... robbed cradles and graves
to make... cannon fodder. Well, sir,
I got a pass... and I went to Richmond
to see the Secretary of War. I said, "Sir, I have come to you
to ask you for men for the artillery. He laughed and said to me,
''Tell me where I can find some.'' I said, "In the convicts
in the penitentiaries.'' He said, "You are too late, young man.
too late, young man. I released all the prisoners
that we could release. Only the lifers are left... and I don't dare to release them. They are guarded and work
to build your defenses.'' He opposed me,
but I argued. Finally, I won. He gave me the authorization,
signed it and in his own hand... affixed to it the seal of the sovereign
of Virginia. I returned to the front, sir,
and found my convicts. I told them to drop
their tools and line up in front of me. I said, "If you come with me,
you're going to face... a hell of destruction
suffering and death...'' ''but,'' I said, ''if you go,
you will go as free men... Confederate soldiers. Your past will be behind you. And your future, if you survive,
will be in your hands. And I promise you this. If you resist,
if you do your duty... if you act bravely
and honorably... and if some of you
survive to the end- and some of you
some of you will survive, you won't come back to this. It's up to you. Those who stay, don't move. Those who come with me,
take a step forward.'' Gentlemen of the jury... I tell you that they came to me
like a wave from the ocean... each one of them. And with time... they earned the name
of the "Hell Battalion. These men, these criminals... with the marks of the irons
still on their legs... fought like men
for the South. Better than anyone else. And they died
as men, for the most part. There is one of these men to whom I want to pay
I want to pay a special tribute to. He distinguished himself
by his courage and loyalty. For his valor
as a soldier and as a man. And most of all,
for his unwavering righteousness... in all circumstances. a man who said little,
but did a lot. I saw him once
under enemy fire... to save at his own risk, in a battle, a wounded
a wounded Union soldier in battle... who was lying helplessly
between the two front lines. Another time our banner
was torn from our hands. We fought hand to hand
that day. This man I'm talking about threw himself
on a riderless horse... and went into battle... and by the grace of God returned
from the world of the dead... our flag in our hands. And another day... when all the men in arms
were dead except him... I saw him, when the Union infantry
charged... straddling his cannon... with a rammer
as only weapon... waiting for the enemy
is in range. A counter-attack
by our infantry saved him. But he had resisted on his own. After the surrender,
I kept his secret. I kept it until now. Although I saw it
daily at work... looking after his daughter... providing her through me
education. And all without Ellie May's knowledge. Gentlemen, as a soldier, I knew this
man by the name of Roger Gillespie. You know him by the name
he goes by now... Robert Gillis. Long live Jeff Davis,
the Southern Confederacy and Bob Gillis! Out of my way. Can't you see that this poor child needs a mother?
child needs a mother? That's perfect!
Great, Jeff. Great! Keep going. Keep going,
you'll get the white jacket! end © BF-WATCH TV 2022
