- 7/2/2025
Passion for Justice: The Hazel Brannon Smith Story
The flamboyant publisher (Jane Seymour) of a small-town newspaper takes a stand against racism in 1950s Mississippi.
The flamboyant publisher (Jane Seymour) of a small-town newspaper takes a stand against racism in 1950s Mississippi.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00Although fictionalized, this film is inspired by three decades of the life and career of Hazel Brannan Smith.
00:00:30She's gonna be awful tired.
00:00:44She stopped overnight in New York.
00:00:46New York? London and Paris and Rome? I'd give anything to see Rome.
00:00:52You expect Mr. Jones and Mr. Wiley gonna show up?
00:00:55Hardly. I expect they're still off licking their wounds somewheres.
00:00:59Clarence was a good catch, too.
00:01:02You know, Lou say, Ms. Brannan been in more laps than a napkin.
00:01:05Oh, shush up.
00:01:12Watch that now.
00:01:14There she is.
00:01:17Honey, close your mouth or all the flies escape.
00:01:21Well, whatcha think?
00:01:24You look great.
00:01:26You sure do, Ms. Brannan.
00:01:28Riley, I'm afraid you can't call me that anymore. I'm married now.
00:01:31What?
00:01:32And Riley, I meet my husband, Walter Dye Smith.
00:01:36Hi. My friends call me Smitty.
00:01:38Well, hallelujah and amen, brother. I never thought I'd see the date.
00:01:42Well, so you must be in, huh?
00:01:45Well, it's very nice to meet you.
00:01:46Hazel says you're the next best thing since past your eyes mode.
00:01:49Hush, Smitty. Next thing you know, she'll be asking for a raise.
00:01:52How did you do it?
00:01:53Every man in this county has been trying for near a decade.
00:01:56Well, I convinced her marriage was a noble institution and that she should be institutionalized.
00:01:59Don't start now, Smitty.
00:02:01No, I said why suffer the attentions of so many men when you can have the inattention of just one?
00:02:06Besides, we're in love and there's only one cure for that, marriage.
00:02:09He stole all the lines.
00:02:10I said she wouldn't be complete until she was married and now she's finished.
00:02:14Come on, kids. I want to get these pencil shortings off my feet and wiggle my toes in some delta dirt.
00:02:21Alright, you get that.
00:02:44Accident up ahead. Looked like that truck took it head on.
00:02:56Oh, my lord, it's a bad one. Start the car.
00:03:01Get out of here, boy.
00:03:03Come on, boy. Move that car along.
00:03:06Ain't got company. Come on.
00:03:09Can you hear me?
00:03:11Yeah, now.
00:03:14Good to see you there, Mr. Brannon.
00:03:16Honey, stay back.
00:03:18You alright, sweetheart?
00:03:24Where's the ambulance?
00:03:26It's on his way.
00:03:27Let's go. Stay back, bro.
00:03:32That man's drunk.
00:03:35Ned says that he's in the wrong lane.
00:03:37Well, any fool can see that's a lie.
00:03:39I'll take Ned's word over some poor white trash any day.
00:03:42I don't care.
00:03:43You're not going to arrest him?
00:03:45I'll conduct an investigation.
00:03:48How'd you sleep at night?
00:03:50With my eyes closed.
00:03:54I don't think you understand what I'm...
00:03:56mom, they're just outside.
00:03:58Well, what, come on?
00:03:59I don't know where he's in.
00:04:01Get that ambulance in here.
00:04:03Good job.
00:04:04Move it down.
00:04:05Move it down.
00:04:06Move it down.
00:04:07Give her a break.
00:04:08It's all right.
00:04:09Come here, Mr. Brannon.
00:04:11She was here today.
00:04:41Wait, wait, wait.
00:04:47And here we go.
00:04:53Surprise!
00:04:57Well, it looks like the surprise is on us.
00:05:00Did we come at a wrong time?
00:05:02Everyone, meet my husband, Smitty.
00:05:05Hi.
00:05:05Well, congratulations.
00:05:10I've known Hazel since she was just a twinkle in her dad's eye.
00:05:13Thank you, Smitty.
00:05:15How are you?
00:05:16Oh, boy.
00:05:18Tom.
00:05:18Hi.
00:05:29I ate all over Europe.
00:05:30Nothing came close to your fried chicken.
00:05:32Hey, I've been waiting 20 years to throw you a wedding and you go and eat low.
00:05:36You're gonna love him.
00:05:38One more person to cook for.
00:05:40But no kitchen help?
00:05:44We're gonna get us our dream house.
00:05:46We're gonna have luncheons and barbecues and cocktail parties.
00:05:50I might even join the bridge club.
00:05:52I'm married now, Ruth.
00:05:54I'm gonna settle down.
00:05:56I had time, too.
00:05:58Be nice.
00:05:58And I might give you the earbuds who bought you in Paris.
00:06:08He's six years younger than her.
00:06:09He was a porter, you know.
00:06:11He was a purser.
00:06:13And who cares?
00:06:14She's married now.
00:06:16Well, at least our men are finally safe.
00:06:18Phoebe, that is not fair.
00:06:20Hazel has never gone after a married man.
00:06:22Well, she sure went after all the single ones, though.
00:06:24I wonder if it was a shotgun wedding.
00:06:26You are a big bobsy, do you know that?
00:06:30My ears are burning.
00:06:32Which one of you flippity gibbis is talking about me now?
00:06:35We just love your hair, Hazel.
00:06:38Is that one of those new perms?
00:06:41No, it just curled up like that after Smitty ravished me down the engine room.
00:06:46How could you stand those two hypocrites kissing up like that?
00:06:48Oh, I think she envies them.
00:06:51Those jealous old tongue-waggers?
00:06:52Sure.
00:06:54Hazel pretends that she likes to be different, but deep down she just wants to belong, just like everybody else.
00:07:00Is this a party?
00:07:01Or is everybody posing for a portrait?
00:07:04Tell Ruth to spark the lemonade.
00:07:06If it gets any dinner, we'll have to hire an organ player.
00:07:08Miss Hazel?
00:07:09Hmm?
00:07:10I put the suitcases in your room.
00:07:11Thanks, Riley.
00:07:12Stop by the kitchen for your leave.
00:07:14Ruth's fixed you a plate.
00:07:15I tell you, the storm is gathering, and the time to act is before it strikes.
00:07:21That's right.
00:07:22Is this the same storm that was gathering before I left town?
00:07:26I'd have thought you'd have taken care of it by now, Earl.
00:07:28My kids will stay home before I see them go to school with negros.
00:07:32Oh, Lyle.
00:07:33This storm will blow over like all the rest.
00:07:36I don't believe it will.
00:07:38Well, everybody's got to believe in something, and I believe I'll have another drink.
00:07:42Is this supposed to be a party and many good news?
00:07:46Well, you got the county printing contract.
00:07:49Does that count?
00:07:52Can I cat lick his whiskers?
00:08:01Come on, boys.
00:08:02Let's kick up our shoes and tear up some turf.
00:08:06Come on, Lyle.
00:08:08Come on.
00:08:08Come on there, Lyle.
00:08:09Get up there.
00:08:10Well, that's some woman you married.
00:08:14Hmm.
00:08:15I mean, you must be some kind of man to tame Hazel Vandor.
00:08:18Oh, I didn't tame her.
00:08:20I hope I never do.
00:08:22Isn't that Lyle?
00:08:23Dancing like a meal on Crushing.
00:08:26Must be hard, huh?
00:08:28Giving everything up.
00:08:30Moving to a strange place.
00:08:33I'd follow that woman into hell itself.
00:08:37Missed up, it shouldn't be too bad.
00:08:38Woo!
00:08:39Woo!
00:08:40That's been a while.
00:08:41Come on, Lyle.
00:08:43Shake your ankles.
00:08:44Woo!
00:08:48Yeah!
00:08:49Yeah!
00:08:50Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:08:51All right.
00:08:52Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:08:57Woo!
00:08:58Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:09:00Hi, ha, ha, ha.
00:09:01It was an awful fun party.
00:09:04Thank you so much.
00:09:05Good night.
00:09:06Nice to meet you.
00:09:06Congratulations.
00:09:07Y'all take care.
00:09:08Nice to meet you, Smitty.
00:09:08Nice to meet you finally, Anne.
00:09:10Bye-bye.
00:09:10Bye.
00:09:11Bye-bye.
00:09:12Bye-bye.
00:09:13Bye-bye.
00:09:14Bye-bye.
00:09:15Bye-bye.
00:09:16Bye-bye.
00:09:17Bye-bye.
00:09:18Bye-bye.
00:09:19Bye-bye.
00:09:20Bye-bye.
00:09:21Bye-bye.
00:09:22Bye-bye.
00:09:23Bye-bye.
00:09:24Bye-bye.
00:09:25Bye-bye.
00:09:26Bye-bye.
00:09:27Bye-bye.
00:09:28Bye-bye.
00:09:29Bye-bye.
00:09:30Bye-bye.
00:09:31Bye-bye.
00:09:32Bye-bye.
00:09:33Bye-bye.
00:09:34Bye-bye.
00:09:35Bye-bye.
00:09:36Bye-bye.
00:09:37Bye-bye.
00:09:38Bye-bye.
00:09:39Bye-bye.
00:09:40Bye-bye.
00:09:41Hi, John.
00:09:46Morning, Nathan.
00:09:47Morning, Mary.
00:09:49Looking good.
00:10:00Steerish service for us, Medal of Bail.
00:10:04Three years in the building court.
00:10:07Why did you run a paper route, Sam?
00:10:09Surely you can find something better than that.
00:10:11No, ma'am, I can't.
00:10:12Been taking some odd jobs here and there,
00:10:14but I got a family to feed.
00:10:17I need some steady work.
00:10:18Well, it's a sorry state when a war hero can't even find work.
00:10:25I'm doing renovation on the old Harbor Mansion.
00:10:28I'll give you minimum wage plus 10% to oversee it.
00:10:34Ma'am, I'll take it.
00:10:36I'll take it.
00:10:37Good.
00:10:38Well, have Riley give you directions.
00:10:40I'll meet you there tomorrow at 4.
00:10:41Yes, ma'am.
00:10:42Yes, ma'am.
00:10:43I am.
00:10:54Someone named Jackson wanted to run a man.
00:10:58You told him no?
00:10:59It's Jackson's barbecue stand.
00:11:02Out on the highway.
00:11:02Well, anyway.
00:11:07Mr. Rollins, can I call you right back?
00:11:11Hazel, that ain't gonna sit well with our regular advertisers.
00:11:15You know, Jackson's is colored.
00:11:17Well, his money's green.
00:11:20Besides, they do have the best ribs aside in Mississippi.
00:11:22Oh, why, Lily, what a pleasant surprise.
00:11:27Hazel, I have a favor to ask.
00:11:29Well, come on in.
00:11:32Come on, Lily.
00:11:33How are you?
00:11:33Come on.
00:11:36Mr. Jackson, this is Ann Sinclair at the advertiser.
00:11:39We'd be happy to run that ad for you.
00:11:40So, if you can provide the ad space, we're hoping to be able to raise enough money to replant the Riverbanks Park before the 4th of July gala.
00:11:51I'd love to.
00:11:53But in the meantime...
00:11:56Why, Hazel, you are too generous.
00:12:00Not at all.
00:12:01I love what the Historical Society's been doing.
00:12:04Can you keep a secret?
00:12:13You have been nominated for membership.
00:12:16Well, they must be desperate for new blood.
00:12:18I thought hell would freeze over if they'd let me join.
00:12:20But you're married now.
00:12:22There are a few detractors who think you're a little bit bohemian.
00:12:25But you're a dear friend.
00:12:28And I want to sponsor you personally.
00:12:30I guess I have to act respectable now.
00:12:33Damn.
00:12:34Bad reputation is so much easier to maintain.
00:12:42This roast is turning into jerky.
00:12:44I can't imagine what's keeping him.
00:12:47I'll clean up if you want to take Selena on home.
00:12:50Oh, her mama's going to pick us up on her way home from work.
00:12:59That is mighty fine printing, Selena.
00:13:02You've been practicing?
00:13:03Yes, ma'am.
00:13:03Now, for a dime, who was the first president?
00:13:11George Washington.
00:13:13That's too easy for someone so smart.
00:13:16Now, for a quarter, we invented the light bulb.
00:13:19Well, I'm going to put this quote to right feet.
00:13:25And when you know the answer, you're going to have it.
00:13:28Honey, my new cherry, my new cherry, Earl got me a great deal.
00:13:44What do you think?
00:13:45It's beautiful.
00:13:46You smell like a brewery.
00:13:50Oh, just a couple of toasts for Memorial Hospital's new administrator.
00:13:55What?
00:13:56I am now gainfully employed.
00:13:58Well, that's incredible.
00:13:58Well, that's a little shock.
00:14:00It's bad for my image.
00:14:01And I was worried you would end up drinking beer and chasing bar girls with all the old veterans.
00:14:05Do I still have my evenings free?
00:14:06Not while I'm around.
00:14:08I'll have Ruth set another place.
00:14:09Oh, no.
00:14:10I know for a fact that Lily is at the Historical Society tonight, and you are not leaving until you've had something to eat.
00:14:17Well, all right.
00:14:20That was a mighty fine dinner, Hazel.
00:14:23My daughter's here.
00:14:26See you tomorrow.
00:14:27Come on, Ruth.
00:14:28Come on, Selina.
00:14:30Say goodnight, Priscilla.
00:14:31Goodnight.
00:14:32Good night, Mrs. Smith.
00:14:33Let's clean your home.
00:14:38You, uh, let her bring a little girl here while she works, huh?
00:14:44Her mother's working late tonight.
00:14:47Integration will never succeed.
00:14:53Not down here.
00:14:55Well, I don't think you're in any immediate danger, Earl.
00:14:58Someone should probably tell the Supreme Court.
00:15:01Yankee intellectuals have never set foot south of the Mason-Dixon.
00:15:06No offense.
00:15:07Oh, don't worry.
00:15:07No one ever accused me of being an intellectual.
00:15:10I got the NAACP organizing them in Atlanta, Little Rock.
00:15:14Now here.
00:15:15We need our own committee if we're going to fight him.
00:15:20Well, if the hospital supply of white sheets suddenly dwindles, you'll know where to find him.
00:15:24No, I'm not talking about marauding hooligans.
00:15:27I'm talking about concerned citizens trying to preserve this county.
00:15:31I think I'll leave local politics to you locals.
00:15:37Getting in on the ground floor wouldn't hurt your ambitions, Hazel.
00:15:40Well, if I attend, it would be in my capacity as a journalist.
00:15:48You come to the first meeting.
00:15:50Then you make your decision.
00:15:51Hmm?
00:15:54Hmm?
00:15:54Hmm?
00:16:25Don't you dare go to sleep on me.
00:16:29The latitudes of lovely land.
00:16:33That is how Nathaniel Willis described Mississippi.
00:16:37You can drip honey better than any man I ever knew.
00:16:40I have a feeling we're talking big numbers.
00:16:44It doesn't matter how many men you dance with.
00:16:46It's only who takes you home.
00:16:49You happy here?
00:16:50I am happier than I have ever been in my whole life.
00:16:56No more wonderlust.
00:16:59Lost the wonder part.
00:17:01That was a lovely sermon this morning.
00:17:20Thank you again.
00:17:22Now, I realize it's the 4th of July, but was that a sermon or a filibuster?
00:17:28Reverend Moffitt, it takes him a half hour to say hello.
00:17:31He's right, though.
00:17:33Communism's a threat to Christianity.
00:17:35Not as long as we've got Joe McCarthy.
00:17:38All this talk of Reds under the bed, I was starting to feel conspicuous in his dress.
00:17:42See you all at a picnic.
00:17:46Come on, ladies.
00:17:47Let's go home.
00:17:48Let's go home.
00:18:18Your daughter, I can't get over the job the society's done over at the rest home.
00:18:39It's never a little better.
00:18:41It's due in large part to the generous donation.
00:18:44I thought it might help when the membership vote came out.
00:18:47Your social contributions account for a lot more than your monetary burns, Hazel.
00:18:51Well, nobody's more social than me.
00:18:56I enjoyed your special Founding Father's Day edition, Hazel.
00:18:59Well, everybody saw full of ancestor worship around here, I knew couldn't lose.
00:19:02Hank thought you could have done just a tiny bit more on the Confederacy.
00:19:06Well, I remember next year.
00:19:08Don't forget my party now.
00:19:10Oh, of course.
00:19:11Bye-bye.
00:19:14I don't know you, Dora.
00:19:15A leopard doesn't change spots just because it's found a mate.
00:19:19She may be a little wild, but she's honest.
00:19:23I find that refreshing.
00:19:24How are you doing?
00:19:41Isn't this fun?
00:19:42Hi.
00:19:43Fireworks in a few minutes.
00:19:45Hi.
00:19:45Oh, you're polishing more apples than a campaigning politician.
00:19:50Oh, it's good for business.
00:19:52You know, bull.
00:19:53You'd wash their feet and drink the water to get in their silly club.
00:19:56Well, there's no need to act ugly.
00:19:57Now, wait.
00:19:58I just hate seeing you grovel to those women.
00:20:01I mean, hell, if they were fish, every one of them would have been thrown back in.
00:20:07They don't deserve you.
00:20:09I just want to belong, Smitty.
00:20:11Right.
00:20:12And then what?
00:20:14Maybe I'll run for office.
00:20:15Let's go.
00:20:45Let's go.
00:21:15Let's go.
00:21:17Let's go.
00:21:18That's all.
00:21:19That's all.
00:21:20That's all.
00:21:21Yes, you did, man!
00:21:27Hey!
00:21:28Hold it, hold it, hold it.
00:21:31Don't try to cause an accident.
00:21:32No, sir.
00:21:35Give it up.
00:21:39You boy's drunk, ain't you?
00:21:41Oh, sir, we're just celebrating a bit, that's all.
00:21:43Don't lie to me, boy.
00:21:45I heard you hollering half a block away.
00:21:47You're just having a little fun.
00:21:48Well, I suggest you get your black butts out of here.
00:21:50before I have to haul him in.
00:21:55Calm, man.
00:21:56Calm, man, just have a little fun like everybody else.
00:21:58What did you say?
00:21:59I didn't get a truth.
00:22:01No, man!
00:22:01Oh, my God!
00:22:02Marsh!
00:22:03Marsh!
00:22:05No, man!
00:22:07No, man, you didn't have to shoot him!
00:22:20Yeah, hi, Maple.
00:22:354-4-2-8, please.
00:22:39Hi, hi, it's me.
00:22:40Uh, no, no, I'm fine.
00:22:42Uh, could you come down here for a second?
00:22:46No, no, uh, there's just something that I would like you to see.
00:22:50Okay, thank you.
00:22:54What's the big secret, anyway?
00:22:56No secret, I just want you to see this for yourself.
00:22:58Hey, Marsh, feeling a little better?
00:23:15I want you to tell her exactly what you told me.
00:23:22That's all right.
00:23:24She's my wife.
00:23:34Not much hands.
00:23:36There's just a lot of tension in the air right now.
00:23:38I've been defending this town for the last ten minutes, Hazel.
00:23:40I have not made one accusation, all right?
00:23:41I know what you're thinking.
00:23:43Well, excuse me for thinking so loud.
00:23:46There are a few hateful men in any town, Smitty.
00:23:49Sheriff Cole just happens to lead the pack in here.
00:23:52Right, for a minute.
00:23:53Are you referring to him or me?
00:23:56No, let's do it!
00:23:58Bring him in here.
00:23:59Watch yourself.
00:24:04Um, get Doc Callen.
00:24:06His hand is going.
00:24:07This man's critical.
00:24:09I said get Doc Callen.
00:24:10Oh, he's an operating room.
00:24:12I'll be right there.
00:24:14Excuse me, Doctor.
00:24:17Maybe you didn't hear me?
00:24:21Didn't I just say I'd be right there?
00:24:24And while you finish with your white patient, that Negro's going to bleed to death?
00:24:28Well, since I'm in charge of emergency, why not let me worry about that?
00:24:31Because I'm in charge of this hospital, Doctor.
00:24:33Now get over there.
00:24:37That's what I need.
00:24:38Some newcomer.
00:24:39He only got the job because of his wife.
00:24:41Telling me how to handle emergency.
00:24:51Hazel.
00:24:51Well, what a pleasure.
00:25:16I'm here about Sheriff Cole.
00:25:20I need your help, Earl.
00:25:22Yeah.
00:25:23Yeah, we all heard about that incident yesterday.
00:25:26He was resisting arrest.
00:25:28That's a lie, Earl.
00:25:30There was no crime, no charges made.
00:25:32Sheriff Cole was just in a bad mood, and it wasn't the first time.
00:25:35He's been reprimanded.
00:25:37Warned to restrain himself in the future.
00:25:39That's it?
00:25:41That's his punishment?
00:25:42We got bigger fish to fry.
00:25:44Let me remind you, the Supreme Court outlawed segregation in the schools this week.
00:25:49The Cullens are real cocky.
00:25:51That's not the point.
00:25:52You're one of us, Hazel.
00:25:54They'll just spare us the liberal hogwash.
00:25:57Is Sheriff Cole one of us?
00:25:59Cole said those boys are agitators.
00:26:01N-A-C-P, probably.
00:26:03You start defending them, you're gonna make some enemies.
00:26:06Damn it, Earl.
00:26:07That isn't you talking.
00:26:08He can't get away with this scot-free.
00:26:11We've known each other a long time, Hazel.
00:26:14But I can't help you.
00:26:17Not on this.
00:26:17I see it in the middle.
00:26:29Talking!
00:26:31Talking don't do no good, Earl.
00:26:34Might as well try talking to a stump.
00:26:37Don't underestimate them, buddy.
00:26:40They were smart enough to join the N-A-A-C-P.
00:26:43I got three colored hands working my farm.
00:26:46Well, if they try to send their kids to the white school,
00:26:49I'll fire them.
00:26:52Hey, I'll tell you another thing.
00:26:55Half my customers are colored.
00:26:56Now, if I cut off their credit, they'll come around.
00:26:58You better believe that.
00:27:02Wait a minute.
00:27:03We can't fight integration with more ranting.
00:27:08We need a plan.
00:27:09Well, I plan to stop it.
00:27:11With a bullet if I have to.
00:27:12Sit down, you fool, for I have your bodily removed.
00:27:18Now, listen, I've got just as much ranting.
00:27:20Appreciate it.
00:27:22Why don't you sit down?
00:27:27Now, does anybody have a more intelligent suggestion?
00:27:32You all know that I've always supported segregation.
00:27:44But the time has come to face the facts.
00:27:47The collards have lousy schools, lousy wages, and no opportunity.
00:27:51Well, they've accepted this so far.
00:27:53But they won't sit still if they can't even expect equal protection under the law.
00:28:00Or in some cases, from the law itself.
00:28:03All hell's going to break loose unless we start making some changes.
00:28:06And the first one should be the removal of that man from office.
00:28:11Pete Cole and his deputies is what stands between them and us.
00:28:15It's his job to uphold the law.
00:28:17But what are they going to think if we fire him?
00:28:19They'll think they won.
00:28:20Sit down, buddy. Let her talk.
00:28:27Is this what we're becoming?
00:28:29Since Brown versus the Board of Education,
00:28:32there's been more than a hundred racially motivated arsons and bombings in the South.
00:28:37Decent, church-going citizens have been driven from their homes in the middle of the night.
00:28:42Their children, terrorized.
00:28:45Simply because they're coming.
00:28:47Well, if we don't speak out against the trash doing this, then we're accomplices.
00:28:53The ministers who fail to preach.
00:28:55The teachers who fail to teach.
00:28:58The lawmen and judges who fail to uphold the law.
00:29:02And the plain, informed citizens who knows what's going on is wrong but doesn't speak out.
00:29:07We are all to blame.
00:29:16This meeting is adjourned.
00:29:17This meeting is adjourned.
00:29:33Hazel.
00:29:35That was a idiotic thing to do.
00:29:38I hope you're talking about the sheriff's actions, not mine.
00:29:40You made a fool of me in there.
00:29:42Well, I couldn't have done it without you, Hale.
00:29:44You're caught in the devil, Hazel.
00:29:46I was thinking the same thing about you.
00:29:48Don't you expect any support from the committee.
00:29:51In fact, you can expect trouble.
00:29:53We've already got trouble, Earl.
00:29:55And most of it, we're cooking up our sails.
00:29:57Oh, Smitty.
00:30:22I dreamed of this house as I was a little girl.
00:30:25Come on, I'll show you.
00:30:27Well, what do you think?
00:30:32Oh, I think it's right.
00:30:34I want you to say something.
00:30:34Come on.
00:30:39Hey, Sam.
00:30:40Hey, Mr. Smith, how you doing?
00:30:42How are you, Mr. Smith?
00:30:44Hazel, this man is on time and under budget.
00:30:46He should be in Congress.
00:30:47Well, I tell you, work just begun, Mr. Smith, so it's too soon for anything to go wrong.
00:30:52This here is my oldest boy, Ray.
00:30:54He wants to be in carpentry.
00:30:55Oh, I haven't been in school.
00:30:57Well, it's summer, Ms. Smith.
00:31:02Your daddy said he want to be a carpenter.
00:31:03Hey, you give me the name of one famous carpenter, and I'll give you this quarter.
00:31:10Jesus was a carpenter.
00:31:17Now, you come up with one other name before the next time I see you, and I'll give you a dollar.
00:31:21Thanks, Ms. Smith.
00:31:24Now, listen.
00:31:25I'm going to build you that closet upstairs, and I'm going to line the whole thing in cedar.
00:31:29I've got enough room for all those hats and shoes.
00:31:31Well, she do dress to kill, now, don't she?
00:31:33Yeah, it cooks that way, too.
00:31:34Oh, I've got a truckload of flowers I need to have planted this weekend.
00:31:39You know anyone needs to work?
00:31:41Well, now, Ms. Smith, you know I could use the extra money, but why do you want to do all that work uptown when you're going to be moving down here in a couple of months?
00:31:47I'm going to have a big party.
00:31:49She's trying to impress a bunch of old bitties she can't stand in the first place.
00:31:52Well, that's not so.
00:31:54Well, it's just that I've got a husband now, so I'm respectable.
00:31:57This is my coming-out party.
00:32:00All right, see y'all.
00:32:04Okay, let me see here now.
00:32:07It's time Sheriff Cole learned we are all members of the same human race.
00:32:12Perhaps his removal will result in more serious consideration being held for the personal rights of all men, white or black.
00:32:19Well?
00:32:23I don't know, Ms. Hazel.
00:32:25You've always been one for causes, but this is like poking at a bad tooth with a bobby pin.
00:32:30It's going to cost us advertisers.
00:32:32I know you're going to help, but it's just going to make things worse.
00:32:36I'm not doing this to help.
00:32:39This is the truth, isn't it?
00:32:42This is a newspaper, isn't it?
00:32:45Run it.
00:32:49She's biting off more than she can chew this time.
00:33:08Phone rang all day.
00:33:11You should have heard someone speak if you bet Marlene, which is bad.
00:33:14You're expecting a medal?
00:33:15Well, I wasn't expecting this.
00:33:18God, my mouth is dry as an old man's kiss.
00:33:24I've written tonight's meeting.
00:33:25The floor is cold.
00:33:27If you want roses, there's going to be another 50 diamonds.
00:33:29Fine.
00:33:29I want this party to be special.
00:33:32I want them to be thinking about it for months.
00:33:35I'll call them back.
00:33:43I don't deserve you.
00:33:45You're right.
00:33:47Hey!
00:33:47Hey!
00:33:47Hey!
00:33:47Hey!
00:33:47Hey!
00:33:48Hey!
00:33:48Hey!
00:33:48Hey!
00:33:48Hey!
00:33:48Hey!
00:33:48Hey!
00:33:48Hey!
00:33:48Hey!
00:33:48Hey!
00:33:49Hey!
00:33:49Hey!
00:33:50Hey!
00:33:50Hey!
00:33:51Hey!
00:33:52Hey!
00:33:53Hey!
00:33:54Hey!
00:33:55Hey!
00:33:56Hey!
00:33:57Hey!
00:33:58Hey!
00:33:59Hey!
00:33:59Hey!
00:34:00Hey!
00:34:01Hey!
00:34:02Hey!
00:34:03Hey!
00:34:04Hey!
00:34:05Hey!
00:34:06Hey!
00:34:07Hey!
00:34:08Hey!
00:34:09Hey!
00:34:10Hey!
00:34:11Hey!
00:34:12Hey!
00:34:13Hey!
00:34:14Not tonight.
00:34:15Sheriff, even hussies are allowed in church.
00:34:18Well, this is a private meeting.
00:34:20Besides, your name ain't on the list.
00:34:23I want to speak with Earl Clyburn.
00:34:25Well, he's the one who gave the orders.
00:34:28Well, you tell Earl.
00:34:29The better men and him have tried to stop the press and failed.
00:34:33Do you think you can remember all that?
00:34:38Or should I write it down?
00:34:40You know what?
00:34:41Yeah.
00:34:42Oh, yeah.
00:34:43It's awesome!
00:34:45Yeah!
00:34:47Good job!
00:34:48Hey!
00:34:50Oh, yes!
00:34:51Oh, yes.
00:34:52Oh.
00:35:23Lily Claiborne. She's responsible for this. I'm so sorry that Lyle couldn't have made it. He was coming down with the flu or something.
00:35:36I guess we should feel lucky the epidemic hasn't reached us yet.
00:35:43Why don't we get this all loaded up and send it on to the orphanage?
00:35:53You think you're helping, but you're only stirring things up.
00:36:02I didn't create the situation, Rose.
00:36:04You tell that to them decent folk who stood you up today.
00:36:07They're just scared. They'd rather face the devil they know and the devil they don't know.
00:36:12Scared? They've been trying to scare us for a hundred years.
00:36:17You don't know what it's like waiting for your man to come home at night, worried he'd be lynched or beat to death, shot in the back.
00:36:26That's not just scared. That's snakes in the pit of your stomach.
00:36:32What the sheriff did was wrong.
00:36:35Where you been?
00:36:37That isn't the first time a white man has done something like this.
00:36:41Well, what do you want me to do?
00:36:42You do what you want to do.
00:36:44Like always.
00:36:46But in the meantime, your friends are spitting on my feet.
00:36:52Like I put you up to all of this.
00:36:54You want me to hush up too?
00:36:56No.
00:36:58No.
00:37:03Times are changing, like it or not.
00:37:06And for the first time in my life, I got hope that maybe things will be better.
00:37:11But if not for me, then maybe for my granddaughter.
00:37:35What on earth?
00:37:36Food.
00:37:40Food.
00:37:51Get back, you cowards!
00:37:53No!
00:37:54Take care of your lord, Yankee!
00:37:56You nigga love us!
00:38:00Woo-hoo!
00:38:01Ah!
00:38:02Ah!
00:38:02Ah!
00:38:02Ah!
00:38:02Ah!
00:38:02Ah!
00:38:02Ah!
00:38:02Ah!
00:38:03Ah!
00:38:03Ah!
00:38:03Ah!
00:38:03Ah!
00:38:04Ah!
00:38:04Ah!
00:38:05Ah!
00:38:05Ah!
00:38:06Ah!
00:38:06Ah!
00:38:25Hey, buddy!
00:38:28Hey, Mr. Kleber!
00:38:30Woo!
00:38:32Kind of hot, huh?
00:38:33You bet!
00:38:33I hear that, um, Hazel had some trouble out of her way last night.
00:38:42Well, boys will be boys.
00:38:44Yeah.
00:38:45Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho.
00:38:48You put them up to it?
00:38:51What if I did?
00:38:54Now, you let me make one thing perfectly clear.
00:38:57Look, I don't cotton to vandals.
00:38:58I don't cotton to vandals.
00:39:00I don't condone petty harassment, and I can't abide lawlessness.
00:39:05And by God, I won't tolerate it from any member of the Citizens Committee, either.
00:39:11We supposed to sit around like a bunch of old ladies, huh?
00:39:14They had a meeting last week, too.
00:39:15Over 200 of them showed up.
00:39:16We'll devise an intelligent and effective strategy.
00:39:19We're not a mob!
00:39:22Now, you conform to the dictates of this committee, or you're out.
00:39:26Count me out.
00:39:26Well, you've got to do something, Hazel.
00:39:41They destroyed your property.
00:39:43What?
00:39:43Call the police?
00:39:45How about if you call the marshal?
00:39:47This kind of conduct, on the part of our highest elected peace officer, has done serious injury to relations between the races.
00:40:02I just thank God we've got men like him around here to keep them folks in line.
00:40:08Thing's a waste of paper.
00:40:10Not really, Carl.
00:40:11I use mine to line the cat box.
00:40:17You'd think some people would be ashamed to show their face.
00:40:20Some people ought to keep their stupid opinions to themselves.
00:40:24Thanks for the free advice.
00:40:26I guess you get what you pay for.
00:40:30Maybe you should write an article about comedy trash.
00:40:33Reba, I see you finally developed a sense of humor.
00:40:36This is a private conversation.
00:40:38Oh, yeah?
00:40:38Well, it's just too bad that your IQ isn't as big as those falsies.
00:40:42I am.
00:40:43Don't go getting into a battle of wits with these women.
00:40:45They're not armed.
00:40:52The reign of terror must be stopped.
00:40:54Along with the countless floggings, assaults, bombings, cross-burnings, and other acts of intimidation.
00:41:01It is not enough to remain aloof from the mob.
00:41:04We must create a climate of public opinion in which they cannot operate.
00:41:09What do you think?
00:41:10I'm not the one need convincing.
00:41:13Let it be, Miss Hazel.
00:41:15You ought to go on home.
00:41:18Your eyes look like two chairs in the snow.
00:41:21I'm almost done.
00:41:24Thanks, Riley.
00:41:26For everything.
00:41:27Let me reiterate, the man was critical.
00:41:49And in my opinion, Dr. Barnes-Seer was misdirecting his energies.
00:41:53If this were the only incident...
00:41:58You keep mentioning other incidents, other complaints.
00:42:01Well, what were they and who made them?
00:42:03Because certainly no one has confronted me directly.
00:42:05We're not at liberty to say...
00:42:08You are not at liberty to say.
00:42:12Then how am I supposed to answer these charges?
00:42:14You're not.
00:42:16We have taken a vote and decided to terminate your position here.
00:42:22Effective.
00:42:23Immediately.
00:42:24God help the man who holds up a mirror to this town.
00:42:32You get two weeks severance.
00:42:36It's ironic, isn't it?
00:42:38The greatest democracy in the history of mankind has produced this pathetic roomful of bums.
00:42:44We all know what this is about.
00:42:47It has nothing to do with my performance.
00:42:49Now, if any of you had an ounce of guts, you would have called it like it was and spared me this silly little kangaroo court.
00:42:54It has nothing to do with me.
00:43:24I've been hearing things all night.
00:43:28What's wrong?
00:43:31They fired me.
00:43:35It isn't about you, you know.
00:43:38Yeah, who the hell cares?
00:43:40I wasn't cut out for a desk job anyway.
00:43:45Come on.
00:43:50Let's go home.
00:43:54Well, it's a blessing anyway.
00:44:11Now you can supervise the land nation.
00:44:13Get down!
00:44:21Get down!
00:44:24Go!
00:44:25Go!
00:44:25Oh, my God.
00:44:55It's just my daddy's desk.
00:45:00He gave it to me when I got the loan to buy the paper.
00:45:04That's all I had left of him.
00:45:09Thanks, sweetie.
00:45:11Just paper, glass, wood.
00:45:13It's all right.
00:45:14It's not all right.
00:45:1520 years of your life was in that desk.
00:45:17The last 20 years don't mean a thing.
00:45:19You weren't part of it.
00:45:25It's Hazel.
00:45:31How's the printing equipment?
00:45:32I'm going to need a lot of new parts, but I think I can save it.
00:45:35Mr. Smith, could you loan me a hand at the back door?
00:45:38It's kind of stuck.
00:45:44Will you be okay?
00:45:45There's some mean folks in this world.
00:45:59Expect we ought to call the sheriff.
00:46:02What for?
00:46:04He spent about five minutes on his investigation of our fire.
00:46:07It'll get worse before getting it better.
00:46:09Help me get this down before I get this season.
00:46:20I think that's a great idea.
00:46:24Look what I found.
00:46:25Good.
00:46:27Hey, Ray.
00:46:28Do you think any more famous carpenters?
00:46:30Yes, ma'am.
00:46:31My daddy.
00:46:33Why don't you go down to Louisa's and pick up some burgers and sell us for everyone?
00:46:37And keep a dollar for yourself.
00:46:38Well, Ray, get some fries, too.
00:46:45Well, well.
00:46:51You here to help or just a clump?
00:46:53Just passing by.
00:46:55How's the investigation coming?
00:46:56Any new leads?
00:46:58Still looking into it.
00:47:00Of course, you stop to think.
00:47:02The property owner is always the prime suspect in any arson.
00:47:07Oh, stop to think, Sheriff.
00:47:08You might never get started again.
00:47:14But you've been advertising with us for 14 years, Della.
00:47:19Business is double.
00:47:20You said so yourself.
00:47:21I don't want to give him any excuse to shop in those new stores over in Jackson.
00:47:25You're not just hurting Hazel, Della.
00:47:27You're hurting everybody that works at the paper.
00:47:29Oh, Ann, honey, I'm sorry.
00:47:31The committee is organizing a boycott.
00:47:35No one's going to advertise.
00:47:36No one's going to subscribe.
00:47:37I just can't go against my own husband.
00:47:39I just can't.
00:47:39I just can't.
00:47:39I just can't.
00:47:42All right, you need to be there.
00:48:02Committees organized a boycott.
00:48:04Tell us at least 60% of my advertising.
00:48:07What kind of people are these?
00:48:09We sure do appreciate what you're doing for us, Miss Smith.
00:48:11Don't make me out to be so noble, Sam.
00:48:13I would have done the same thing if Morris Jones had been white.
00:48:15Well, it wouldn't have happened if he had been white.
00:48:17Well, one bad apple didn't spoil a whole bunch.
00:48:31What do you want, Sheriff?
00:48:37Got something for you, Hazel?
00:48:38Well, I wanted to deliver it myself.
00:48:46Have a nice day.
00:48:51He just filed a liable suit against me for $100,000.
00:48:58I guess things can't get much worse.
00:49:01Yes, they can.
00:49:02My sister's coming to visit.
00:49:09Smitty.
00:49:16Why, Lily, what a surprise.
00:49:20Hello, Hazel.
00:49:21I haven't seen you lately.
00:49:23I hope you haven't come down with that flu that's been going around.
00:49:26Um, I was going to call you, but, um, I've just been real...
00:49:31Oh, that's all right.
00:49:32Seems I'm very difficult to reach lately.
00:49:35Yeah.
00:49:36Now, that flu's left you looking a bit peevish.
00:49:39Or is it the hair?
00:49:41Yeah, it does start dragging the face down when you get older.
00:49:44Maybe you should consider wearing it up, something a bit like this.
00:49:48Yes, that's lovely.
00:49:49Thank you, Hazel.
00:49:50Oh, by the way, I'm afraid I'm going to have to withdraw my membership of the Historical Society.
00:49:55I'm sure everyone will be devastated.
00:49:58Oh, can't be helped.
00:50:00Apart with rebuilding the paper and all, I just don't have a minute.
00:50:04Bye.
00:50:04Bye.
00:50:04Bye.
00:50:20We, the jury, fine for the plaintiff.
00:50:44Yes.
00:50:44Sheriff Cole, for libel.
00:50:47Damage is awarded in the amount of $10,000.
00:50:49Whoa!
00:50:49Justice, that man needs to bully the way a flea needs a dog.
00:51:06You got an appeal?
00:51:07The Constitution guarantees the freedom of the press, doesn't it?
00:51:10Yeah.
00:51:10Well, I'd rather eat bugs than give that parasite a dime.
00:51:16But everyone here would love to see me dragged over hot coals.
00:51:19And I already owe you a fortune in legal bills.
00:51:26Vern, can I call you right back?
00:51:31What's wrong?
00:51:33Sam's wife, Henrietta, just called.
00:51:35He was arrested this morning for stealing a saddle.
00:51:38It's ludicrous.
00:51:41Sam's as honest as they come.
00:51:42I'll arrange bail.
00:51:46I'll get a lawyer.
00:51:47It's too late, Miss Hazel.
00:51:49The man that had him arrested posted his bond about an hour ago.
00:51:53What?
00:51:55Where's he now?
00:51:55Nobody's seen him since they let him go.
00:51:58Oh, God.
00:52:07Whoa!
00:52:08I'll just hate it, isn't it?
00:52:09Hey, Errol.
00:52:10What can I do you for?
00:52:11Well, you know, I've been thinking of this by getting me a set of those white walls.
00:52:18Well, now, you can't buy a finer tire.
00:52:20Huh?
00:52:21Yeah.
00:52:22And then I'm going to need me a new battery for my tractor.
00:52:27The problem is, Lyle, you're still advertising in Hazel's paper.
00:52:34I never thought you'd line up with them, Lyle.
00:52:36Errol, you know that ain't true.
00:52:38It's just...
00:52:39Maybe you happen to forget I sell advertising for Hazel's paper.
00:52:42Not much, from what I hear.
00:52:43You all certainly made sure of that, haven't you?
00:52:45Sneaking around like rats.
00:52:47Nobody's sneaking around.
00:52:48What we're doing is completely above board.
00:52:51What is?
00:52:52Blackmailing people and forcing them to join you?
00:52:55Nobody's forcing you.
00:52:56You don't want to join?
00:52:58Go ahead.
00:53:00Look, Errol.
00:53:01I got to advertise.
00:53:03Whether I like it or not, she's the only game in town.
00:53:10It's your choice, Lyle.
00:53:16No, you're right, Lyle.
00:53:20Lexington needs an alternative to Hazel's paper.
00:53:30Sorry, Haze.
00:53:34Sorry.
00:53:35Sorry.
00:53:46This town can't sport one paper, much less two.
00:53:52They'll be back in a month looking for their jobs.
00:53:55Citizens Chronicle.
00:53:56Who they think they're kidding.
00:53:58They're scared.
00:54:00They just want to make sure they have a job in another year.
00:54:03And you're not?
00:54:08I got no choice, Hazel.
00:54:11If I don't take the new job, they're going to put Lyle out of business.
00:54:14Save your breath.
00:54:15I understand.
00:54:16Hazel, you can't win.
00:54:18Spare me the lecture, Ian.
00:54:20I've already heard it a dozen ways.
00:54:25Hazel.
00:54:36I'll let you know.
00:54:38You, Judas.
00:54:45Not you two.
00:54:51No.
00:54:52No, never, Miss Hazel.
00:54:56They found Sam's body in the river.
00:55:00He was beaten to death.
00:55:01Oh, no.
00:55:03Oh, no.
00:55:04No.
00:55:06They do this because of me.
00:55:09It's my fault.
00:55:10This is just a hearing, Mrs. Burke.
00:55:31What we want are just the facts.
00:55:32Tell us what happened.
00:55:35After Mr. Dodd Sr. paid his bail, Sam called me.
00:55:43And what did your husband say?
00:55:50He said that Mr. Dodd was getting him out so that he could settle things personally.
00:56:01For stealing a saddle?
00:56:05Sam didn't take that saddle.
00:56:10They found it on two kids.
00:56:13A week later.
00:56:14And you never saw or heard from your husband again.
00:56:25Not till I identified his body.
00:56:35I want you to know your daddy didn't do nothing wrong.
00:56:38Pull your head up and be proud.
00:56:41You're a good man.
00:56:42Hi, Ray.
00:56:46I'm Hazel Smith.
00:56:49I know.
00:56:50I saw you at the funeral.
00:56:53He was so brave of you to come.
00:56:56I never got to tell you personally how sorry I am.
00:57:00Sam's a fine man.
00:57:05You talking to this woman?
00:57:07What if I am?
00:57:08She's under a gag order, that's what.
00:57:10You're in contempt.
00:57:12And you're coming with me.
00:57:15Let's go.
00:57:17For your information, a gag order means you can't talk to a witness.
00:57:23I was unaware that she was in the custody of the court.
00:57:25I was talking to her as my friend.
00:57:27Even if I chose to believe you, which I don't, ignorance is no excuse.
00:57:31Therefore, I find you in contempt of court in order of you to pay a $50 fine and serve 15 days in the county jail.
00:57:44Sentence is suspended, provided you behave yourself for the next two years.
00:57:48Miss Smith, I'm going to be frank with you and speak my mind.
00:57:54Well, why don't you?
00:57:54You've got nothing to lose.
00:57:59Before you go trying to clean up somebody else's house, you best look after your own.
00:58:04There are so few pure of us left.
00:58:11Dismissed.
00:58:11At least it's only 15 days.
00:58:20You have to take your shoes off to count any higher than that.
00:58:22Pompous idiot.
00:58:24There isn't another court in the country that will uphold it.
00:58:27You're going to appeal this one, too?
00:58:28It's the Supreme Court if I have to.
00:58:30Hazel, what do you think you're doing?
00:58:31It's not going to make any difference.
00:58:33These people are so narrow-minded.
00:58:35They do not want to change.
00:58:36These people happen to be my people.
00:58:38And this is still my home.
00:58:40All right.
00:58:41I'm on your side, remember?
00:58:42So is my pimmicks.
00:58:43Hazel, wait.
00:58:44Wait.
00:58:46I'm wrong.
00:58:47You're right.
00:58:47Is that good enough?
00:58:50Hazel, I cannot stand to see them hurt you like this.
00:58:53I would much rather that they hurt me.
00:58:56A silver-tongued devil.
00:59:01Can I buy you a drink?
00:59:03A drink?
00:59:04Hell, buy me the bottle.
00:59:09And until the White South refuses to tolerate the bombings, the shootings, the beatings, and murders,
00:59:16Southerners will continue to be hailed in scorn as barbarians to the rest of the nation.
00:59:21It's brilliant.
00:59:22What do we have to lose?
00:59:28What now?
00:59:34They've canceled our printing contracts, all of them.
00:59:47I don't know how much longer I could pay you, Ruth.
00:59:51You should probably start looking for something else.
00:59:53I don't want to look for nothing else.
00:59:55I'm too old and too spoiled.
00:59:58Don't be stubborn.
00:59:59How do you go and pay the rent?
01:00:01I've been trying to take for 20 years, but you don't listen.
01:00:05The Lord will provide.
01:00:11Don't you worry about a thing.
01:00:12We're going to make it.
01:00:13Oh, hi.
01:00:31And here she is.
01:00:31I've been so looking forward to this.
01:00:35Smitty's told us such wonderful things about you.
01:00:37Not that he had to.
01:00:38The one who could have come after 36 years had to be pretty special.
01:00:41Well, he's told me so much about you, too.
01:00:43I can't wait to find out how much of it's true.
01:00:52Smitty's been telling us about some of the troubles you've been having lately.
01:00:55The violence and harassment are bad enough,
01:00:57but to have it be done by the very people you go to church with
01:00:59and to lose your friends.
01:01:02None that really mattered.
01:01:03It's the best argument there is for better education.
01:01:06You can't end racism until you end ignorance.
01:01:09Y'all ended all your socials in Massachusetts?
01:01:11Well, no.
01:01:12Weren't there protests in Boston last year?
01:01:15Yes.
01:01:15And what about the riots in Philadelphia?
01:01:17Oh, sure, but that's...
01:01:18We're not all a bunch of provincial highseeds here.
01:01:25I'll go see how the coffee's doing.
01:01:27I'll go see how the coffee's doing.
01:01:38Smitty?
01:01:42I'm sorry if I embarrassed you.
01:01:45John just doesn't know when to shut up.
01:01:49I guess that makes two of us.
01:01:52He'll get over it.
01:01:54It's not bad.
01:01:57It's the printing contract.
01:02:02We'll figure something out.
01:02:04What?
01:02:06There's nothing left.
01:02:08Paper can't go on without money.
01:02:10Well, we'll get a loan or sell the car.
01:02:16Maybe we should move on.
01:02:18There's a paper for sale in Arizona.
01:02:21You've never run from a fight in your life.
01:02:23Well, maybe it's time that I did.
01:02:25It's not the fight I'm afraid of.
01:02:32It's being shut out.
01:02:34Not having any friends.
01:02:37I miss that, Smitty.
01:02:39They're not going to run us off, Hazel.
01:02:42This is our home, too.
01:02:46They'll come around.
01:02:47You'll see.
01:02:48Besides, I just can't see you in a cowboy hat.
01:03:00Too bad we've got to go all the way to Jackson for a loan.
01:03:09Mortgage to the Hilt.
01:03:10We still haven't finished the renovation yet.
01:03:12That'll teach me to marry for money.
01:03:14Hey, this man.
01:03:14My name is Davis Franklin.
01:03:18I called Riley Sims this morning.
01:03:19He told me where I could find you.
01:03:21Why'd you want to find me?
01:03:23The church is just down the way.
01:03:25The pastor's letting us use it for a meeting place.
01:03:28Maybe we can talk there.
01:03:29About what?
01:03:30That's a group of us.
01:03:32Well, we want to publish our own newspaper.
01:03:36We got the financial backing, only...
01:03:39We can't find anyone to print it.
01:03:42What makes you think I will?
01:03:43Riley said you were fair-minded.
01:03:47And you need the business.
01:03:51That's right about that.
01:03:57Why not?
01:03:57You have a husband's in the glory
01:04:09When you close your earthly story
01:04:13Will you join them in their bliss?
01:04:19Will the circle be unbroken
01:04:23By and by, by and by
01:04:28In a better home awaiting
01:04:32In the sky, in the sky
01:04:49But if we think the present situation is serious,
01:04:53we should take a long, hard look at the future.
01:04:56It can and will get infinitely worse
01:04:59unless we find the character
01:05:01and guts to change things that need changing.
01:05:05No man, white or black,
01:05:08should live in fear
01:05:09or be compelled to sleep in a loaded gun by his bedside.
01:05:15That will raise some hackles.
01:05:18It's your paper.
01:05:20Say the word and I'll rewrite it.
01:05:23It's time to stand up and be counted.
01:05:29In the sky, oh my Lord, in the sky
01:05:32Sleep on mother
01:05:35Open trust
01:05:36My God you'll save
01:05:38I'm gonna meet you
01:05:41In the judgment
01:05:43When you leave
01:05:45Your trust be brave
01:05:47And if you know
01:05:48When you leave
01:05:48And if you know
01:05:49I'll do the second
01:05:50I'll read you
01:05:50I'll read you
01:05:51I'll do the second
01:05:52I'll call you
01:05:53Bye bye
01:05:53Bye bye
01:05:53Bye bye
01:05:54Bye bye
01:05:55Bye bye
01:05:55Bye bye
01:05:56Bye bye
01:05:56Bale
01:05:57Bale
01:05:57Bale
01:05:58I think Laura Stewart will be named debutante of the year.
01:06:25Lily's hired a band from New Orleans, too.
01:06:28Everyone will be there.
01:06:34Let's do something special, maybe up in Chignon.
01:06:37Chignon?
01:06:39Isn't that those little braids that the Piccaninnis wear?
01:06:44That's enough.
01:06:47I've always been proud to say I come from Mississippi.
01:06:52You make me ashamed.
01:06:59Silence in these times is just as ugly as their words.
01:07:04I apologize.
01:07:07I'd like for you and Smitty to come to the ball as my personal guest.
01:07:12Thank you, Eudora.
01:07:15But we already have another invitation for tonight.
01:07:19You have dignity and grace under pressure, Hazel.
01:07:24That's a quality very few ladies have these days.
01:07:28Oh, hi.
01:07:29Just a minute.
01:07:30Hey, I'm glad you made it.
01:07:31Follow me.
01:07:32You made me feel good tonight.
01:07:33Watch out now.
01:07:34Hey, Elroy, don't hurt nobody now, all right?
01:07:35Oh, this is Ad Lane of the American Civil Liberties Union and Brewster Conway of the American Civil Liberties.
01:07:39And Brewster Conway of the NAACP.
01:07:40Hazel and Walter Dyer Smith.
01:07:41Now, Smitty, please.
01:07:42Hi.
01:07:43Hi.
01:07:44Just a minute.
01:07:45Hey, I'm glad you made it.
01:07:46Hey, I'm glad you made it.
01:07:47Follow me.
01:07:48You made me feel good tonight.
01:07:49Watch out now.
01:07:50Hey, Elroy, don't hurt nobody now, all right?
01:07:51Oh.
01:07:52This is Ad Lane of the American Civil Liberties Union and Brewster Conway of the NAACP.
01:07:56Hazel and Walter Dyer Smith.
01:07:57Now, Smitty, please.
01:07:58Uh, Eugene.
01:07:59These two people, drive.
01:08:00Uh, take the martini and the scotch up, please.
01:08:01So you're the one who's causing every cracker in the South throwing themselves.
01:08:06You look more like fraternity boys and revolutionaries to me.
01:08:09You hardly look the crusading editor.
01:08:11Well, I'm no crusader.
01:08:12That's someone that goes out looking for trouble.
01:08:13I can barely keep up the trouble coming to my door.
01:08:14Well, we appreciate you printing our paper.
01:08:15No one else would touch it.
01:08:16Well, I'm being paid.
01:08:17Well, regardless of that, we're awfully glad you're on our team.
01:08:19I'm a journalist, boys.
01:08:20I'm a journalist, boys.
01:08:21I don't take sides.
01:08:22Like it or not, I'd say you have.
01:08:24Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, I'm about to pull up on Gary.
01:08:28He's trying to keep up for a hundred dollars.
01:08:29I'm a journalist.
01:08:30So you're a journalist.
01:08:31You're all right.
01:08:32You're all right.
01:08:33Thank you, thank you, for a good work.
01:08:35Thank you, Mr. Gretchen.
01:08:36I'm a journalist.
01:08:39I'm a journalist, boys.
01:08:42You're all right.
01:08:43Thank you, fool.
01:08:44I'm a journalist.
01:08:45I'm a journalist.
01:08:46Well, you're a journalist.
01:08:47I would, you know, I would say it's too bad.
01:08:48I would say it's too bad.
01:08:50I'm about to pull up on politics.
01:08:52I would like to cut loose and dance with my wife.
01:08:54Sugar, put it away.
01:08:57In the next couple of hours, I want the carefree brat I'm married.
01:09:09Whoa!
01:09:12Oh, forget those stuffed shirts back on, baby.
01:09:15This is living.
01:09:16Whoa, yeah, you can chill it.
01:09:17Oh!
01:09:20Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
01:09:32Read this.
01:09:41Oh, man.
01:09:41before you put down payment on that lake house you've been eyeballing you better listen to this
01:09:54today the mississippi state supreme court held that editor hazel smith's right to publish the
01:10:02truth with good motives and just ends is inherent in the constitution looks like telling the truth
01:10:09falls under my first amendment racks score one for the nigger lovers get used to it
01:10:20my brother sent this from ohio now they are printing hazel's editorials in here
01:10:32and that's not the only place baltimore wilmington they're trying to make her
01:10:38high and mighty and us look like a bunch of food that is right now earl she's gone too far
01:10:44well what do you suggest love her advertising's gone she's got no subscriptions the county
01:10:52contracts dried up six months ago how does she keep printing then i don't know i'm tired of waiting
01:10:57if you got a rotten tooth pull it
01:11:00wait a minute listen up here i want hazel smith out of business as much as anybody
01:11:08but you go to breaking the law you're no better than those newspapers say you are
01:11:13earl's right we're not hooligans
01:11:15now let's just see if we can figure out how she's staying in business
01:11:23wake up sleepyhead
01:11:26hey i sure do appreciate this
01:11:34the truck will be fixed by tomorrow
01:11:38oh that's no problem we had to come up for a meeting with the bank anyway
01:11:40there you go
01:11:51isn't this
01:11:54you know what to do
01:12:00what about the insurance what they covered
01:12:17couldn't afford the premiums
01:12:19they don't let up for one minute do they
01:12:33i would use a picture that makes my behind look as big as a truck
01:12:37i'll get them for that
01:12:38first i'm gonna get us a couple of beers
01:12:42we're gonna be here all night
01:12:43well
01:12:50if it didn't my dear friend earl clayton
01:12:53hazel i want you to know i had absolutely nothing to do with this
01:13:04you had everything to do with it
01:13:06hazel i'm not a barbarian
01:13:07i'd never be a party to anything like this
01:13:10of course not earl
01:13:12that'll be the slimy tactics of the downtown clan
01:13:15and everybody knows you're strictly uptown clan
01:13:18how you doing earl
01:13:30hazel called you a brute and a bully
01:13:35and this whole town stood up to defend you
01:13:39i stood up to defend you
01:13:42what the hell are you talking about
01:13:43last night you proved her right
01:13:46so who cares
01:13:50this whole town's gonna care
01:13:52i'm gonna see to that
01:13:54you nothing but a sniveling hypocrite
01:13:57you and all your blue-nosed friends
01:13:59that may be
01:14:00but you shouldn't have made us so aware
01:14:04take care of it
01:14:05you really gave them a run for your money miss hazel
01:14:09you really gave them a run for your money miss hazel
01:14:22no one can ever say you went out without a fight
01:14:25i'm not out riley
01:14:27and i'm not about to give up the fight
01:14:29we can't print without a press
01:14:32and then i will beg
01:14:33i will borrow
01:14:34i will steal
01:14:34until i have enough money to buy a new one
01:14:36they can burn
01:14:38they can boycott
01:14:39they can tear me down a hundred times
01:14:41but if they want to stop me from telling the truth
01:14:43they're gonna have to kill me
01:14:46uh-huh
01:14:47i'll sign a personal note
01:14:49well the atlanta herald
01:14:50new orleans times
01:14:51manichub
01:14:51they're all running our editorials
01:14:53okay
01:14:54well how about hazel
01:14:55on the 23rd
01:14:56we'll arrange transportation
01:14:57that's highway robbery
01:14:59make it prime plus one percent
01:15:01done
01:15:03it's fifty five hundred so far
01:15:05well people must be reading your articles
01:15:07because i've got eight speaking engagements lined up
01:15:09that's at least what
01:15:10another five thousand
01:15:11i hate this
01:15:12i feel like i'm standing on a street corner
01:15:13with a cup in my hand
01:15:14congregation at my church
01:15:21took this up yesterday
01:15:22oh riley
01:15:24two thousand
01:15:25eight hundred
01:15:26and thirty two dollars
01:15:27i won't cry
01:15:30promised i won't cry
01:15:34if this doesn't work
01:15:36maybe the new boycott will
01:15:37what's new about it
01:15:38they'll be boycotting me for months
01:15:40not that boycott
01:15:41we figured two could play at this game
01:15:43not a colored person in this town
01:15:46gonna buy from anybody boycotting you
01:15:48well those people have to drive all the way to jackson to shop
01:15:50expect they're doing what they think is right
01:15:53just like you
01:15:54even if we can sell this house it's just not enough
01:16:14i'll find work
01:16:15we've been through that
01:16:16no one's gonna hire you
01:16:18besides i'll need your help
01:16:20if we don't scrape together enough to rebuild
01:16:23if
01:16:24what happened to when
01:16:25well there's just nothing left
01:16:27that's right
01:16:28you're out of play too
01:16:30what new horror makes me
01:16:33yes
01:16:39of course
01:16:41right
01:16:44i know where that is
01:16:48half an hour
01:16:50who's that
01:17:02i don't know
01:17:06a man
01:17:06what do you want
01:17:08said he wanted to help me
01:17:11i'm gonna meet him down
01:17:16at the old cotton mill
01:17:17in half an hour
01:17:17you're gonna what
01:17:18he said he'd been following our story
01:17:21fine
01:17:22i'll go with you
01:17:22no
01:17:22he said it had to be anonymous
01:17:25i have to go along
01:17:27you're actually planning to go
01:17:28he mentioned other journalists i know
01:17:30people i've worked with
01:17:32so what
01:17:32he did his research
01:17:33this could be one of the sheriff's thugs
01:17:35this man is no thug
01:17:36he was too intelligent
01:17:38he was sincere
01:17:39no way
01:17:39i won't allow it
01:17:41i was on my own for 20 years
01:17:43before i met you mister
01:17:44and i took care of myself just fine
01:17:45those were entirely different circumstances
01:17:47don't you walk out that door
01:17:49i'm a big girl smitty
01:17:51and i'm sick and tired of everyone telling me what to do
01:17:54you are acting like a lunatic
01:17:58just to prove how tough you are
01:17:59get out of my way smitty
01:18:01don't make me prove how mean i am too
01:18:03fine
01:18:05it's gonna be alright
01:18:09please don't go
01:18:12it could be a trap
01:18:14no it's not
01:18:15how can you know that
01:18:17female intuition
01:18:20i have to
01:18:33i have to
01:18:46i have to
01:18:47Who are you?
01:19:14A friend of your friends.
01:19:15I can count the friends I got left on one hand, and none of them knows you.
01:19:19Your friends are over me, Smith.
01:19:21People you don't even know.
01:19:23I wish to God people would quit making me out to be some kind of crusader.
01:19:26I never wanted this damn battle in the first place.
01:19:37Where are you from?
01:19:38Why are you doing this?
01:19:40Let's just say I'm somebody who doesn't want the bad guys to win.
01:19:43And what's with all the cloak in Dagestad?
01:19:47Perhaps I just don't have the courage you do.
01:19:56You're a newspaper man.
01:19:57Good luck, Miss Smith.
01:20:02Please, Jim.
01:20:06I don't know.
01:20:08I don't know.
01:20:24I don't know.
01:20:28oh it's me it's me it's me
01:20:34what are you doing here you follow me actually i was just running into town for some bread
01:20:43well don't bother we got all the bread we need he gave us thousands and thousands of dollars
01:20:54what let's go it's ready here goes nothing
01:21:07now we're ready for them
01:21:20what you whistling them christmas songs it ain't even thanksgiving
01:21:48i don't know any thanksgiving songs do you gobble gobble gobble gobble gobble
01:21:53how about a joke how do you know when a politician's lying
01:22:01watch out that's all right
01:22:05get the ambulance
01:22:15go
01:22:20don't this just beat all we've been bombed burned boycotted and bankrupted i might have to go and die on a ladder
01:22:31if you think you're getting away from me that easy you can forget it mister
01:22:35think of some really clever last words
01:22:39okay
01:22:45smithy smithy smithy
01:22:51smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy smithy sm
01:23:21There's supposed to be a picket line outside Hazel's paper.
01:23:42Should we cancel?
01:23:45What do you think?
01:23:48Jim Bob thinks we ought to have a meeting this afternoon instead.
01:23:52Think up a new plan, maybe write a new editorial.
01:23:59Do whatever you like.
01:24:02I got other plans for this afternoon.
01:24:21Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart.
01:24:25Lord, let it open the Lord.
01:24:28For just as troubles and earthly suffering are over for our brother Walter.
01:24:34I came for Sneddy.
01:25:00No, Miss Hazel.
01:25:02They came for you.
01:25:03As surely as he gave us life over the world, heaven awaits us after death.
01:25:24A place where hunger is fed, fear forgotten, hatred, and time.
01:25:32And all God's children will be in peace.
01:25:36Let us pray.
01:25:37Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
01:25:45Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
01:25:49For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
01:26:09Amen.
01:26:11In 1964, Hazel Brannon Smith became the first woman to receive the nation's highest honor in editorial writing,
01:26:34the Pulitzer Prize.
01:26:35The Pulitzer Prize
01:27:05The Pulitzer Prize
01:27:35The Pulitzer Prize
01:27:37The Pulitzer Prize
01:27:39The Pulitzer Prize
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