Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Page #49

362. MEDIUM SHOT - FRONT OF COURTROOM

LONGFELLOW:

Now, my plan is very simple. I was

going to give each family ten acres -

a horse, a cow and some seed. And

if they work the farm for three

years, it's theirs. Now, if that's

crazy, maybe I ought to be sent to

an institution. But I don't think

it is. And what's more, Mr. Cedar

doesn't either.

(vehemently)

Just before the hearing started,

he offered to call the whole thing

off if I made a settlement with

him. So you see, he wouldn't think

I was crazy if he got paid off.

CLOSE SHOT - CEDAR

He jumps to his feet, highly incensed.

CEDAR:

It's a lie!

JUDGE:

Mr. Cedar!

CEDAR:

Mr. Deeds is drawing on his warped

imagination!

CLOSE SHOT - LONGFELLOW

As he listens to Cedar, watching him antagonistically.

CEDAR'S VOICE

I've never heard anything so

colossally stupid in my life!

Longfellow's eyes narrow resentfully.

365. WIDER ANGLE

To include Longfellow, Cedar and Judge.

CEDAR:

It's an insult to our intelligence

to sit here and listen to his

childish ravings.

Throughout his speech the Judge has been pounding his gavel.

Longfellow has his eyes levelled off on Cedar.

JUDGE:

(when quiet reigns)

You will please permit Mr. Deeds

to finish.

CEDAR:

But your honor—

JUDGE:

Mr. Cedar!

Cedar, grumblingly, remains standing. Judge asks Longfellow:

JUDGE:

Anything else, Mr. Deeds?

LONGFELLOW:

(eyes still on Cedar)

No.

(changes his mind;

turns to Judge)

Yes. There's just one more thing

I'd like to get off my chest before

I finish.

JUDGE:

Proceed.

LONGFELLOW:

Thank you, Your Honor.

He rises to his feet, takes one step forward, and clouts

Cedar flush on the jaw. As Cedar falls into the arms of an

associate, pandemonium breaks loose.

BAILIFF'S VOICE

Order! Order! Order in the court!

FULL SHOT OF COURTROOM

THE JUDGE POUNDS HIS GAVEL. THERE ARE CRIES OF APPROVAL

FROM THE SPECTATORS. IN THE MIDST OF THE COMMOTION—

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. COURTROOM

MED. PANNING SHOT

Showing spectators, waiting breathlessly for a decision.

All eyes are on the Judge.

CLOSE SHOT AT BENCH

The Judge holds a whispered conversation with his experts.

CLOSE SHOT - BABE

She is apprehensive.

CLOSE SHOT - LONGFELLOW

He glances furtively at Babe, off scene.

MED. SHOT OF FARMERS

Leaning forward. Their entire future hangs in the balance.

MED. CLOSE SHOT AT BENCH

The Judge comes out of the huddle; his face is very stern.

BAILIFF'S VOICE

Remain seated and come to order.

The Court is again in session.

JUDGE:

Before the Court announces its

decision, I want to warn all who

are here that the police have orders

to arrest anyone creating a

disturbance.

373. QUICK FLASHES

Of Babe - Cobb - Longfellow - Mac - the farmers.

374. INSERT:
CLOSE SHOT - JUDGE

The Judge's preface augurs ill.

CLOSEUP - CEDAR

His mouth curls up in a contented grimace.

FULL SHOT - COURTROOM

All eyes are upon the Judge, who clears his throat.

JUDGE:

(serious mien)

Mr. Deeds, there has been a great

deal of damaging testimony against

you. Your behavior, to say the

least, has been most strange.

An audible gasp is heard from audience. Judge goes on:

JUDGE:

But in the opinion of the Court,

you are not only sane, but you are

the sanest man that ever walked

into this courtroom. Case dismissed!

The shout that greets this is tumultuous. The Judge smiles

warmly, and clasps Longfellow's hand. Immediately,

Longfellow is surrounded by a crowd of people who come

running down the aisles.

377. CLOSE SHOT - CEDAR AND GROUP

They sit, stunned, disappointed. Mrs. Semple turns to her

husband and slaps him.

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