"ALL THE KING'S MEN"
Screenplay by
Robert Rossen
Based on a novel by
Robert Penn Warren
SHOOTING DRAFT
1949
Interior: Jack Burden's Desk, The Chronicle, Day
Jack Burden is looking over the morning edition of "The
Chronicle." He reads the society page. A man enters and leans
across his desk.
MAN
Burden! Jack Burden! The boss wants
to see you.
He folds his paper, rises, and walks by the presses into
Madison's office.
Interior: Madison's Office, Day
Madison, the city editor, is correcting copy at his desk.
MADISON
Hey, Jack, ever hear of a fellow
called Willie Stark?
JACK
No. Who'd he shoot?
MADISON
Oh, county... uh... treasurer, or
something like that.
JACK
What's so special about him?
MADISON
They say he's an honest man. What I
want you to do is to hop into your
car...
JACK
Why, you promised me a vacation.
MADISON
Well, that can wait.
JACK
Yeah... but there's a... a girl I
know.
He opens his newspaper to the society page and shows Madison
a photograph of Anne Stanton.
MADISON
Oh... Well, she can wait too.
Jack takes the paper back and looks at it.
JACK
The question is... can I?
MADISON
The answer is... get up there.
JACK
Right.
(starts to go)
Oh... uh... what did you say his
name was?
MADISON
Who?
JACK
The fellow's name.
MADISON
Oh, the... uh... Stark... Willie
Stark.
Madison goes on with his work.
JACK
(as he leaves)
Willie Stark...
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Kanoma City, Day
As Jack Burden's jalopy pulls up before the Kanoma County
Courthouse of this back-country, one-street small town.
JACK
(voice over)
I found him in Kanoma City. A typical,
hot, dusty, backwoods county seat.
He gets out of the car, and notices a crowd of people gathered
around a platform in the town square. As he walks over the
begins to hear the words that Willie Stark is speaking.
WILLIE
...to lie to them in order to line
their own dirty pockets with the
taxpayers' money. When have the
citizens of Kanoma County ever
witnessed a campaign like this? Why
is the opposition so anxious to defeat
me? Why have they used every dirty
method known to make sure I'm not
elected county treasurer? Well, I'll
tell you why...
A man in shirt sleeves and suspenders, Tiny Duffy, comes out
of the local poolroom, listens for a moment to Willie's
speech, and signals to two uniformed men to go over and break
up the gathering.
Jack Burden stands close to the platform, next to Willie's
son, Tom, who waits patiently to distribute handbills.
WILLIE
...Because they're afraid of the
truth... and the truth is this.
They're trying to steal your money.
Yeah, I said steal. The county
commissioners rejected the bid on
the schoolhouse. Why? Well, they'll
tell you their reason is the job
will be done better. The county
commissioners would have you believe
that they're interested in public
welfare. They're interested in
welfare, sure. But it's their own.
Let's look at the reason in the light
of the facts and the figures. That
brick factory is owned by one of the
commissioners. That same brick factory
uses convict labor.
The sheriff and his deputy push through the crowd.
SHERIFF
Sorry, Willie, you'll have to move
on.
WILLIE
Why?
SHERIFF
City Ordinance Number One-Oh-Five:
more than five people congregating
is disturbing the peace.
WILLIE
(ignores him)
If you folks'll be so kind as to
read these handbills, my boy will
pass them out among you.
SHERIFF
There's an ordinance against that
too.
WILLIE
(his face grim)
Pass 'em out, Tom.
The sheriff pushes Tom back, grabbing the handbills out of
his hand. Willie jumps down off the platform.
WILLIE
Let him alone!
The sheriff collars Willie, then notices Jack on the platform
snapping a picture.
SHERIFF
(to deputy)
Get that camera! Willie, you're under
arrest.
He takes Willie by the arm and leads him away. The crowd
follows them to the courthouse. Tiny Duffy wipes the sweat
off his neck and goes back into the poolroom.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Kanoma City Poolroom, Day
Two of Duffy's men, Pillsbury and a local commissioner, are
playing pool as Jack enters.
JACK
Where can I find Tiny Duffy?
PILLSBURY
Right over there, mister.
He walks over to Duffy. Some townspeople, who followed him
there, gather around him to listen.
JACK
Uh, they told me I could get my camera
back here.
DUFFY
Who told you that?
JACK
People. Can I?
DUFFY
You the reporter that's been snoopin'
around town?
JACK
Are you Tiny Duffy?
DUFFY
What paper?
JACK
Chronicle.
DUFFY
You sure come a long way to stick
your nose into other people's
business.
JACK
That's true... Only my boss on the
paper can't see it that way.
DUFFY
It ain't any of his business either.
JACK
Whose business is it?
PILLSBURY
Them as is tendin' to it. County
commissioners that the voters of
Kanoma County elected to tend to
their business and not take no buttin'
in from nobody.
JACK
You a commissioner?
PILLSBURY
Yeah. Name's Pillsbury. Dolph
Pillsbury.
2ND COMMISSIONER
Me too. I'm a commissioner too.
JACK
Who isn't a commissioner?
DUFFY
He's the head man.
JACK
(to Pillsbury)
Then you're in a position to know
where --
DUFFY
He's in a position to know nothin'.
And to say nothin'.
JACK
I thought you said he was head man?
DUFFY
(smiling)
He uses my head.
PILLSBURY
(laughing loudly)
Oh, Tiny, you're a card... Ain't he
a card? Yeah, he's a card... Now,
who thought up those city ordinances
about arresting someone for making a
speech?
DUFFY
Who's arrested? Nobody's been
arrested.
(looks toward the
door)
Hi, Willie.
Willie enters, accompanied by the sheriff and his deputy.
The others in the room, including Sugar Boy in his bartender's
apron, step aside to let him pass through.
PILLSBURY
Hi, Willie.
DUFFY
(to Sheriff)
Did you apologize to Willie?
SHERIFF
(mumbles)
Yeah, I apologized to Willie.
DUFFY
Did you give him his handbills back?
SHERIFF
Yeah, I gave 'em back.
DUFFY
Give him back his flag and his bag
and...
(points to Jack)
give this man his camera.
WILLIE
I'm going to be on that same street
corner tomorrow, Mr. Duffy.
DUFFY
You go right ahead, Willie. We all
believe in free speech. We got to...
it's in the Constitution.
WILLIE
My boy is out distributing those
handbills now.
DUFFY
It's a free country, Willie. If you
can convince the people to vote for
you... you go right ahead.
WILLIE
What did you want to see me about,
Mr. Duffy?
DUFFY
I wanted you to meet a fella came
all the way up from the state capital
to meet you. A reporter. Wants to
write you up... maybe put your picture
in the paper.
WILLIE
(turns to Jack)
I'm happy to know you, sir.
JACK
Burden's my name... Jack Burden. Can
we go somewhere where we can talk?
DUFFY
Now that ain't polite. Don't you
want to hear both sides of the story?
Jack examines the camera that has just been returned to him.
JACK
I know your side.
(finds the plate
missing)
What happened to the plate your men
took from my camera?
DUFFY
Must have dropped out. Oh, come on,
fellas, let's relax. It's a hot day...
Hey, Sugar Boy...
SUGAR BOY
Yeah?
DUFFY
Bring some cold beer for the boys.
WILLIE
None for me, thank you kindly.
PILLSBURY
Now you know Willie don't drink,
Tiny. His wife don't favor drinking.
And Willie's the teacher's pet, ain't
you, Willie?
WILLIE
I'll have some orange pop if you
don't mind.
Duffy roars with laughter.
DUFFY
Orange pop! All right, Sugar Boy.
Bring him some orange pop.
SUGAR BOY
(stutters)
Th-th-the p-p-pop's s-s-sold out.
DUFFY
Did you hear that, boys? The p-p-
pop's s-s-sold out.
They all laugh.
PILLSBURY
Now ain't he a card?
WILLIE
(his face hard)
He stutters, Mr. Duffy, but you...
you don't say anything.
(to Jack)
Let's go, mister.
They turn and go out.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Dirt Road, Day
Jack is driving Willie home to his farmhouse. They pass a
farmer and his family walking by the side of the road. Willie
smiles and waves to them.
Exterior: Stark Farmhouse, Day
As the car pulls into the drive we see Pa Stark in his rocking
chair on the porch, and Lucy, who stands at the top of the
steps, waiting to welcome Willie.
WILLIE
(as they go up the
steps)
This is my wife, Lucy, Mr. Burden.
JACK AND LUCY
How do you do?
WILLIE
That's my pa.
Jack reaches out to shake his hand.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Stark Farmhouse, Night
Willie finishes chewing his food, pats his mouth with a
napkin, and pushes his plate back.
WILLIE
Now we'll talk.
Camera pulls back to include Jack, Lucy, and Pa, all seated
around the dinner table.
JACK
You've been talking for a long time,
Mr. Stark.
PAPPY
Willie's got a lot to say.
LUCY
You sleepy, Pappy? You want to have
a nap?
PAPPY
No, I want to hear it.
Lucy gets up and turns on a light in the kitchen.
LUCY
I'm worried about Tom. It's getting
dark. He should have been home.
WILLIE
He's a strong boy. Don't worry about
him. He can take care of himself.
JACK
How old is the boy?
WILLIE
Fifteen.
JACK
How long have you been married?
WILLIE
Nine years.
Willie grins at Jack's look of surprise. Lucy comes back
into the room.
LUCY
(laughs)
He was a neighbor's boy. They were
poor folks. Both died. I couldn't
have any children, so... He's a good
boy.
WILLIE
Oh, he's the best. I couldn't love
him any more if he was my own flesh
and blood.
JACK
(to Lucy)
And now you, Mrs. Stark?
LUCY
Oh, there isn't very much to tell
about me.
JACK
How did you meet?
LUCY
I was teaching school and one day a
pupil walked in. It was Willie. I
couldn't have a grown man in the
class and Willie wanted to learn so
badly... so I married him.
JACK
Is that the only reason?
LUCY
(pressing Willie's
arm)
Except that I loved him.
WILLIE
Get the coffee, Lucy.
She goes back into the kitchen.
JACK
When did they fire you, Mrs. Stark?
LUCY
(as she serves the
coffee)
A couple of weeks ago. I'd been
teaching for a long time and nobody
ever said I wasn't all right. But I
don't care. I don't want to teach in
a schoolhouse that they built just
so somebody can steal some money.
And Willie doesn't want to be
Treasurer, either, if he has to
associate with those dishonest people.
WILLIE
(glumly)
I'm going to run. They can't keep me
from running.
JACK
If you don't mind the truth, Mr.
Stark, you haven't much of a chance.
WILLIE
I'm going to run. They're not going
to kick me around like I was dirt.
LUCY
I don't care if Willie loses... just
so he gets the truth to the people.
Isn't that true, Willie?
Willie is silent. Jack looks at him.
LUCY
Isn't it, Willie?
WILLIE
Hmmm?... Yeah, yeah, sure, that's
right.
LUCY
Well, if you lose you can give a
little more time to studying your
law books.
JACK
Oh, you studying law too?
WILLIE
By myself, at night.
PAPPY
Willie's a smart boy.
WILLIE
If I ever find the time I'm going to
take a course at the university.
The door opens slowly and Tom comes in from the porch. His
clothes are torn and his face is dirty and bloody. He still
carries some of the handbills. They rise to their feet and
cluster around him.
LUCY
What happened, Tommy boy? What's the
matter?
TOM
(head down, muttering)
I gave out the handbills, Pa.
WILLIE
Speak up. Speak up.
LUCY
Let him tell it his own way. Go on,
Tommy.
TOM
This time they were waiting for me.
They took them away from me. Threw
them in the dirt and beat me up. I
brought some of them back.
WILLIE
(pats him on the back)
Good boy. Have you eaten yet, Tom?
LUCY
Let him wash up first.
As Tom and Pappy go into the other room, a rock comes crashing
through the front window, shattering the glass. Willie, his
face filled with anger, throws open the door and stalks out
onto the porch. Jack stands at the door, watching Willie
shout into the darkness around him.
WILLIE
I'm going to run... and you're not
going to stop me. I'm gonna run even
if I don't get a single vote.
FADE OUT
FADE IN:
Interior: Jack Burden's Desk, Day
Jack's fingers type out a story, the last line of which reads
"an honest man with courage." He pulls the sheet out and
hands it to Madison.
JACK
Here you are... the last of the Willie
Stark articles. Now can I go?
MADISON
Yes. You've earned your vacation.
You've been writing these like you
really mean them.
Jack rises and walks toward the door.
JACK
I do.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Ferry To Burden's Landing, Day
Jack's car is ferried across the bay to the slip of Burden's
Landing.
JACK
(voice over)
I hadn't been home in a long time.
Only a hundred and thirty miles from
Kanoma City. It was separated from
the mainland by a body of water. For
the first time I wondered if it wasn't
separated by more than that.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Mrs. Burden's Home, Day
As Jack arrives, Mrs. Burden and her husband, McEvoy, are
seated at a lawn table near the boat landing.
JACK
Hello, Mother.
She runs forward to meet him.
MRS. BURDEN
Floyd, Jack's home. Oh, he looks
fine... doesn't he look fine?
(to Jack, coquettishly)
How do I look, Jackie boy?
JACK
You look beautiful, Mother.
MRS. BURDEN
I've got so many things planned for
you... parties and... it'll be just
like old times. But first, let's
have a drink.
MCEVOY
Can't that wait until this evening?
She goes ahead and pours the drinks.
MRS. BURDEN
Floyd... honey... my son's home.
MCEVOY
How long do you plan on staying?
JACK
(coldly)
Two or three weeks. If that's all
right with you.
MRS. BURDEN
I'm sure your father would be --
JACK
Stepfather, Mother.
MRS. BURDEN
(reproachfully)
Now, Jackie... here we all are. Floyd,
Jackie, myself.
(raises her glass for
a toast)
To the best time we've ever had
together.
JACK
Yes, Mother.
They drink. Mrs. Burden gulps hers down avidly. Jack looks
at her and then at McEvoy.
JACK
Excuse me... I...
He turns and walks back toward the shore. He boards a small
motorboat and heads toward a house that can be seen across
the water.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Stanton Home (Burden's Landing), Day
As the boat approaches the shore. Adam Stanton reaches down
and pulls the boat up on land. He throws his arm around Jack,
and the two climb the hill toward Judge Stanton, who stands
waiting to greet him.
JACK
Dr. Stanton, I presume.
STANTON
(laughing)
Is my shingle showing?
JUDGE
Good to see you, boy. Very good.
JACK
Good to see you, Judge. How have you
been? What have you been doing?
They walk back together to the patio tables.
JUDGE
Oh, just sitting here... waiting for
all of you to come home. You know,
when a man starts to get old his
eyes stray and play funny tricks on
him. As I watched you in that boat I
thought sure I saw a boy of twelve
with a fishing rod in his hands. And
I was sure the first thing he'd say
would be...
Jack catches sight of Anne Stanton walking down the path. He
runs to meet her. As they embrace, he looks back at the Judge.
JACK
Do you mind if I kiss your niece,
sir?
He kisses her, and they turn and walk away.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Tennis Court (Burden's Landing), Day
Anne gracefully returns a ball to Jack, then runs to embrace
him at the net. Adam, seated near the court, smiles
approvingly.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Gulf (Burden's Landing), Morning
Jack and Judge Stanton in a rowboat, on their way to do some
duck hunting.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Gulf (Burden's Landing), Day
Adam is at the wheel of his sailboat, with Jack and Anne
behind him.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Stanton Living Room (Burden's Landing), Night
A party in the Stanton living room. Adam plays the piano. He
plays a waltz. Jack and Anne hold each other tightly as they
move among the other couples.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Burden Dining Room, Night
A formal dinner, attended by Jack and Anne, Mrs. Burden and
McEvoy, Judge Stanton and Adam. Mrs. Burden is proposing a
toast.
MRS. BURDEN
To all the good times we've had
together at Burden's Landing. And
especially to this one. Because my
son's home.
JACK
Thank you, Mother. Thank you very
much.
MRS. BURDEN
Monty, Anne and I have been discussing
Jack's career. What do you think he
ought to go in for? Shall he be a
lawyer, doctor...
Jack looks at Anne.
ANNE
We were just discussing whether you
should...
JACK
(to his mother)
I like what I'm doing, Mother.
MCEVOY
You do very well at it. I read your
articles about this fellow... Willie
Stark. Very convincing... Too
convincing for my tastes.
JACK
A lot of people like them.
MCEVOY
A lot of people are fools. Articles
like that shouldn't be permitted.
They only tend to incite people.
JACK
What are you afraid of?
STANTON
I thought they were very good. I was
proud of you, Jack. I was particularly
interested in Stark's ideas on health
and medicine. You know the conditions
at the hospital I work in. They're
intolerable. I'd like to meet this
Willie Stark. He sounds like an honest
man.
MCEVOY
Honest man? This state is full of
these log-cabin Abe Lincolns with
price tags on them. The louder he
yells the higher his price.
JACK
You think you can buy anything, don't
you?
MCEVOY
Yes, don't you?
There is a silence. Then McEvoy turns to the Judge.
MCEVOY
What do you think, Judge?
JUDGE
I think this state could stand a few
changes.
MCEVOY
(his face white)
Well, I'll tell you what I think --
ANNE
(quickly)
Oh, please... let's not talk politics.
MRS. BURDEN
Anne is right. I absolutely forbid
any more of it. I know what we need,
we need another toast.
(to the Judge)
You propose it, Monty... you're so
good at it.
The Judge picks up his glass and stands up.
JUDGE
To the young people... to Anne, to
Jack, to Adam... To what lies before
them. To the world they'll make...
in spite of the mistakes we've made.
MCEVOY
(rising)
The mistakes you've made, not me.
You're all still pretty high and
mighty, aren't you? You all think
this state needs a change. You don't
like the way it's run. Well, who's
going to run it? Willie Stark? The
Judge?
(to Jack)
You? You can be bought too. As a
matter of fact you have been. And
with my money.
Jack's answer is to throw his liquor in his stepfather's
face. There is a pause. McEvoy wipes the liquor off with his
handkerchief.
MCEVOY
(slowly)
That's a waste of good liquor.
(looks at Mrs. Burden)
Your mother wouldn't approve.
Jack turns and leaves the room.
MRS. BURDEN
Jack...
She hurries after him.
Exterior: Veranda, Night
As Mrs. Burden comes out after Jack. Anne stands in the
doorway.
MRS. BURDEN
Jack... you go back in and apologize.
JACK
Apologize? I'd rather die.
MRS. BURDEN
I've got to live with him.
JACK
Well, I don't. Neither do you. You
don't love him, Mother. You never
did.
MRS. BURDEN
Son, don't spoil anything now... He
can help you.
JACK
I can get along without him. You
need this house. And the parties.
And the cars and the clothes and the
lies. I don't. It's the truth, Mother,
face it. For once in your life, face
it.
Mrs. Burden appeals to Anne.
MRS. BURDEN
Anne, please... please make him
understand.
Anne says nothing. Mrs. Burden goes back into the house.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Stanton Living Room, Night
Anne and Jack sit alone in the room, beneath the portrait of
the old Governor Stanton.
JACK
Anne, Burden's Landing is a place on
the moon. It isn't real. It doesn't
exist. It's me pretending I live on
what I earn. It's my mother trying
to keep herself young, and drinking
herself old doing it. It's you and
Adam living in this house as though
your father were still alive. It's
an old man like the Judge dreaming
of the past... Anne, come away with
me.
ANNE
And do what?
JACK
(rises impatiently)
And live in a shack and eat red beans.
Anne, what do you want me to do?
ANNE
Oh, Jack, Jack, you haven't been
sure. You've gone from one thing to
the other... a year at law school,
and now this job as a reporter...
JACK
Are you afraid I can't make a living?
ANNE
Oh, no, Jack, it isn't that. I don't
care about the money. It... it's
just that I... I want you to be
something.
JACK
What is it you want me to be?
ANNE
I don't know. It's just that I want
you to be... to do... something
important.
Jack looks up at the portrait of Governor Stanton.
JACK
Like your father. All right. I'll
run for governor.
(pause)
Anne, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I said
that.
ANNE
All right, Jack. I'll go away with
you. I'll do anything you want me to
do.
They kiss.
JACK
Anne, I've wanted you to say that
more than anything in the world, and
now that you've said it... Anne, I
guess you were right. I'm not sure
of anything, including myself. I'm
not sure I could live up to the...
(looks again at the
portrait)
Anne, wait for me. Please wait for
me.
ANNE
I'll wait for you.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Madison's Office, Day
Madison is at his desk as Jack enters.
MADISON
Hello, Jack. Cut your vacation short,
didn't you?
JACK
Yeah.
MADISON
By the way, Jack, the fellow you
wrote the articles about... uh...
Stark.
JACK
Yeah?
MADISON
He lost.
JACK
Well, I guess that's the end of Willie
Stark.
He turns around and walks off toward his desk.
FADE OUT
FADE IN:
Interior: Stark Farmhouse, Night
Lucy and Willie are seated together at the table. Willie has
his law books open before him.
WILLIE
...Measure of the damages is caused
by...
LUCY
(prompting)
A breach...
WILLIE
A breach...
LUCY
Of an agreement...
WILLIE
Of an agreement...
LUCY
To sell personal property...
WILLIE
To sell...
(slams the book shut)
Oh, two years of this.
LUCY
(leaning over to him)
Oh, go on, Willie, go on.
He opens the book again.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Willie's Law Office (Kanoma City), Day
Willie positions the framed diploma on the wall. The camera
pulls back to show Tom and Lucy, looking on.
WILLIE
Willie Stark... Bachelor of Law...
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Kanoma City Farm, Day
Close shot of Willie, talking to a farmer.
WILLIE
If you'll just let me take your
case...
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Farm, Day
Willie walks beside a farmer who is plowing his field.
WILLIE
Really, I'll wait for my fee. Just
as long as you want me to.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Willie's Law Office, Night
Through the window, on which is printed "Willie Stark:
Attorney at Law," we see Willie, alone, pacing back and forth
in his office.
LUCY'S VOICE
Go on, Willie, go on.
WILLIE'S VOICE
They're not going to kick me around
like I was dirt.
LUCY'S VOICE
If you lose you can give a little
more time studying your law books.
WILLIE'S VOICE
I'm going to be on that same street
corner tomorrow, Mr. Duffy!
DUFFY'S VOICE
By all means. Free speech, free
country, Willie.
WILLIE'S VOICE
That brick factory is owned by a
brother-in-law of one of the
commissioners. The county
commissioners rejected the low bid
on the schoolhouse.
Willie crumples a piece of paper in his hand and tosses it
against the window.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Schoolhouse (Kanoma City), Day
A plaque on the school wall reads KANOMA CITY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Interior: Schoolroom, Day
Teacher faces her class. The clanging of a fire bell is heard.
TEACHER
All right, children, this is a fire
drill.
The children rise and start to march out of the room in double
file.
TEACHER
Remember now, walk quietly.
Exterior: Schoolhouse, Day
The children's feet, as they climb down the fire escape.
Camera pans past children to an iron rod supporting the fire
escape. The brick around the rod starts to crumble and it
rips loose. The children scream out in fear and agony.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Cemetery, Day
The whole town is there. Willie Stark, Lucy, Tom stand
modestly in the background. Quiet sobbing is heard as the
minister reads from the Bible. When he finishes the prayer,
he walks past the line of mourners, shaking their hands. The
ceremony is over. As they start to go, a man spots Willie,
goes over to him, and lifts Willie's arm in the air.
MAN
Oh, Lord, I'm punished for voting
against an honest man.
This sudden action brings response; women begin to cry and
people push their way forward to grab Willie by the hand.
VOICES OF THE MOURNERS
God bless you, Willie. If we had
only listened to you, Willie. You
were right, Willie. Let me shake
your hand, Willie. We should have
listened, Willie. You were right all
the time.
On Willie's face is the realization that something important
has happened to him.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Stark Farmhouse, Night
An article is pasted in a scrapbook. It reads: "VOICE IN THE
WILDERNESS. Recent school tragedy is a potent reminder that
a man named Willie Stark..." A hand draws a pencil underneath
the name.
WILLIE'S VOICE
A voice in the wilderness. A man
named Willie Stark...
Camera pulls back to show Willie at the table busy with his
scrapbook. He looks up at Lucy.
WILLIE
How about that, Lucy, that's me.
She looks at him, unsmiling, and sits down to help him clip
various articles from other papers.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Stark Farmhouse, Night
A series of clippings are being pasted in the scrapbook.
They read:
A. SCHOOL VICTIMS SUE COUNTY: STARK FILES DAMAGE SUIT
"Will prove graft cause of tragedy," says Attorney Stark.
B. CITIZENS COMMITTEE FORMED
Draft Stark to lead fight to rid state of graft.
C. CITIZENS COMMITTEE DEMANDS STATE-WIDE INVESTIGATION
D. Large photograph of Willie. Under it, the caption: RURAL
AREAS IN REVOLT
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Madison's Office, The Chronicle, Day
The clippings are spread out on Madison's desk. He looks up
at Jack.
MADISON
Get up there. Get up there fast.
Your friend, Willie, is hotter than
a firecracker.
Jack starts toward the door.
MADISON
Stay there with him.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Harrison's Political Headquarters (State Capital),
Day
A politician points to a map on the wall.
POLITICIAN
Look, before this Kanoma City business
we had this whole area tied up. Now
we're losing to Hickville.
Camera pulls back, revealing the candidate, Harrison, Tiny
Duffy, and a woman, Sadie Burke.
POLITICIAN
We must find a way to split that
vote.
HARRISON
Well, all I know is, the way it is
now it looks like I'm not going to
win.
POLITICIAN
I know a way... find a dummy.
SADIE
Find a dummy.
(looks at Harrison)
That's what we've got.
POLITICIAN
A guy from the sticks... strong enough
to grab some votes and dumb enough
not to ask questions.
DUFFY
If you want to listen to a boy from
the sticks, I know just the guy.
They crowd around to listen.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Stark Farmhouse, Day
Jack sits at the dinner table, with Willie and Lucy. Tom
stands next to Willie. Pappy dozes in his chair.
JACK
No more politics, eh, Willie?
WILLIE
No, I worked too hard in my time to
get there. I think I'll just go on
practicing law and make a little
more money.
JACK
The question I'd like to know is,
why all the speeches you're making
around the countryside?
Willie is about to answer when he hears the sound of
approaching cars.
WILLIE
Wonder who that is?
He goes to the window, and we see a big black limousine
turning into his drive. He opens the door and waits as Sadie,
Duffy, Dolph Pillsbury, and other politicians climb the steps
to meet him.
DUFFY
Brought some people all the way up
from the state capital just to meet
you.
(turns to others)
Folks, I want you to meet Willie
Stark, the next governor of our state.
Willie, Lucy, and Tom beam happily. Jack looks skeptically
at Sadie, whose only reaction is to smile, politely.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Country Road, Day
Close shot of three posters on a billboard. They read ELECT
JOE HARRISON (HAPPY JOE) GOVERNOR FOR GOVERNOR ELECT McMURPHY
WILLIE STARK FOR GOVERNOR.
The camera pans to the road, where an old Model T comes
bouncing along. As it passes we see a poster stuck on its
back: WILLIE STARK -- GOVERNOR.
Exterior: Railroad Station, Day
Willie Stark walks out on the platform at the rear of the
train and talks to some of the townspeople who have gathered
at the station.
WILLIE
Folks, if you'll just bear patiently
with me for a couple of minutes, I'd
like to tell you what this state
needs. It needs a balanced tax
program. Now I'd like to give you
the facts and the figures.
Some of the townspeople start to move away.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Train, Day
As the train pulls away from the station, Willie turns around
to Jack.
WILLIE
How did it sound, Jack?
JACK
Fine, Willie, fine.
WILLIE
(alarmed)
Say... I forgot to send a telegram
to Lucy... Conductor!
Jack and Sadie exchange looks.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Train Club Car, Day
Willie, jacket off, works over a speech with Duffy as
Pillsbury and Sadie look on.
WILLIE
Now right here... right here I'd
like to add something about last
year's taxes... eh?
DUFFY
I wouldn't add a thing. Just give
them the facts.
PILLSBURY
Yeah... and the figures.
DUFFY
Great speech.
Sadie sips her drink.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Street Corner (Upton), Day
Willie stands on a platform, next to an American flag, reading
from his prepared speech.
WILLIE
What this state needs is a balanced
tax program. Last year, last year
the state claimed to have spent on
roads...
Sadie turns and walks away, no longer able to listen. Jack
follows her toward the hotel.
Interior: Hotel Lobby (Upton), Day
As Jack and Sadie cross the street, enter the lobby, and sit
down next to the front window. We can still see Willie and
his small street-corner audience in the background.
JACK
Do you mind if I sit with you, Sadie?
SADIE
(shrugs)
Stand... sit...
JACK
Thanks... Tell me, what are you on
this merry-go-round for?
SADIE
I take notes.
JACK
For whom?
SADIE
For those who pay me.
JACK
Which is.
SADIE
People.
JACK
Smart people.
SADIE
Oh, yeah. Anybody that pays me is
smart.
JACK
You don't have to be smart to frame
a guy like Willie Stark.
SADIE
No. No, brother, you don't.
JACK
(lights a cigarette)
It is a frame, isn't it?
SADIE
Why don't you give me a cigarette?
JACK
(gives her the pack)
To split the vote and win the election
for Harrison, huh?
SADIE
If you know, why do you ask?
JACK
I just want to make sure.
SADIE
Yeah.
JACK
Look, why don't you tell the boys
back home to save their money. Willie
couldn't steal a vote from... from
Abe Lincoln in the Cradle of the
Confederacy.
SADIE
I wish the poor... had enough sense
to have somebody give him a good
greasing for the beating he's going
to get. 'Cause this way all he gets
out of it is the ride.
(looks at Willie
through the window)
Hey, those speeches! Ain't they awful?
Ain't they just plain awful? Question
to you: if somebody told him he was
a sucker, do you think he'd quit?
Willie has just finished his speech and is on his way over
to the hotel.
JACK
I don't know, Sadie. I really don't
know.
WILLIE
(as he comes into the
lobby)
Did it sound all right, Mr. Burden?
JACK
Fine, Willie, fine.
WILLIE
Thanks.
He and Jack go upstairs together. Sadie watches them.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Sadie's Hotel Room (Upton), Night
Sadie lies on her bed, listening to Willie in the next room,
rehearsing one of his speeches.
WILLIE'S VOICE
Now, friends, if you will bear
patiently with me for a few minutes,
I'll give you the figures. What we
need is a balanced tax program...
JACK'S VOICE
No, Willie, no.
Sadie pulls off a shoe and hurls it at the wall.
SADIE
What I need is some sleep. Shut up!
Interior: Jack's Hotel Room (Upton), Same Time
Willie lies on his bed. Jack finishes shaving in the bathroom
as he continues to rehearse him.
JACK
(shouting back at
Sadie)
Shut up yourself!
(goes to bed, shakes
Willie)
Listen, Willie, try it on your feet
this time.
WILLIE
Oh, no. Wait a minute. My feet are
killing me. Let me stay here, huh?
JACK
All right... Look, Willie, you tell
'em too much. Just tell 'em you're
going to soak the fat boys and forget
the rest of the tax stuff.
WILLIE
(pathetically)
That's what I say.
JACK
But it's the way you say it. Willie,
make 'em cry. Make 'em laugh, make
'em mad, even mad at you. Stir 'em
up and they'll love it and come back
for more. But for heaven's sake don't
try and improve their minds.
WILLIE
(suddenly)
A man don't have to be governor.
JACK
(surprised)
What?
WILLIE
A man don't have to be governor.
Pause.
JACK
Well, they haven't counted up the
votes yet.
WILLIE
(quietly)
Oh, I'm going to lose, Mr. Burden. I
know that. Don't try and fool me.
I'm not going to lie to you. I wanted
it. I wanted it so badly I stayed up
nights thinking about it. A man wants
something so badly he gets mixed up
in knowing what he wants. It's
something inside of you. I would
have made a good governor. Better
than those other fellows.
There is a knock on the door.
JACK
Come in.
WILLIE
(almost to himself)
A great governor.
Sadie enters. She immediately spots the liquor, and pours
herself a drink.
SADIE
Since you won't let me sleep you
might at least give me a drink.
WILLIE
(muttering)
Build them highways... greatest system
of highways in the country.
JACK
(to Sadie)
Help yourself.
WILLIE
I'll build schools.
SADIE
(to Jack)
What's up?
JACK
Nothing... except Willie here has
been saying as how he's not going to
be governor.
SADIE
(directly, to Jack)
So you told him.
JACK
I don't tell anyone anything... I
just listen.
SADIE
(goes to Willie)
Who told you?
WILLIE
Told me what? Told me what?
SADIE
That you're not going to be governor.
WILLIE
(getting up)
Jack! Told me what?... Told me what?
Jack says nothing. Sadie gulps down her drink, bangs the
empty glass on the bureau top, and turns to face Willie.
SADIE
(loudly)
All right! That you've been framed,
you poor sap.
Willie looks at her steadily for a moment.
WILLIE
(quietly)
Framed?
SADIE
And how! Oh, you decoy, you woodenhead
decoy! And you let 'em. You let 'em
because you thought you were the
little lamb of God. But you know
what you are?
(she waits for his
answer; he has none)
Well, you're the goat! You are the
sacrificial goat! You are a sap...
because you let 'em.
JACK
Sadie! That's enough.
SADIE
Enough? He didn't even get anything
out of it. Oh, they'd have paid you
to take a rap like that, but they
didn't have to pay a sap like you.
Oh, no, you were so full of yourself
and hot air, all you wanted was a
chance to stand up on your hind legs
and make a speech: my friends, what
this state needs is a good five-cent
cigar. What this state needs is a --
WILLIE
(to Jack)
Is it true?
SADIE
(prayerfully, to the
ceiling)
He wants to know if it's true.
WILLIE
Is it true?
JACK
That's what they tell me.
There is a long pause. Willie looks almost as if he is going
to cry. Sadie pours out another drink, a stiff one.
SADIE
(handing it to him)
Here.
Willie drinks it all.
JACK
Hey, lay off that. You're not used
to it.
SADIE
(jeeringly)
He's not used to a lot of things.
Are you, Willie?
JACK
(angrily)
Why don't you lay off of him, Sadie?
SADIE
(ignores Jack)
Are you, Willie? Are you? Are you...
are you, are you, are you?
She shoves the bottle at him. He takes it and pours himself
a drink.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Sadie's Hotel Room (Upton), Morning
Willie is snoring on the bed. Sadie's coat is thrown over
him. She is in the bathroom, applying lipstick. Jack enters.
SADIE
Hi.
JACK
Well, things seem to have quieted
down.
SADIE
(laughs)
Yeah, I quieted him down.
JACK
Yeah. How was he? Noisy?
SADIE
Oh, he reared some. He's been telling
me all the things he's going to do.
He's going to do big things, this
fella. He's going to be President.
He's going to kill people with his
bare hands. I quieted him down...
Hey! Who's Lucy?
JACK
His wife.
SADIE
He talks like she's his mammy...
she's going to blow his nose for
him.
Jack sits on the bed next to Willie.
JACK
Well, I'll take him from here on in.
They're waiting for him at the
barbecue.
Sadie pulls her coat off Willie and goes to the door.
SADIE
Yeah, well give me a receipt for the
body and I'll be on my way.
She leaves. Jack bends over Willie, who continues to snore.
JACK
Hey, Willie, Willie... come on, wake
up, Willie. Come on, Willie.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Fairgrounds (Upton), Day
A crowd mills about underneath a banner that reads HEAR WILLIE
STARK MAMMOTH BARBECUE -- UPTON FAIRGROUNDS
Exterior: Fairgrounds, Day
Willie, staggering a bit, hung over, reacts painfully to the
staggering height of the Ferris wheel. He leans on Jack for
support, and they walk on.
Exterior: Fairgrounds, Day
Willie takes a seat on the children's swing as Jack goes off
to get some coffee. Two little girls stare curiously at him.
Willie waves them off. Jack returns with the coffee and pours
some whisky in it. Willie tips his hand, forcing him to pour
more, then gulps his drink down.
Exterior: Bandstand (Upton), Day
Duffy, Pillsbury, and the other politicians stand on the
platform, waiting for Willie. A band plays march music. Duffy
goes over to Sadie, who is standing on the steps of the
platform.
DUFFY
Where is he?
SADIE
(pointing)
There he is.
Escorted by Jack, Willie approaches the platform and stumbles
up the steps past Sadie.
SADIE
Whoops!
DUFFY
(to Jack)
Is he drunk?
JACK
Never touches the stuff. Lucy doesn't
favor drinkin'.
Duffy follows Willie up on the platform.
SADIE
(to Jack)
How'd you get him here? He was out
stiff.
JACK
Hair of the dog that bit him.
SADIE
Hair? He must have swallowed the
dog.
On the platform, Duffy looks uneasily at the bleary-eyed
Willie. The band suddenly plays a fanfare, and the chairman
steps up to the microphone.
CHAIRMAN
Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me a
great deal of pleasure to introduce
to you that true man of the people,
the next governor of the state...
Willie Stark.
There is scattered applause as Willie steps forward to speak.
WILLIE
My friends...
He turns his face from side to side, and fumbles in the right
side of his coat pocket to fish out his speech.
WILLIE
My friends... I...
He tries to focus on the speech, which he clutches before
his eyes with both hands. Then he lifts his head, and looks
directly at the people who have come to hear him. As he
speaks, the camera focuses on the faces of these people: the
farmers, workers, hicks, red-necks who are Willie's audience,
Willie's people.
WILLIE
I have a speech here. It's a speech
about what this state needs. There's
no need in my telling you what this
state needs. You are the state and
you know what you need... You over
there... look at your pants. Have
they got holes in the knees? Listen
to your stomach. Did you ever hear
it rumble from hunger?... And you,
what about your crops? Did they ever
rot in the field because the road
was so bad you couldn't get them to
market?... And you. What about your
kids? Are they growing up ignorant
as dirt, ignorant as you, 'cause
there's no school for them?... No,
I'm not going to read you any speech.
He throws his speech away. Duffy looks alarmed.
WILLIE
But I am going to tell you a story.
It's a funny story...
SADIE
(from the steps)
Hey!
WILLIE'S VOICE
...So get ready to laugh.
SADIE
What's he up to?
JACK
Shut up!
WILLIE
Get ready to bust your sides laughing,
'cause it's sure a funny story. It's
about a hick... a hick like you, if
you please. Yeah, like you. He grew
up on the dirt roads and gully washes
of a farm. He knew what it was to
get up before dawn and get feed and
slop and milk before breakfast...
and then set out before sunup and
walk six miles to a one-room, slab-
sided schoolhouse. Oh, this hick
knew what it was to be a hick, all
right. He figured if he was going to
get anything done, he had to do it
himself. So he sat up nights and
studied books. He studied law because
he thought he might be able to change
things some... for himself, and for
folks like him.
Sugar Boy listens intently, sharing in the anger in Willie's
speech.
WILLIE
No, I'm not going to lie to you. He
didn't start off thinking about the
hicks and all the wonderful things
he was going to do for them. No. No,
he started off thinking of number
one. But something came to him on
the way. How he could do nothing for
himself without the help of the
people. That's what came to him. And
it also came to him, with the powerful
force of God's own lightning, back
in his home country, when a
schoolhouse collapsed because it was
built of politics... rotten brick.
It killed and mangled a dozen kids.
But you know that story. The people
were his friends because he fought
that rotten brick. And some of the
politicians down in the city, they
knew that... So they rode up to his
house in a big, fine, shiny car and
said as how they wanted him to run
for governor...
Jack, electrified, grips Sadie's arm.
JACK
Sadie, he's wonderful... wonderful...
Duffy fidgets as Willie continues to pace and speak, his
face filled with conviction, and with fury.
WILLIE
...So they told the hick... and he
swallowed it. He looked in his heart
and he thought in all humility how
he'd like to try and change things.
He was just a country boy who thought
that even the plainest, poorest man
can be governor if his fellow citizens
find he's got the stuff for the job.
Well, those fellows in the striped
pants... they saw the hick and they
took him in.
He points his finger at Duffy, who is coming over to speak
to him.
DUFFY
(low voice)
Willie, what are you trying to do?
Willie turns on him, roaring.
WILLIE
There he is! There's your Judas
Iscariot.
(he pushes Duffy across
the platform)
Look at him... lickspittle... nose-
wiper.
Duffy gestures frantically to the band.
DUFFY
Play! Play!
WILLIE
(pushing him again)
Look at him!
DUFFY
Play anything.
The band starts to play, adding to the pandemonium. Willie
shouts above it.
WILLIE
Look at him! Joe Harrison's dummy!
Look at him!
DUFFY
That's a lie!
WILLIE
Look at him!
Duffy signals to some of his goons standing near the platform.
DUFFY
Go get him, boys... go get him.
Sugar Boy leaps up on the platform, his pistol drawn and
pointed at Duffy's men. Willie throws up his arms to silence
the crowd.
WILLIE
Now, shut up! Shut up, all of you.
Now, listen to me, you hicks. Yeah,
you're hicks too, and they fooled
you a thousand times, just like they
fooled me. But this time I'm going
to fool somebody. I'm going to stay
in this race. I'm on my own and I'm
out for blood.
The camera moves in close on Willie's face.
WILLIE
Listen to me, you hicks...
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Willie's Speeches, Day and Night
A series of close-ups of Willie's face as he shouts and jeers
his message, always accompanied by the loud and frenzied
cheers of the crowd. Superimposed over his face is the figure
of Jack Burden, at his desk, typing out his stories.
WILLIE
Listen to me and lift up your eyes
and look at God's blessed and
unflyblown truth... And this is the
truth. You're a hick. And nobody
ever helped a hick but a hick himself.
Loud cheers and yells.
WILLIE
All right, listen to me... listen to
me. I was the hick they were going
to use to split the hick vote. But
I'm standing right here now on my
hind legs... even a dog can learn to
do that. Are you standing on your
hind legs? Have you learned to do
that much yet? Here it is, here it
is, you hicks. Nail up anybody who
stands in your way! Nail up Joe
Harrison! Nail up McMurphy! And if
they don't deliver, give me a hammer
and I'll do it myself.
DISSOLVE TO:
NEWSPAPER HEADLINE
There is a photograph of Willie and a headline that reads
STARK CHANCES BOOMING
Superimposed over the newspaper is a shot of a crowd
applauding and yelling for Willie.
Interior: Joe Harrison's Campaign Headquarters, Night
Duffy, Pillsbury, and other aides stand looking at a poster
of Willie.
POLITICIAN
I want his throat cut, from ear to
ear.
Exterior: Willie's Campaign Montage
Rock crashes through a window, knocking down a poster of
Willie.
Poster being torn off the side of a building.
A man is attacked as he tries to distribute leaflets.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Jack Burden's Desk, The Chronicle, Night
Jack is working on a story when Madison comes to his desk.
MADISON
No use going any further, Jack. We
aren't printing them any more.
JACK
I thought the Chronicle line was --
MADISON
Divide and conquer? Stark is getting
too big for his britches and the
hicks are getting too smart. We're
now supporting Harrison.
JACK
(stands up)
How do you square that?
MADISON
I work here.
JACK
(putting on his coat)
Well, I don't... not any more.
MADISON
Jack, you fool.
JACK
If you had any guts you'd print
this...
MADISON
I work here. I take orders.
JACK
I know. You've got a wife and three
kids and your boy goes to Princeton.
MADISON
You won't find it easy to get another
job.
JACK
I'm too rich to work.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Street Outside State Capitol, Day
NEWSPAPER HEADLINE READS
HARRISON WINS CLOSE RACE
STARK SWEEPS RURAL AREAS
CITY VOTE DECIDES ELECTION
Superimposed over newspaper is a crowd cheering at Harrison's
victory parade. Willie, raincoat thrown over his shoulders,
looking grim, and Sadie and Sugar Boy are part of that crowd.
They turn away and walk toward a bar.
Interior: Bar, Day
Jack is already at the bar. Willie, Sadie, and Sugar Boy
join him there.
JACK
We didn't do so good.
WILLIE
Double bourbon.
SADIE
(sitting next to Jack)
Same for me.
WILLIE
And a beer.
(to Jack)
I hear you got fired from the paper.
JACK
You heard wrong, Willie. I quit.
WILLIE
(passing the beer
back to Sugar Boy)
You're smart. 'Cause before I'm
through with that mob they're not
going to have enough money left to
pay the boy that cleans the spittoons.
JACK
How do you feel, Willie?
WILLIE
I feel fine, fine. You see, Jack, I
learned something.
Willie and Sadie exchange looks.
JACK
Yeah... what?
Close shot of Willie.
WILLIE
How to win.
FADE OUT
FADE IN:
Exterior: Road, Day
Jack stands on the side of the road, thumbing a ride.
JACK
(voice over)
I didn't see Willie again until his
second campaign... four years later.
Interior: Office, Night
Jack turns in some copy to a man at a desk.
JACK
(voice over)
I drifted from job to job...
Exterior: Street, Day
Jack and others in front of an employment agency.
JACK
(voice over)
...That is, whenever I could find
one.
Interior: Bar, Night
Jack, at the bar, looking haggard and disheveled, picks up a
newspaper and turns to find a photograph of Anne. The caption
reads STANTONS ARRIVE HOME.
JACK
(voice over)
But always further and further away
from Anne, and the life at Burden's
Landing.
Exterior: Street, Day
Camera pans with Jack as he trudges along the street.
JACK
(voice over)
But Willie wasn't drifting. He knew
where he was going.
We see an insert of a newspaper. It has a caricature of
Willie, swinging a sledge hammer. The caption reads
STARK ATTACKS ADMINISTRATION
CHARGES OLD MACHINE STILL CORRUPT
JACK
(voice over)
He had his foot in the door and he
kept right on pushing to get in. He
had lost the election but he had won
the state... and he knew it... and
the people knew it.
MONTAGE: WILLIE'S LIFE
Writing on a fence: THE PEOPLE'S WILL SHOULD BE THE LAW OF
THE STATE... WILLIE STARK Painted on a rock: KNOWLEDGE BELONGS
TO THE PEOPLE... WILLIE STARK
Lettering on a barn: FREE MEDICINE FOR ALL PEOPLE -- NOT AS
A CHARITY BUT AS A RIGHT... WILLIE STARK
Poster on a building: MY STUDY IS THE HEART OF THE PEOPLE...
WILLIE STARK
JACK
(voice over)
They were all hopping on his
bandwagon... even Tiny Duffy.
Newspaper caricature: it shows Willie on a bandwagon headed
for the state capitol. Everyone is trying to climb aboard.
Caption is THEY'RE ALL FOR WILLIE NOW. Huge poster on the
side of a building: MY STUDY IS THE HEART OF THE PEOPLE.
Camera pans up to photograph of Willie on the poster.
JACK
(voice over)
Yep, Willie came back like he said
he would.
Interior: Willie's Office, Day
Willie is being interviewed by a group of reporters. Sugar
Boy lounges nearby, leaning against the wall.
WILLIE
Do you want to know what my platform
is? Here it is: I'm going to soak
the fat boys and I'm going to spread
it thin.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Circus Grounds, Day
We see balloons with inscriptions reading "I'm for Willie,"
and a large banner stretching overhead, saying FREE CIRCUS
TODAY -- COMPLIMENTS OF WILLIE STARK. The crowd moves about,
gazing at the clowns, animals, the trapeze act.
JACK
(voice over)
Willie was right -- he'd learned how
to win...
Exterior: Park, Day
A truck loaded with beer kegs pulls into the park. On the
back of the truck is a sign: BIG STARK RALLY TODAY -- FREE
BEER -- FREE FOOD -- EVERYBODY INVITED. Superimposed over
this is the image of dollar bills floating through the air.
JACK
(voice over)
He spent a lot of money doing it...
an awful lot of money... I was
beginning to wonder where he got it
from.
Montage: Willie's Second Campaign
Hand holding check made payable to Willie Stark Campaign
Fund... $7000. Willie's hand reaches out and takes it.
Hand holding check payable to cash for $5000. Superimposed
is Willie, looking on, and his hand endorsing the back of
the check.
Another check to the Stark Campaign Fund for $3500. Poster
of Willie is superimposed.
JACK
(voice over)
There were rumors throughout the
state that Willie was making deals
with all kinds of people... strange
deals... for Willie Stark.
Crowd milling about circus grounds, with Willie's poster
superimposed.
Fireworks exploding. Crowd cheers.
JACK
(voice over)
The second time out, it wasn't a
campaign... it was a slaughter. It
was Saturday night in a mining town.
Huge poster is affixed to the side of a building. It bears
Willie's face, and his slogans.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Hotel (State Capital), Day
Crowd stands about as Willie and Jack make their way into
the hotel.
JACK
(voice over)
He came back and he took me with
him.
Interior: Hotel Lobby, Day
The lobby is packed as Willie, Jack, Sugar Boy, and Pillsbury
enter. Willie makes signals to Duffy to tag along with the
entourage. Willie leans over to speak to the room clerk.
WILLIE
This is Jack Burden, a friend of
mine. From now on he's going to live
here. Give him anything he wants.
The group starts up the stairs, past the officers who are
standing guard. Duffy stops to speak to one, pointing his
finger at some of his men standing below.
DUFFY
Let these boys through, officer.
WILLIE
(to Jack)
Duffy works for me now.
JACK
It looks like everybody works for
you.
They start up the second flight of stairs.
WILLIE
No. No, not yet. But I want to keep
him around. He reminds me of something
I never want to forget.
Willie stops and looks around at Duffy's men hurrying up the
steps.
WILLIE
(to Duffy)
Come on, come on, come on, come on.
Are these the boys?
DUFFY
These are the boys that can get the
boys.
WILLIE
How many do you think we can get?
DUFFY
Fifty.
WILLIE
How much?
DUFFY
Five dollars a head.
WILLIE
(to Sugar Boy)
What do you think, Sugar? Do they
look like good boys?
SUGAR BOY
T-t-they b-b-better be.
WILLIE
Get a hundred... All right, go on,
all of you. Blow. Blow, blow. You
too, Duffy. Go on.
Duffy and his men turn and go downstairs.
WILLIE
(to Jack)
Handbill distributors.
JACK
If they all look like them I'd hate
not to take one.
WILLIE
That's the object. Not like when
they beat up my boy Tom.
JACK
How is Tom?
WILLIE
Oh, he's fine. He starts college in
the fall.
JACK
Oh. And Lucy?
Willie's expression changes. He starts up the stairs.
WILLIE
Fine... fine.
Interior: Willie's Campaign Office In Hotel, Day
The place is a beehive of activity, with typists and
messengers scurrying about, all supervised by Sadie.
SADIE
Hey, I need a boy... Where's a boy?
(boy runs up)
Take that downstairs; they're waiting
for it. Right away, on the double.
(to typist)
Listen, baby, you've got to double-
space all of this... he can't read,
see.
The door opens and Willie, Jack, and Sugar Boy come in.
JACK
Sadie!
SADIE
(to typist)
And they need four copies.
(looks up)
Hi, Jack. How are you?
WILLIE
Sadie is my secretary now.
(to messenger, trying
to squeeze by)
Oh, pardon me.
As Willie and Jack walk toward adjoining room, Sadie calls
out:
SADIE
Fix your tie, Willie.
Interior: Bedroom Hotel Suite, Day
Willie and Jack enter from the office.
WILLIE
Hey, Sugar.
Sugar Boy appears in the doorway. Sadie slips by into the
room.
WILLIE
Keep everybody out of here. I want
to talk to Jack and Sadie alone.
He walks over to Jack, who leans back on the bed.
WILLIE
From now on you're working for me.
JACK
Doing what?
WILLIE
I don't know. Something will turn
up, won't it, Sadie?
SADIE
Yeah. We need a college man around...
for research.
WILLIE
How much did they pay you on that
newspaper?
JACK
Three hundred dollars a month.
WILLIE
(laughs)
I could buy you cheap, couldn't I?
JACK
For a bag of salt.
WILLIE
No. No, I don't play that way. I
like you, boy. I always have. I'll
tell you what I'll do. I'll give you
four hundred dollars a month and
traveling expenses.
JACK
You throw money around like it was
money.
Willie gets up and walks to the window.
WILLIE
Money?... I don't need money. People
give me things.
JACK
Why?
WILLIE
Because they believe in me.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Burden's Landing, Day
Willie's car is on the ferry crossing the bay to Burden's
Landing. Sugar Boy drives the car off the ferry and up the
road toward the house.
JACK
(voice over)
I was going home again. But this
time it was different. Now I had a
feeling that maybe the waiting was
over... for me, and for Anne.
DISSOLVE TO:
Interior: Stanton Living Room (Burden's Landing), Night
Close shot of Willie standing in front of the fireplace,
beneath the portrait of Governor Stanton.
WILLIE
It's a far cry from where I come
from... to this house.
Camera pulls back. The room is crowded with people, all of
them friends of the Stantons. Anne, Adam, Judge Stanton,
Mrs. Burden, and McEvoy are part of the audience sitting
around the fireplace. Jack stands next to Willie.
WILLIE
And standing here under the portrait
of one of the greatest governors of
this state, talking to you people...
well, it's an honor I never thought
I'd have.
JACK
Are there any questions?
(looks around)
Mr. McEvoy.
MCEVOY
(smiles)
No, I have no questions.
JACK
Judge?
JUDGE
A few... but it will hold.
STANTON
I have a question.
WILLIE
Shoot.
STANTON
A lot of people in this state have
been saying that you've been making
deals... some of them with the very
groups that you claim you're against.
Is that true?
JACK
Adam, you know how rumors start...
WILLIE
Yes. Yes, that's true. I have nothing
to hide. I'll make a deal with the
devil if it'll help me carry out my
program. But believe me, there are
no strings attached to those deals.
STANTON
You're sure about that?
WILLIE
Doc, Jack here has been telling me
how you feel about things... how
you'd like to see a new hospital
built, a hospital that's the biggest
and best that money can buy. You
want those things, Doc, because,
well, because you're a man who wants
to do good. Now, I'd like to ask you
a question.
STANTON
Shoot.
The guests laugh good-naturedly.
WILLIE
Do you know what good comes out of?
STANTON
You tell me, Mr. Stark.
WILLIE
Out of bad... that's what good comes
out of. Because you can't make it
out of anything else. You didn't
know that, did you?
STANTON
No, I didn't... There's another
question I'd like to ask you. You
say there's only bad to start with
and the good must come with the bad.
Who's to determine what's good and
what's bad?... You?
WILLIE
Why not?
STANTON
How?
WILLIE
Why, that's easy. Just... just make
it up as you go along.
More laughter. Willie smiles and goes on.
WILLIE
Folks, there's a time to talk and
there's a time to act. I think the
time to act is right now. And with
your support, I not only will win
but I will do all of the things I
promised. I need your help. Oh, I
need it badly. But I'm not going to
beg for it. In the name of this state
which we love... in the name of the
governor in whose house we meet... I
demand it.
There is immediate applause. Anne is the first to rush over
and shake Willie's hand.
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Stanton Home, Night
The last of the guests are leaving. Jack and Willie remain
with the Judge, Anne, and Adam.
WILLIE
(to Judge)
Well, what do you say, sir?
JACK
You've got to say yes. With you in
the race...
JUDGE
I'm an old bird... I...
WILLIE
But a game one.
They laugh.
WILLIE
Look, I'll give you complete power
as attorney general. You can do
anything you see fit. I'll swing the
ax to clear the way for you. Is that
a deal?
The Judge smiles, then puts out his hand.
JUDGE
It's a deal.
They shake hands.
WILLIE
Jack, we have to get back to town...
a lot to do.
(shakes hands with
Adam)
Dr. Stanton.
Jack kisses Anne on the cheek. Anne comes over and shakes
Willie's hand.
ANNE
I'm very glad to have met you.
FADE OUT
FADE IN:
Interior: Hotel Lobby (State Capital), Day
People stand before the election return board in the hotel
lobby. Camera pulls back, revealing a newspaper picture of
Willie, and the headline
STARK ELECTED GOVERNOR
WILLIE WINS
DISSOLVE TO:
Exterior: Street Outside Willie's Hotel Balcony, Night
A crowd stands below Willie's hotel window, chanting together:
CROWD
We want Willie! We want Willie!
A high angle from the balcony shows Anne, Jack, and Adam in
the center of the excited crowd, looking expectantly upward.
Some of the people around them are carrying torches. Arc
lights play over the dome of the state capitol in the
background. In response to the chants, Willie appears on the
balcony. With him, standing on the balcony, are Tom and Lucy.
The crowd erupts into cheers as he steps outside.
WILLIE
(raises his hands for
silence)
This is not a time for speechmaking.
I should get on my knees and ask God
to give me strength to carry out
your will.
Loud cheers. Adam watches Anne. She applauds. Willie looks
down at the crowd and continues his speech.
WILLIE
This much I swear to you. These things
you shall have. I'm going to build a
hospital. The biggest that money can
buy... and it will belong to you.
That any man, woman, or child who is
sick or in pain can go through those
doors and know that everything will
be done for them that man can do. To
heal sickness. To ease pain. Free.
Not as a charity, but as a right.
And it is your right that every child
shall have a complete education.
That any man who produces anything
can take it to market without paying
toll. And no poor man's land or farm
can be taxed or taken away from him.
And it is the right of the people
that they will not be deprived of
hope...
The crowd applauds, and Willie waves. We see Anne, face aglow,
turn to Jack.
ANNE
Does he mean it, Jack? Does he?
STANTON
(as he walks away)
That's his bribe.
Anne and Jack watch Adam as he leaves.
FADE OUT
FADE IN:
Montage: Willie Becomes Governor
Willie, Sadie, and Jack leaving their old campaign
headquarters.
Willie, Sadie, Jack, and others going upstairs in the
governor's mansion. The ousted politicians are just packing
up and leaving.
JACK
(voice over)
What if it was his bribe! He swept
the old gang out of office. What if
they hollered like stuck pigs? He
jammed through bill after bill and
the people got what they wanted.
Willie yelling at the legislators during a session.
WILLIE
I demand that this bill be passed.
Nobody's going to tell me how to run
this state.
Road excavation -- a bulldozer clears away dirt.
A huge crane maneuvers over a dam site. Men are seen working
on the girders of a large power plant.
JACK
(voice over)
He started to build the roads, the
schools, the power dams, to change
the face of the state from one end
to the other... His methods?
Shots of uniformed policemen roughing up citizens. Willie
and Sugar Boy move in on a man being held by cops.
Willie looks on as Jack thumbs through his little black book.
JACK
(voice over)
Politics is a dirty game... and he
played it rough and dirty. Willie's
little black book was a record of
sin and corruption. And me, Jack
Burden? I kept the book and added up
the accounts.
Willie in a nightclub, surrounded by some show girls. A
photographer takes a picture of Willie with a girl balanced
on his knee.
Willie leads a marching band out onto a football field.
JACK
(voice over)
Clown, show-off, playboy, they yelled
at him. Building football stadiums.
Fiercely proud of his son who played
in them.
Shot of Tom in football uniform running across the field
with the ball. Willie, in the stands, hugs Lucy.
WILLIE
Oh, look at him go. He's going to be
All-American.
Willie makes an inspection of the police. He stops to adjust
an officer's tie.
JACK
(voice over)
They said he was building up a private
army. But he was building, always
building...
Sign at building excavation reads HERE ON THIS SITE WILL BE
ERECTED THE GOVERNOR STARK HOSPITAL -- "TO HEAL SICKNESS. TO
EASE PAIN. FREE. NOT AS A CHARITY -- BUT AS A RIGHT"... WILLIE
STARK.
JACK
(voice over)
Always playing up to the crowd.
Letting them trample on tradition.
Well, tradition needed trampling on.
A square dance at the governor's mansion. Willie dances with
Anne.
JACK
(voice over)
The crowd loved it... Willie loved
it... and so did I.
FADE OUT
FADE IN:
Interior: Executive Office Corridor, Day
Jack walks down the corridor on the way to Willie's offices.
Interior: Willie's Executive Offices, Day
As Jack enters from the corridor, Sadie is coming out of
Willie's private office.
SADIE
(through open door)
You low-down, no-good redneck...
She slams the door hard. We hear Willie laugh.
JACK
(to secretary)
What goes on here?
SECRETARY
That's what Sadie wants to know.
(she shows Jack
newspaper containing
photograph of Willie
at the nightclub)
The boss poses for too many pictures.
Jack grins, then walks into Sadie's office.
SADIE
I'll kill him.
JACK
Why, Sadie, I'm surprised at you.
SADIE
I'll kill him.
She goes to the door to yell to the secretary.
SADIE
I hate all women.
She slams the door again, and returns to her desk.
SADIE
Was she pretty?
Jack shoves the paper at her. She ignores it.
SADIE
Was she pretty?
JACK
If I met her on the street I'd never
recognize her.
SADIE
Was she pretty?
JACK
How should I know? I wasn't looking
at her face... Look, if it's going
to cause all this grief, why don't
you let him go?
SADIE
Let him go? I'll kill him. I'll drive
him out of this state.
JACK
Just because a guy's sitting with a
couple of girls on his knees in
public...
SADIE
Public or private... I know him. How
about what happened in Chicago? That
girl on skates... and the time you
both went to St. Louis... There's a
new invention, you know, Photography
and newsreels. Willie Stark in a
nightclub... Willie Stark with a
blonde.
JACK
You could always bleach your hair.
SADIE
I could also break every bone in his
neck. After all I've done for him...
Now he goes two-timing me.
JACK
He's been two-timing Lucy. So there's
another kind of arithmetic for what
he's doing to you.
SADIE
Lucy?
(laughs)
If she had her way he'd be back in
Kanoma City slopping the hogs right
now. And he knows it. He knows what
she'd do for him. She had her chance.
JACK
You seem to think Lucy's on her way
out, don't you?
SADIE
He'll ditch her... Give him time.
JACK
You ought to know.
She slaps his face.
JACK
Hey, you got the wrong guy. I'm not
the hero of this piece.
The door to Willie's office bursts open and Willie dashes
out.