Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Page #45

CLOSEUP - BABE

As she continues.

BABE:

He can thank me for it! I handed

the gang a grand laugh. This is a

fitting climax to my sense of humor.

319. WIDER ANGLE

As Cedar protests.

CEDAR:

But Your Honor - this is

preposterous!

The Judge waves him down with a dismissing gesture of his

hand.

BABE:

Certainly I wrote those articles.

I was going to get a raise - and a

month's vacation! But I stopped

writing them when I found out what

he was all about! When I realized

how real he was.

CLOSE SHOT - LONGFELLOW

As Babe's voice continues:

BABE'S VOICE

He could never fit in with our

distorted viewpoint because he's

honest and sincere - and good. If

that man is crazy, Your Honor, the

rest of us belong in straight-

jackets.

321. MED. SHOT

Cedar jumps up.

CEDAR:

Your Honor, this is absurd. The

woman's obviously in love with

him.

BABE:

What's that got to do with it?

CEDAR:

(shouting)

Well, you are in love with him,

aren't you?

BABE:

(shouting back)

What's that got to do with it?

CEDAR:

(louder)

You are , aren't you?

BABE:

(just as loud)

Yes!!!

CLOSEUP - LONGFELLOW

To be intercut during her speech. At first he merely glances

up at her speculatively. Finally, he begins to show some

interest.

323. MED. SHOT FRONT OF COURTROOM

Cedar turns to the Judge.

CEDAR:

Your Honor, her testimony is of no

value. Why shouldn't she defend

him? It's a tribute to American

womanhood - the instinct to protect

the weak. I'm not saying that nobody

likes the boy. I cherish a fond

affection for him myself. But that

doesn't mean to say—In the middle

of his speech, Mac - the editor -

appears at his elbow.

MAC:

When the windbag here gets through,

Your Honor, I'd like to verify

what Miss Bennett said. I'm her

editor. When she quit her job, she

told me what a swell fellow this

man was. And anything Babe Bennett

says is okay with me.

JUDGE:

If you have anything to say, you

will take the stand.

MAC:

I've already said it, Your Honor.

I just thought I'd like to get my

two cents in.

As he starts to go, CAMERA PANNING WITH HIM, he passes

Longfellow. He nudges him.

MAC:

Don't be a sucker, pal. Stand up

and speak your piece.

He disappears to his seat.

COBB:

Your Honor, I've got a couple of

cents I'd like to put in—

JUDGE:

Sit down!

COBB:

I've been with this man ever since

he came to New York—

324. MED. SHOT

Shooting toward the Judge. He pounds his gavel, interrupting

Cobb.

JUDGE:

Sit down! There will be no further

interruptions.

Almost simultaneously with the Judge's speech, the farmer,

somewhere in the audience, rises to his feet.

FARMER:

How about us, Mr. Deeds!

325. MED. SHOT

Shooting toward audience. As the farmer finishes, a dozen

others are on their feet.

CROWD:

(ad-lib)

Yes! What about us, Mr. Deeds!

You're not going to leave us out

in the cold!

They're trying to frame you, Mr.

Deeds!

The turmoil is general, with bailiffs running to quiet

them. The Judge pounding his gavel, incensed.

BAILIFF'S VOICE

Order! Order!

JUDGE:

(when quiet reigns)

In the interest of Mr. Deeds, I

have tolerated a great deal of

informality. But if there is one

more outburst, I shall have the

courtroom cleared.

LONGFELLOW:

Your Honor—

JUDGE:

(surprised)

Yes?

LONGFELLOW:

I'd like to get in my two cents'

worth.

JUDGE:

Take the stand!

There is a general stir of excitement - and whispering.

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