REVISIONS:
1st Blue 3/11/91
2nd Pink 3/28/91
3rd Yellow 4/08/91
4th Green 4/10/91
5th Goldenrod 4/12/91
6th Buff 4/12/91 (PM)
7th Salmon 4/18/91
8th Cherry 4/19/91
9th Tan 4/22/91
10th Grey 4/25/91
11th Ivory 4/26/91
12th Blue (2) 5/1/91
13th Pink (2) 5/8/91
14th Yellow (2) 5/10/91
15th Green (2) 5/15/91
NEWSIES
A Musical Feature Film
Written by
Bob Tzudiker and Noni White
Rewrites by
David Fallon and Tom Rickman
Original Song Score by
Alan Menken and Jack Feldman
Property of:
WALT DISNEY PICTURES
500 South Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 560-1000
Tom Rickman FIRST DRAFT
- REVISED
May 15, 1991
4/8/91 YELLOW *
NEWSIES
FADE IN:
1 INT. THE NEW YORK WORLD - PRESS ROOM - MORNING 1
The huge printing PRESSES POUND out the morning edition,
setting a rhythm that carries us through the scene as the
newspapers are printed, collated, folded, and spit out
onto a rapidly-growing stack.
Pressmen bundle the papers and toss them into carts. See
the masthead: "THE NEW YORK WORLD, JULY 10, 1899."
Two men push hard a cart loaded with papers to get it
rolling down an iron ramp -- then have to run to keep up
with it as it careens toward --
2 INT. THE WORLD - CIRCULATION ROOM - MORNING (SAME TIME) 2
Broad-necked workmen grab the carts and begin unloading
them -- stacks of paper grow as the POUNDING RHYTHM BUILDS
and we GO TO --
3 INT. NEWSIE LODGING HOUSE - SAME TIME 3
A man's feet move up some stairs (in rhythm) -- they
belong to KLOPPMAN, 70s, who enters --
4 INT. NEWSIE LODGING HOUSE - DORMITORY - SAME TIME 4
A large room filled with boys sleeping in hammocks,
including JACK KELLY, snapping his fingers in his sleep.
On the wall by his head, the commanding visage of Teddy
Roosevelt grins down from a rotogravure photo. Kloppman
wakes the boys, intoning his morning ritual:
KLOPPMAN
Ink's wet, the presses are rolling,
the papers are stacking -- rise
and shine, make a dime, no news
without the Newsies -- etc.
Jack jumps out of his bunk and shakes the BOY below.
JACK
Wake up, Crutchy -- The World is
waitin'.
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 2. *
4 CONTINUED: 4
CRUTCHY
(yawning)
Tell Mr. Pulitzer my yacht was
lost at sea.
Jack laughs and tosses him his crutch. The dorm is now
alive with waking boys -- yawning, stretching, pulling
on pants, hitching up suspenders as they sing --
SONG: "CARRYIN' THE BANNER" (Approx. 7 minutes, 15
seconds)
RACETRACK
THAT'S MY CIGAR...
SNIPESHOOTER
YOU'LL STEAL ANUDDER.
The boys begin to wake, KID BLINK
yawning, stretching, HEY BUMMERS, WE GOT WORK TO DO
complaining as they hit
the floor: pants pulled SPECS
on, suspenders hitched SINCE WHEN DID YOU BECOME
up, boots laced tight. MY MUDDER?
CRUTCHY
AH, STOP YOUR BAWLIN'
ALL
WHO AST YOU!
MUSH, cross-eyed and skinny with big ears and lisp, play-
fully pushes the NEWSIE so he falls on his hammock.
NEWSIE
Hey, whattaya?
5 INT. WASHROOM - MINUTES LATER 5
Younger boys pump water for older boys, then trade off.
Teeth brushing, sponge baths with cold water -- the older
boys shave. Jack smears his face with shaving cream as
Mush pulls up a box next to him.
MUSH
How'd you sleep, Jack?
JACK
On me back, Mush.
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 3.
5 CONTINUED: 5
MUSH
(thinks that's
hilarious)
You hear that, you hear what he
said? I ast how'd he sleep --
CRUTCHY
Jack, this look like I'm fakin'
it?
He hobbles towards Jack on one crutch.
JACK
Who says you're fakin' it?
CRUTCHY
The streets are fulla fakes these
days -- it's hurtin' the rep of
genuine articles like myself. I
gotta find me a new sellin' spot,
where they ain't used to seein'
me.
Jack smiles; Mush taps
Crutchy on the arm... sings.
MUSH
TRY BOTTLE ALLEY OR THE HARBOR
RACETRACK
TRY CENTRAL PARK IT'S GUARANTEED
JACK
TRY ANY BANKER, BUM OR BARBER
Jack rinses his face, takes SKITTERY *
special care adjusting his THEY ALMOST ALL KNOWS HOW TO
red bandana. READ
KID BLINK
I SMELL MONEY
CRUTCHY
YOU SMELL FOUL
MUSH
MET THIS GIRL LAST NIGHT *
CRUTCHY
MOVE YOUR ELBOW
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 4. *
5 CONTINUED: (2) 5
RACETRACK
PASS THE TOWEL
SKITTERY
FOR A BUCK I MIGHT
CHORUS
AIN'T IT A FINE LIFE
CARRYING THE BANNER
THROUGH IT ALL
6 INT. LODGING HOUSE - FRONT DESK - LATER 6
Jack and the Newsies coming CHORUS
down the stairs, greeting A MIGHTY FINE LIFE
Kloppman and moving out the CARRYING THE BANNER
door -- TOUGH 'N' TALL
EVERY MORNING
WE GO WHERE WE WISHES
WE'S FREE AS FISHES
SURE BEATS WASHING DISHES
WHAT A FINE LIFE
7 EXT. NEWSIE LODGING HOUSE - SAME TIME 7
Jack stands next to Crutchy CHORUS
and Mush as the boys file CARRYING THE BANNER
out. HOME-FREE ALL
JACK
(looks at the
morning)
What's your leg say, Crutch?
Feel like rain?
CRUTCHY
(feels his leg;
shakes his head)
No rain -- partly cloudy, clearin'
towards evenin'.
(as Jack laughs)
Who ya sellin' wit, Jack?
JACK
Ain't decided yet.
Jack spots a passing wagon and helps Crutchy on board --
he and Mush jump on for the ride and they all move off --
8 OMITTED 8
4/8/91 YELLOW 5.
9 EXT. DAVID'S APARTMENT - MORNING 9 *
DAVID JACOBS, 15, hurries down the street as his brother,
LES, 8, dawdles after him.
DAVID
Les, hurry up, willya? Why do I
gotta be saddled with you?
LES
Why do I gotta be saddled with
you?
DAVID
Come on -- They'll run out of
papers!
10 EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - MORNING 10
KID BLINK, 16, one eye covered by a patch, moves past a
fruit stand with three of his boys. He's about to swipe
a banana when the shadow of a cop on horseback looms over
him. Blink smiles up at the COP.
KID BLINK
'Mornin', Officer.
OFFICER (COP)
I'm keepin' my eye on you, Blink.
KID BLINK
And I'll keep my eye on you, too,
sir.
OFFICER
Get moving!
Blink and the boys race into an alley --
11 EXT. ANOTHER STREET - POLICY SHOP - SAME TIME 11 *
A boy's hand shoots some dice -- it belongs to RACETRACK *
HIGGINS, an Italian beanpole, who's gambling with THREE
OTHER BOYS.
RACETRACK
AIN'T THEY AS PRETTY AS A
PITCH'A
(CONTINUED)
)O( 4/25/91 GREY 6.
11 CONTINUED: 11
SNODDY
Race picks up his THAT MAKES IT TEN GAMES OUT
winnings and admires OF TEN
the pile of change in
his hand. RACETRACK
A PLEASURE DOING BUSINESS
WICH'YA
WHO WANTS TO TRY THEIR LUCK
AGAIN?
BOOTS
I'm wiped out -- my mother'll
murder me -- if I had one.
The wagon passes -- Jack, Mush and Crutchy get out.
RACETRACK
Jack -- whattaya know, whattaya
say. Got a hot tip on a nag in
the fourth at Sheepshead -- sure *
t'ing! *
JACK
Your last sure t'ing's still *
runnin', Racetrack. *
MUSH
(the world's best
audience)
Ya hear that? Race says sure t'ing *
and Jack says -- ya hear what he *
said, ya hear it, he said -- *
BOOTS/CRUTCHY *
(together) *
We heard it! *
12 EXT. ANOTHER STREET - SAME TIME 12
David still hurrying -- Les slows to hop on a hopscotch
game chalked on the sidewalk. David grabs his hand and
pulls him on --
12A EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - SAME TIME 12A
Kid Blink and his boys come out of an alley, joining Jack
and the others.
KID BLINK
Say, Cowboy -- I hear Medda's
breakin' in a new act at the
vaudeville tonight -- ya
interested?
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 7. *
12A CONTINUED: 12A
JACK
Stupid question.
CRUTCHY
Stupid question.
KID BLINK
That an echo? Or is the Crip
followin' ya again?
CRUTCHY
(swinging his
crutch)
Yeah? How'd you like it if a
crip cracked your head?
JACK
Better choke it, Blink -- 'fore
you need another patch.
KID BLINK
Hey, who ya sellin' wit, Jack?
CRUTCHY
Not wit you!
JACK
Nothing personal, Blink, but...
JACK
IT TAKES A SMILE AS SWEET
AS BUTTER
CRUTCHY
THE KIND THAT LADIES CAN'T
As Jack sings, the boys RESIST
listen carefully. They
all respect his opinion. RACETRACK
IT TAKES AN ORPHAN WITH A
STUTTER
JACK
WHO AIN'T AFRAID TO USE HIS...
KID BLINK
... FIST
13 EXT. BARREL ALLEY - SAME TIME 13
Jack and the others ALL BOYS
round a corner SUMMER STINKS AND WINTER'S
singing as they move WAITIN'
through an alley filled WELCOME TO NEW YAWK
with barrels.
4/8/91 YELLOW 8.
14 EXT. OFF NEWSIE SQUARE - SAME TIME 14
They enter the square ALL
singing. BOY, AIN'T NATURE
FASCINATIN'
WHEN YOUSE GOTTA WALK
(ROUNDS) *
They move towards a STILL IT'S A FINE LIFE
breakfast wagon run by CARRYIN' THE BANNER
three NUNS. WITH ME CHUMS
A MIGHTY FINE LIFE
BLOWIN' EVERY NICKEL
AS IT COMES
At the breakfast wagon, CRUTCHY
the boys line up for I'M NO SNOOZER
coffee -- Blink tries to SITTIN' MAKES ME ANTSY
butt in front of Jack, I LIKES LIVIN' CHANCEY
who spins him back to Race,
who spins him further back ALL
as Crutchy and Mush jump HARLEM TO DELANCEY
in and Blink ends up WHAT A FINE LIFE
last. BOOTS ARBUS, 15, CARRYING THE BANNER
black, joins the line. THROUGH THE SLUMS -- *
ONE NUN ladles coffee from NUNS
a large pot into the boys' BLESSED CHILDREN
cups; the OTHER NUN hands THOUGH YOU WANDER LOST
them each a roll. AND DEPRAVED
JESUS LOVES YOU
YOU SHALL BE SAVED
BOOTS
How 'bout savin' me another roll
-- okay, sister?
GUTTERSNIPE *
(shoves him)
Hey! Save some for the rest of
us!
The Nun smiles and gives them both one.
SEARCHING MOTHER
is singing as she looks for her lost son in the crowd
around the wagon. Jack and the others sing in counter-
point as she passes by.
(CONTINUED)
)J( 4/22/91 TAN 9.
14 CONTINUED: 14
MOTHER RACETRACK
PATRICK, JUST GIMME HALF A CUP
DARLING...
KID BLINK
SOMETHING TO WAKE ME UP
MUSH
SINCE YOU LEFT ME I GOTTA FIND AN ANGLE
CRUTCHY
I AM UNDONE I GOTTA SELL MORE PAPES
ALL
MOTHER PAPERS IS ALL I GOT
LOVES YOU WISH I COULD CATCH A BREEZE
SURE HOPE THE HEADLINE'S HOT
GOD ALL I CAN CATCH IS FLEAS
SAVE GOD HELP ME IF IT'S NOT
MY SON SOMEBODY HELP ME PL --
15 EXT. NEWSIE SQUARE - SAME TIME 15
PULL BACK to reveal ALL
entire square as Jack and IF I HATE THE HEADLINE
the gang leave the wagon, I'LL MAKE UP A HEADLINE
cross the square and head AND I'LL SAY ANYTHING I HAFTA
for the gates of The World 'CAUSE AT TWO FOR A PENNY
Building, keeping their IF I TAKE TOO MANY
eyes on the huge blackboards WEASEL JUST MAKES ME EAT 'EM
over the street. AFTA
Newsies of all ages and sizes appear from every conceiv-
able space and line up outside the gates, waiting for
them to open, anxiously praying for a good headline to be
chalked on the boards overhead...
16 EXT. NEWSPAPER ROW - SAME TIME 16
Two men climb ladders to the blackboards above the street
and start to write out headlines in chalk: "TROLLEY
STRIKE DRAGS ON FOR THIRD WEEK."
17 EXT. ALLEY/OFF NEWSIE SQUARE - SAME TIME 17 *
A GROUP of NEWSIES follow through an alley that leads *
them to the square, where they see the men chalking up *
headlines.
(CONTINUED)
)J( 4/22/91 TAN 10.
17 CONTINUED: 17
NEWSIE GROUP #1 NEWSIE GROUP #2
LOOK! THEY'RE PUTTING WHAT'S IT SAY?
UP THE HEADLINE
YOU CALL THAT A HEADLINE? THAT WON'T PLAY
I GET BETTER STORIES SO WHERE'S
FROM THE COPPER ON THE YOUR SPOT?
BEAT
18 EXT. NEWSIE SQUARE - SAME TIME 18 *
A GROUP OF NEWSIES cross the street and split up around *
the statue as they walk into the square -- *
NEWSIE GROUP #1 NEWSIE GROUP #2
I WAS GONNA START WITH GOD IT'S HOT!
TWENTY
BUT A DOZEN'LL BE PLENTY WILL YA TELL ME
HOW'S A GUY GONNA HOW'M I GONNA MAKE ENDS
MAKE ENDS MEET? MEET?
19 EXT. NEWSIE SQUARE AND WORLD BUILDING - SAME TIME 19
Jack and the gang join ALL
Newsies as they WE NEED A GOOD ASSASSINATION
converge outside The World
gates, singing and yelling WE NEED AN EARTHQUAKE OR A
at the men on the chalkboard. WAR
One newsie yells out: SNIPESHOOTER
HOW 'BOUT A CROOKED POLITICIAN?
Mush jumps all over him: ALL
HEY, STUPID, THAT AIN'T NEWS
NO MORE!
The Newsies sing at each other:
ALL
UPTOWN TO GRAND CENTRAL
STATION
DOWN TO CITY HALL
WE IMPROVES OUR CIRCULATION
WALKIN' 'TIL WE FALL
The Newsies line up outside the gate, singing:
JACK'S GROUP NEWSIE GROUP #1
SO WE'LL BE OUT THERE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE
HEADLINE?
(MORE) (MORE)
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 11. *
19 CONTINUED: 19
JACK'S GROUP (CONT'D) NEWSIE GROUP #1 (CONT'D)
THEY CALL THAT A HEADLINE?
CARRYING THE BANNER MAN THE IDIOT WHAT WROTE IT
TO MAN MUST BE WORKIN' FOR THE SUN
WE'LL BE OUT THERE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FIRE
SOAKIN' EVERY SUCKER
THAT WE CAN NEWSIE GROUP #2
HEARD IT KILLED OL' MAN MCGUIRE
NEWSIE GROUP #1
HEARD THE TOLL WAS EVEN HIGHER
NEWSIE GROUP #2
WHY DO I MISS ALL THE FUN?
NEWSIE GROUP #1
SEE THE HEADLINE HITCHED IT ON A TROLLEY
NEWSIE GROUP #2
NEWSIES ON A MISSION MEET'CHA FORTY-FOURTH AND
SECOND...
NEWSIE GROUP #1
KILL THE COMPETITION LITTLE ITALY'S A SECRET
NEWSIE GROUP #2
SELL THE NEXT EDITION BLEEKER'S FURTHER THAN I
RECKONED
NEWSIE GROUP #1
WHILE WE'RE OUT THERE BY THE COURTHOUSE
NEWSIE GROUP #2
NEAR THE STABLES
NEWSIE GROUP #1
ON THE CORNER
CARRYIN' THE BANNER IS SOMEONE BECKONED AND I...
THE...
ANGLE - NEAR GATES
Suddenly the music becomes a quiet pulse as the DELANCEY
BROTHERS -- OSCAR and MORRIS, two muscle-bound goons --
push with deliberate aggression past Jack and the boys.
Tension, silence, then --
RACETRACK
(sniffs the air)
Dear me. What is dat unpleasant
aroma? I fear de sewer has backed
up during de night.
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 12. *
19 CONTINUED: (2) 19
BOOTS
Too rotten to be the sewer. It
must be --
CRUTCHY
-- the Delancey brothers!
For revenge, Oscar jerks Snipeshooter out of line and
propels him to the rear.
OSCAR
Inna back, ya ugly little shrimp!
Oscar and Morris glare at the crowd, daring anyone to do
anything about it. Jack calmly walks Snipe back to his
place in line, then faces the Delanceys who try to stare
him down. The air is electric. Nearby --
RACETRACK
Five to one, I say Cowboy skunks
'em -- who's bettin', who's
bettin' --
The Newsies shake their heads. Nearby the staring
contest continues until --
JACK
You shouldn't be callin' people
ugly little shrimps. Oscar. Unless
you're referrin; to the family
resemblance in your brother here.
The brothers glower, look at each other, then back at
Jack, who grins at them.
JACK
That's right. It's an insult.
And so's this --
Jack deftly reaches out both hands and flips the derbys
off both their heads. The brothers scramble for them
and the chase is on.
19A EXT. NEWSIE SQUARE - DAY (SAME TIME) 19A
DANCE BREAK... The Delanceys chase Jack throughout the
square, entertaining the Newsies... a morning tradition.
The Newsies sing in counterpoint, underscoring the chase.
JACK'S GROUP NEWSIE GROUP
IT'S A FINE LIFE LOOK! THEY'RE PUTTING UP
THE HEADLINE
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 13.
19A CONTINUED: 19A
CARRYIN' THE BANNER YOU CALL THAT A HEADLINE?
THROUGH IT ALL *
A MIGHTY FINE LIFE I GET BETTER STORIES FROM
THE COPPER ON THE BEAT
CARRYIN' THE BANNER I WAS GONNA START WITH TWENTY
TOUGH 'N' TALL
BUT A DOZEN'LL BE PLENTY
WILL YOU TELL ME HOW'M I
EVER GONNA MAKE ENDS MEET?
NEWSIE GROUP #1 *
SEE THE HEADLINE? HITCHED IT ON A TROLLEY.
NEWSIE GROUP #2 *
NEWSIES ON A MISSION MEET'CHA FORTY-FOURTH
AND SECOND...
NEWSIE GROUP #1 *
KILL THE COMPETITION! LITTLE ITALY'S A SECRET.
NEWSIE GROUP #2 *
SELL THE NEXT EDITION BLEEKER'S FURTHER THAN I
RECKONED
NEWSIE GROUP #1 *
WHILE WE'RE OUT THERE BY THE COURTHOUSE...
NEWSIE GROUP #2 *
CARRYIN' THE BANNER IS NEAR THE STABLES...
THE...
NEWSIE GROUP #1 *
ON THE CORNER...
SOMEONE BECKONED AND I...
ANGLE - HORACE GREELY STATUE - DAVID AND LES
are just arriving, hurrying towards the gates on a
collision course with -- Jack who comes barrelling around
the statue and runs smack into David. For a moment,
everything stops -- Jack catches his breath, David looks
at him in outrage.
DAVID
Watch it, willya? What do you
think you're doing!
JACK
(breathing hard)
Runnin'.
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 14.
19A CONTINUED: (2) 19A
He speeds on -- just as the Delanceys come thundering
around the statue, bowling David to the pavement. Les
looks at Jack as if he's watching Robin Hood and Br'er
Rabbit rolled into one.
ANGLE - NEAR GATES - JACK
keeps running, keeping just out of the Delanceys' grasp
-- but then he trips and they've got him. Morris lifts
him high into the air to smash him onto the cobblestones.
The crowd stops breathing -- but then --
19B EXT. WORLD BUILDING GATE - DAY 19B
Jack grabs the bars and like a monkey jerks free of the
bully's grasp. The kids howl, loving the show as Jack
avoids the brothers moving from bar to bar like Tarzan.
*
JACK'S GROUP NEWSIE GROUP *
IT'S A FINE LIFE GO GET HIM, COWBOY!
CARRYIN' THE BANNER YOU GOT HIM NOW, BOY! *
IT'S A FINE LIFE GO GET HIM, COWBOY! *
CARRYIN' THE BANNER YOU GOT HIM NOW, BOY!
NEWSIE GROUP *
GO! *
The NUMBER ENDS (APPROXIMATE TIME: 7:15) and the moment
is broken when a BELL inside the World Building RINGS
OUT. *
MUSH *
Comin' down de chute!
The Delancey brothers, reluctantly, give up the chase,
and back towards the entrance to the World gates.
MORRIS
We ain't finished with you
yet, Kelly.
The gatekeeper unlocks and swings open the huge gates. *
Jack hangs on.
BOOTS
Ride 'em, cowboy!
Newsies yell out Jack's name as he rides the gates 'til
the last possible moment, then leaps into the back of a
wagon. Jack takes a bow as the boys cheer, moving into
line.
Les watches Jack, his new hero, as David pulls him along.
4/8/91 YELLOW 15.
20 EXT. CIRCULATION OFFICE - LOADING DOCK - SAME TIME 20
Newsies jostle for position at the window -- David
shoving and jostling like the rest. He manages to elbow
in near the front. Les, hanging back, has his eyes on --
-- Jack sauntering coolly to his natural place at the
head of the line, flanked by Boots and Mush. He leans
on the counter and grins at the rodent-faced man inside
the window: WEASEL, 40.
JACK
Ya miss me, Weasel?
WEASEL
You know my name -- it's Weisel.
Mister Weisel to you. How many?
JACK
Don't rush me -- I'm perusin' *
the mercandice... Mr. Weasel. *
The Newsies love it as Jack deliberately takes a paper,
turns and scans. Seeing Les staring at him, Jack winks.
Les smiles back, fascinated. Jack turns back to Weasel
with a fifty-cent piece.
JACK
The usual.
Weasel grabs for the coin -- Jack flips it out of his *
grasp and onto the counter. The Newsies whoop.
WEASEL
Hundred for the wiseguy -- next! *
Oscar slams the papers down and Jack gives them a quick *
flip-count -- eyes closed -- as he moves away. Behind *
him, Race and the others get their papers. *
*
JACK
scans the newspaper for a catchy headline; Race, Crutchy,
the others wander up, doing the same. A commotion O.S.
and they look up to see --
-- at the window, Weasel is in David's face. *
WEASEL
Ya got ya papes -- move outta here. *
DAVID
I paid for twenty -- you only gave *
me nineteen!
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 16.
20 CONTINUED: 20
WEASEL
(loving it)
You callin' me a liar, kid...?
David's sweating, aware that all eyes are on him. *
DAVID
I want that other paper.
The Delanceys start for David when suddenly Jack steps *
up, slams his hand on David's papers, closes his eyes *
and does a flip-count. The expert. *
JACK
Nineteen, Weasel. An honest
mistake -- on account of Oscar *
can't count to twenty with his *
shoes on. *
Weasel glowers -- but wants to get back to business. He
backhands Morris who looks surprised.
WEASEL
Next!
JACK
Hold it. Race -- spot me two-bits.
Race flips him a coin. Jack slaps it on the counter.
JACK
Another fifty for my friend here.
DAVID
I don't want another fifty -- !
JACK
(moving away)
Sure you do. Every newsie wants
more papes.
David, puzzled, grabs the papers and he and Les run
after Jack --
21 EXT. NEWSIE SQUARE - JUST OUTSIDE GATES 21
Jack moves on as David and Les hurry after him. The gang
trails along, watching, amused.
DAVID
These papers are yours, I don't *
take charity from nobody! I don't *
even know who you are --
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 17.
21 CONTINUED: 21
LES
Cowboy! They call him Cowboy!
Jack turns, grins at Les.
JACK
That and a lotta other things --
including Jack Kelly, which is
what my mudder called me. What
do they call you, kid?
LES
(thrilled)
Les. This is David, he's my
brother. He's older.
JACK
(barely glances
at David)
No kiddin'. How old are you,
Les?
LES
Near ten.
JACK
No good. Anybody asks, you're
seven.
(as Les is appalled)
Younger sells more papes, Les --
and if we're gonna be partners --
DAVID
Hold it! Who said anything about
partners -- ?
JACK
You owe me two bits, right? Okay,
so I consider it an investment.
We sell together, split 70-30, plus
you get the benefit of observin'
me -- no charge.
CRUTCHY
(to David)
You're gettin' the chance of a
lifetime here -- you learn from
Jack, you learn from the best.
DAVID
If he's the best, then why does
he need us?
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 18.
21 CONTINUED: (2) 21
JACK
I don't need you, pal. But I ain't *
got a cute little brother to front *
for me. And Les here... *
(smiles down at Les
who smiles back up
angelically)
... With this kid's puss and my
God-given talent, we can easy
move a thousand papers a week.
Whattaya say? Deal?
David is incredulous, but Les is pleading. David sighs.
DAVID
Gotta split fifty-fifty.
JACK
Sixty-forty. Or I forget the whole
t'ing.
David reluctantly offers his hand. Jack spits in his
palm and shakes. Les whoops and they move off, Jack
already being the mentor --
JACK
The name of the game is volume, Dave.
You only took twenty papes -- why?
DAVID
Bad headline...?
JACK
First t'ing you gotta learn --
headlines don't sell papes, newsies
sell papes. We're what holds this
town together -- without newsies,
nobody knows nuttin'!
They move away from Newsie Square as above them, the
GOLDEN DOME OF THE WORLD BUILDING glistens in the morning
sun.
22 INT. WORLD BUILDING - PULITZER'S OFFICE - DAY 22
A very large magnifying glass in in the hands of someone
O.S. -- it moves across the front page of today's World
as we hear the headline being read by --
PULITZER (O.S.)
(reading sarcastically)
'Trolley Strike Drags On for
Third Week' -- this so-called
headline drags on for infinity!
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 19. *
22 CONTINUED: 22
A hand smashes the paper onto an ornate desk beyond which
cower three harried employees of The World, including
SEITZ, 45, the hard-bitten business manager. BUNSEN, the
editor, and JONATHAN, an accountant.
SEITZ
The news is slow, Chief, the
Trolley Strike's all we got --
PULITZER (O.S.)
It's all Mr. William Randolph
Hearst has, too -- see how he
covers the strike!
The magnifying glass swings to a copy of the New York
Journal with a large black headline: "NUDE CORPSE ON
RAILS -- NOT CONNECTED TO TROLLEY STRIKE." The CAMERA
COMES AROUND to reveal JOSEPH PULITZER, himself, a
thundering presence in smoked-glasses and a beard,
wielding the magnifying glass like a gavel of judgment.
PULITZER
Hearst is killing us in the
circulation war -- and you give
me headlines that would put a
whirling dervish to sleep!
BUNSEN
(nervous editor)
We'll get a new headline writer,
Mr. Pulitzer.
PULITZER
Steal Hearst's man -- offer him
double what Hearst pays.
SEITZ
That's how he stole him from us.
(sighs)
Chief, you spend as much as you
make fighting Hearst. That's why
the paper's losing money --
PULITZER
I created the World to be the best
and I'll spend whatever it takes
to --
(stops)
What is that deafening noise?
It's the Newsies far below, barely audible to the others.
SEITZ
Just the Newsies, Chief, I'll --
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 20.
22 CONTINUED: (2) 22
PULITZER
Never mind -- where was I? *
SEITZ
Creating the World, Chief. *
PULITZER
This paper's losing money because
there's too much fat, inefficiency
-- not because I'm fighting to *
make us number one! Well, we're
going to cut costs, maximize
profits -- and still beat the
socks off Hearst --
(beat)
I want to know how by tonight.
23 EXT. LOWER EAST SIDE STREET - DAY 23
UNDERSCORED: Jack leads David and Les through an open-
air market crowded with carts and people -- all the
sights and sounds and smells of the melting pot.
JACK
Some newsies got corners, see --
same spot, same customers. Me, *
I like to keep moving, enjoy the
life of the big city. I spot an
opportunity, I sell a pape.
That's the advantage of being an
independent businessman, instead *
of workin' for wages. *
David sees TWO LOVERS kissing on the steps of a building
-- he tries his luck.
DAVID
Paper, mister?
Without breaking the kiss, the man kicks out at David
who jumps away. Shaking his head, Jack whispers
something to Les, who rushes over to the Lovers, still
kissing.
LES
(earsplitting shout)
Extry -- 'Runaway Carriage Crushes
Cop!'
The Lovers spring apart -- the man looks like he's going
to throttle Les, but --
(CONTINUED)
4/12/91 (PM) BUFF 21. *
23 CONTINUED: 23
WOMAN (LOVER)
(cooing)
Oh, honey... look at that sweet
little lamb...
David, watching with Jack, can't believe this. Les comes
running back waving a coin --
LES
He gimme a dime! He said I should
go far away and keep the change!
Jack takes the dime; Les's face falls. He flips it back.
JACK
You're a natural, kid. You remind
me of me -- and I can't say greater
than that.
24 OMITTED 24
25 EXT. SIDEWALK - BARE-KNUCKLED BOXERS - DAY 25
duke it out as sidewalk spectators watch. The boys work
the crowd, each in his own style --
DAVID
(the rookie)
Extra, 'Trolley strike drags on!'
JACK
(the master)
Nextry, nextry -- 'Ellis Island in
flames -- big con-fla-gration!'
DAVID
What -- ? Where's that story -- ?
JACK
(making sales)
Page nine -- thank you, sir.
Nextry, 'Thousands flee in panic -- '
DAVID
(on page nine)
'Trash fire near immigration
building frightens seagulls -- ?'
JACK
'Terrified flight from flaming
inferno!' Thank you, much obliged --
(CONTINUED)
)J( 4/22/91 TAN 22. *
25 CONTINUED: (A1) 25
David is incredulous -- then sees Les by the boxers
moving up to a spectator, assuming a pathetic look.
LES
Buy me last pape, mista...?
He coughs, Camille-like. Makes the sale. Down the
sidewalk Jack nods approvingly; David is disgusted.
DAVID
Our father taught us not to lie.
JACK
Mine taught me not to starve.
So we both got an education.
DAVID
You just make things up -- like
those headlines.
JACK
I don't do nothin' the guys who
write this stuff don't do. It
ain't lyin' -- it's just improvin'
the truth a little.
Les comes running back, wiping his mouth, with a
quarter.
LES
The guy gave me a quarter! Quick,
gimme some more last papers!
DAVID
(grabs him)
Hold it -- I smell beer!
LES
The guy bet me I wouldn't drink
some -- that's how I made the
quarter!
JACK
Hey, no drinkin' on the job --
it's bad for business. What if
somebody called a cop or somethin'?
Les' eyes go wide as he sees -- behind Jack -- a burly
Irish cop (MacSWAIN) hurrying up with a cadaverous vul-
ture of a man, SNYDER, who's pointing straight at them --
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 23. *
25 CONTINUED: 25
SYNDER
There he is, officer -- do your
duty!
Jack spins, sees the man --
JACK
Beat it -- the bulls!
He races off. David, confused, races after him, Les
looks very worried as he runs with David --
LES
Just for one little sip of beer -- ?
Snyder and MacSwain in pursuit as Jack leads them into --
26 EXT. BLINDMAN'S ALLEY - CONTINUOUS ACTION 26
The boys pound down the alley, Snyder and MacSwain round
the corner behind them, Snyder shouting --
SNYDER
You, Sullivan! Stop, I say! You
hear me, Sullivan?
DAVID
Who's Sullivan -- ?
JACK
Mistaken identity -- all micks
look alike to these birds!
LES
(still worried)
One sip! I didn't even swallow
it!
Jack leads them into the doorway of --
A26A INT. TENEMENT BUILDING - CONTINUOUS ACTION A26A
They clatter up flights of stairs -- Snyder and MacSwain
clattering up below them, shouting --
SNYDER
You young miscreant! Wait'll
I get you back to the Refuge!
DAVID
The Refuge -- ?
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 24. *
A26A CONTINUED: A26A
JACK
Sleeper!
He leaps over a Sleeping Man on the stairwell; so do
David and Les as they run out onto --
B26A EXT. TENEMENT ROOFS - CONTINUOUS ACTION B26A
More sleepers; people living in makeshift shelters.
Jack runs to a plank stretched between two buildings.
DAVID
I'm not crossing that! Anyway,
I don't think they're chasing us --
Jack scoops up Les -- who's loving it -- and carries
him across the plank.
JACK
No? What're they doin' then?
DAVID
I think they're chasing you!
Snyder and MacSwain huff out onto the roof. David,
still uncertain, looks back at them -- the runs across
the plank. Jack calmly topples the plank to the street
as the pursuers reach it, gasping for breath -- he gives
Snyder a little salute, then moves on to a rooftop exit --
26A EXT. ANOTHER STREET (NEAR THEATER) - SECONDS LATER 26A
The boys run out of a doorway onto the street; Jack
stops, looks around carefully, as if expecting Snyder to
come bounding out of the sky. David is bursting with
suspicion -- starts to say something, but Jack shushes
him, leads them quickly, furtively into --
26B EXT. ALLEY BEHIND THEATER (IRVING HALL) - DAY 26B
Jack runs to a side door and opens it, waving David and
Les inside. He follows, giving a quick look around
before he closes the door.
26C INT. THEATER - BACKSTAGE 26C
MUSIC lilting somewhere -- for a moment we don't know
we're in a theater, as the boys huddle against a wall,
catching their breath.
(CONTINUED)
)R( 5/8/91 - PINK (2) 25.
26C CONTINUED: 26C
DAVID
I want some answers -- Why was he
chasing you? What's the Refuge?
JACK
The Refuge is this jail for kids.
That guy, Snyder, he's the warden.
LES
You were in jail...? Why?
JACK
I was starvin'. I stole some food.
DAVID
(suspicious)
Right, food. He called you
'Sullivan' --
JACK
(bridling)
Yeah, food. My name's Kelly, Jack
Kelly, like I told you. Think I'm
lyin'?
DAVID
You have a way of 'improving the
truth.' Why was he chasing you?
JACK
Because I escaped.
LES
(awestruck)
Oh, boy. How?
JACK
This big shot gimme a ride out in
his carriage.
DAVID
(sarcastic)
Bet it was the mayor, right?
JACK
Nah. Teddy Roosevelt. Ever heard
of him?
David starts to reply when he sees something behind Jack *
that makes his mouth drop open. At the top of a short *
flight of stairs, a vision is frowning down at them, *
speaking in a theatrical Swedish accent. *
(CONTINUED)
)R( 5/8/91 - PINK (2) 26. *
26C CONTINUED: (2) 26C
MEDDA
(accent)
What is the meaning of this? No
one is allowed backstage -- you
will leave at once! Out, out,
out, out --
She descends the stairs grandly, shooing them away like
pigeons. Jack turns to her and grins.
JACK
You wouldn't kick me out without
a kiss goodbye, wouldya, Medda?
Surprised, she gasps in delight -- throwing her arms
around Jack. David can't believe it. Medda's accent
quickly disappears.
MEDDA
Kelly, where've you been, kid?
I miss you up in the balcony --
you know I sing all my songs to
you.
JACK
This is David and Les. And this
is the greatest star of the
vaudeville stage today, Miss
Medda Larkson, the Swedish
Meadowlark.
MEDDA
(accent)
Welcome!
JACK
Medda also owns the joint.
MEDDA
(no accent; to David)
Don't ever own a theater, kid.
Don't even think about it.
DAVID
(awed)
I won't. I promise.
MEDDA
(seeing Les)
What have we here -- ? Aren't you
the cutest little fella that ever
was -- yes, you are --
(CONTINUED)
)R( 5/8/91 - PINK (2) 26A.
26C CONTINUED: (A3) 26C
LES
(into his act)
Buy my last pape, lady?
A Camille-cough. Medda looks at him critically.
MEDDA
This kid is good. Speaking as one
professional to another, I'd say
you got a future.
JACK
Okay if we hang here awhile, Medda?
'Til a little problem outside goes
away?
MEDDA
As long as you like -- now the
lark must warble. Hey, you --
(flags down a passing
candy butcher)
-- give my guests whatever they
want.
(CONTINUED)
)P( 5/1/91 BLUE (2) 27. *
26C CONTINUED: (3) 26C
She winks at the dazzled boys and hits the stage,
singing:
MEDDA
(singing)
'MY LOVEY-DOVEY BABY'... etc.
David and Jack can't take their eyes off her; Les can't
take his eyes off the candy butcher's tray...
27 OMITTED 27
thru thru
33 33
34 EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET - NIGHT 34
Les is looking green from all the candy as he follows
Jack and David, balancing on trolley tracks. In the
distance, the FAINT sound of SHOUTING/SINGING.
DAVID
It's late, my folks'll be worried
... What about yours?
JACK
They're out west lookin' for a
place for us to live --
(takes something
from his pocket)
-- like this.
It's the cover of a dime novel with a blue-perfect sky
over a perfect yellow desert; a large red sun shines
down on a perfect adobe.
JACK
That's Sante Fe -- out in New
Mexico? Soon's Pop finds us the
right ranch, they're sendin' for
me.
LES
(sleepily)
Then you'll be a real cowboy...
Jack nods quietly. David looks at Jack, not believing a
word of what he's saying; seeing how much he wants it to
be true... The SINGING grows LOUDER, the haunting
refrain of "Seize The Day," as the boys continue --
4/8/91 YELLOW 28. *
35 EXT. ANOTHER STREET (AROUND CORNER) - NIGHT 35
Down the street, a trolley is in flames, surrounded by a
mob of shouting men. David looks at it nervously.
DAVID
Why don't we divvy up at my
place...? You can meet my folks...
The mob is chasing two men towards them, screaming --
MOB
Scabs! Soak the scabs! Etc.
A conductor with a bloody head and terrified face runs
past them -- but conductor two is caught, tackled,
beaten -- David pulls Les away --
DAVID
Jack -- let's get outta here -- !
The boys move away, Jack looking back at the beating.
JACK
Maybe tomorrow we get a decent
headline.
36 OMITTED 36
37 INT. DAVID'S APARTMENT - NIGHT 37
The boys enter, Jack carrying the sleeping Les. ESTHER,
38, is setting the table.
ESTHER
(seeing Les)
My God...! What happened?
DAVID
He's just sleeping, Momma --
She quickly takes him from Jack. MAYER, 43, is relieved
but angry to see his sons -- his right arm is bandaged.
MAYER
We've been waiting dinner --
where've you been?
David says nothing; crosses to the table and dumps the
day's receipts on it, looks up at his father proudly.
MAYER
You made all this selling papers...?
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 29. *
37 CONTINUED: 37
DAVID
Half of it's Jack's -- he's our
selling partner. And our friend.
This is my parents.
Jack nods awkwardly, starts to say something when SARAH,
16, enters from another room with an armload of lace
piecework. She's beautiful -- Jack becomes instantly
tongue-tied.
DAVID
That's Sarah. My sister.
She smiles -- Jack still can't find his tongue. Mayer,
seeing his awkwardness, steps in --
MAYER
Esther -- maybe David's partner
would like to stay for dinner.
Add some more water to the soup.
ESTHER
(mortified)
Mayer...!
Mayer laughs, joined by Sarah and David -- and finally
Esther herself as she waters the soup. Jack stands
drinking in the family's warmth.
38 INT. APARTMENT - LATER 38
Les mumbles in his sleep on a board stretched between
two chairs. Jack, eating heartily, his eloquence
regained, holds forth at the dinner table.
JACK
What I saw today, I gotta say your
boys are born Newsies, Mr. Jacobs.
With my experience and their hard
work -- just a little more, thanks --
(third bowl of soup)
-- I figure we can peddle a
thousand a week and not break a
sweat.
MAYER
That many...?
JACK
More when the headline's good.
SARAH
What makes a headline good?
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 30. *
38 CONTINUED: 38
JACK
Catchy words -- like, uh, 'corpse'
or 'maniac,' or, let's see, 'love
nest' or 'nude' --
Sarah and David giggle; Esther looks shocked.
JACK
(embarrassed)
'Scuse the language there, uh,
maybe I'm talkin' too much...
MAYER
(laughing)
You talk fine, Jack -- Sarah, get
that cake your mother's been
hiding in the cabinet!
ESTHER
That's for your birthday tomorrow!
MAYER
I've had enough birthdays! This
is a celebration!
David leaps up to fetch silver; Sarah gets a luscious
chocolate cake from a cabinet --
DAVID
It's only the beginning -- the
longer I work, the more I'll make --
MAYER
You work only until I go back to
the factory! Then you go back to
school, like you promised.
All activity stops, an awkward silence. Mayer looks at
his bandaged hand.
MAYER
It will heal... they'll give me
back my job... I'll make them...
Jack sees how worried the family is. No one seems able
to speak, then --
LES
(in his sleep)
'Gimme all ya got, baby...'
The family is shocked -- except for Jack and David, who
sputter into laughter. The celebration is restored --
Jack digs into an enormous slab of cake, looking around
at the smiling faces, for the moment feeling he
belongs...
)P( 5/1/91 BLUE (2) 31.
39 EXT. OUTSIDE APARTMENT - FIRE ESCAPE - LATER 39
Jack and David talk; the family visible inside.
JACK
How'd your pop get hurt?
DAVID
The factory. An accident.
(bitterly)
He's no good to them anymore so
they just fired him. He's got no
union to protect him.
Inside, Esther is singing a lullaby to Les; Mayer calls
out to David.
MAYER
David? Time to come in now.
Jack looks in at the warm family tableau: the lullaby,
Sarah reading to Mayer. David, going in, sees his
friend's expression.
DAVID
Why don't you stay here tonight...?
JACK
I got my own place... but thanks. *
Your family's real nice, Dave. *
(beat) *
Like mine. *
David nods, climbs in the window. *
DAVID
See you tomorrow. Carryin' the
banner.
JACK
(smiles)
Carryin' the banner.
Jack watches as David rejoins the family inside, the
warmth, the casual intimacy. He moves off, singing:
SONG: "SANTE FE": 3:06
JACK
SO THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL A
FAMILY
MOTHER, DAUGHTER; FATHER, SON
GUESS THAT EVERYTHING YOU HEARD
ABOUT IS TRUE
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 32.
39 CONTINUED: 39
JACK (CONT'D)
SO YOU AIN'T GOT ANY FAMILY
WELL WHO SAID YOU NEEDED ONE
AIN'T YOU GLAD NOBODY'S WAITING
Jack starts down UP FOR YOU?
the fire escape to
the alley below. WHEN I DREAM
ON MY OWN
I'M ALONE, BUT I AIN'T LONELY
FOR A DREAMER
NIGHT'S THE ONLY TIME OF DAY
WHEN THE CITY'S FINALLY
SLEEPIN'
ALL MY THOUGHTS BEGIN TO STRAY
AND I'M ON THE TRAIN
THAT'S BOUND FOR SANTA FE...
40 EXT. DAVID'S BUILDING - ALLEY - NIGHT 40
JACK
AND I'M FREE
LIKE THE WIND
Still singing, LIKE I'M GONNA LIVE FOREVER
Jack drops off the fire IT'S A FEELING TIME
escape into the alley; CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY
moves to the sidewalk ALL I NEED'S A FEW MORE DOLLARS
and walks off. AND I'M OUTTA HERE TO STAY
DREAMS COME TRUE
YES, THEY DO
IN SANTA FE
41 EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS - SAME TIME 41
Jack walks the streets, JACK
past people cooling WHERE DOES IT SAY
in the night air, YOU GOTTA LIVE AND DIE HERE?
outside their hot WHERE DOES IT SAY
tenements. A GUY CAN'T CATCH A BREAK?
WHY SHOULD YOU ONLY TAKE
WHAT YOU'RE GIVEN?
WHY SHOULD YOU SPEND
YOUR WHOLE LIFE LIVIN'
TRAPPED WHERE THERE AIN'T NO
FUT'CHA
EVEN AT 17
BREAKIN' YOUR BACK
FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S SAKE
IF THE LIFE DOESN'T SEEM TO
SUIT YA
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
4/19/91 CHERRY 33.
41 CONTINUED: 41
JACK (CONT'D)
HOW 'BOUT A CHANGE OF SCENE
FAR FROM THE LOUSY HEADLINES
AND THE DEADLINES IN BETWEEN
SANTA FE
ARE YOU THERE
DO YOU SWEAR YOU WON'T FORGET
ME?
IF I FOUND YOU
WOULD YOU LET ME COME AND STAY?
I AIN'T GETTING ANY YOUNGER
AND BEFORE MY DYING DAY
I WANT SPACE
NOT JUST AIR
LET 'EM LAUGH IN MY FACE I
DON'T CARE
SAVE A PLACE
I'LL BE THERE...
SO THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL A
Jack sees two cops FAMILY
coming and instinc- AIN'T YA GLAD YOU AIN'T THAT
tively hides in the WAY?
shadows, finishing AIN'T YA GLAD YOU GOT A DREAM
the song in the dark. CALLED SANTA FE...?
42 EXT. NEWSIES LODGING HOUSE - SAME NIGHT 42
Jack approaches the entrance as Racetrack comes down the
sidewalk.
JACK
How'd it go at the track, Race?
RACETRACK
That hot tip I told you about?
Nobody told the horse.
They smile and continue into --
43 INT. LODGING HOUSE - LOBBY - CONTINUOUS ACTION 43
Jack and Race pay Kloppman for the night.
KLOPPMAN
You missed your supper, boys.
RACETRACK
Then we didn't miss much, did we? *
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 34. *
43 CONTINUED: 43
JACK
I ate, Mr. Kloppman, I...
(sounds strange to
say it)
... I was dinin' with a family.
Race and Kloppman exchange looks as Jack moves on --
44 OMITTED 44
44A INT. LODGING HOUSE - WASHROOM - CONTINUOUS ACTION 44A
Jack enters the empty room and walks past a row of wash
basins to the last one. He reaches beneath it, dislodges
a brick and removes a small box. In the box is a tin
Prince Albert Tobacco can -- Jack puts today's take
inside it. Then he removes --
-- a photograph: faded, dog-eared. Against a Coney
Island western backdrop, fake cactus, fake fence, a
smiling man and woman beam down at a small boy in a
cowboy hat -- it's Jack, about Les's age, with his
parents. Jack sits hunched under the basin, alone,
staring at it...
44B OMITTED 44B
45 INT. PULITZER'S OFFICE - NIGHT 45
Pulitzer in his shirt-sleeves glowers impatiently as a
prim 1899-vintage numbers cruncher -- JONATHAN -- deliv-
ers the bottom line with charts, graphs, etc. Seitz
lounges, yawning.
JONATHAN
Actual income, as well as
projected income, against actual
operating costs, as well as
projected operating costs, produce
a reduced marginality of profit
which in turn --
PULITZER
Seitz! What in blazes is he talking
about?
SEITZ
Says you need to make more money,
Chief.
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 35. *
45 CONTINUED: 45
PULITZER
Of course I need to make more money!
But how do I make more money, you
bloodless blot?
JONATHAN
(unflappable)
I have several proposals. The
first is to increase the paper's
price --
PULITZER
Then Hearst undersells me and I'm
in the poorhouse. Brilliant.
JONATHAN
Not the customer price -- the
price to the distribution
apparatus.
Exasperated, Pulitzer looks to Seitz for a translation.
SEITZ
You mean the Newsies...? Charge
the Newsies more for their papers?
Bad idea, Chief.
JONATHAN
Very well. My next proposal --
salary cuts, particularly those
at the very top --
PULITZER
Wait. What do the Newsies pay
now -- fifty cents per hundred
papers? If you raised it to
sixty cents --
JONATHAN
A mere tenth of a cent per paper --
PULITZER
-- then that, multiplied by forty
thousand papers a day, seven days
a week -- well, it would pay some
of the bills around here.
SEITZ
Chief, if you do this, every
Newsie we got will head straight
for Hearst.
(CONTINUED)
)P( 5/1/91 BLUE (2) 36.
45 CONTINUED: (2) 45
PULITZER
Not necessarily. As newspapermen,
Hearst and I would cut each other's
throats to get the best of the
other. But as businessmen -- and
gentlemen -- we often agree on
ways to keep down certain operating
costs. If I know Willie Hearst,
he's going to wish he thought of
this himself.
SEITZ
What about the other papers -- ?
PULITZER
If we do it, they'll all do it.
It's only a tenth of a cent --
nobody gets hurt! It's good for
the Newsies -- an incentive, make
'em work harder, sell more papers!
Now get me Hearst on that
contraption.
Seitz sighs and reaches for the phone.
46 EXT. NEWSIE SQUARE - MORNING 46
Jack bounces into the square, still basking in the glow
of last night. He looks up to the chalkboard and sees
the headline: "BLOODY BEATINGS IN TROLLEY STRIKE!"
He grins, gives the high-sign -- a very salable headline.
He moves on to --
46A EXT. LOADING DOCK/CIRCULATION WINDOW - MORNING 46A
Something's wrong -- angry shouts, arms waving. Puzzled,
Jack shoves through the angry Newsies to --
KID BLINK
They jacked up the price! Ten
cents a hunnerd -- I can eat two *
days on ten cents! *
SKITTERY *
This'll bust me -- I'm barely *
makin' a livin' now -- *
BOOTSY *
I'll be back sleepin' on *
the streets -- *
(CONTINUED)
)P( 5/1/91 BLUE (2) 37. *
46A CONTINUED: 46A
MUSH
It don't make no sense!
All the money Pulitzer
makes, why would he gouge us?
Jack sees Weasel behind his window, grinning.
JACK
Awright, pipe down! Don't you
see it's a gag? Just Weasel bein'
a weasel. Joke's over, Wease.
Gimme a hunnerd.
He plops fifty cents on the counter. Weasel's grin
gets weaselier as he slides it back.
WEASEL
Hunnerd'll cost ya sixty, Cowboy.
JACK
I ain't payin' no sixty --
WEASEL
Then move outta the way --
JACK
You bet -- I move right over to
the Journal.
RACETRACK
It's the same at the Journal -- we
checked -- it's the same everywhere!
JACK
Why the jack-up, Weasel?
WEASEL
Why not? It's a nice day. Why
don't you ast Mr. Pulitzer?
He whacks the bell with his cudgel; the Delanceys
stir threateningly.
WEASEL
If you ain't buyin' papes, clear
out! World employees only on
this sida the gates.
JACK
It stinks here anyway -- let's go!
He leads the angry Newsies out of the courtyard into --
47 OMITTED 47
)P( 5/1/91 BLUE (2) 38.
48 EXT. NEWSIE SQUARE - CONTINUOUS ACTION 48
The angry boys crowd around Jack.
KID BLINK
They can't do that to us --
RACETRACK
They can do what they want --
it's their stinkin' paper --
BOOTS
Ain't we got no rights -- ?
CRUTCHY
Sure -- we got the right
to take it in the t'roat!
RACETRACK
It's a rigged deck -- why
waste time kiddin' ourselves?
They set the price, we gotta
pay it --
MUSH
We got no choice! So let's
get our lousy papes while
they still got some --
JACK
Nobody's goin' anywhere -- they
ain't gonna get away with this!
EVERYBODY
What can we do -- (etc.)
LES
Stop crowding him! Let him think!
They back off, become quiet -- every eye on Jack as he
thinks. And thinks again. And again. Finally --
RACETRACK
(tentatively)
Jack...? Ya still thinkin'... ? *
Jack looks at him, then the others: his jaw set.
JACK
One thing for sure. If we don't
sell papes, then nobody sells papes.
Nobody comes through those gates
'til they put the price back where
it was.
(CONTINUED)
)P( 5/1/91 BLUE (2) 39. *
48 CONTINUED: 48
DAVID
You mean like a strike...?
JACK
Yeah, a strike -- good idea, Dave.
DAVID
(alarmed)
No, I didn't mean -- we can't
strike, we're not a union --
JACK
We go on strike, we're a union,
right? Keep it comin', Dave --
Jack's moving across the square, everyone following,
cheering, a momentum building. David moves with him --
DAVID
(pleading)
There's not enough of us -- maybe
if we got every Newsie in New York --
JACK
Yeah, we organize -- we get all
the New York Newsies to join us!
This is great, Dave, keep talkin' --
DAVID
It's no joke! You saw what
happened to those trolley workers --
JACK
Another great idea! Any Newsie
don't join with us, we soak 'im
-- just like the trolley workers!
DAVID
Nooo! Stop and think, willya? You
can't just rush everybody into
this!
The gang is cheering every word; Jack stops at the base
of the Greeley statue, holds up his hands for quiet.
JACK
Dave's right again! We gotta think
this through! Old man Pulitzer and
Hearst and all them other rich
geezers, they run this city. Do we
really think a buncha streetrats
like us would have a chance against
people like them?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
)P( 5/1/91 BLUE (2) 40. *
48 CONTINUED: (2) 48
JACK (CONT'D)
The choice has gotta be yours --
are we gonna just take what they
give us? Or do we strike?
The Newsies are silent, faltering, suddenly uncertain.
Then a small figure steps forward and raises his fist:
LES
Strike!
The boys explode -- a beat begins to build --
BOOTS
Keep talkin', Jack -- tell us
what to do --
Jack looks desperately at David: what do I say now?
DAVID
Uh... uh... Pulitzer and Hearst
have to respect our rights --
JACK
Pulitzer and Hearst have to respect
the workin' boys of New York!
(to David)
Keep it comin' -- what else.
DAVID
Uh... they can't treat us like
we don't exist...
SONG: "THE WORLD WILL KNOW" APPROXIMATE TIME: 3:30.
JACK
PULITZER AND HEARST
THEY THINK WE'RE NOTHING
ARE WE NOTHING?
NEWSIE
NO!
DAVID
If we stick together like the
trolley workers, they can't break
us up.
JACK
PULITZER AND HEARST
THEY THINK THEY GOT US
DO THEY GOT US?
NEWSIES
NO!
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 41.
48 CONTINUED: (4) 48
DAVID
It's like a union. The Newsboy's
Union. Are we really a union...?
JACK
EVEN THOUGH WE AIN'T
GOT HATS OR BADGES
WE'RE A UNION JUST BY
SAYING SO...
AND THE WORLD WILL KNOW
BOOTS
What's to stop someone else from
sellin' our papes?
JACK
We talk to 'em.
RACETRACK
Some of 'em don't hear so good.
JACK
Then we soak 'em.
DAVID
No!
JACK
WHAT'S IT GONNA TAKE
TO STOP THE WAGONS?
ARE WE READY?
NEWSIES
YEAH!
DAVID
No! We can't beat up kids in the
street! It'll destroy what we're
trying to do!
JACK
WHAT'S IT GONNA TAKE
Jack's not listening now. TO STOP THE SCABBERS?
CAN WE DO IT?
NEWSIES
YEAH!
JACK
WE'LL DO WHAT WE GOTTA DO
UNTIL WE BREAK THE WILL
OF MIGHTY BILL AND JOE
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 42.
48 CONTINUED: (5) 48
ALL *
AND THE WORLD WILL KNOW
AND THE JOURNAL TOO *
MR. HEARST AND PULITZER *
HAVE WE GOT NEWS FOR YOU
NOW THE WORLD WILL HEAR
WHAT WE'VE GOT TO SAY
WE BEEN HAWKIN' HEADLINES
BUT WE'RE MAKIN' 'EM TODAY
AND OUR RANKS WILL GROW
Crutchy hobbles forward,
raising his crutch. CRUTCHY
AND WE'LL KICK THEIR REAR
ALL *
AND THE WORLD WILL KNOW
THAT WE'VE BEEN...
Jack jumps down from the
statue. JACK
... HERE!
*
He jumps onto the back of a wagon.
JACK
WHEN THE CIRCULATION BELL
Two wagonloads of nervous STARTS RINGING
Newsies come through the WILL WE HEAR IT?
gate. Some leap off and
join the strikers -- most NEWSIES
stay on the wagon. NO!
JACK
WHAT IF THE DELANCEYS
COME OUT SWINGING
WILL WE HEAR IT?
NEWSIES
NO!
JACK
WHEN YA GOT A HUNDRED VOICES
SINGING, WHO CAN
HEAR A LOUSY WHISTLE BLOW?
EVERYBODY
AND THE WORLD WILL KNOW
Race, Mush and Kid Blink ALL *
leap onto the wagon with THAT THIS AIN'T NO GAME
baskets of rotten fruit. THAT WE GOT A TON OF ROTTEN
singing as a trio. FRUIT AND PERFECT AIM.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 43. *
48 CONTINUED: (6) 48
ALL (CONT'D)
Jack steps forward. SO THEY GAVE THEIR WORD
Boots angrily throws a
piece of rotten fruit
toward The World Building. BUT IT AIN'T WORTH BEANS
NOW THEY'RE GONNA SEE WHAT
STOP THE PRESSES REALLY
MEANS
AND THE DAY HAS COME
AND THE TIME IS NOW
AND THE FEAR IS GONE
Boots, apprehensive, looks
up at Jack in the wagon. BOOTS
AND OUR NAME IS MUD
ALL
AND THE STRIKE IS ON
BOOTS
AND I CAN'T STAND BLOOD
ALL
AND THE WORLD WILL...
JACK
Jack and the others jump PULITZER MAY OWN THE
down from the wagon and with WORLD BUT HE DON'T OWN US!
David and Les following,
move across the square. ALL
PULITZER MAY OWN THE
WORLD BUT HE DON'T OWN US!
JACK
PULITZER MAY CRACK THE WHIP
BUT HE WON'T WHIP US!
The Newsies answer back. ALL
PULITZER MAY CRACK THE WHIP
BUT HE WON'T WHIP US!
Crossing the square, as ALL
they move towards the gates, AND THE WORLD WILL KNOW
singing up to Pulitzer's AND THE WORLD WILL LEARN
office in the dome at the AND THE WORLD WILL WONDER
top of The World Building. HOW WE MADE THE TABLES TURN
(CONTINUED)
)P( 5/1/91 BLUE (2) 44.
48 CONTINUED: (7) 48
ALL
AND THE WORLD WILL SEE
The Delanceys close the THAT WE HAD TO CHOOSE
gates as Weasel glares out THAT THE THINGS WE DO TODAY
from the dock. WILL BE TOMORROW'S NEWS
ALL
AND THE OLD WILL FALL
The Newsies interlock arms AND THE YOUNG STAND TALL
forming a chain of AND THE TIME IS NOW
resistance and solidarity. AND THE WINDS WILL BLOW
AND OUR RANKS WILL GROW AND
GROW AND GROW AND SO
THE WORLD WILL FEEL THE
FIRE AND FIN'LLY KNOW!
Jack, excited by his power, is in full charge now.
JACK
We gotta get word out to all the *
Newsies in New York! I gotta have *
some... whattaya call 'em --
DAVID
Ambassadors.
JACK
Right! You guys gotta be embastards
and tell 'em we're on strike!
KID BLINK
I'll take Harlem!
RACETRACK
I got mid-town! CRUTCHY
The Bronx! MUSH
I'll get da Bowery!
JACK
Bumlet, Specs, Skittery take
Queens; Pie Eater and Snotty,
the East side -- Snipeshooter,
go with 'em; okay, who wants
Brooklyn? Spot Conlon's
territory?
Suddenly they all look like they've got something else
to do.
JACK
Whatsamatter? Scared of Brooklyn?
(CONTINUED)
)O( 4/25/91 GREY 45. *
48 CONTINUED: (8) 48
BOOTS
We ain't scared of Brooklyn. But
Spot Conlon makes us a little
nervous.
JACK
Well, he don't make me nervous.
You and me, Boots, we take
Brooklyn. Dave can keep us
company. Okay, Dave?
David looks up; Jack grins, challenging him. David comes
right back at him.
DAVID
Sure. Right after you take our
demands to Pulitzer.
JACK
(grin fades)
Me?
(looks up at the
dome)
To Pulitzer?
DAVID
(his turn to grin)
You're the leader.
Jack looks at the huge doors of the World Building,
steeling himself. He starts for them, then has a thought
-- beckons to Les, who runs to join him, thrilled.
JACK
Maybe the kid'll soften him up a
little.
Shouting encouragement, the Newsies clear a path as Jack
and Les march up to the big doors. Jack pounds on them
and there's a hush as everyone waits, watching -- including
a handsome, well-dressed man in his thirties, BRYAN DENTON.
The huge doors swing open like the mouth of a whale and
Jack and Les disappear inside. The Newsies cheer.
Denton moves next to David.
DENTON
What's going on?
DAVID
They're going in to present our
demands to Pulitzer.
DENTON
What demands?
(CONTINUED)
)O( 4/25/91 GREY 46. *
48 CONTINUED: (9) 48
DAVID
The Newsies' demands. We're on
strike.
Denton looks around, a little amazed. He takes out a
notebook.
DENTON
I'm Denton, New York Sun. What's
your name?
DAVID
(suspicious)
David...
DENTON
David. As in David and Goliath?
(off at doors)
You really think old man Pulitzer's
going to listen to your demands?
DAVID
He has to.
At that instant, the big doors swing open and Jack and
Les are spat out like two seeds.
JACK
(yelling back)
So's your ol' lady! Tell Pulitzer
he needs an appointment with me!
The doors slam shut; Denton scribbles, intrigued.
49 INT. NEWSPAPERMAN'S RESTAURANT - DAY 49
Jack, David and Les devour a tray of sandwiches as Denton
takes notes. Newsmen at other tables glance over
curiously as Jack holds forth.
JACK
(a mouthful)
-- So this snooty mug is sayin',
'You cawn't see Mr. Pulitzer, no
one sees Mr. Pulitzer' -- real
hoity-toity, you know the type --
LES
(also a mouthful)
Real hoity-toity --
(CONTINUED)
)O( 4/25/91 GREY 47. *
49 CONTINUED: 49
JACK
-- So I says, 'I ain't in the
habit of transactin' business with
no office boy -- tell him Jack
Kelly is here to see him now.'
LES
That's when they threw us out.
DENTON
Doesn't it scare you going up
against the most powerful man in
New York?
JACK
(bravado)
Yeah, lookit me, I'm tremblin'.
Denton smiles, closes his notebook. Gets up, handing
David a card.
DENTON
Keep me informed -- I want to
know everything that happens.
DAVID
Are we really an important story...?
DENTON
What's important? A year ago I
covered the war in Cuba -- charging
up San Juan Hill with Colonel Teddy
Roosevelt. A very important story.
Now it doesn't seem so important --
except Teddy's our governor and
probably on his way to the White
House. Is the Newsies' strike
important? It all depends on you.
JACK
(stopping him)
My name really gonna be in the
papers?
DENTON
Any objections?
JACK
Not as long as you get it right --
Kelly, Jack Kelly. And, Denton?
No pictures.
Denton smiles and shrugs. David suspects Jack's thinking
of Snyder.
)P( 5/1/91 BLUE (2) 47A. *
50 EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE (MATTE SHOT - BROOKLYN SIDE) - DAWN 50
Jack, David, Boots are walking as we WIDEN OUT to reveal
the magnificent bridge against a dawn sky. They all seem
a little nervous.
DAVID
I've never been to Brooklyn --
have you guys?
BOOTS
Spent a month there one night.
DAVID
This Spot Conlon... is he really
as bad as they say...?
Jack and Boots look at each other and laugh; they keep
laughing as they walk along --
DAVID
I say something funny? Come on,
tell me -- he bad or not? What's
the joke? Tell me, willya? (Etc.)
We KEEP WIDENING as the figures get smaller and Jack and
Boots keep laughing and David keeps asking about Spot...
4/8/91 YELLOW 48. *
51 OMITTED 51
thru thru
54 54
55 EXT. BROOKLYN WATERFRONT - DAY 55
On a rotted and collapsing pier is a battered sign:
"BROOKLYN EXCURSIONS - CLOSED." Hunched under the pier
is a tough kid playing a harmonica, his eyes fixed on --
-- Jack, Boots, David as they cautiously approach through
the no-man's land of mud and junk. Boys appear like
hostile Indians -- behind them, to the side of them, in
front of them -- silently escorting them under the pier.
David looks very nervous as they are halted, and the
harmonica plays a signal, then stops abruptly.
From behind some rotting timbers steps a freckled gnome.
He looks them up and down, then grins. He is SPOT
CONLON.
SPOT
If it ain't Jack be nimble, Jack
be quick.
Jack meets his challenging grin with one of his own.
JACK
You're movin' up in the world,
Spot -- got a ocean view and
everything.
Spot and Jack exchange "heh-hehs." David's getting more
nervous.
SPOT
So I'm hearin' things from little
birdies in Harlem and Queens and
all over. They're chirpin' in my
ear: 'Jackie-boy's Newsies are
playin' like they're goin' on
strike -- '
DAVID
(blurting)
We're not playing -- we are on
strike -- it's --
Spot's eyes click like switchblades in David's direction
-- so do his henchmen's.
SPOT
What's this, Jackie boy? Some
kind of walkin' mouth?
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 49. *
55 CONTINUED: 55
JACK
(unintimidated)
It's a mouth with a brain -- and
if you got half-a-one you'll
listen. Tell 'im, Davey.
David looks at Jack wide-eyed: "Me?" Scared to death,
he starts -- as Spot's henchmen begin circling him like
jackals.
DAVID
Uh... we started the strike but...
we can't do it alone, so... we've
been talkin' to Newsies all over
the city...
SPOT
So they told me. And what did
they tell you?
David looks nervously at the circling henchmen.
DAVID
That... they're all waiting to see
what Spot Conlon does. That you're
the key...
(as Spot puffs
himself up; David
sees an opening)
That Spot Conlon is the most
respected and... famous... newsie
in New York... and probably
everywhere else...
Spot signals the henchmen to stop circling; waits for
more, lapping it up.
DAVID
And... if Spot Conlon joins the
strike, they'll join and we'll be
unstoppable so you gotta join and
... well... you gotta...
He trails off. Spot nods, turns to Jack.
SPOT
You're right. Brains.
(hardens)
But I got brains, too -- and more
than half-a-one. How do I know
you punks won't run the first
time some goon comes atcha with
a club? How do I know you're in
it to win?
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 50. *
55 CONTINUED: (2) 55
JACK
'Cause I'm tellin' you.
SPOT
Not good enough, Jackie-boy. You
gotta show me.
He turns and walks away. David and Boots exhale in
relief -- but Jack suddenly grabs a rope hanging from
the wharf and swings in front of Spot.
JACK
Maybe you lost your guts, Spotty-
boy --
(as Spot freezes)
-- or maybe you traded 'em to some
chicken for that beak of yours.
(in Spot's face)
Maybe you gotta show me you ain't
afraid to join the strike.
Murder's in the air: David and Boots are paralyzed;
the henchmen are ready to explode. Spot's eyes are
locked on Jack's for an excruciating moment -- then
Spot grins.
SPOT
Nice try, pal. But that's just what
I'm talkin' about.
(serious)
Show me this strike ain't just some
kids do-or-dare, then we'll talk.
56 OMITTED 56
thru thru
58 58
59 EXT. NEWSIE SQUARE - AFTERNOON (SAME DAY) 59
With a bucket of red paint, Crutchy paints a portrait of
Pulitzer on an old bedsheet. Around him, Newsies roll
hoops, play marbles, tag, leap-frog, etc. Looks like
more of a holiday than a strike. Jack, David, Boots
return from Brooklyn.
RACETRACK
So where's Spot Conlon?
Jack looks disgustedly at the activity.
(CONTINUED)
)O( 4/25/91 GREY 51.
59 CONTINUED: 59
JACK
He was concerned about us bein'
serious -- you imagine that?
Some Newsies gather around, concerned.
KID BLINK
Without Spot and the others,
there ain't enough of us...
MUSH
Maybe we're movin' too soon,
maybe we ain't ready --
SKITTERY
Definitely should put this off
a coupla days, definitely --
PIE EATER
Hey, Jack -- you ready? I'm
ready!
He's swinging a picket sign.
JACK
At least somebody's got the right
idea.
PIE EATER
Who else is ready for stick-ball?
He tears the sign off the stick and swings it like a bat.
JACK
Who we kiddin' here. Spot was
right. Just a game to these
guys...
CRUTCHY
Hey, Jack -- get a loada this!
He's waving the bedsheet with the scowling devil-mask of
"Joe P" painted on it. Jack smiles as Crutchy parades
with the banner, the other Newsies begin to notice.
Across the square, Denton lounges with his notebook, *
studying the Newsies as if he, too, were concerned about *
how serious they are. *
David watches Crutchy parading with the bedsheet; other *
Newsies put aside their marbles, hoops, etc., and watch. *
Sensing a moment, David moves among them, beginning to *
sing:
(CONTINUED)
4/8/91 YELLOW 52.
59 CONTINUED: (2) 59
SONG: "SEIZE THE DAY"
DAVID
OPEN THE GATES AND SEIZE THE DAY
As David sings, DON'T BE AFRAID AND DON'T DELAY
the others join in. NOTHING CAN BREAK US
They stand waiting, NO ONE CAN MAKE US
arms interlocked, as GIVE OUR RIGHTS AWAY
the gates begin to ARISE AND SEIZE THE DAY *
open...
DAVID
NOW IS THE TIME GROUP
TO SEIZE THE DAY NOW IS THE TIME
TO SEIZE THE DAY
DAVID
SEND OUT THE CALL GROUP
AND JOIN THE FRAY SEND OUT THE CALL
AND JOIN THE FRAY
DAVID
WRONGS WILL BE RIGHTED
|
