LEGEND OF TARZAN BROWN -- A Native American Hero
BACKGROUND AND SYNOPSIS
This visual story is based on true events in the life of
ELLISON MYERS "TARZAN" BROWN, a Narragansett Indian runner
from Rhode Island, who competed in the Boston Marathon and
Olympic Games during the 1930s. This was the golden age of
the Boston Marathon with a cast of memorable characters --
of which the most colorful and larger-than-life was Tarzan.
Ellison's tribal name was Deerfoot, but he became labelled
Tarzan by contemporary runners and journalists, who considered
the Indian a maverick and wild man who lived in the woods
and possessed a physique reminiscent of Johnny Weismuller,
who hit the screen as Tarzan in 1932. Press described the
runner: muscled as the best of the ancient Roman gladiators
and yet with the soft and sinuous curves of a Greek god.
As described by Boston Marathon historian Tom Derderian:
Brown was regarded by most as a freak -- undisciplined and
uncontrollable, a child of nature, an awesome natural talent --
and if he won or lost it was because of his unalterable
nature. Thus, as an Indian with physical gifts, he would
never get personal credit for what he accomplished. It was
expected he could run -- he was an Indian, after all -- so
he got no credit for character, courage or work ethic. If
he succeeded it was because he did what his handlers prepared
him to do, like a thoroughbred racehorse. When he failed,
it was his own fault, because he was "just an Indian."
Others -- including marathon-expert Jerry Nason of the Boston
Globe, who called Brown "the most fabulous, most fantastic
man ever to run in the Boston Marathon" -- recognized the
Native American as a well-spoken and intelligent enigma.
All agreed Tarzan was a marvelous individual -- sometimes
doing his training in barrooms and getting in some wild brawls
in the process -- his life full of entertaining adventures.
Opening with the funeral after Brown's tragic death at age
60, back-story then traces his early running and impoverished
youth. The main story concentrates on events from 1935 to
1939, as Ellison battles runners on the roads of Boston,
racism by the white society, alcoholism, and even Nazis in a
Berlin bar -- spurred on by a desire for respect and "a truck,
so he could earn a good living." Throughout, Ellison relates
with a cast of characters based on real people, including a
crusty coach named Tippy, devoted wife Ethel, pressman Nason,
the marathon runner among marathon runners, Johnny Kelley,
as well as track-immortal Jesse Owens and even Frank Sinatra.
The story finishes at the beginning: showing an unlucky and
sad end to a man who had become a legendary champion runner
and inspirational hero to Native and white people alike.
Few in the world of today -- even in the running community --
know of Tarzan Brown, but his is a story deserving to be
retold... And remembered.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGEND OF TARZAN BROWN -- A Native American Hero
A Screenplay Based on a True Story
By David Gary Wilson
SUPER. ON BLACK:
Where today are the Pequot? Where are the Narragansett, the
Mohican, the Pokanoket, and many other once powerful tribes
of our people? They have vanished before the avarice and
oppression of the white man, as snow before the summer sun.
-- Tecumseh, Shawnee warrior and prophet
FADE IN:
INT. A FUNERAL HOME -- DAY
SUPER: A TRUE STORY -- WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND -- 1975
THE ROOM Is hundreds full, with people standing in the back --
actually overflowing out onto the street. PANNING the room --
solemn faces, young and old, American Indian and white, some
sobbing openly. Several in the front row are in Narragansett
tribal dress. A plain coffin up front, beside it a picture
of a shirtless young Native American man -- a magnificent
bronze physique and good features under an eagle-feather
headdress. A handsome late-50s Native man, ATMORE STANTON,
is addressing the assembly with a EULOGY:
ATMORE
As I look around this room, I know
many of you think of ELLISON TARZAN
BROWN as a legend -- Deerfoot of the
Narragansett, a champion runner who
was a wild and colorful character.
Well... he was more than that. He
was the kindest man you could ever
know, and everyone was his friend...
even if maybe they weren't, he thought
they were. Oh yeah, to lots of people
he was misunderstood. Just that
clown Tarzan, or... million-dollar
legs and a five-cent head... scatter-
brained red-skin... Oh yeah, we
heard it all... didn't bother him
though. And it wasn't true. Sissy,
his daughter, says he read more than
anyone she ever saw. If he ran outta
books, papers, encyclopedias --
anything -- he would start readin'
labels, like what's written on a
bottle... Anything. He liked to
keep his mind busy.
PANNING the room as Atmore speaks. Some are smiling with
moist eyes, others serious and one man sobbing loudly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
ATMORE (CONT'D)
Ellison could be cutting wood...
and you'd see him look up at an eagle
or at somethin' in the woods. Then,
he'd put the ax down and you wouldn't
see him for a while. It could be a
few hours or maybe two days...
Now, I know a lot of you are angry
right now about what happened...
(pause)
SOME NATIVE AMERICAN FACES in the room have stern, tight
features. A man shuffling in back, one hand clenched in a
fist, takes a quick pull from a flask in the other hand.
ATMORE (CONT'D)
Well, ETHEL wants you to know, there's
nobody to blame for what happened to
her husband. The family doesn't
want no retribution or trouble
started. Far as we all know, it was
a... just a tragic accident. El, he
never held grudges against anybody,
white or Indian, and he wouldn't
want any of us to either. He lived
through a time when Indians were
treated badly -- worse than now. He
never really got the respect or lucky
breaks he deserved... but he always
stayed cheerful, even when he was
down. Sure, Ellison was down
sometimes, but never out. Mostly,
he was a survivor, taking each day
as it came, keeping his humor and
seeing the best in everything.
Atmore pauses to wipe an eye. He coughs and continues.
ATMORE (CONT'D)
My cousin Ellison was my best friend
my whole life. He was a hero to
Ethel and his family and me and to
many of you too. Indian and white.
And the real reason he was such a
fast runner... his heart was just
way bigger than everyone else's.
(emotion breaks through)
We'll all miss him so very much.
Atmore takes a seat in the front row, and is comforted by
family. A NATIVE PASTOR takes the pulpit.
PASTOR
Now, before we free Ellison's spirit
to run with his ancestors, please
help us to celebrate his life as we
listen to a song he was known to
enjoy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
A VINYL RECORD, a 33 L.P., spins on a turntable. The needle
placed on the disk is corrected somewhat as sound sputters
from speakers. A song, "My Way", by FRANK SINATRA, resonates
over the room:
SINATRA (V.O.)
And now, the end is near, and so I
face, the final curtain. My friend,
I'll say it clear, I'll state my
case, of which I'm certain. I've
lived, a life that's full, I've
traveled each and every highway.
But more, much more than this, I did
it my way.
As the song plays, the room is panned again, showing wide
reaction from smiles to sad faces to outright crying.
CLOSE to a PICTURE BOARD near the back of the room: a sequence
of images of a Native man at the peak of his athleticism.
SINATRA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Regrets, I've had a few, but then
again, too few to mention. I did,
what I had to do, and saw it through,
without exemption. I planned, each
charted course, each careful step
along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
(OPENING CREDITS as Sinatra continues)
SINATRA (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you
knew, when I bit off,
more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was
doubt, I ate it up, and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall, and
did it my way.
EXT. FUNERAL HOME -- A BIT LATER -- LATE-SUMMER DAY
Pallbearers in Narragansett tribal dress exit the hall,
carrying the coffin to a waiting hearse. A drum beats and
Native singers wail a tribal song. The family follow with
bowed heads. As the hearse pulls away and people continue
to file from the hall, a lean white man in his 60s touches
the arm of an elderly stout white man as he passes. Both
are dressed similarly in older-fashion sports jackets, a
loud tie and a wide-brimmed hat on the stout man.
JERRY (LEAN MAN IN 60S)
Excuse me, I think I know you. Aren't
you Tippy... Salerno? The coach?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
TIPPY
Haven't been called "the coach" in a
long time. But I'm Tippy. And you
are...
JERRY
Jerry Nason -- haven't seen you in
ages. Good to see you again.
(offers his hand)
TIPPY
(takes it)
Nason... Yu'know -- I remember yuh
of course. The marathon writer...
Yer with the Herald, right?
JERRY
Boston Globe actually. And I retired
last year.
TIPPY
Okay, well it's all the same to me,
yu'know.
(snorts loudly)
Yuh here for a story? I got lots of
stories.
JERRY
I'm retired. And I'm here out of
respect for a great man.
(pause)
Anyway, think all the stories about
Tarzan have already been told. You
know, I followed him for years --
since way back when you first started
working with him. I remember we
talked together about him way back
when.
TIPPY
Yeah... I remember. Yuh showed a
lot of interest in him.
JERRY
I kind of felt like one of his
promoters sometimes.
TIPPY
Well, he sure didn't need a whole
lotta promotin' -- did a pretty fair
job of that himself, yu'know.
JERRY
He was an unforgettable character,
that's for sure.
TIPPY
A wonderful piece a work tuh behold.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
JERRY
Yes sir. Crude and undisciplined...
And such a beautiful runner. Poetry.
TIPPY
(nodding)
What a runner. Best damn, purest
runner I ever saw, yu'know.
JERRY
Yes, I have to say he was the most
fabulous... the most fantastic man
ever to run in the Boston Marathon.
And that was back in the golden age
of Boston -- with guys like KELLEY
and PAWSON and COTE...
TIPPY
All great runners sure, but the Indian
was...
(intense)
More than that.
JERRY
(nodding)
Absolutely.
TIPPY
That kid had amazing ability,
yu'know... Uncanny endurance. Right
from the first time I laid eyes on
him, I knew he was somethin' special.
Altogether different than anyone
else -- before or since. With these
marathoners of today, yu'know, there
ain't none of 'em that could compete
with him and do the things he did.
Not one of 'em!
(pause, snorts)
TIPPY'S EYES... CLOSER
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Yu'know... must be about 50 years
ago I first laid eyes on that kid...
CLOSER...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD IN 1925 RHODE ISLAND -- MID AFTERNOON
A NATIVE MAN in his prime is running, striding easily and
with graceful long-distance form. He passes some small
tarpaper houses, where several Native kids are playing near
the road. A small figure begins following the runner -- it
is 11-year-old ELLISON BROWN: bronze-skinned, sinuous and
well-proportioned, with fine features under long dark hair.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
ELLISON
Hey Uncle Horatio, where you off
runnin' to?
HORATIO STANTON glances back -- the boy is about 100 feet
behind.
HORATIO
Ellison. I'm on a training run.
Gonna meet up with my coach up at
the Shannock ball field.
ELLISON
Can I come?
HORATIO
Sorry Ellison, not this time. It's
too far and I'm running too fast for
you to keep up.
ELLISON is picking up his pace, closing some distance.
ELLISON
What did you say, Uncle Horatio? I
like running -- think I can keep up.
HORATIO
Go back home and play with Atmore.
It's nearly sixteen miles to Shannock --
almost two hours of running. That's
way too far for a kid.
ELLISON
How we gonna get back? Can I get a
ride in a motorcar with you?
HORATIO
(shaking his head)
Bye bye Ellison. I'm picking up my
pace now.
ELLISON
So how far we runnin' again?
EXT. BALLFIELD AT SHANNOCK -- LATER AFTERNOON
TWO MEN are engaged in conversation as they watch a ball
game from a small set of uncrowded bleachers. One of the
two, a stout man of thirty wearing a wide-brimmed hat, snorts
as he inspects his pocket watch.
OTHER MAN
What're you -- late for dinner, Tippy?
TIPPY
Na, gotta keep my eye on the time
here, yu'know.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Pretty good Indian runner I'm handling
should be coming in any time. Got
him runnin' all the way in from
Westerly.
OTHER MAN
Westerly? That's a fair chunk of
road...
(pause)
Hey, if you're here, how do you know
what time he left, or even if he
left at all? Them Indians sure ain't
known for their punctuality -- know
what I mean?
TIPPY
Oh, he'll be here. This guy's one
of the good ones. Horatio Stanton...
Chief Horatio Stanton.
OTHER MAN
Oh yeah -- fast runner, huh?
TIPPY
Good runner, a natural, yu'know --
like a lot of Indians. And I got
him stickin' to his training -- no
firewater allowed. Expect big things
outta him one of these years at
Boston, yu'know.
OTHER MAN
Ah, Tip, yer wastin' yer time --
trainin' savages. Don't got the
heart and brains tuh win races.
TIPPY
Yeah? Ever hear a Tom Longboat?
Full-blooded Injun. Anyway, I kinda
like workin' with em -- can't be
runnin' myself with these stubby
legs, yu'know. And helpin' em out
makes me feel good, yu--
CRACK!! THE SWEET SPOT OF A BAT ON A BASEBALL
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Here we go!
Full attention is back on the ball game, as a batter has hit
a long ball and several runs are being scored.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD THROUGH FOREST -- THAT MOMENT
A YOUNG DEER stands on the road, ears up, startled by the
sight of a man running around a curve toward it. The deer
slowly starts to trot down the road, away from the runner.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
HORATIO
(closing the distance)
On Your Left!
The deer, more startled, veers off the road toward the cover
of trees, stopping to watch the man run by and away. Then
the animal's attention is diverted to a smaller figure coming
around the bend.
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- spotting the deer as he rounds the curve.
Slowing to a walk, he approaches the animal.
ELLISON
Hey little fella. I won't hurt you.
EXT. SHANNOCK BALLFIELD -- LATER
TIPPY'S P.O.V. from the bleachers spots Horatio Stanton
running up toward the ball field.
TIPPY
Here comes Chief Smoking Feet now.
Time tuh go feed him some hero
biscuits, yu'know.
OTHER MAN
(laughs)
EXT. ROAD BESIDE BALLFIELD -- MOMENTS LATER
Tippy, smoking a large cigar, claps Horatio on the back.
TIPPY
Good running Chief. How the feet
doin' this time?
Horatio bends to pull off one of his shoes, a heavy-looking
black boot.
HORATIO
Bleeding I think. Damn shoes are no
good for nothing. Say -- you got an
extra one of those?
Tippy hesitates, then reaches into a pocket and hands Stanton
a cigar.
TIPPY
Yeah, guess these things won't make
yuh faster, but at least they can't
hurt yuh...
(beat)
Just keep eatin' lots of eggs and
gettin' lots of sleep -- like I told
yuh, yu'know?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
HORATIO
Whatever you say, you're the boss.
(inspects the cigar)
Hey, we gotta go back and find my
nephew. Damn kid was runnin' right
behind me -- almost all the way from
Westerly.
TIPPY
What? Yer tellin' me some kid ran
all the way from Westerly -- and I
ain't never heard of him before?
You been holdin' out on me, Chief?
HORATIO
No.
TIPPY
How old? Must be over 16 if he can
run over 15 miles with the likes of
you.
(relights cigar)
Anyone handlin' him yet, yu'know?
HORATIO
Relax Tippy. He's only about 10 or
11 -- you got lots of time.
TIPPY
(disbelief to excited)
WHAT? Ten or 11 years old -- really?
I gotta see this kid. C'mon, let's
go find him -- c'mon let's go.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD THROUGH FOREST -- A BIT LATER
A CAR, early 1920s Ford, slows to a stop, its motor popping
as it shuts down.
INT. CAR
TIPPY
(at the wheel)
Well?
HORATIO
This is where I last saw him behind
me. There was a deer on the road so
he probably thought he could bring
it home for a pet... Yeah, there he
is, in those trees over there.
EXT. IN TREES BESIDE THE ROAD.
ELLISON is swinging from a low branch, making whooping noises.
Tippy and Horatio approach, both still smoking cigars.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.
TIPPY
(softly, meant to
himself)
Like a little Tarzan.
HORATIO
What?
TIPPY
Oh, just some guy I seen in one of
them picture books. Plays with
monkeys, yu'know. You learn how to
read, yuh'll know about him too.
Tippy appraises the young Ellison as the youngster drops
from the branch, landing lightly on his feet just in front
of the two men.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
What's yer name, son?
ELLISON
Ellison.
HORATIO
His Narragansett tribal name is
Deerfoot.
TIPPY
Deerfoot, huh? Yu'know, with a name
like that, no wonder yer a runner.
Nothin' runs like a deer. Hey son,
yer Uncle tells me you want a ride
in a motorcar; I suppose we got room
for yuh.
ELLISON
GOOD. My feet hurt.
HORATIO
Welcome to the club.
TIPPY
Okay kid, here's the deal. Yuh get
yer ride home today. Eat lots, get
lots of sleep. Don't go runnin' no
15 miles every other day... But run
around lots when yer playin' --
yu'know what I'm sayin'? How old
are yuh, anyway?
ELLISON
Eleven, sir.
TIPPY
Come see me when yer 16.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Yuh'll be old enough to run in A.A.U.
competition races by then... Maybe
yuh'll make me forget all about this
bum, yer uncle.
(playfully punches
Horatio's shoulder)
Just kiddin', Chief -- you were
lookin' real good comin' in today.
EXT. PORCH OF A TARPAPER CABIN, WESTERLY -- DAY
An attractive but stressed woman, appearing late-30s and of
Mexican descent, stands on the porch, looking out to the
road in front.
MRS. BROWN
Ellison. ELLISON. You come home
now!
YOUNG ELLISON is seen, running down the road, right by and
past the porch -- another young Native boy in pursuit.
MRS. BROWN (CONT'D)
ELLISON! ELLISON MYERS BROWN! You
come back here, COME BACK HERE NOW I
SAY!
Ellison continues as though he hasn't heard. The follower
stops, looks back toward the porch. He is lighter-skinned
and taller than his quarry -- seems rather awkward.
MRS. BROWN (CONT'D)
ATMORE! You tell Ellison to come
back NOW.
ATMORE
But Mrs Brown -- we're in the middle
of a game! It's his turn to be King
Philip, so I hafta kill him first!
Ellison stops, turns to look back at Atmore. CLOSE to
Ellison's narrowing eyes -- so dark brown they appear black.
ELLISON
You'll have to catch me first white
man! Ha Ha!
(cuts into woods)
ATMORE
(taking up the chase)
You're DEAD, King!
Mrs Brown shakes her head in frustration, then smiles as she
turns and stoops to pick up a toddler girl watching from
just behind.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.
MRS. BROWN
Now GRACIE, you don't go taking after
that misbehaving brother of yours --
no no.
Holding the child close, she walks off the porch, around to
the back of the cabin, following the sound of chopping wood.
A NATIVE MAN, slim early 40s, looks up and lays down his ax
as she approaches and puts down Gracie -- who runs gleefully
to her father's waiting hands.
MRS. BROWN (CONT'D)
BRYAN, that son of yours don't come
when he been called.
BRYAN
That's 'cause he's a boy, not a dog.
MRS. BROWN
You're very funny, Mr Brown, 'cept I
ain't laughin'.
(then she laughs)
BRYAN
So what do you need him for?
MRS. BROWN
I don't hafta need him... I just
want him to come when I call!
BRYAN
(laughs)
Aw, they're just playin', anyway.
Them kids get so wrapped up havin'
fun, half the time they can't even
hear you.
MRS. BROWN
'Cause they ain't listenin'.
(pause)
Hey, tell me something... Who was
this King Philip again? Was he a
white king or an Indian king? Having
trouble remembering things lately.
BRYAN
(patiently)
Like I told you before, he was a big
chief, so big they called him a king.
King Philip united our people 300
years ago, beat back the Waumpeshau,
the white man...
(puts Gracie down,
picks up the ax)
...before they finally got the best
of him and sent him to the Happy
Hunting Ground.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
All the stories end like that --
white man wins, red man is a conquered
nation.
(shrugs)
How did you Mexicans make out?
MRS. BROWN
I just don't know if those kids should
be playin' that the Indians always
have to lose... I know this is a
world for the white man...
BRYAN
Hey, I heard someone say once that
games imitate life...
(shrugs)
We might not get to win, but the
most important thing is to survive.
So maybe we don't get much respect
from the white man, we just gotta
respect ourselves... remember who
we are -- and have some fun.
(beat)
Even if we gotta get a job in this
crazy white man's world.
(shrugs again)
Besides, they can take our land but
not our hearts -- and we carry the
true land in our hearts...
Smiling, Bryan thumps his chest, winks at his daughter, and
resumes chopping wood.
INT. A ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE, WESTERLY -- DAY
A young, serious-looking schoolmarm stands at the front of
the class. Native children are at their desks, working
intently with pencils on paper. THE TEACHER surveys her
charges, then spotting something amiss, starts down a row
toward the middle of the classroom.
MISS FRANCIS
ETHEL? ETHEL WILCOX -- what are you
doing sitting behind Ellison? Again.
That is not your proper seat, young
lady, now is it?
A TINY GIRL, about seven, shrinks down in her seat as a
smirking Ellison turns full around to laugh at her plight.
ETHEL
(shrinking even lower)
No Miss Francis. Sorry Miss Francis.
The teacher arrives at Ellison's desk.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
MISS FRANCIS
Ellison, please turn around young
man.
Ellison turns back to his desk, where -- close up -- it is
revealed he has apparently been drawing an elaborate picture:
an eagle flying over a pack of running wolves. The drawing
is detailed and lifelike.
MISS FRANCIS (CONT'D)
(spotting the artwork)
Ellison Brown! Now what in God's
good heaven is that?
ELLISON
(little smile)
My masterpiece?
MISS FRANCIS
Well, it is supposed to be your a-
rith-me-tic.
Miss Francis snatches the picture from Ellison's desktop,
then refocuses her attention on the girl behind.
MISS FRANCIS (CONT'D)
Now, Miss Wilcox, you will return to
your proper seat, and we will have
no more of this... foolery with the
seating plan. Do I make myself clear?
ETHEL
Yes Miss Francis.
The teacher, holding Ellison's drawing, studying it, spins
and walks toward the front of the room. Ellison turns to
smile at Ethel as she takes her proper seat two rows over.
Catching his look, she smiles back, then discreetly blows
him a kiss. There is stifled laughter from another girl,
cutting off as the teacher abruptly turns around to face the
class.
INT. SCHOOLROOM -- A LITTLE LATER
CLANG-CLANG-CLANG! MISS FRANCIS, standing by her desk, is
waving a small but effectively noisy bell -- the seated
children exploding instantly up and, with excitement, toward
the door.
MISS FRANCIS
Now children -- let's have some order,
please! ELLISON, stay behind, I
would like to have a word with you,
young man.
Ellison exchanges a look with Ethel as she hesitates in the
bottle neck of exiting children, before being the last to
leave.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.
Ellison lingers by the desk as his teacher seats herself.
MISS FRANCIS (CONT'D)
Now Ellison...
She fumbles with some papers, pulling his wildlife drawing
out, inspecting it before holding it up to its creator.
MISS FRANCIS (CONT'D)
You know, this is very good work --
the best drawing I've ever seen from
an 11-year-old.
ELLISON
You can keep it if you want.
MISS FRANCIS
I don't recall saying you could have
it back to give it away... but thank
you.
(slight smile)
I'm interested... did you copy it
from other pictures? I don't recall
seeing any quite like it in our books.
ELLISON
I did copy it from some pictures,
but I keep them in my head. From
things I see in the woods.
MISS FRANCIS
Really? Well Ellison, you should
keep on drawing, keep practicing. I
think you could someday be a very
fine artist if you work at it.
ELLISON
Thanks. I like to draw, but I'm
gonna be a famous runner when I'm
old enough. Uncle Horatio says I
got born with magic feet.
MISS FRANCIS
Well, I think you should remember
you have other gifts as well. It's
very difficult for Indians to make
anything of themselves in this world.
I think if you keep practicing your
artwork, someday people might pay
money for it.
ELLISON
So, maybe I got magic feet and magic
hands?
Ellison inspects his palms and smiles.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16.
MISS FRANCIS
That should be "maybe you have"...
magic feet -- not "got". But
Ellison...
(now sternly)
Please refrain from practicing your
artwork during arithmetic. Do I
make myself clear?
ELLISON
Yes Miss Francis.
EXT. MAIN STREET -- WAKEFIELD, RHODE ISLAND -- DAY
YOUNG ELLISON and his cousin, Atmore, are beside a young
BLONDE BOY; the trio have their noses pressed up against a
window. The sign above says "WAKEFIELD EMPORIUM".
BLONDE BOY
I can't believe you've never been
inside. I've been in lotsa times,
even without my dad. C'mon, I'll
show you all the good stuff in there.
INT. WAKEFIELD EMPORIUM -- MOMENTS LATER
Ellison and Atmore follow the blonde boy as he leads them by
previously unseen treasures.
ATMORE
Hey, this is great... So much stuff
to look at all at once.
BLONDE BOY
Ain't seen nothin' yet -- wait'll
you see all the penny candy up at
the counter.
A BIG MAN behind the counter looks down at the three hurrying
up to inspect the candy selection.
BIG PROPRIETOR
HEY -- You kids! Get outta my store!
NO INDIAN KIDS ALLOWED in here -- I
gotta sign up somewhere.
BLONDE BOY
(reaching in his pocket)
It's okay, MR JOHNSON, they're with
me. An I got money. Five cents.
(holds out his palm)
MR JOHNSON
You can stay. But not if you're
bringin' in Indian kids. Now...
(red-faced angry)
Go on -- SCRAM. OUTTA HERE NOW!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17.
Ellison is frozen in the glare of the fierce proprietor.
CLOSE to Ellison's dark eyes -- no fear as they begin to
narrow...
ATMORE
(grabbing Ellison)
C'mon El, let's go!
Atmore yanks Ellison to motion, the two scramble toward the
door.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PORCH OF BROWNS' WESTERLY CABIN -- DAY
IT IS FOUR YEARS LATER. CLOSE UP, a newspaper headline: Stock
Markets CRASH -- Wall Street PANIC! The paper is the
Providence Journal, the date is Oct 29, 1929. The paper
collapses forward to reveal Bryan Brown behind it, laying it
onto his lap as he picks up a plain coffee mug. Sitting
close by is Horatio Stanton, smoking a big cigar -- looking
slightly older and thicker in the middle than when last seen.
HORATIO
So anything else goin' on in the
world, Bryan -- besides all that
gloom an' doom everyone keeps talkin'
about?
BRYAN
Yeah, these funny papers in here are
good.
(chuckles)
There's this new one about some fella
lives over in Africa with big apes.
Gets himself around by swingin' on
vines through the jungle.
HORATIO
Like that son of yours.
BRYAN
(laughing)
Yeah, kinda like Ellison.
HORATIO
He's runnin' pretty fast now you
know. Faster than me -- at least in
the short haul. Lotsa energy.
BRYAN
Yeah, one of the neighbors was just
bitchin'. Said Ellison keeps chasin'
his animals around -- guess his cows
were too tired to stand up for
milkin'.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18.
Horatio laughs.
HORATIO
Them magic feet could take him a
long ways. I mean, he could become
more than just another fast Indian --
really make somethin' of himself.
BRYAN
Yeah, maybe. But you know runnin'
ain't a way to put food on a poor
man's table. Indian or white.
HORATIO
Hey, nobody's ever gonna get rich
from running. Anyhow, It's more
love than money that pushes a man to
win races.
BRYAN
(shrugs)
Can't eat love neither.
HORATIO
Well, you know what I mean though.
El wants to go get trained by Tippy
next year. Tip can help him lots.
BRYAN
Yeah... Can't hurt if it settles
him down some. Boy's got lotsa spunk,
just gotta learn to listen a bit now
and then.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD THROUGH WESTERLY WOODS -- DAY
TEENAGE RUNNING ELLISON, stops mid-stride in his tracks as
he hears a young girl calling after him.
GRACIE (V.O.)
ELLISON. Wait for me, ELLISON!
ELLISON turns to see the small figure of his little sister,
Gracie, trailing behind. He watches as she closes the
distance.
ELLISON
Not this time, Gracie, I'm on a
training run. You can't keep up.
Ellison resumes running down the road -- accelerating.
GRACIE, looking exasperated, stops. Panting. She looks
longingly down the trail after her brother.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19.
GRACIE
(still panting)
OKAY... You can go... By yourself...
THIS TIME.
ELLISON -- striding gracefully and effortlessly ahead. He
runs with his chin up, his head tilted slightly to his left.
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- A young deer darts across the road just
in front, disappearing into the forest. Ellison veers off
course, following its trail.
EXT. IN THE WOODS -- A MOMENT LATER
THE DEER pauses to look back at its pursuer, then resumes
flight.
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- giving chase, leaping over deadfall and
dodging trees, actually closing the distance... Then...
Ellison trips over a log, plowing to a stop -- face first
into ground moss. The chase has ended. Slowly... he picks
himself up, shaking his head, spitting out moss fragments.
ELLISON
(calling after deer)
OKAY. YOU WIN THIS TIME. NEXT TIME
IS MY TURN. I AM DEERFOOT OF THE
NARRAGANSETT! YOU'RE JUST A DEEERRRR!
Smiling, Ellison turns and jogs back toward the road.
EXT. SHORELINE OF A POND -- EVENING
TEENAGE ELLISON and his cousin, Atmore, are wading in the
pond, shoulder deep and about 15 feet apart, slowly making
their way toward shore. Each has his top hand just above
water, controlling a pole, the bottom hand apparently holding
the submerged part of some contraption. As they reach
shallower water, the homemade seine net they are pulling
begins to reveal itself.
ELLISON
Okay Atmore, start curling in a little
more toward me, don't wanta lose any
big ones this time.
ATMORE
Sure feels heavy, bet there's some
real lunkers back in the net already
for sure.
ELLISON
Bottoms been really draggin' in the
muck, probably full of all kinds of
shit.
Ten feet from shore, at knee depth, pulling gets easier as
the two boys corral the makeshift seine in to the small beach.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
Quicker now, they reach the water's edge and eagerly but
carefully bring the bottom of the net to the land. The lower
center of the net reveals... mud, rocks, leeches, a bottle,
a boot, and a few small fish flapping silver just as they
slip out the back through tears in the material.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
Damn. Stupid holes. Shit.
ATMORE
I think we need a stronger net.
ELLISON
You think?
ATMORE
Yeah.
ELLISON
Well, hard to get anything better
than potato bags -- didn't think
they'd rip. But I can fix it.
ATMORE
Figured you can.
Both boys begin wiping at the mud coating their legs from
the knees down, under their soaked rolled-up pants.
ELLISON
Let's count bloodsuckers... I got
four on my right leg, oh five -- bet
I got more than you.
ATMORE
No fair -- I was rubbing 'em off in
the water.
ELLISON
No wonder you're so slow, shit brain!
ATMORE
Shit-brain yourself.
ELLISON
Me first, you last. I got nine
leeches -- I win.
ATMORE
SO?
Ellison throws a handful of mud and leeches at Atmore, who
deflects the attack just in time with his arm.
ELLISON
Good reflexes, Atty.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
Okay, let's prop this thing up to
dry and get outta here. We can fix
it tomorrow and clean this lake out.
The two friends stretch out their potato-sack seine net,
propping it between two trees.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
Race yuh home -- I'll give you a 50-
count head start.
ATMORE
NO -- that's not enough. Besides,
you always cheat.
ELLISON
Okay, I'll count to 100 then.
Starting NOW! One... two... three...
Atmore turns and sprints away.
ATMORE
(yelling back)
DON'T CHEAT THIS TIME!
ELLISON
DON'T HAVE TO -- 17 18 19 20...
INT. A HOUSE IN CHARLESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND -- DAY
TIPPY SALERNO, cigar in mouth, is about to open the door as
someone is knocking loudly, over the sound of driving rain.
TIPPY
Okay, okay, hold yer horses,
yu'know... I'm gettin' it.
Tippy opens the door to reveal a rain-soaked Ellison Brown,
who stands shivering, making no attempt to come inside.
Tippy stands quietly for a moment, measuring the teenager.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
So? Yer 16 now, are yuh? Kinda
skinny, even for an Indian.
Ellison just nods his head.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Yuh run here, kid?
Nods again. Hopeful smile.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
So? Yuh gonna be worth takin' on?
Gonna make me proud one day?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.
ELLISON
Maybe I'll... make us both proud...
more'n just one day. Maybe two days.
TIPPY
(amused -- snorts)
Okay... Well, let's get yuh inside
for some grub. Hope yuh like eggs.
Then I'll get yuh home, and we start
yer trainin' with me tomorrow.
ELLISON
Thanks, Mr. Salerno.
TIPPY
Don't thank me, yu'know. Thank the
Lord for making yuh a fast Indian.
And thank yer uncle for bein' such a
bum. Came in 25th or somethin' in
Boston last year -- he tell yuh that?
Shaking his head as he turns around, Tippy hides a smile
from Ellison.
EXT. FRONT OF TIPPY'S HOUSE -- THE NEXT MORNING
TIPPY, standing on his front porch, inspects his pocket watch
as a car slows to a stop in front. Out from the back jumps
Ellison, waving at the car as it drives off; he then hurries
up to the porch.
TIPPY
Yer late, yu'know, kid. Rule number
one: don't be late.
ELLISON
(flashing smile)
Sorry Mr. Salerno, took me awhile to
hitch a ride.
TIPPY
If yer runnin' in a race, yu'know,
and yer late -- yuh lose! And don't
say sorry. I get sick of hearin'
that -- so that'll be rule number
two. Got it?
Ellison nods solemnly.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
And call me Tippy.
ELLISON
(big smile again)
So when do we get started, Tippy?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23.
TIPPY
Right now, yu'know, right around the
back. Got somethin' to show yuh.
Ellison follows Tippy around back of the house, revealing a
huge pile of unsplit firewood. The coach steps up to the
pile and picks up an ax, offering it to Ellison.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Yer first assignment: let's see how
much of this wood yuh can get split
in an hour. Then, we'll see how
much yuh can split in the next hour.
Ellison takes the ax and gazes solemnly at the woodpile.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
By then, yu'know, it'll be lunchtime.
ELLISON
(hopeful)
After lunch?
TIPPY
It's a big pile, kid.
The coach turns and starts walking away.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Don't worry, kid, I got eggs for yer
lunch.
EXT. BESIDE A LARGE WOODPILE -- DAY
ELLISON Is swinging an ax. TWACK! He looks up as his father
comes around the corner of what is revealed to be the back
of the Browns' cabin -- Ellison has been splitting wood in
his own backyard.
BRYAN
Hey Ellison, blisters gettin' any
better?
Ellison lowers the ax, lets it drop to the ground, inspects
his hands, then shows the palms to his dad.
ELLISON
Pop, I got blisters on my blisters!
BRYAN
They heal. Turn to callus -- sign
of a man.
ELLISON
Pop, all I do is chop wood! I do it
all day for Tippy, then I have to
come home an' do it here too.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24.
BRYAN
(shrugs)
Fall's coming... Winter ain't too
far after that. Wood don't split
itself -- you'll toughen up. How's
the runnin' going?
ELLISON
Running? I'm too TIRED to do any
running.
BRYAN
Too tired to help me go check my
trap line?
ELLISON
Now?
(big grin)
Okay, let's go.
Ellison charges past his smiling father.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BACK OF TIPPY'S HOUSE -- TWO YEARS LATER -- DAY
ELLISON IS CHOPPING WOOD, quickly and powerfully. There is
a small pile of unsplit logs next to a very large pile of
split firewood. Ellison is bigger, much more grown-up looking
than when last seen; at 5' 9", 145 lbs, he is muscular but
not overly so -- dark-skinned, sleek and sinuous. Shorter
hair accentuates his finely chiseled features.
TIPPY (O.S.)
Leave some for tomorrow, sport. We
gotta save some energy for yer run
to Hope Valley!
Ellison, flashing a big grin, tosses down the ax and charges
past Tippy, who smiles as he sucks on his trademark cigar.
EXT. BESIDE A CINDER TRACK, EMPTY BLEACHERS -- DAY
Tippy stands by the track, stopwatch in one hand, cigar in
the other. Ellison is alone on the ringed surface, striding
swiftly around the final curve -- running barefoot.
HORATIO (O.S.)
Hey Tippy, Sorry I'm late.
Tippy glances back as a smiling Horatio joins him. Both men
then watch Ellison charge up the final straightaway.
TIPPY
Late. Yah, you were makin' that too
big a habit yer last few races --
yuh bum.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
(chuckles)
Hey, yu'know, yer favorite nephew
sure ain't gonna be late this run.
Ellison zooms past the two men as Tippy, overly dramatic,
clicks his watch.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
(excited)
Four minutes... 24 seconds! By
himself -- and barefoot!
HORATIO
Yeah... Well, it is easier to run
fast with less weight on the feet.
But of course for a marathon, gotta
have shoes... Biggest enemy for a
distance runner is them damn shoes.
Ellison, slowed to a jog, turns and heads back toward the
two men.
TIPPY
Ahhh, shoes won't hurt him when I
enter him in Boston next spring.
He's got all the tools to be a great
marathoner -- speed and endurance.
And pretty bright too, yu'know, for
an Indian. No offense, Chief.
Tippy turns to Horatio, prodding the Indian's once-flat belly
with the unlit end of his cigar.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Yu'know, I expected a lot more outta
you than that... 23rd place back in
'28, Chief.
HORATIO
Hey, I finished 18th, and under three
hours, Tippy!
TIPPY
Yeah well, 23rd, 18th... It's all
the same tuh me, yu'know. What's
the difference -- yuh lost.
(snorts)
A beaming Ellison joins them.
ELLISON
How fast this time, Tippy? Felt
really strong. Did I break four and
a half?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26.
TIPPY
Close enough, kid, close enough.
But, yu'know, speed ain't yer problem.
When yuh run the Legion race in
Medford next week, yuh gotta
remember... hold-back, hold-back.
Right till the very end -- yu'know?
Don't go tryin' to run away from
everyone right from the start.
(beat)
Like Last time.
Tippy playfully nudges Ellison, who has been absorbing the
lesson, nodding his head.
EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD -- RHODE ISLAND -- DAY
ELLISON and HORATIO are running side by side. The pace is
quite strong, but the two athletes converse easily, though
Horatio is laboring a bit. Ellison surges slightly ahead,
his shirtless bronze torso glistening in light sweat.
HORATIO
C'mon, hold back El, too fast -- you
just wanna run easy now till the
marathon. And this'll be your last
long run.
ELLISON
How far we goin?
HORATIO
I don't know. Tippy said over two
but under three hours for sure.
Maybe 18 to 20 miles. We'll turn
around in a bit.
ELLISON
So what's the farthest you ever ran?
HORATIO
Twenty-six miles, 385 yards, exactly
a marathon -- that's enough for me.
ELLISON
Tell me again why it's that long.
HORATIO
You mean, why it's exactly that
distance?
ELLISON
Yeah, the one about the Olympics.
HORATIO
Okay, well... When they had the
Olympic Marathon in England, they
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27.
HORATIO (CONT'D)
had to make the race start in front
of some castle so the Queen's kids
could watch it. Then... the ending
had to be right in front of the Queen
watching in the stadium. So... it
just worked out to be that long --
26 miles, 385 yards.
ELLISON
But this is the United States. We
don't got no queens.
HORATIO
(shrugs as he runs)
They just wanted to keep the marathon
runs always the same distance after
that. Make it standard.
ELLISON
Okay. Now tell me the one about the
Greek guy that died after running.
"Fee-uh-something".
HORATIO
Yeah, "Pheidippi-- something". He
was the first marathon runner. Had
to run back a long ways to tell the
other Greeks about some enemies they
conquered. So he...
ELLISON
(interrupting)
Yelled "rejoice, we conquered the
bad guys" -- then he dropped dead.
Yeah, I remember.
HORATIO
So, why'd you ask?
ELLISON
Why'd he die?
HORATIO
I don't know.
(pause)
Maybe running all that way in heavy
armor killed him.
ELLISON
How far did he run? Twenty-six miles,
385 yards?
(grins)
HORATIO
NO, of course it wasn't exactly that
far.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28.
HORATIO (CONT'D)
This was hundreds... maybe thousands
of years ago. I don't know how far
he ran. He probably didn't know
either.
ELLISON
After he dropped dead, bet he didn't
know anything.
(big grin)
HORATIO
OKAY, far enough, time to turn around.
The runners turn and head back down the dusty road, Ellison
surging slightly ahead.
EXT. HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS -- STARTING LINE OF THE BOSTON
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION MARATHON -- APRIL 1934 -- LATE MORNING
A large group of runners -- about 150 -- are preparing
themselves behind the starting banner of the race. Some are
running on the spot, others are flexing themselves, self-
massaging legs, in various last-minute, pre-race rituals.
Spectators line the start area. From a raised platform, the
B.A.A. RACE ANNOUNCER addresses the crowd.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the
1934 Boston Athletic Association
Marathon Footrace. Today, we have
runners from all over the east coast
and from as far away as Canada.
Please give these fine young men the
applause they so deserve as they
prepare to run the amazing distance
of 26 miles, 385 yards, ending in
the city of Boston. Runners...
Please prepare yourselves for the
start.
Spectators applaud, and runners acknowledge the crowd as
they step up to the starting line. All athletes are dressed
in similar running apparel for the period: racing vests, or
singlets, displaying various club insignia, with large-block
numbers pinned to their chests.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Among the outstanding athletes we
have with us today, we have the
defending champion, from Pawtucket,
Rhode Island, LESLIE PAWSON... Les,
please step forward and say hello to
your supporters...
Cheers and Applause.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
We have SEVEN-time winner, CLARENCE
H. DEMAR...
Louder Cheers.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
We also have, from Canada, the second-
place finisher from one year ago...
DAVE, uh... KOMONEN...
A runner with a maple leaf on his vest steps forward and
waves to the appreciative crowd.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Ladies and gentlemen, last year this
man had to sell his shoes right off
his feet after the race, so he could
afford to travel home.
Back in the crowd of runners is Ellison Brown, wearing a
distinctive running singlet -- home-sewn from scraps of cloth
of every conceivable color all pieced together. Bouncing up
and down, he seems happy and eager to begin racing. Beside
Ellison, a runner tugs at the multicolored fabric.
RUNNER
Hey Chief, what's with the crazy
quilt -- your mother make this?
ELLISON
(proudly)
Yeah, leftovers from some of her
dresses.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Runners... Take your marks... Get
set...
CUT TO:
AN OLD RIFLE FIRING INTO THE SKY
CUT TO:
THE CROWD OF RUNNERS surging forward, jostling for position
as spectators roar their approval. Well back in the beginning
stage of the race, Ellison stands out in his multicolored
vest.
EXT. FRAMINGHAM RAILROAD STATION -- BOSTON MARATHON COURSE --
EARLY AFTERNOON
A small group of runners passes by, including the Canadian,
Komonen. Cars, filled mostly with press, follow alongside
the lead runners, reporters jabbering to each other and taking
notes. A few motorcycle cops and some bicycles cruise nearby.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30.
Onlookers line the course, cheering the racers as they go
past. A long string of runners follow in the wake of the
lead pack. After about 25 athletes pass by, Ellison appears --
waving to the crowd, he seems to be thoroughly enjoying his
experience.
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- People are stepping out of the crowd
onto the road, holding up cups of water and offering orange
slices as runners pass by.
ELLISON
Anybody giving out soda pop?
RUNNER BESIDE ELLISON
(sweating, panting)
You're... having too much fun... I'm
working harder... than you. Why
don't you go try to... catch the
leaders?
ELLISON
Not yet. My coach, Tippy, he wants
me to hold-back, hold-back till the
last few miles.
EXT. SLIGHT HILLS ALONG BOSTON MARATHON COURSE -- NEWTON --
MID AFTERNOON
Ellison, alternately jogging and walking, stops to remove
his shoes.
CLOSE to a foot -- a mess of broken blood blisters.
ELLISON
(muttered to self)
Magic feet...
Shaking head, he carries the footwear as he resumes running,
barefoot -- leaving a trail of blood. His pained expression
improves after he casually tosses his shoes to some onlookers.
INT. BUSY PRESSROOM OF THE BOSTON GLOBE -- DAY
JERRY NASON, a lean young Globe reporter, sits at a desk,
pecking semi-rapidly at a typewriter, glancing to and from
his notes as he works.
JERRY'S P.O.V -- CLOSER to text as it forms on the paper.
The reporter's voice narrates as he types.
JERRY (O.S.)
Though this year's race was won by
Dave Komonen, a flying Finn from
Canada -- with local boy, JOHNNY
KELLEY, valiantly coming in second --
a colorful story was transpiring
back in the pack.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31.
JERRY (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Dressed in his "vest of many colors"
ran a poor Narragansett Indian from
Rhode Island, named Ellison "Deerfoot"
Brown. Early in the race, he ran to
the promise of his name, proudly
with chin up, as beautiful in stride
as any racehorse. He finished the
race with bloody bare feet, in 32nd
place. Muscled like the best of the
ancient Roman gladiators and yet
with the soft and sinuous curves of
a Greek God... Deerfoot looks like
he would be more at home in the
jungles of Africa than the streets
of Boston. This reporter wonders if
"TARZAN" Brown will return next year
to once again challenge the mighty
marathon.
-- By Jerry Nason
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. HOPKINTON -- BOSTON MARATHON STARTING LINE -- LATE
MORNING
SUPER: ONE YEAR LATER -- APRIL, 1935
Runners are milling about behind the start banner, making
last-minute preparations. Spectators and supporters interact
with athletes; reporters with note pads out are querying
runners and taking notes. Ellison Brown sits cross legged
by the roadside, again wearing the multi-fabric singlet.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Attention All Runners. It is ten
minutes till noon, please begin moving
to the starting line.
Runners move closer to the start, exposing Ellison, sitting
stoically and expressionless. A young pressman notices the
Indian and approaches.
JERRY
Hey, I remember you, hard to forget
that outfit. I'm Jerry Nason --
with the Globe. Mentioned you in a
story last year.
Ellison looks up at Nason.
JERRY (CONT'D)
Say, shouldn't you be getting ready
to run? Race is set to start.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
ELLISON
I remember. My coach told me you
called me "Tarzan". Now lots of
people are calling me that.
(grins)
I don't mind.
JERRY
Well, Tarzan, how are you going to
run this year? Don't think you'll
get a mention this time if you come
in 32nd.
Ellison slowly gets to his feet and stretches.
ELLISON
Last year I was just here for all
the fun, and besides, my feet weren't
tough enough. Got more callus this
time -- sign of a man.
Nason jots a quick note on his pad.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
You writing this down? Okay, this
year could be a surprise for people.
I'm gonna run as fast as I can, for
as long as I can... But don't tell
Tippy -- he's my coach.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the
1935 Boston Athletic Association
Marathon Footrace. Please show your
appreciation to all these fine young
athletes representing clubs throughout
the U.S.A. and even Canada...
Runners, please prepare for the start.
Ellison starts toward the crowd of racers.
JERRY
Well, good hunting, Tarzan. Have a
good race.
The Indian runner looks back at Nason.
ELLISON
If I win, maybe you can write in
your paper that my victory is to
honor my mother's spirit. She passed
away, just a few days ago. So I'm
wearing this shirt she made from her
dresses...
(tugs at the fabric)
...to remember her. Even though
last year I sorta got laughed at.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33.
Nason says nothing as Ellison moves away. ANOTHER REPORTER
comes up behind Nason, claps him on the back.
REPORTER
Well Jerry, Spring's here for sure.
The saps are running.
(laughs, shaking head)
I love that line. Wrote it first,
yuh know that?
JERRY
Don't kid yourself. Takes a rugged
athlete with plenty of guts to run a
marathon.
REPORTER
Well, if you ask me, they're all
just a bunch of working-class oddball
freaks.
(shrugs)
Me, I'd rather be coverin' baseball.
The pressmen move up to a better position for viewing the
start.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Returning to this year's race, we
have defending champion, Dave Komonen
from Canada. Dave had to drive
through a snow storm to get here
just in time...
Some applause.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Second-place finisher last year, a
local florist, Johnny Kelley...
Significant crowd reaction for local favorite Kelley.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Returning once again, SEVEN-TIME
winner, Clarence H. Demar...
Clarence...
More applause and cheering.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Okay gentlemen, prepare to start and
have a good race!
ELLISON, back in the pack of runners, feels someone pulling
at his singlet.
RUNNER BEHIND ELLISON
Hey, I heard yer squaw made this.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34.
ELLISON'S DARK EYES NARROW as the STARTING RIFLE EXPLODES.
The Indian runner has an explosive start himself, weaving
and pushing past human obstacles to the lead pack of the
early race.
A diminutive, fair-skinned man in his late twenties, JOHNNY
KELLEY, pulls up beside Ellison. Wearing a small shamrock
on his singlet, Kelley's eyes twinkle as he smiles, a little
crookedly, at his neighbor.
JOHNNY
Hey, lots of time to give it the
leather later on. Jeepers, this is
a marathon, not a mile race, son.
Ellison doesn't look over at Kelley.
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
You've got a nice running gait there,
fella. Say, I recognize you, you're
that Tarzan fella -- ran barefoot
last year, didn't yuh?
(offers his hand)
I'm Johnny Kelley.
Ellison shakes hands with Kelley.
ELLISON
I hate shoes -- these ones are foot
killers. When are you white men
gonna invent something useful...
like special shoes for running?
JOHNNY
Got news for you, my friend -- they
already make 'em! Wearing 'em myself
for the first time -- S.T.A.R.
Streamlines. Hey, you gotta get
some. They're lighter weight and
white instead of black -- supposed
to absorb 38% less heat.
Another runner pulls up on Kelley's other shoulder.
NEW RUNNER (PAT)
Hey Kel, last year I started a
marathon with a dollar bill in my
shoe... When I finished, I found
ten dimes there.
JOHNNY
Heard that one before, PAT.
ELLISON
Is it supposed to be lucky to put
money in your shoe?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35.
JOHNNY
No Tarzan, it's a joke.
ELLISON
Oh.
With a little smile, Ellison picks up his pace and separates
from the two men.
PAT
Guess he didn't like my humor.
JOHNNY
Don't worry, he'll be back. If he's
a typical Indian runner, he'll burn
himself right outta fuel... Besides,
he ain't wearing S.T.A.R Streamlines.
EXT. A 1934 STUDEBAKER PRESIDENT (MOVING) -- EARLY MARATHON
COURSE -- EARLY AFTERNOON
INT. STUDEBAKER -- FAVORING JERRY NASON
Nasson, scribbling in his notebook, chats with another
reporter.
JERRY
Who just dropped out -- that Komonen?
OTHER REPORTER
Yeah, heard he missed a night of
sleep driving down from Canada through
that blizzard.
JERRY
What happened to Pawson? Haven't
seen him the whole race.
OTHER REPORTER
Ah, he's way back, he's not fit this
year.
JERRY
Kelley sure looks fresh. I got him
pegged to win.
OTHER REPORTER
Yeah, he looks good all right. Heard
he's on a special diet, lots of
protein.
JERRY
He told me he's taking glucose pills
this time too -- some scientists
said they'd help the last few miles.
OTHER REPORTER
And he's got those new special shoes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36.
EXT. SLIGHT HILLS ALONG BOSTON MARATHON COURSE -- NEWTON --
MID AFTERNOON.
ELLISON -- struggling to hold his form as the race wears on.
He runs virtually alone, out of contact with runners ahead
and behind. Some onlookers tap hands lightly as he goes by.
CLOSE to Ellison's half-closed eyes...
CLOSER... into the dark eyes...
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- A VAGUE, BLURRY IMAGE IS FORMING...
THE IMAGE -- a ghostlike apparition hovers low in the sky
ahead. Evolving supernaturally, the image forms into the
features of Ellison's mother... Her expression radiates with
what could be proud love, as she nods her head slightly...
CLOSE TO ELLISON'S EYES -- brimming with tears...
ELLISON'S MOTHER (V.O.)
You honor me. Show the Waumpeshau
your warrior heart will not give up.
THE APPARITION fades into something shapeless, indistinct...
TEARS are streaming down Ellison's cheeks as he runs on.
ROADSIDE -- AS ELLISON PASSES
OLDTIMER
(to his buddy)
See that? That's the marathon.
He's in so much pain he's got tears.
BUDDY
Yeah? I'd be cryin' too if I was
seen wearin' that patchwork rag he's
got on.
EXT. A MILE OR SO UP THE COURSE -- A BIT LATER
Ellison, jogging down to a walk, stops and removes his shoes.
He tosses them immediately aside as he resumes jogging,
barefoot, leaving a trail of blood. There are few other
runners in view, as some onlookers cheer and shout
encouragement. At least one heckles.
ONE ONLOOKER
C'mon Tarzan! Only five miles left!
HECKLER
Hey, you're still the first Indian.
Ellison acknowledges the spectators with a small wave, as he
picks up his pace slightly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37.
ELLISON
Anybody got any soda pop?
Someone steps onto the road, holding out a bottle.
ONLOOKER WITH BOTTLE
You like orange soda?
ELLISON
Yup, that's my favorite.
(takes it)
Thanks, buddy.
EXT. FINISH LINE OF BOSTON MARATHON -- A LITTLE LATER
Officials, press, coaches and spectators surround the finish-
line area. A B.A.A. official on a scaffold looks down the
course through binoculars, while an announcer addresses the
crowd.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER
Ladies and gentlemen, the first runner
is now heading for the finish... and
it is... Kelley. Johnny Kelley is
about to win his first Boston
Marathon!
JOHNNY KELLEY'S P.O.V. -- the finish banner in sight, Johnny
takes one quick glance over his shoulder -- there is no
pursuer to be seen. Johnny smiles, then suddenly clutches
his stomach and slows to a stop.
He bends over and vomits several times, straightens and
crosses himself, then runs through the finish.
EXT. RAISED PLATFORM NEAR THE BOSTON MARATHON FINISH --
LATER AFTERNOON
JOHNNY KELLEY, wearing a laurel wreath, a winner's gold medal
around his neck, holds a bouquet of flowers as he addresses
the crowd below.
JOHNNY
Who could believe this? Jeepers --
a florist running 26 miles to get a
laurel wreath! Well, I just want
you all to know what a swell feeling
this victory gives me. You can win
every five and ten mile race in New
England, but nobody really repects
you till you win the B.A.A. Marathon;
this one's as big as baseball! I
know this glory will be over in a
few days, so I intend to really enjoy
it!
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38.
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
I'd like to thank my coach, Fred
Faller, my trainer, Angus MacDonald,
my doctor, Kenneth Tilotson, and of
course my parents --and everyone who
supported my win today! Thank-you
to the Boston Athletic Association --
you fellas are great. God be
willing, I hope to come back here
for many years to come.
THE CROWD BELOW KELLEY'S PLATFORM -- CHEERS AND APPLAUDS
CLOSER IN -- ELLISON, watching as Kelley waves to the
onlookers below.
ELLISON
(to anyone listening)
Next year, with better shoes, maybe
that'll be me up there.
A MAN beside Ellison glances at the Indian, then leans to
his opposite neighbor's ear.
MAN BESIDE ELLISON
Now that would be something... Indian
giving a victory speech to a bunch
of white men.
EXT. DOWNTOWN BOSTON STREET CORNER -- THAT EVENING
ELLISON, walking alone, comes to a corner pub; he hesitates,
then enters.
INT. BOSTON CORNER PUB -- MOMENTS LATER
The atmosphere inside is loud and celebratory. Ellison is
at the bar, a beer already in hand, when he hears a familiar
voice calling a familiar name.
JOHNNY (O.S.)
Hey! You -- Tarzan! C'mon over and
join us.
Ellison glances over at Johnny Kelley, sitting at a nearby
table; with Johnny are a dozen men and women -- chatting,
laughing, drinking and smoking.
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
C'mon, don't be shy, always room for
another runner.
As Ellison hesitates, Johnny gets up from his chair -- too
quickly for the evening after running a marathon -- grimaces
dramatically, then shuffles over and slaps the Indian on the
back. With twinkling eyes and crooked grin, the smallish
Kelley could easily be cast as a leprechaun.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39.
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
Ooooo -- wouldn't want to hafta run
for it right now, that's for sure.
Hey, good race today, son. C'mon
join us, I'm buying drinks tonight.
ELLISON
Good race yourself. You won. I
lost.
JOHNNY
Hey, where'd you end up coming in?
Jeepers, when I passed you after
Wellesley, sure looked like you were
wearin' a few dimes in your shoes.
Kelley laughs at his new twist on the old joke. Ellison
smiles politely.
ELLISON
I came in 13th... Faster than last
year, anyway. Maybe by next time I
can figure out a way to get me some
of them fancy white shoes.
JOHNNY
Hey, trust me, they help. Most of
the top runners are wearing 'em now.
Only trouble is, they cost seven
dollars and 50 cents a pair. A fella
up in Peabody takes 16 hours to custom
make 'em for yuh.
ELLISON
(shaking his head)
That's a lot of money for shoes.
JOHNNY
Well, you're young and fast, you'll
just hafta go get yourself some
sponsors. Say, you do any of the
Legion race circuit?
ELLISON
Ran a few last year.
JOHNNY
With your speed, you don't really
need good smarts to win some of those
shorter races... Impress a few of
the right people -- Bingo, you get
sponsored. And, play your cards
right, you're gettin' top appearance
money -- all paid under the table.
(winks)
Ten bucks comes in handy for expenses.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40.
Kelley puts his arm around Ellison, leading him back toward
his table. The support doesn't hurt Kelley, who has been
enjoying celebratory drinks for hours.
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
Anyway, trust me, takes more than
just fast shoes to win a marathon.
We'll go run a few races together
this summer. Maybe you can rabbit
for me... Now, c'mon, I'm buyin'
you a drink.
EXT. SHORELINE OF NARRAGANSETT BAY, RHODE ISLAND -- COOL
SUMMER AFTERNOON
TIPPY SALERNO Stands on the the beach, well back from the
water's edge. There is a breeze coming in off the bay.
Tippy's attention is on a small figure up the shoreline,
growing larger as it approaches. CLOSER -- it becomes Ellison
"Tarzan" Brown. Nearer Tippy, the runner cuts away from the
water, running right up to stop in front of his coach.
Ellison's face displays his utter displeasure.
ELLISON
(points at bare feet)
Tippy! My feet are frozen and sore,
and this is not training... this is
some kind of... torture.
TIPPY
(patiently)
The idea, yu'know, is for it not to
be comfortable... The idea is for
the sun and the sand and the cold
and the salt to work together to
toughen up them baby-soft feet...
Yuh need leather feet tuh protect
yuh from yer shoes, kid.
ELLISON
What I need, is better shoes. Like
Johnny Kelley has -- S.T.A.R
Streamlines.
TIPPY
Better shoes won't help yuh run a
smarter race... Better shoes won't
stop yuh from going out too fast...
(shrugs)
Better shoes will come in time, kid.
First, yu'know, we gotta get yer
feet tanned up so yuh can win us
some races.
Tippy motions back to the bay with his cigar.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Now... Time to run back the other
way. And try to keep yer feet more
in the water this time. Trust me,
yu'know, I been at this a long time
already, I know what I'm doin'.
Before yuh can be a champion, gotta
get champion's feet.
As Tippy watches, Ellison turns and trots toward the bay.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
(to himself)
Good kid, yu'know. Hard worker.
INT. ELLISON'S VERY SMALL BEDROOM -- WESTERLY -- DAY
ELLISON lies stretched out on his narrow bed, reading a pulp
magazine: the title is "Tarzan And His Mate". His sister
Gracie's face peeks into the open doorway.
GRACIE
Ellison, Ellison. Ethel's here.
Did you forget about your date?
ELLISON
(puts magazine down)
Hey, don't you ever knock?
(sitting up)
And it's not a date.
GRACIE
Your sooo funny. There's no door to
knock on -- hafta have a door before
you can knock, silly.
EXT. PORCH OF BROWNS' WESTERLY CABIN -- MOMENTS LATER
ETHEL, waiting on the porch, wearing a yellow dress, looks
perky and pretty at 16. She lights to a warm smile as Ellison
comes out the door.
ETHEL
Hi, handsome hero.
ELLISON
(smiling back)
Hi Ethel. Uh, wanta go for a walk?
ETHEL
Sure. You look nice.
Ellison looks down at his somewhat ragged shirt and cut-off
pants.
ELLISON
Uh, so do you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42.
Ethel and Ellison step off the porch together, close but not
touching.
GRACIE
(peeking out the door)
If it's not a date -- then what is
it? And can I come?
Ethel turns a little crossly toward Ellison, who is turning
to glare back at Gracie.
GRACIE (CONT'D)
Just kidding, have fun!
Ellison and Ethel walk, almost touching, along the road.
ETHEL
Your sister's so cute.
ELLISON
Yeah. Cute.
ETHEL
So, where we going?
ELLISON
I don't know...
(beat)
Hey, I know. Want to pet a deer?
ETHEL
Sure.
(smiles shyly)
And I want to pet a Deerfoot too.
Ellison grins.
EXT. IN THE WOODS -- A LITTLE LATER
ELLISON is just ahead of Ethel, one arm stretched across her
body; he barely turns and puts a finger to his mouth,
motioning silence.
ELLISON AND ETHEL'S P.O.V -- A young deer just 50 feet ahead
is feeding on a fresh sapling.
ELLISON very slowly takes a short step forward. CLOSE UP,
his foot gently... touches the ground with the outside front
first, the rest of the foot slowly... compressing behind.
Slowly... and gently... his weight is transferring to his
front leg. Ellison nods softly to Ethel, who carefully moves
a leg forward. As her foot touches the ground, there is a
tiny sound of a cracking twig.
THE DEER stops feeding, its ears rotate slightly -- then the
animal gracefully bounds ahead, disappearing into some
foliage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43.
ELLISON
Hey, not bad, Ethel. We were getting
close.
ETHEL
Any closer, I was worried it could
hear my heart beating.
ELLISON
(grins)
I could hear your heart beating.
Remember, the closer you get, the
slower you go. Everything's gotta
slow right down, even your heartbeat.
ETHEL
How close have you come? You haven't
really petted one, have you?
ELLISON
(looks at her -- pause)
Almost.
ETHEL
This was fun. Thanks for bringing
me.
ELLISON
Sure. Next time we'll get closer.
(looks away)
Now... uh, wanna go for a soda pop
down at Sammy's? I do some odd jobs
for him -- he pays me with sodas.
ETHEL
Okay. If we can take the long way.
(smiles)
ETHEL'S HAND reaches to find Ellison's. ELLISON looks down
and then over at Ethel, smiling back at her.
EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD -- RHODE ISLAND -- MORNING
A CAR slows to a stop at the side of the road. Ellison Brown,
tote bag in hand, runs up and climbs in the back.
INT. CAR -- A MOMENT LATER
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- two men are in front.
DRIVER
How far you going, kid?
ELLISON
Up to Boston. I'm catchin' a ride
from there to Fitchburg for a race.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44.
DRIVER
I can take you as far as Pawtucket.
That's where we're headed.
ELLISON
Sure. Thanks.
EXT. CAR -- MOVING DOWN THE ROAD
EXT. A ROAD -- OUTSKIRTS OF 1935 BOSTON -- LATE AFTERNOON
A CAR MOVING up the road, slows and pulls over beside a
waiting Ellison Brown; he opens the back door and gets it.
INT. CAR (MOVING) -- A MOMENT LATER
Another man is in the back seat with Ellison. Johnny Kelley,
beside the driver, turns to face the back.
JOHNNY
So, gentlemen, this is the Deerfoot
himself, Tarzan Brown. Tarz, this
is my coach, FRED FALLER up here,
and that there's FRED BROWN Senior
in the back with you. He's runnin'
tomorrow's race too. Don't think
you two are related -- at least, you
sure don't look it to me.
ELLISON
Yeah, I don't think so.
Fred Brown holds up a freckled arm.
FRED BROWN
Not much chance.
ELLISON
I know Brown's mostly a white name,
but I've got lots of cousins not as
dark as me.
He holds his arm next to Fred Brown's
ELLISON (CONT'D)
I get really brown from runnin' out
in the sun with no shirt.
FRED BROWN
No chance -- we're not related.
A few beats of silence.
ELLISON
Hey, thanks for bringing me along.
I'm really happy to be goin' up there
with you fellas.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45.
FRED FALLER
So, who you got handlin' you, Tarzan?
ELLISON
Tippy. Tippy Salerno. He used to
coach my uncle, Horatio Stanton.
Unc's a really good runner, you fellas
probably heard of him.
FRED FALLER
I know Tippy. He'll keep you in
line.
(smiles)
Yuh know?
ELLISON
Yeah, he does. And he's trying to
get me to not eat so many potatoes.
FRED FALLER
He's right about that -- low-starch
diet is what's best for running.
Stick to meat and eggs.
ELLISON
I can really eat a lot. When I get
a chance to.
FRED BROWN
Hey, what runner can't?
JOHNNY
You guys ever see Pawson eat? If he
ran as fast as he eats, he'd never
lose a race.
FRED BROWN
Kel, you'd give him a good run for
his money in that department.
FRED FALLER
Now Tarzan, Tippy's probably got you
running from the front. That's the
best way for you Indian runners --
just hafta do what comes natural for
you people. Never see too many
Indians coming from behind.
JOHNNY
Except maybe in the movies -- with
tomahawks.
Ellison laughs with the other three.
ELLISON
That's right, I just like to run as
fast as I can go.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
But Tippy, he always says hold-back,
hold-it-back. Someday I'll stay
fast right till the end of the Boston
Marathon.
JOHNNY
And I'll be right there, ready to
kick by you at the very end -- just
after your shoes come flyin' off!
Everyone laughs again at that.
EXT. Y.M.C.A. -- FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS -- EVENING
FRED FALLER'S CAR pulls up in front.
INT. CAR
FRED FALLER
Okay boys, get your gear and you can
get settled in here. I'll go park
the car around back. There's a place
down the street with good grub, and
we can all have a night cap afterward.
INT. FITCHBURG TAVERN -- NIGHT
Ellison, Johnny, and Fred Brown sit at a table, drinks in
front. The room is about half full, many listening to a
slight young man crooning to a piano's accompaniment.
JOHNNY
You know, when you stop and listen,
that kid's gotta good voice. Bad
dresser though, that wrinkled suit's
way too big for him.
FRED BROWN
Helluva way to make a livin' --
travelin' and hustlin' to sing in
smoky taverns all over the place.
JOHNNY
Yeah, bartender says he's from way
down in Jersey someplace.
ELLISON
I like the way he sings. Maybe I'll
stay here all night listening...
Long as they stay open, an' I got
somethin' to drink.
FRED BROWN
Not a good idea.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47.
JOHNNY
Yeah, there's a time for fun and a
time for business. Our business is
putting on a good show for the people
out watching us race tomorrow.
ELLISON
I'll give 'em a good show.
JOHNNY
Yeah? Well then I suggest we go get
some shuteye so no one gets
disappointed.
ELLISON
C'mon Johnny. It's still early. I
gotta have one more drink for sure.
Why don't you fellas just stay for
one more drink with me?
JOHNNY
Why do I get the feeling, if you
have another drink, we'll never get
you outta here?
ELLISON
Hey, c'mon, just one. What're you,
afraid to have fun?
JOHNNY
No. It's a ten-mile race tomorrow,
not a stroll in the park. We all
need our sleep to be ready for that.
FRED BROWN
Kelley's right, Tarzan. Time to
call it a night.
Kelley and Fred Brown get up to leave.
ELLISON
Okay, you boys do whatever you want.
Me, I'm stayin' for one more. And
then maybe one more after that.
JOHNNY
Have it your way then, but you'll be
eating my dust for sure tomorrow.
ELLISON
Johnny boy?
JOHNNY
Yeah, Tarz?
ELLISON
You gets in my way tomorrow, I'll
run right over yuh!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48.
JOHNNY
Ah, c'mon Fred, let's leave him.
He's half-drunk already sure as shit.
Kelley and Fred Brown walk away from the table.
ELLISON
(annoying razz)
Hey Johnny boy, I hear your mommy
callin' you. "Bedtime Johnny --
JOHNNY, you come home to bed this
instant!"
Johnny's ears are turning red but he doesn't turn around.
INT. FITCHBURG TAVERN -- TWO HOURS LATER
Ellison is at the same table, several empty beer bottles in
front of him. He appears drunk and disheveled, as THE SINGER
addresses the few patrons left in the tavern.
SINGER
Well folks, I'm done for the night,
thanks for listening. I'm just
starting out, but I'm hoping to make
a career out of music -- singing's
what I love. If you liked what you
heard, I'd sure appreciate you telling
some friends...
Ellison stands up, wobbly, applauding.
ELLISON
Hey! You Sing Real Good. DON'T
STOP -- KEEP GOIN!
SINGER
Why, thank you, sir. I will keep on
singing, but not tonight. I'm all
finished for this evening. Thank
you.
Ellison is cheering and clapping loudly, then puts his fingers
in his mouth to whistle shrilly.
SINGER (CONT'D)
Good night folks. Thanks again -- I
truly do appreciate your applause.
Don't forget -- my name's Frank
Sinatra.
EXT. FRONT OF Y.M.C.A. -- LATER, SAME NIGHT
Ellison is knocking and pulling on the locked front door, a
beer bottle in his other hand. Finally giving up, he takes
a pull from his beer, then staggers away. Spotting a nearby
bench, he struggles to reach it... sets down his beer...
Stretching out on the bench, his body goes motionless.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49.
EXT. FRONT OF Y.M.C.A. -- MORNING DAYLIGHT
ELLISON'S EYES -- they open and immediately squint against
the brightness of morning sunshine. Hands shield his eyes
as he rolls away, and... falls off the bench, grunting as he
hits the ground. Pulling himself back onto the bench, he
sits for a moment, shaking his head. Spotting the beer bottle
still standing, Ellison picks it up and finishes the contents.
EXT. STARTING LINE OF FITCHBURG LEGION RACE --LATER MORNING
Johnny Kelley and Fred Brown flex, stretch and bounce up and
down just behind the start banner, as do several dozen other
runners. A little back of the crowd, Ellison Brown sits
with arms and legs crossed, his head bowed.
ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
(from a platform)
Welcome to the Fitchburg Legion Ten-
Mile Footrace. I am pleased to
announce that entered in today's
competition, we have defending
champion, from Pawtucket, Rhode
Island, Les Pawson. LES!
Applause from the sparse crowd.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
We also have, from West Medford,
Massachusetts, the current Boston
Athletic Association Marathon
Champion, Johnny Kelley.
More polite applause.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
We would like to thank all these
dedicated athletes for entering and
wish them all... Godspeed. Now
remember, this is a loop course, it
will finish back here at the start.
Runners, prepare to race...
The runners crowd the starting line. Kelley and Pawson shake
hands as they stand front and center of the pack. Well behind
them, Ellison stands up, shakes his head a few times as he
moves to the back of the lineup of racers.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Runners, ready... Set...
A PISTOL FIRES INTO THE AIR
The throng of runners gallop forward, Kelley and Pawson
leading the way...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50.
EXT. AROUND FIRST CORNER -- FITCHBURG RACE COURSE -- MOMENTS
LATER
KELLEY and PAWSON are still at the head of the pack, beginning
to separate themselves.
ELLISON BROWN suddenly emerges from the crowd behind, giving
chase to the leaders.
EXT. FURTHER ALONG RACE COURSE -- LATER
ELLISON SURGES past Pawson, moving up to Kelley's shoulder.
Looking over, surprised, Kelley pulls ahead, arms pumping
furiously.
EXT. START/FINISH LINE -- LATER
ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Ladies and gentlemen, the lead runner
is closing to the finish line... it
is... number twenty... seven. That
is... Ellison Tarzan Brown. Tarzan
Brown is going to win, he is well
out in front. No one can catch him
now!
ELLISON strides swiftly toward and through the finish,
breaking the tape, then jogs onward a few strides. Two race
officials move to his aid as Ellison stops and bends at the
waist, hands on his knees. As he begins vomiting generously,
the officials recoil with haste. JOHNNY KELLEY, crossing
the line ten seconds after Ellison, appraises the vomiting
Indian with a look somewhere between disbelief and admiration,
tempered with a little disgust at the display of vomiting.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Folks, we have an unofficial time
announced as... 53 minutes, 14 seconds --
that will be a new course record. A
new course record by Tarzan Brown.
I've just been told he's a full-
blooded Indian, born in Alton, Rhode
Island.
INT. FRED FALLER'S CAR -- BETWEEN FITCHBURG AND BOSTON --
LATER THAT DAY
Fred Faller glances back at Ellison Brown, fast asleep in
the back seat, a big loving cup clutched to his chest.
FRED FALLER
Well, Johnny, you were right about
one thing. We're bringing the trophy
back with us today.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51.
JOHNNY
C'mon coach, I got what what I came
for -- 15 dollars appearance money
and a good speed workout. Tarzan,
I'll give him credit, he ran fast --
there was no catchin' him today.
FRED FALLER
You shoulda seen the look in his
eyes coming up to the tape -- like a
wolf closing in on a sheep.
JOHNNY
Yeah, but all that blazing speed
won't win a marathon. It takes
tactics and good judgement too. You
know I got lots of that.
FRED FALLER
Hey, who's the coach here anyway?
But you're right, good Indian runners
is same as thoroughbreds. Handle
'em the right way and they might run
some good races for yuh. Hardest
thing about training 'em is just
getting 'em to do what they're
supposed to do. Brains just ain't
organized right.
The coach glances quickly over his shoulder again at the
sleeping Ellison.
FRED FALLER (CONT'D)
Hey, just in case you ain't really
snoozing, I don't mean no harm...
Your brain's just different, that's
all. You people are better suited
for stuff like hunting and fishing.
CLOSE to ELLISON, snoring softly and peacefully.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. A SMALL ROOM -- MIDDLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS -- DAY
ELLISON sits at a table, composing a letter. His voice
narrates as he writes.
ELLISON (V.O.)
Dear Gracie and Little Sister Nina
too:
Looks like spring is finally here at
Lake Assawamsett, but we still got
some snow in the woods. My running's
been going real good, but sometimes
I feel more like some kind of
salesman, selling myself -- or what
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52.
ELLISON (V.O.) (CONT'D)
I can do -- to people so they can
help me. Since I've run some good
races, I get to stay up here and
train because I got sponsored by
some rich men from Providence. Tippy
said I'll get extra coaching from
Jack. That's Mr Farrington, the
Rhode Island A.A.U. chief. He's in
charge. It's pretty good, all I got
to do is run lots and run fast, but
I get to eat all I can eat. Steak
and eggs and lots of vanilla sodas.
They even got me some new running
shoes -- S.T.A.R. Streamlines, just
the same as Johnny Kelley has. Me
and both my feet are real happy about
that. And besides running, I been
meeting lots of people, and staying
out of trouble. Most of the time.
Ellison stops writing and stares into space.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. A SALOON -- ELLISON'S RECENT PAST
ELLISON, bellied up to the bar, sips at a beer, a few empty
bottles in front on the counter. He turns his head as a
large hand grasps his shoulder. A VOICE with the grasp.
MEAN-AND-ANGRY MAN (O.S.)
(deep and unfriendly)
So yer the fast Indian we keep hearin'
about, eh? Well, how fast are yuh,
Tonto? Bet yer not so fast between
four walls now, are yuh?
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- Spins full around to expose a mean and
angry looking face above a very large, muscular body.
MEAN-AND-ANGRY MAN'S P.O.V. -- Ellison's dark eyes narrow.
INT. SALOON -- MOMENTS LATER
Ellison is ducking punches thrown by the mean and angry man,
counter punching back, the blows having negligible effect on
the big man, who grins wickedly as he backs the Indian into
a corner...
Ellison grabs a chair and quickly smashes it over his
opponent's head. The mean and angry man slumps unconscious
to the floor.
ELLISON
Yeah -- I'm pretty fast.
DISSOLVE BACK TO:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53.
INT. SMALL ROOM IN MIDDLEBORO -- ELLISON'S PRESENT
Ellison resumes writing.
ELLISON (V.O.)
...Hope you are all well. I really
miss you both and of course I miss
Ethel too. Gracie, please tell Ethel
I miss her the most... But somehow
I can't see you doing that. Give my
love to Pop.
Your Brother, Ellison
(pause)
Ps. The Boston Marathon is in three
weeks, I hope you can come watch.
Oh, ps.ps. They say the winner gets
to go to the Olympics in Germany. -
ps.ps.ps. I hope some of you get to
come watch because this year I'll be
the winner.
EXT. HOPKINTON -- BOSTON MARATHON STARTING LINE -- APRIL --
LATE MORNING
It is close to start time for the marathon; runners are mixing
with press, handlers and well-wishers. Jerry Nason spots
Johnny Kelley moving around behind the start-line, apparently
looking for someone. Nason seizes his opportunity, as do
two other members of the press.
JERRY
Hey, our defending champion. Feeling
up to the challenge of another happy
Patriots' Day, Johnny?
JOHNNY
Oh, hello Jerry. Well, I've trained
really hard this year, as you know.
My fitness is better than last year.
JERRY
Do you think last year taught you to
be a more patient runner? That was
a bit of a problem for you before, I
think.
JOHNNY
Yeah, definitely you have to be
patient to win here. And I think
dealing with you fellas helps me out
in that department.
(grinning)
ANOTHER REPORTER
How was your recovery from Medford,
Johnny? And how's the stomach feeling
today?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54.
JOHNNY
Hey guys, I feel great, never felt
better. I'm expecting to win -- I
will confess I want this one very
badly. Last year was a taste, I
sure want a spot on the Olympic team.
Reporters scribble in their notebooks as Johnny talks; a few
more press arrive, creating a small scrum around the popular
runner.
NEW REPORTER (JACK)
What about other challengers this
year? Anybody you plan to keep an
eye on?
JOHNNY
No sir, I don't plan on running
against any particular opponent. I
know this course well, so really I'm
running against time itself. You
can write that in your papers if you
like.
REPORTER JACK
Well, you certainly sound confident,
not overconfident are you?
JOHNNY
Jumpin' jeepers -- c'mon Jack, what
kind of answer do I give to that
one?
JERRY
Kel... The Indian, Ellison Brown,
has been running well. You know him --
what are his chances of a good result?
JOHNNY
Hey... Tarzan's a lovable character,
ain't he? Never has a bad word to
say about anyone. Far as running
goes, he's fast as lightning, but we
all know tactics are more important
than raw speed -- it's a marathon,
after all.
(trying to look through
the scrum)
Okay fellas, I'm trying to find my
dad here. See you at the finish.
Kelley pushes through the circle. As reporters disperse,
one nudges Nason.
REPORTER JACK
Get a load of this. Here comes Chief
Crazy Horse and his tribe.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
55.
Indians in full tribal dress are approaching. Horatio Stanton
and Bryan Brown, wearing feather headdresses, flank Ellison,
clad in a "Providence Tercentenary" running singlet.
JERRY
Now there's a good interview for
you.
Jack the reporter rushes into the Native entourage's path.
REPORTER JACK
Hey Tarzan, Kelley says you're gonna
burn yourself out in the hills.
Whatdoya say to that?
The Indian procession stops as one. Ellison's eyes narrow
as he looks at the reporter.
ELLISON
Kelley can get lost. I'll lick him
like a postage stamp.
The procession continues onward; the reporter turns to Nason.
REPORTER JACK
Crazy Injun. Doesn't he know he's a
100-to-one long shot?
JERRY
Yeah, well, I got him picked to win.
CUT TO:
OLD RIFLE FIRING INTO NOON SKY
CUT TO:
MOB OF RUNNERS RACING FORWARD FROM THE STARTING LINE
EXT. STUDEBAKER (MOVING) -- EARLY MARATHON COURSE -- EARLY
AFTERNOON
THE CAR slows as it pulls alongside Johnny Kelley, running
strongly and alone. The Studebaker hums to the sounds of
Kelley's slapping footfalls and light crowd noise.
INT. STUDEBAKER -- FAVORING JERRY NASON
NASON scribbles on his pad. Spectators lining the road begin
cheering more loudly. The driver leans over to Nason, yelling
to be heard above the crowd.
DRIVER
Kelley's race. He's gotta be our
leader, no one else in sight ahead.
Just then a MAN ON THE COURSE steps up to the passing
Studebaker.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56.
MAN ON COURSE
(yelling)
HEY, what're you following him for?
The Indian from Rhode Island passed
by here a couple of minutes ago!
JERRY
We're following the wrong guy!
Tarzan's way out in front -- we've
got to move up ahead.
EXT. STUDEBAKER -- ACCELERATING AWAY FROM KELLEY
EXT. FURTHER UP THE RACE COURSE -- LATER
ELLISON BROWN, running powerfully, the street lined with
cheering spectators. The studebaker and a motorcycle cop
cruise close behind.
Ellison passes a small group dressed in Native tribal costume,
some pounding on drums.
NATIVE SPECTATOR
(yelling)
YER THE WARRIOR!
He runs past a pocket of pretty girls, who smile, wave and
whisper to each other -- eyes stay fixed on his backside.
But Ellison acknowledges no one as he runs past, eyes narrow
and focused.
INT. STUDEBAKER -- FAVORING JERRY NASON
Nason is watching Ellison, running strongly, close to the
car. Another reporter, Jack, leans to Nason's ear.
REPORTER JACK
He's smashed all the checkpoint
records and he's almost four minutes
ahead of Kelley.
JERRY
(nodding, yelling)
At this pace, he's got time for a
dip in Friske pond, and at Natick
he'd still be out in front!
JOHNNY KELLEY, RUNNING POWERFULLY BY FRAMINGHAM RAILWAY
STATION
ELLISON BROWN, RUNNING THROUGH NATICK TOWN CENTER
KELLEY, RUNNING POWERFULLY THROUGH NATICK TOWN CENTER --
MINUTES LATER
As the crowd roars, Kelley increases his speed, pumping his
arms harder and starting to breathe heavier.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
57.
INT. STUDEBAKER -- FAVORING JERRY NASON
JERRY
(to Jack)
Looks like Tarzan's slowing down a
bit. We aren't far from the Newton
hills, that's where the real race
begins, at 20 miles.
KELLEY -- STILL RUNNING POWERFULLY AND FAST
But sweating and breathing hard.
Kelley's coach, Fred Faller, steps onto the course just ahead
of the runner, passing him some water.
FRED FALLER
You're closing, Johnny. Less than
two minutes ahead. You can get him.
Kelley drops the water and pumps his arms even harder -- he
is almost sprinting.
BROWN -- SLOWING FOR WATER
Ellison takes his time drinking before tossing the empty cup
aside. As he continues running, he is moving considerably
slower than the pursuing Kelley.
KELLEY -- RUNNING HARD AND FAST
KELLEY'S P.O.V. -- Brown is visible not far ahead.
INT. STUDEBAKER -- FAVORING JERRY NASON
Nason and the others inside have a great view of the closing
gap between the two runners.
REPORTER JACK
(into Nason's ear)
Kelley's got him. He'll catch him
right at the top of this last hill.
JERRY
Brown hasn't looked back once. He
has no idea what's coming.
KELLEY'S P.O.V -- CLOSING TO JUST BEHIND BROWN
Kelley moves up beside Brown, leans over and pats him on the
butt.
JOHNNY
Nice running, Tarzan, but time for a
real man to take over.
Ellison glances over at Johnny, surprised, as Kelley moves
into the lead.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58.
ELLISON
Hey, where'd you come from?
INT. STUDEBAKER -- FAVORING JERRY NASON
Jack leans to Nason's ear, but still has to yell to be heard
over the cheering spectators.
REPORTER JACK
What did he say? Kelley said
something.
JERRY
I don't know. But Kelley looks like
he's about ready to blow a gasket.
And Tarzan's barely sweating -- he's
been playing possum.
EXT. TOP OF THE NEWTON HILLS -- A MOMENT LATER
FAVORING ELLISON BROWN running just behind Kelley. Brown's
skin is dry, his breathing deep and quiet. Kelley is drenched
with sweat and gasping for air.
CLOSER, Brown's eyes become narrow slits. Suddenly, he surges
past Kelley -- the gap between the two men grows quickly.
Trying to respond, Kelley appears helpless... suddenly
pathetic. His head bobs in panic -- as Brown's floats away.
INT. STUDEBAKER -- THAT MOMENT
REPORTER JACK
What happened? Kelley's falling
apart!
JERRY
Tarzan broke him. At the top of
that hill. It broke Kelley's heart.
CLOSE to NASON'S PAD as Jerry jots a note, his pen in unison
with his brain and his voice.
JERRY (CONT'D)
(to himself as he
jots)
Heartbreak Hill.
EXT. A FEW MILES FROM THE FINISH LINE -- LATER
ELLISON BROWN is now running ungracefully and slower,
appearing to be losing control over his legs. Suddenly he
veers to one side, nearly staggering into the path of an
oncoming car.
THE CAR'S HORN BLARES!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
59.
INT. STUDEBAKER -- FAVORING DRIVER -- THAT MOMENT
THE STUDEBAKER HORN BLARES as the oncoming car passes.
DRIVER
(pointing to his head)
IDIOT! They oughta ban cars from
the road!
REPORTER JACK
Wow. That was close. I don't know
if Tarzan can hold on.
JERRY
He's lucky there's no one close
behind.
ELLISON. A smile on his face as he slows to a wobbly jog.
CLOSER to his LOWER BODY, a wet stain is forming on his white
shorts, as a stream of urine trickles down one leg.
INT. STUDEBAKER -- THAT MOMENT
REPORTER JACK
My God, is he peeing himself?
ELLISON. A man carrying a bucket steps up beside him, douses
the Indian with a bucket of water.
ELLISON shakes his head and, refreshed by the shower, begins
running again, more or less in a straight line ahead.
EXT. FINISH LINE OF BOSTON MARATHON -- A BIT LATER
From a scaffold above, an official aims his binoculars down
the course.
SCAFFOLD P.O.V. -- a distant runner is revealed intermittently
running, walking and jogging toward the finish banner.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
We have the lead runner now
approaching the finish... It is the
Indian, Ellison Tarzan Brown...
Ladies and gentlemen, no one will
catch him. His tribe calls him
Deerfoot, we like to call him Tarzan.
TARZAN BROWN will win the Boston
Marathon!
ELLISON BROWN crosses the finish line. Looking very tired,
he is surrounded by race officials. Press rush to take his
picture as he is wrapped in a blanket and handed some water.
RACE OFFICIAL
(patting Brown's back)
Fine running, son. Congratulations,
you're the champion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60.
Ellison is exhausted and still catching his breath.
ELLISON
Thanks... It's the shoes... S.T.A.R.
Streamlines... They helped me win.
EXT. MARATHON COURSE -- LESS THAN A MILE FROM FINISH LINE --
THAT MOMENT
JOHNNY KELLEY Is walking -- like a balance-impaired drunk.
His eyes are glazed and his face shows his complete
exhaustion. Cheering onlookers urge him to the finish.
ONLOOKER
Come on, Johnny, you're almost there --
you can still hold onto fifth place.
As Kelley tries to run, it is with the stumbling shuffle of
a broken, depleted athlete.
EXT. PLATFORM NEAR THE BOSTON MARATHON FINISH --LATER THAT
AFTERNOON
Ellison "Tarzan" Brown, crowned with a laurel wreath, a medal
shining on his chest, smiles as he looks over the crowd
gathered below. Beside Ellison is an official of the Boston
Athletic Association.
B.A.A. OFFICIAL
(to Ellison's ear)
Okay, Tarzan, this is where you get
to make a speech.
ELLISON
What should I say?
B.A.A. OFFICIAL
Say whatever you want.
The official applauds lightly as he steps away from Ellison.
Ellison hesitates, then steps forward.
ELLISON
Well...
(pause)
I guess you white people can't say
after this that the only good Indian
is a dead Indian.
Silence in the crowd. They are waiting for more from Ellison,
but he is done.
Panning expressionless and puzzled faces, then the few
costumed Indians in the crowd cheer and beat their drums.
Scattered nervous and half-hearted applause follows from
some of the white people.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
61.
EXT. MAINSTREET -- WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND -- DAY
ANOTHER CROWD -- a gathering of several dozen people, mostly
Native Indian, cheering and waving as a car pulls up. A
small band plays in the background.
ELLISON BROWN emerges from the car, dressed in a suit, still
wearing his laurel wreath. Smiling as he takes in the
welcome, he waves back as he shows off the champion's medal
around his neck.
ETHEL WILCOX rushes up to Ellison, giving him a hug. Gracie
waits her turn behind.
ETHEL
Welcome home, handsome hero.
ELLISON
Wow, this is real swell.
ETHEL
You're great. I've missed you.
ELLISON
I missed you too.
Ellison looks over at Gracie
ELLISON (CONT'D)
And you too, Gracie. C'mon.
Gracie hugs her brother.
GRACIE
There's a surprise for you after it
gets dark. Bet you can't guess.
ELLISON
Bet I can -- but give me a hint?
GRACIE
No... Okay, it's loud... And they
have it on the Fourth of July.
ELLISON
Fireworks? Really? Wow. Told you
I'd guess it.
EXT. IN FRONT OF SAMMY'S DINER -- WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND --
THAT NIGHT
Ellison and Ethel leave the diner, walking down the poorly
lit street. Ethel takes Ellison by the hand.
ETHEL
Lots of stars out tonight. I love
being out under the stars.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62.
ELLISON
Me too.
A few beats of silence.
ETHEL
Ellison... how long are you staying
this time?
ELLISON
(shrugs)
Coaches say I should rest up for
awhile. Then they want me to get
ready for the Olympic Games.
ETHEL
The Olympics? But Horatio told me
they won't even pick the team till
after some race next month. You
don't know for sure you'll be picked.
ELLISON
Yeah, that's the A.A.U Championship
in Washington. Some people said I
should have to run it to prove that
Boston wasn't just lucky.
ETHEL
Lucky? Even I know you can't win a
marathon with luck.
ELLISON
Luck helps.
(shrugs again)
Anyway, Coach Farrington told me not
to worry. He'll make sure I'm on
the team.
A few beats of silence as they walk slowly.
ETHEL
Germany is so far away. And maybe
if you win the Olympics, you'll get
a job far away from here. They say
an Olympic gold medal can buy almost
anything.
ELLISON
I never want to get a job in some
factory someplace.
(stops, looks at Ethel)
I can make a living right here, no
one better at catching shellfish
than me. And I'm good working with
my hands.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
63.
ETHEL
You are. And you love these woods.
It's like they're part of you. I
adore seeing the look on your face
when you're heading out to check
your traps.
More silence, more walking.
ETHEL (CONT'D)
I love it here too. Can't imagine
living anywhere else.
More walking, more silence.
ELLISON
Ethel, do you still want to get
married? I mean, to me?
ETHEL
Of course. You and nobody else --
you know that.
ELLISON
'Cause I was thinkin'... Let's get
married now. I'll be 22 after the
Olympics -- that's old. Let's just
get married now.
ETHEL
Now? Like, tomorrow, or in a few
weeks?
ELLISON
Tomorrow would be good... Or maybe
next week, so we have time to tell
everyone to come.
(smiles)
They'll all want to make it a big
party.
ETHEL
Before the Olympics is a really good
idea.
(pause)
I love you, Ellison Myers Brown.
ELLISON
I love you Ethel... Brown. Hey,
like the sound of that.
ETHEL
I always liked the sound of it.
A few beats of silence. Ethel stops.
ETHEL (CONT'D)
Sweetheart?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
64.
Ellison just looks at her.
ETHEL (CONT'D)
Now... I think... this is where
you're supposed to kiss me.
Ellison and Ethel kiss, a nice long drawn-out kiss under the
stars.
ETHEL (CONT'D)
(softly)
You'll always be my handsome hero.
EXT. MAIN STREET -- CHARLESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND -- DAY
Ellison Brown walks by a barbershop, slowly, looking through
the open door. The barber sits in his chair, reading a
newspaper -- no one else there. Ellison takes two steps
past the shop, stops and glances around. There is no one
else on the street. He turns and walks into the shop.
INT. BARBERSHOP
ELLISON
Hi Jimmy, it's me, Ellison.
JIMMY
(behind paper)
Hello Tarzan.
ELLISON
Jimmy, do you think you could give
me a haircut today?
JIMMY
(lowering paper)
Come on Tarzan. You know better.
No cuts for Indians in my shop.
ELLISON
I know, I know. But, well... I gotta
leave for the Olympics tomorrow...
So I was thinkin' maybe you could do
it just this one time.
JIMMY
(brightens)
Hey, I know, I was just reading about
that in the paper here. That's gonna
be some adventure for you -- going
all the way to Germany.
ELLISON
Yeah, I've been really looking forward
to it.
JIMMY
You gonna win?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65.
ELLISON
Sure gonna try.
JIMMY
Yeah... Well, sure wish I could
help you out, son, but you know what
people are like. Soon as I cut one
Indian's hair, someone'll hear about
it and next thing you know, everyone's
complaining.
ELLISON
yeah.
JIMMY
Sorry, but I got a business to run.
Ellison turns and goes through the open door.
JIMMY (CONT'D)
Hey, good luck in the Olympics --
bring home the gold!
Jimmy resumes reading his paper.
EXT. A SHIP, THE MANHATTAN -- LEAVING NEW YORK HARBOR -- DAY
EXT. UPPER DECK -- THAT MOMENT
ELLISON, clad in navy blazer with white trousers, is at a
stern railing, watching the slowly shrinking New York skyline.
Stretching his arms back, one hand reaches to the back of
his head, stroking the hair against the grain, feeling the
bristle of a new haircut. A voice behind him:
JOHNNY (O.S.)
Hey, if you changed your mind on
going, there's still time to swim
back to land. If you swim as good
as the other Tarzan.
Ellison turns to face Johnny Kelley and another man.
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
Tarz, you remember BILLY McMAHON,
don't you?
Ellison nods, smiling with the other two.
ELLISON
Hi Billy. I remember the paper said
something like you, "took up the
white man's burden of chasing down
the Indian" at Boston. I liked that.
BILLY
And I didn't catch you. You liked
that too.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
66.
JOHNNY
Hey, let's not talk about that day,
fellas. Jeepers, I don't have a
particularly fond memory of making
like an Indian the morning after the
morning before payday.
ELLISON
Payday -- what's that? You sayin'
white man give us Injuns jobs?
(laughing)
BILLY
(laughs too)
Yeah, when I passed you, Kelley, you
were almost going faster sideways.
Ellison is laughing harder, slapping his knee.
JOHNNY
(NOT laughing)
Okay-okay. Let's go check out the
grub on this boat. I've got a swell
idea to eat lots before we all start
gettin' too seasick.
The three marathoners walk off together.
EXT. UPPER DECK, THE MANHATTAN -- ON THE ATLANTIC -- A FEW
DAYS LATER
Ellison, Johnny and Billy are running laps around the stacks
above the deck. Kelley and McMahon run side by side,
chatting, as Ellison lags just hehind.
McMahon glances back at the Indian, turns to Kelley.
BILLY
What's he, practicing tactics or
somethin', Kel?
Kelley looks back at Brown.
JOHNNY
C'mon Tarzan, pick it up. You usually
run out in front, you're making me
nervous back there.
ELLISON
It's not a race and it's not even
fun.
BILLY
Of course it's not fun. Who ever
heard of runnin' for fun?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
67.
JOHNNY
Hey, it's a long trip across the
Atlantic -- we owe it to our country
to stay in shape.
ELLISON
This makes me feel like some kind of
zoo animal, running around in a cage.
We should be resting up instead.
BILLY
I bet the Finns are training hard
right now.
ELLISON
Yeah -- on solid ground.
JOHNNY
Don't make me laugh... Can't run
when I laugh.
(laughs anyway)
BILLY
I'm saving my laughing for the talent
show tonight. Listening to you sing
should be worth a laugh, Kelley.
JOHNNY
Hey, I sing like I run -- like a
champion. You fellas will find o--
Just then the ship, which had been on a calm sea, absorbs a
rogue wave and lists to one side -- sending the three runners
crashing into each other and onto the deck like bowling pins.
INT. SHIP'S DINING COMPARTMENT -- ON THE ATLANTIC -- EVENING
JOHNNY KELLEY is up on a stage, singing "You Are My Sunshine"
to the large cabin with its tables of Olympic athletes and
officials, transfixed. ELLISON Brown and BILLY McMahon are
seated together at a back table.
JOHNNY
(finishing up)
You'll never know dearrr, how much I
love youuu... Please don't take my
sunshine awayyy.
As Johnny finishes, all in the room applaud with enthusiasm.
Kelley sang well -- in tune, with great natural tone.
CLOSE IN TO ELLISON AND BILLY
BILLY
Okay, guess I gotta eat my words,
Kelley sings like a canary... or
more like Bing Crosby. He must've
been in a choir.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
68.
ELLISON
You going up?
BILLY
You kidding me? If Kelley sings
like a canary, I sound like a real
mean crow.
KELLEY -- still onstage, enjoying his moment.
JOHNNY
THANKS everyone. I loved doing that.
Who's next? C'mon... Anyone? How
'bout you, JESSE -- why not give it
a try?
Kelley gestures toward a table of black men near the front,
CLOSE to JESSE OWENS flashing a big grin as his well manicured
head shakes vigorously.
ELLISON AND BILLY
BILLY
Tough act to follow, that one.
ELLISON
I'm going up.
BILLY
Really? We gotta listen to some
Injun pow-wow mumbo jumbo?
ELLISON
(stands up)
No, I got a good one. My Pop taught
me all the words -- hope I remember
'em.
ELLISON MOVING toward the stage.
JOHNNY
OKAY, looks like we have our next
performer... Tarzan Brown.
ELLISON jumps up beside Kelley
JOHNNY (CONT'D)
What're you gonna be singin', sport?
ELLISON
I'm doing "Take Me Out To The Ball
Game." Want to stay up and join me,
Johnny?
JOHNNY
You're on your own with that one,
son. HERE'S TARZAN, FOLKS.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
69.
As Kelley abandons, Ellison looks over the audience. Then...
He begins singing, loudly and fairly competently, starting
with the original first verse:
ELLISON
Katie Casey was baseball mad,
Had the fever and had it bad;
Just to root for the home town crew, -
ev'ry sou Katie blew On a Saturday,
her young beau called to see if she'd
like to go, To see a show but Miss
Katie said "NO, I'll tell you what
you can do:"
(then the refrain)
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME, TAKE
ME OUT WITH THE CROWD.
BUY ME SOME PEANUTS AND CRACKER JACK,
By this point, most of the audience have joined in singing
the chorus known by every American.
ELLISON AND AUDIENCE
I DON'T CARE IF I EVER GET BACK.
LET ME ROOT ROOT ROOT FOR THE HOME
TEAM, IF THEY DON'T WIN IT'S A SHAME,
FOR IT'S ONE, TWO, THREE STRIKES,
YOU'RE OUT! AT THE OLD BALL GAME.
INT. SHIP'S DINING COMPARTMENT -- LATER
ELLISON BROWN, wearing an eagle-feather headdress, is posing
for a picture with a taller man, miler GLENN CUNNINGHAM.
Ellison beams as camera flashes. The two shake hands.
ELLISON
Thanks, that was a big honor for me.
GLENN
Hey, me too.
ELLISON
Uh, Glenn, you're the Kansas Flyer,
the greatest mile runner of all
time... Me, I'm just a poor Indian.
GLENN
Well, Kellie tells me you've got the
most beautiful stride and most
potential in the marathon he's ever
seen.
ELLISON
Kellie said that? What did he say
next -- like most Indians, I'll never
amount to anything?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70.
GLENN
(smiling)
Said nothing but good things.
ELLISON
Johnny's a great fella -- I really
like him a lot. And he sure thinks
a lot of you. Told me the story
about you gettin' your legs burnt
when you were a kid and how they
said you'd never even walk again...
(pause)
Say Glenn, you gonna be the first
miler to run under four minutes?
GLENN
(laughs, shaking head)
That's a long ways off for anyone,
Tarzan. Some people still think
it's an impossible barrier.
ELLISON
But you know it's not. And you're
only a few seconds away from it.
GLENN
Someday, four minutes will be
broken... but not anytime soon.
Those are very long seconds to lose.
ELLISON
Well... I think, in our lives, we'll
see people run way under four --
maybe under 3:50.
GLENN
(nodding)
I hope so. And under 2:20 for the
marathon.
ELLISON
(laughs)
Hey, those are some tough minutes to
lose. And way too many of 'em for
this Injun!
A few more athletes have gathered around, waiting to have
pictures taken with Ellison in his headdress.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
Anyway, it was really swell talking
to you.
GLENN
Yeah, me too, Tarzan. Hey, what
grade did you reach in school?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
71.
ELLISON
Finished sixth, but never got through
seventh.
GLENN
Hmmm, could've fooled me. You ain't
dumb, chum.
(taps his head)
See yuh, Tarz.
ELLISON
Thanks, Glenn. Great meetin' yuh.
(pause)
Okay now... Who's next to get their
picture taken with the fierce Indian
warrior? Step right up!
EXT. UPPER DECK -- MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC -- STORMY DAY
Ellison leans on a railing, looking ahead over the bow as
the ship crashes though large rolling waves. A voice behind.
VOICE (O.S.)
Hey, someone crazy enough to be out
here. Mind if I join you?
Ellison looks over as a black man -- a hat pulled down, coat
collar up against the fierce elements -- joins him at the
rail. Just then a wind gust blows the hat from the man's
head. Ellison turns as the man, with catlike quickness,
retrieves his hat before it can be blown far across the deck.
Just as quickly, he slides back in beside Ellison.
JESSE OWENS
Man, I'm holdin' onto this thing
from here on. Some kinda weather,
ain't it?
ELLISON
I recognize you. You're Jesse Owens,
the sprinter. They say you're gonna
win a bunch of gold medals and set
records.
JESSE OWENS
Hey, right now I'm just thinkin'
about us gettin' there. And keepin'
breakfast down every mornin'.
ELLISON
(offers his hand)
I'm Ellison Brown. Almost everyone
calls me Tarzan.
JESSE OWENS
(grasping the hand)
Hey, I know -- I heard you sing.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
72.
JESSE OWENS (CONT'D)
You're a brave man. Gotta say, you
know I got no idea how you folks run
those marathons. Me, I get tired
just drivin' that far in a car --
crazy stuff.
ELLISON
I don't know, I just do what comes
natural, I guess the same as you.
JESSE OWENS
Well... Way I figure it, you win
one gold medal in the marathon, it
should be worth three or four of
those other ones. I'm sayin' I'd
take my hat off to you... 'cept I'm
just holding on to it right now,
thank-you-very-much.
ELLISON
I don't know if I can win a gold
medal, but I know if I don't slow
down, no one can catch me.
JESSE OWENS
Well, I don't know nothin' about
runnin' no marathon -- though I think
not slowin' down probably helps.
But I do know one thing. The Olympics
only come along every four years, so
you gotta make the most of your
opportunity when you get it. And,
if we can win us some gold medals --
people gonna remember us for a long
time... You want to be remembered
100 years from now?
ELLISON
(shrugs)
Guess it's better to be remembered...
than forgotten.
JESSE OWENS
Then don't slow down.
(pause)
Hey, I'm going below -- it's crazy
being out here. We can talk about
runnin' that Nazi propoganda down
Hitler's throat another time. Nice
meeting you, Tarzan Brown.
EXT. BERLIN OLYMPIC STADIUM -- OPENING CEREMONIES 1936
OLYMPIC GAMES -- DAY
The stadium is filled with cheering thousands as legions of
Olympic teams march patriotically onto the track, following
their countrys' flags.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
73.
High above the field, above the familiar Olympic symbol of
linked rings, hangs the logo of the Nazis: a solemn eagle
perched on a swastika. ADOLF HITLER and associates watch
from a box nearby. A band is playing Beethoven's Ninth
Symphony, "Ode To Joy". The atmosphere is one of loud,
excessively majestic pageantry.
Ellison Brown marches proudly with the American team, beside
Kelley and McMahon, all wearing period team uniforms, navy
blazers with white trousers and flat-topped boater hats.
CLOSE IN to the three American marathoners.
BILLY
This is really somethin', ain't it,
Kel?
JOHNNY
(with moist eyes)
I've never felt more proud to be an
American.
Ellison says nothing as his head swivels to take in all the
sights and sounds of the awesome event, but his smile and
waves to the crowd display some of the joy he is feeling at
being part of the historic world spectacle.
A LITTLE LATER
A TINY FIGURE of a man, wearing a little white skirt and a
black vest, finishes climbing stairs to Hitler's viewing
box. CLOSE IN, Hitler smiles, as SPIRIDON LOUIS, 63-year-
old Greek winner of the first Olympic marathon, bows slightly
and presents the Nazi leader with an olive branch.
CUT TO:
JOHNNY KELLEY'S MOIST EYES -- THAT MOMENT
JOHNNY
Who could've imagined... Spiridon
Louis, winner of the first Olympic
marathon -- I'll never forget this
moment as long as I live.
EXT. DOWNTOWN BERLIN -- NIGHT
ELLISON walks alone along a lively street, taking in sights
and sounds offered by the German culture. He stops outside
a tavern, listens momentarily to the lively music from inside --
before entering.
INT. BERLIN TAVERN -- A MOMENT LATER
As Ellison approaches the bar, a bartender looks up, raising
his eyebrows expectantly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
74.
BARTENDER
Guten abend. Ja bitte?
ELLISON
Un, you have beer? I like ein beer...
Bitter.
BARTENDER
(nodding)
Ah, das bier.
Ellison takes a stool at the bar, looking around as the
bartender returns with a beer. A band, complete with an
accordion, plays period German music, with many patrons
enthusiastically singing along. The atmosphere is festive.
Ellison takes a sip from his beer, then a long pull.
ELLISON
Hey, this is good -- very good beer.
BARTENDER
(smiling and nodding)
Bitte schon.
LATER
Ellison still sits at the bar, several beer bottles now in
front of him.
The tavern door opens and in walk four young black-uniformed
Nazis. Ellison watches as they walk past him and take seats
at a nearby table. Some of the other patrons glance nervously
at the Nazis and most who were singing reduce their volume
or stop altogether. The four men confer at their table as a
waitress takes their order. One of the Blackshirts looks
curiously over at Ellison, who acknowledges the look by
raising his beer toward the German.
A LITTLE LATER
THE BAND is about to begin a new set. One of the Nazis yells
something to the musicians, who confer briefly, then start
playing a somber German hymn. The four Blackshirts all begin
singing along, with great passion if poor tone, raising large
mugs of foamy beer in time with the music. As the Nazis
glance around the room, some of the other bar patrons join
in the singing.
After listening to a few bars, Ellison joins in singing the
chorus, mimicking the German lyrics as he raises and swings
his beer back and forth with the song. As his actions become
increasingly animated, all four Nazis take notice of him,
beginning to scowl back in his direction. One by one, the
four stop singing. The band reaches the end of the hymn,
but Ellison continues with the chorus, having fun with his
best impression of German song. The four Blackshirts stare
at Ellison with stone faces.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
75.
Aware of the attention, the Indian stops singing, bows to
his audience, then spins his stool back to the bar.
THE FOUR NAZIS confer, then one, a tall blonde, stands up
and walks over to slide onto the stool next to Ellison. The
blonde Nazi turns toward the Indian, who is drinking his
beer and staring straight ahead.
BLONDE NAZI
Sprechen zie Deutsch?
ELLISON
(turning toward)
No thanks, I'm American. But I do
like your beer.
BLONDE NAZI
Ahh... Die U.S.A. -- a Yankee.
Okay. I speak English quite well,
actually. I spent some time in
London.
His eyes measure Ellison for a few seconds.
BLONDE NAZI (CONT'D)
You have very dark skin. Are you
part Negro? Or American Indian -- a
Cherokee, perhaps?
ELLISON
(nodding)
Yup, I'm Indian all right. But it's
not like in the movies...
(then mockingly slow)
There's... More... Than... One...
Tribe.
(shakes his head)
What is it about the Cherokees?
Ellison turns away and takes a long pull on his beer.
BLONDE NAZI
You are here for the Olympic Games?
ELLISON
That's right. I'm here to put on a
good show for your "Doichland" people.
I'm runnin' in the marathon two days
from now.
(points at his beer)
This stuff seems to help me run better
for some reason.
BLONDE NAZI
Ahhh, you are an athlete, and an
Indian. Like Jim Thorpe... or perhaps
more like Tom Longboat.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
76.
BLONDE NAZI (CONT'D)
What do you think of our wonderful
facilities? The Reichssportfeld is
something of which we are all very
proud.
ELLISON
(shrugs)
Nice enough place. But if I hafta
be honest, most of us Americans think
it's all just a bunch of propa...
prop-agation? Prop-aganda -- that's
the word. To make Hitler look good
to all you people over here.
BLONDE NAZI
The Fuhrer has done a magnificent
job ensuring all preparations were
made with perfection, and that Germany
welcomes the entire world with open
arms.
(shakes his head)
I think you are privileged to come
and see for yourself the achievement
of our Aryan nation.
ELLISON
(smug smile)
Your Aryan nation? I find it kinda
funny, the way you folks like to go
around acting like you're so much
better than people like me.
BLONDE NAZI
People like you? Well... It is a
fact that we are more advanced --
Darwin himself said so. And look at
how your people were living before
the Europeans came. You could not
even invent the wheel on your own.
ELLISON
The wheel? Well... we didn't need
the wheel... Because there weren't
any roads -- didn't seem to need
them things either till the white
men came. Besides...
(holds up his palms)
I know I can do just about anything
with these hands.
BLONDE NAZI
(shaking his head)
You are just... what we call der
dummkopf. I will not debate with a
fool.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
77.
BLONDE NAZI (CONT'D)
(stands up to leave)
But, if I can give you some advice,
you should understand that our tasty
Deutch beer is much stronger than
what you drink in America. Perhaps
you should be advised to return to
the Olympic Village and prepare for
your race.
ELLISON
Okay... What do you want me to say?
He stands up suddenly, just as the blond German steps away.
Ellison straightens his right arm up high in a theatrical
salute.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
HEIL HITLER!
BEER from the bottle still in Ellison's hand spills out,
some wetting the Nazi.
BLONDE NAZI
(frozen in his tracks)
You are... mocking me? You are...
Insulting us.
The other three Nazis, interested spectators to this point,
get up from their chairs.
ELLISON sets down his beer, his eyes narrowing.
ELLISON
No, I am... Challenging you. I
don't like being called stupid...
dumb-cops!
(raises fists)
Now, let's see if your Aryan blood
is red like everyone else's.
THE BLONDE NAZI hesitates, then steps into Ellison, swinging
with an uppercut aimed at the head. Ellison deftly blocks
the punch with his left forearm, then connects to the Nazi's
head with a hard right. The blonde man goes down hard to
the ground.
THE THREE OTHER BLACKSHIRTS charge wildly at Ellison, the
first planting his face right into the Indian's hard fist --
he drops as well. The third, a big man, lunges in, pounding
Ellison in the stomach, then pinning him in a bear hug against
the bar. The big Nazi spins him around, where the fourth
assailant delivers rapid blows to Ellison's chest... then
goes for the head, misses, hitting the bigger man, who
releases the Indian. Ellison kicks the fourth man in the
crotch, finishing him with a blow to the head as he doubles
over in pain. The other fallen Germans are up and back at
Ellison.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
78.
When the big man grabs the Indian from behind in another
bear hug, the others overwhelm Ellison with blows till he
slumps unconscious.
ELLISON is on the floor, absorbing kicks, when several German
police rush through the door
BLONDE NAZI
(stepping back, arms
out)
Genug. Ich bin voll.
He leans forward over Ellison.
BLONDE NAZI (CONT'D)
Seems you've chosen a jail cell over
the Olympic Village -- not a wise
choice I'm afraid. Viel glueck,
Cherokee.
Wiping blood spilling from his nose, the blonde Nazi spits
on the fallen Ellison.
INT. A BERLIN JAIL CELL -- DAY
ELLISON, his face showing cuts and bruises, stands with his
hands on the bars of his cell door, listening to the sound
of approaching footfalls and voices.
A UNIFORMED GUARD appears in front of Ellison's cell, followed
by several men wearing suits. One of the men is Johnny
Kelley.
ELLISON
About time you guys showed up, Kelley.
The food in here is terrible.
JOHNNY
Just keep quiet, Tarzan. I'm here
to make sure you don't say the wrong
thing to these people. They can be
a little sensitive.
ELLISON
Okay, I just want to get out of this
joint.
OLDER MAN
(looks in charge)
We're taking you back to the village,
son. The Germans don't want an
international incident made out of
this any more than we do.
The German guard opens up the cell door. Ellison steps out
and shakes the older man's hand.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
79.
ELLISON
Thank you sir.
OLDER MAN
Well, I don't mind telling you, one
of my colleagues suggested we leave
you in here to learn some discipline.
(beat)
Just run well tomorrow afternoon and
you'll make us all happy.
The older man pats Ellison on the back as they leave the
cell area.
EXT. BERLIN OLYMPIC STADIUM -- AFTERNOON
Fifty-eight runners are on the track, large numbers pinned
to their racing singlets; some men are stretching, some
jumping lightly on the spot, going through pre-race rituals.
OLYMPIC ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Achtung! Attention! The marathonlauf
will start momentarily. All runners
are to line up behind the starting
line.
ELLISON BROWN, sitting cross-legged on the side of the track,
gets up slowly, moves toward the pack of runners lining up
just ahead. A voice diverts his attention. It is Jesse
Owens, calling over from the infield.
JESSE OWENS (O.S.)
Tarzan. Tarzan Brown.
OWENS is quickly over to grasp Ellison's arm.
JESSE OWENS (CONT'D)
Just wanted to wish you good luck,
my friend. Remember, your race starts
right where mine did, same starting
line exactly as the sprints. Of
course yours is longer.
(grins)
ELLISON
(grinning back)
Yeah, just a little.
JESSE OWENS
May the Lord be as generous to you
as He was to me.
ELLISON
Thanks Jesse. I feel real strong.
JESSE OWENS
Bring home the gold, Tarzan. For
yourself. Don't slow down.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
80.
As Owens retreats, Ellison jogs up to insert himself in the
tight crowd of marathoners, finds Kelley and McMahon, squeezes
in beside them.
BILLY
Nice of you to get let out of the
clink in time for the race, Tarzan.
ELLISON
Wouldn't miss this for anything,
Billy.
Kelley and McMahon are both wearing white wool racing
singlets, large race numbers blocking the U.S.A. cresting.
Kelley tugs at Brown's number, 754, pinned to his shorts.
JOHNNY
Hey -- good idea yer coverin'
something less important than the
Stars 'n Stripes.
(grins)
ELLISON
Aw, these shirts are too hot an
scratchy to wear on a warm day.
Gonna lose mine after we get started.
JOHNNY
Hey, not a bad plan, this thing feels
like sandpaper. But not wearin' it
seems kinda unpatriotic, Tarz.
BILLY
I guess the advantage goes to the
Indian, huh Kel?
JOHNNY
Now remember fellas, today we're a
team. Godspeed to both of you.
ELLISON
Kelley boy, you gets in my way today,
I'll run right over yuh.
(laughs)
Okay, good luck to you fellas too.
Kelley, McMahon and Brown shake hands and ready themselves
for the start.
CRACK OF A STARTING PISTOL
THE TIGHT PACK of runners is quickly into full stride, moving
down the track, looking like one flowing creature from high
in the stadium. As the runners circle the track:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
81.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Welcome, listeners, to the first
ever live radio broadcast of an
Olympic marathon. Thanks to the
marvels of modern technology, this
race is actually being shown on
screens in special halls throughout
Germany on what some are calling
"the wave of the future", an amazing
invention known as tel-e-vision.
Incredible as it may seem, ladies
and gentlemen, some expect television
to someday become almost as common
as radio -- some day far in the future
I would think. And now, as the
runners circle the track where the
great Negro Jesse Owens immortalized
himself in winning an incredible
four gold medals, it is a warm
afternoon here in Berlin. After one
and 3/4 laps, the race will continue
outside the stadium onto the
Havelchausee, meandering through the
streets of Berlin before ending back
on the track within this magnificent
facility. It is estimated that close
to one million people will be lining
the streets to catch a view of these
Olympians in their quest for glory.
EXT. BERLIN OLYMPIC MARATHON COURSE -- TEN KILOMETER MARK --
AFTERNOON
A RUNNER strides along, his head covered by a white kerchief,
followed a short gap behind by a second unidentified runner.
Then there is another gap before Ellison Brown, sans scratchy
vest, comes into view, running comfortably. The course is
lined by German soldiers and spectators.
INT. SAMMY'S DINER -- WESTERLY, RHODE ISLAND -- AT THAT
MOMENT (BUT MORNING ON THE U.S. EAST COAST)
A SMALL GROUP, mostly Native, are clustered around a radio.
Bryan and Gracie Brown, Horatio and Atmore Stanton, Ethel
Wilcox Brown, and even Tippy Salerno are there, listening
attentively.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Just past the six-mile mark in the
Olympic marathon, ZABALA from
Argentina is still the leader.
Portugal's MANUEL DAIS continues to
run well in second place. It has
just been reported that Tarzan Brown,
from the United States, has put on a
surge and moved into third spot,
about 85 seconds behind Zabala...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
82.
A LOUD CHEER drowns out the broadcast, as the excited
listeners wave their arms in the air.
EXT. BERLIN OLYMPIC MARATHON COURSE -- 25 KILOMETER MARK --
LATE AFTERNOON
The RACE LEADER, ZABALA, runs past the marker. A short
distance behind, an Asian runner passes a third,
unidentifiable man. There is a fair gap till the next runner
becomes visible, running strongly in fourth, just ahead of a
few pursuers.
CLOSER on the bare-chested fourth runner, it is Ellison.
AHEAD -- there are some corners on the course; the runner in
front of Ellison turns right, then just ahead is directed
left by a POLICEMAN in the center of an intersection.
ELLISON's P.O.V. -- as he turns right, then sees the policeman
ahead, who has temporarily diverted his attention away from
the approaching direction. Ellison puts his arms up as there
is no clear indication whether to turn left or run straight
through the intersection.
ELLISON
(confused)
Which Way? WHICH WAY?
His speed forcing him to make a decision, Ellison picks
straight, running past the inattentive policeman.
SEVERAL ONLOOKERS AT ONCE
NEIN! NEIN! STOP! STOP!
As people yell, the policeman starts blowing his whistle and
waving Ellison back, at the same time directing the next two
runners arriving at the corner to turn left. Ellison looks
back in confusion, then stops completely... before turning
and running back to the point of error. He stops again and
throws up his arms in frustration, before continuing to run
in the proper direction. But as the Indian surges hard ahead,
he grabs at his lower abdomen.
INT. SAMMY'S DINER -- A BIT LATER
Quiet. No cheering, just concentration and concern on faces
gathered around the radio.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
Listeners, past the 18-mile mark of
the marathon, there have been some
dramatic developments. The leader,
Zabala, had collapsed at some point
and is now struggling to get back
into the race. The new leader is
SON from Japan, followed closely by
HARPER from Great Britain.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
83.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Zabala is still in third, though
hurting, followed by COLEMAN of South
Africa. Next are all three members
of the Finnish team, then a sizeable
gap till the next athlete...
We have just had a report that Tarzan
Brown, the Indian runner from the
United States, has either been
disqualified or has dropped out of
the race...
Panning the group: some hands go up over faces, some are
exhaling, a few groaning, Gracie and Ethel are starting to
cry. Horatio stands up, shaking his head.
HORATIO
(to himself or anyone)
Damn. I thought he was gonna do it.
But it was just too good to be true.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SHIP'S DECK -- APPROACHING NEW YORK -- DAY
ELLISON BROWN at the bow railing, looking out at the
approaching New York skyline. Kelley and McMahon join him.
Kelley puts his arm around the Indian's shoulder.
BILLY
Hey that looks good, don't it? Almost
home.
JOHNNY
Home, yeah. Where we get to explain
one more time to the press and all
our friends how we choked and screwed
up at the Olympics. Always something
to look forward to.
BILLY
Hey, you've got nothing to hang your
head about, at least you finished --
unlike us two bums. And Tarzan,
well, at least you were up there
challenging for the lead most of the
race.
ELLISON
Yeah? Well don't forget, I'm just
an Indian runner -- all natural
talent, no brains and heart -- so
they probably didn't expect me to
win anyway.
(grins)
Kelley slaps Brown on the back -- a little too hard.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84.
JOHNNY
We'll never forget you're an Indian,
Tarzan, don't worry about that. And
you forgot to say lazy -- that's
another thing they like to say about
you Indians, you're too lazy compared
to us hard-workin' Irishmen.
BILLY
Lazy and undisciplined runners.
Don't forget about undisciplined.
ELLISON
Hey, you looked kinda lazy coming in
18th, Kelley.
JOHNNY
At least I stayed on the course and
finished! Hey, you know there's a
story goin' around you got busted
from the race for stopping to wet
your throat in a German beer hall.
And all I heard about it from you
that day was "too tough for me today."
ELLISON
Kelley boy, if you hadn't been so
far back you might of seen... Anyway,
I'll tell yuh what really happened.
First, I got directed off the course.
Then after I get back in the race, I
gets this terrible pain in my gut.
So, I lay down to try to stretch it
out, and somebody tries to pick me
up just as this car goes by. Then
this guy yells out: "Out! You're
out of the race -- you are
disqualified!" Not my fault -- I
never asked for help. That's exactly
what happened, but don't matter now
anyway. I just had a bad race, same
as you guys.
(looks away)
Maybe I just need some time away
from running for awhile.
JOHNNY
(nudging McMahon)
See Billy, just like a lazy Indian.
Soon as things go wrong, they quit.
ELLISON
Hey -- we don't quit till after we
get our first paycheck! At least,
according to you white folks as an
excuse not to hire us.
All three laugh at that.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
85.
JOHNNY
Seriously, Tarz, you're a great
runner, but you don't train properly.
You could be even better than you
are if you just worked harder at
it... And yuh gotta lay off the booze.
ELLISON
Ah c'mon, you know better than that,
Johnny, I train just as hard as you...
when I feel like it. And I sure
don't feel like it right now.
Johnny puts his arm around Ellison...
JOHNNY
Maybe you just need a hug.
...tries to headlock the Indian.
ELLISON
(squirming free)
Get lost, Kelley.
JOHNNY
Anyhow fellas... Just remember that
line they told us at the start of
the Olympics. "The important thing
is not to win, but to take part...
just as the most important thing
about life is not to conquer but
struggle well."
BILLY
And you believe that stuff?
JOHNNY
Well... No, I like to win.
INT. SMALL MEDICAL CLINIC -- CHARLESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND --
DAY
ELLISON sits shirtless on an examining table, as a stethoscope
is moved over his chest. A DOCTOR examining Ellison steps
back, picking up a chart.
ELLISON
So, what's wrong with me, Doc?
DOCTOR
It's what we call an inguinal hernia.
The good news is it's somewhat
reducible. You should recover fine.
ELLISON
And there's bad news too?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
86.
DOCTOR
No more running for you this year.
(jots on the chart)
If you've had this since the Olympics,
it's no wonder you didn't finish the
race. Now you've got to be careful
or it might reoccur and you'll run
the risk of infection.
ELLISON
What about fishing? I plan on doing
lots of that.
DOCTOR
Just make sure all the fish you catch
are small ones. No heavy lifting --
no running. Now, go home and get
some rest.
Ellison nods and smiles.
ELLISON
There's no bad news, Doc. I was
planning on taking some time away
from running anyway.
Ellison is still smiling as he stands up and heads out the
door.
DISSOLVE TO:
MONTAGE -- TO MID-1930S JAZZ
Ellison with Atmore Stanton, fishing at a pond.
Beaming Ellison holding a crying baby, beside happy Ethel in
a hospital bed.
Ellison in a boat, pulling up a net full of shellfish.
Ellison and Horatio Stanton, jogging down a country road.
Smiling Ellison doing stonemason work on a wall, carefully
fitting a rock in place.
Wearing hip-wading boots and with a catch of fish in hand,
Ellison arriving home to Ethel and new baby waiting on the
porch.
Ellison running down a road, looking faster and stronger
than when jogging with Horatio.
Ellison hitchhiking, tote bag in hand; a car slowing to a
stop as Ellison runs up to get in.
DISSOLVE TO:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
87.
EXT. FINISH LINE OF THE YONKERS MARATHON -- DAY
ELLISON BROWN runs in to break the tape at the finish line.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
And the winner here at the New York
Marathon Championship is Tarzan Brown
from Rhode Island. This is Tarzan's
first race since he failed at the
Olympics, and he is obviously back
in fine form...
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- at the finish, as he turns and waits for
the second runner to come in. It is Billy McMahon, a few
seconds behind. Ellison hugs him as soon as he crosses the
line.
ELLISON
Great race Billy, you really pushed
me there.
BILLY
(still winded)
I... believed you... when you said...
you were out of shape.
ELLISON
Hey Billy, can you do me a favor and
pick up my trophy for me? I'll get
it from you later. Right after I
get my money, I'm leaving for New
Hampshire -- gonna try to make
tomorrow's race.
BILLY
You know... just when I start thinking
you're not just another crazy
Indian... you prove that's exactly
what you are. It's impossible to
run two marathons a day apart. And
stupid.
ELLISON
Yeah, well, Manchester promised me
16 bucks for show-up money; poor
Indian like me can't pass that up.
(grinning)
And, I got something to prove to all
those people callin' me a quitter
and making jokes about me gettin'
lost in Berlin. I'll make 'em eat
their words.
BILLY
(shaking his head)
You're crazy, Tarzan. It'll be your
funeral. Dead Indians got no use
for money.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
88.
EXT. FINISH LINE OF MANCHESTER MARATHON -- NEW HAMPSHIRE --
THE NEXT DAY
A MAN looks through binoculars from a tower above the finish.
MAN WITH BINOCULARS
Okay, I see the first runner coming
in... it's number four...
MAN'S P.O.V. THROUGH BINOCULARS shows number four, ELLISON
Brown, eyes squinting, struggling toward the finish.
MAN WITH BINOCULARS (CONT'D)
Looks like he's got a big lead, can't
see anyone close behind.
A RACE ANNOUNCER beside him moves to a microphone.
RACE ANNOUNCER
Ladies and gentlemen, the lead runner
is nearing the finish, and it is
Tarzan Brown, the Indian from Rhode
Island.
ELLISON jogging in across the finish line.
RACE ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Let's give this fellow lots of
applause. Incredible as this may
sound, I've been told this is Tarzan's
second full marathon in 24 hours.
He arrived this morning just in time
to race, hitchhiked here after winning
yesterday's Yonkers Marathon. Ladies
and Gentlemen, this is truly an
astounding achievement in athletics!
Ellison walks beyond the finish line, ignoring the
congratulations of race officials and press. With a pained
expression, the exhausted runner drops to one knee, clutching
his lower abdomen. Then he rolls to the ground in agony.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. A HOSPITAL ROOM -- LATER
ELLISON lies, shirtless, on an examining table. His doctor
turns from viewing a chart and makes some notes; he looks
with concerned expression at his patient.
DOCTOR
Now what we've got here son, is a
double inguinal hernia... Now this
is a really serious condition; you
might have died if they hadn't brought
you in here.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89.
DOCTOR (CONT'D)
You had better listen to me this
time when I say -- slow down.
(slowly, patiently)
No More Marathon Running This Year.
Understand?
Ellison pushes up on his elbows.
ELLISON
Yes sir. I plan on doing lots of
fishing, no running.
DOCTOR
(shaking his head)
Just remember: double marathons lead
to double hernias. You... Have...
To... Let... The Body... Heal.
You're not indestructible. Do you
understand me?
ELLISON
(suitably concerned)
Yes sir, I do. And thank's Doc.
EXT. THE BOSTON MARATHON -- NATICK -- WARM APRIL AFTERNOON
SUPER: 18 MONTHS LATER
JOHNNY KELLEY and LES PAWSON lead a small pack of runners
through the village, as the voice of Jerry Nason narrates
his report of the 1938 edition of the race.
JERRY (V.O.)
The 1938 Boston Marathon proved to
be a battle between PAT DENGIS of
Baltimore, and past champions, Les
Pawson of Pawtucket, and Johnny Kelley
of Medford. In the end...
EXT. BOSTON FINISH LINE --LATER
LES PAWSON crossing the finish line, arms raised in victory.
JERRY (V.O.)
...it was the personable Pawson's
turn to win, his 2:35 clocking just
ahead of second-place Dengis and
third-place Kelley.
PAWSON is assisted and congratulated by officials and well
wishers as he walks through the finish area.
JERRY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
A popular champion, Pawson is unlike
many marathon runners, in that he is
well-groomed, well-spoken, polite
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90.
JERRY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
and intelligent. One former champion
who did not fair so well in today's
race...
CUT TO:
ELLISON BROWN RUNNING LABORIOUSLY BESIDE A LAKE
JERRY (V.O.)
...was Tarzan Brown, who finished
more than an hour slower than his
winning time in 1936.
ELLISON slows down and, glancing over at the nearby water,
suddenly waves to the onlookers, veers off the course toward
the water's edge.
JERRY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Apparently the warm weather got the
best of Tarzan, or perhaps the nature-
loving Indian could not resist the
calling of the scenic Lake Cochituate.
ELLISON dives into the lake and swims out from shore, stopping
to tread water.
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- looking back and waving at perplexed
runners and spectators along the race course.
JERRY (V.O.) (CONT'D)
To his credit and unlike the Olympic
Marathon, Tarzan did eventually finish
the race. However, many observers
feel this former champion is now
simply fulfilling his true calling --
that of shiftless and carefree Indian,
forgoing the white man's ways to
live like his forefathers. I, too,
must wonder: have we seen the end of
running glory for the talented but
unpredictable Tarzan Brown?
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SALOON -- CHARLESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND -- DAY
TIPPY SALERNO approaches the entrance to the bar.
INT. SALOON -- A MOMENT LATER
INSIDE, Tippy looks around the mostly empty room, as a radio
plays soft jazz.
TIPPY'S P.O.V. -- spots Ellison Brown, perched at the bar, a
few beer bottles parked in front. Approaching... Tippy taps
the slumped backside of the Indian.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
91.
TIPPY
Can I buy yuh a drink, sailor?
ELLISON
(barely turning)
Tippy. How'd you know I'd be in
here?
TIPPY
According to my sources, yu'know,
you're here a lot these days --
drinkin' like a fish. But what makes
yuh think I was looking for yuh?
ELLISON
Nice and quiet in here this time of
day. I like to relax with a beer
and think sometimes...
TIPPY
Okay Ellison, Horatio told me yuh
said maybe yuh wanted me to help
out a little, yu'know, with yer
training. I also heard yuh ain't
gettin' handled by anyone else right
now, yu'know.
ELLISON
Handled? Most people seem to think
I'm done with racing. One guy said
it was a shame I'm broken down and
used up, something like that.
(shrugs, sips beer)
Hey, listen to this, Tippy. The
song on the radio, I like this one.
HEY RICK, TURN UP THE RADIO, WILL
YA?
RICK, behind the bar, obligingly turns the radio volume up a
notch. There is a very early Frank Sinatra song, "All Or
Nothing At All", with the Harry James Band, crooning from
the speaker.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
I really like the way this guy sings,
he's real good. They said his name
is... "something" Sinatra. This
song keeps getting stuck in my head,
but I don't mind. Just Listen...
Tippy listens for a couple lines, as Ellison intermittently
joins in singing the lyrics.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
(singing along softly)
...half a love... never appealed to
me... if your heart... never could
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
92.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
yield to me... then I'd rather...
rather have nothin' at all...
TIPPY
All or nothing at all, hmmm...
Yu'know, makes me think of yer
running, maybe...
ELLISON
(getting into it)
...if it's love... there ain't no
inbetween...
TIPPY
Yer either all out... Or nothin'.
What do you think, Ellison?
ELLISON
...why begin and cry for something
that... might have been...
(pauses singing)
I don't think much when I'm listening
to this song, I just relax and go
somewhere peaceful... It's like
when I'm an hour into a good run. I
can move outside my body and just
watch myself.
TIPPY
Okay...
(pause)
But I mean, what do yuh think about
yer runnin? Are people maybe...
Yu'know, right about you? Do you
think yer done winning races?
ELLISON
I don't care what people say about
me -- most of them don't know me.
They think they do, but they don't.
Let 'em say whatever they want.
(shakes his head)
I just don't see why everyone is so
surprised I live like an Indian...
(beat)
I'm an Indian.
TIPPY
A fast Indian.
ELLISON
(abruptly back singing)
...and if I fell... under the spell
of your call... I love this part!
(fingers snapping)
I would be... be caught in the
undertow...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
93.
TIPPY
A fast Indian. And, yu'know, one
that doesn't answer my questions.
Are yuh finished with racing or do
yuh still wanta win?
ELLISON
(bobbing his head,
not just to the music)
I can still run fast -- faster and
longer than anyone else. But if you
want to help me win some more races,
I'll listen to you. I always did
whatever you told me to do, and it
worked.
As Sinatra's voice pauses, there is a long instrumental track,
allowing Tippy more of Ellison's attention.
TIPPY
Hey, c'mon, yuh didn't always listen --
and I wasn't always right, yu'know.
At Boston in '36, yuh proved yuh can
run away from everyone. They almost
caught yuh, but they didn't.
(relights his cigar)
Ellison, yuh've got the greatest
combination of speed and endurance
I've ever seen in a human being.
But I don't think yuh've reached yer
full potential. Yu'know... I can
help yuh with that.
ELLISON
Nice speech, Tippy. But I just wanna
know one thing. Do you respect me?
TIPPY
Hey -- didn't I just say that? Of
course I respect yuh. Everyone
respects yuh as a runner. What yuh've
already accomplished is amazing...
But, yu'know... You can do more.
ELLISON
Okay... This is what I've been
thinkin' about.
(pauses to drink)
I just told you I don't care what
people say -- I don't. And I joke
around with Kelley and some of them
guys about Indian stuff -- that's
all kiddin' around. I think we all
respect each other, that's why it's
okay. But... Some things just get
me pissed-damn mad.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
94.
TIPPY
(nodding slowly)
So yer saying yuh want more respect
from white people.
ELLISON
Tippy, I had to go to New London to
get my last haircut. In Charlestown
and Westerly, they say: "We don't
cut your kind of hair here." And I
say, "Why not? My hair's as good as
yours." Yeah I want more respect --
that stuff hurts... gets me steamed.
TIPPY
(nodding faster)
AHA. Yu'know, I knew it. I knew
all along, yuh run to get the respect
of the white man -- first time yuh
admitted it to me though, yu'know.
Well, son, win Boston again... set a
world record, and America will respect
the hell outta yuh!
ELLISON
(shaking head)
I don't think so. When I win, it's
because I'm this gifted Indian runner.
When I lose... It's because I'm
just an Indian.
TIPPY
But it's always better to be a winner!
DAMN. We've got somethin' tuh prove
here, yu'know! The best way to get
respect, yu'know, is get back up off
the canvas and punch the crap outta
the guy that put yuh there.
(relights cigar again)
Which is why we start tomorrow.
Yu'know? All it's gonna take is
lots of steak, eggs, and sleep. And
lots and lots of miles.
(claps Brown's shoulder)
Yu'know we'll get yuh back in shape,
Champ.
ELLISON
Okay Tippy, but first... how about
that drink you promised me?
SINATRA (V.O.)
(finishing up)
All... or Nothinn' at ALLL...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
95.
EXT. A ROAD -- JUST OUTSIDE CHARLESTOWN -- DAY
A YOUNG BOY, TOMMY -- perhaps 10 or 11, riding a bicycle --
glances over his shoulder as a voice from just behind:
ELLISON (O.S.)
Hey Tommy, you're pedaling pretty
hard... took me awhile to catch up.
ELLISON, running, pulls alongside Tommy.
Tommy focuses ahead over the handlebars, pedaling harder.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
Haven't seen yuh for awhile -- ready
for a race to the next pole?
TOMMY
Nope. Not today.
ELLISON
Gettin' chicken? Cuz I always win?
TOMMY
Nope -- ain't chicken. Pa just don't
want me talkin' to you no more.
When I told him I was sorta friends
with Tarzan Brown -- he got all mad.
Tommy eases up a little on the pedaling.
ELLISON
Well... we don't need to talk to
race. Your pop don't like me, huh?
TOMMY
Not just you. My pa hates Indians.
Says you're worse than niggers...
cuz you think you own the land that
white folks worked hard tuh get. Pa
says we won the war.
ELLISON
(shrugs)
That's what white men keep sayin'.
TOMMY
Tarzan... You a drunk? Pa says
y'are.
ELLISON
A drunk? Hmmm... Well, I like to
drink... sometimes I drink lots.
(beat)
But same as I like runnin' and
sometimes I run too hard. Anyhow,
you should be able to beat a drunk
to the next pole.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
96.
TOMMY
Well...
(long pause)
Okay -- let's go!
Tommy, suddenly pedaling with wild urgency, races away...
CUT TO:
ELLISON -- PULLING EVEN AND EDGING PAST TOMMY JUST BEFORE
FLASHING PAST THE POLE
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. HOPKINTON, MASSACHUSETTS -- BOSTON MARATHON STARTING
LINE -- LATE MORNING
SUPER: APRIL 19, 1939
The sky is dark for near noon -- a northeastern storm has
blown in wet snow and sleet. Athletes, supporters, and press
take shelter against nearby buildings. Some of the press
are in a huddle, comparing racers' odds.
FIRST REPORTER
I don't know guys, I've still got
Pawson picked as the favorite. He
was 56 minutes for the Brighten ten-
miler, and this ugly weather should
only help him.
JERRY
Yeah, but he was nosed out in that
race by Tarzan.
FIRST REPORTER
So? That's ten miles. The Indian
won't even be a factor in the full
distance. He's washed up -- does
all his training now in bars I hear.
JERRY
That might be true. I've heard he's
been in some terrific barroom brawls --
probably make a helluva welterweight.
(pause)
But what about Syracuse? He broke
the course record up there, and that's
16 miles.
SECOND REPORTER
So what're you sayin', Jerry? You
got him favored to win or to place?
JERRY
Hell no, I wouldn't figure him as
anything but a long shot.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
97.
JERRY (CONT'D)
Too hard to figure out, and never a
good tactical runner. I think WALTER
YOUNG is the guy this year. And Pat
Dengis might show well today.
FIRST REPORTER
What about Kelley?
SECOND REPORTER
What about him? This is his first
race this year, I heard he's not in
shape. I'm keeping my eye on Cote,
the Canadian.
JERRY
That's right -- he won at Medford,
and he's in great condition. But
remember fellas, this is the Boston
Marathon. Look at this weather.
And there's a partial eclipse today --
could get even darker. Anything can
happen.
FIRST REPORTER
What's happening now is I'm heading
into the Lucky Rock Manor for a cup
of mud before we head up the road.
You guys comin'?
JERRY
You fellas go ahead, I'll join you
in a few minutes.
NASON'S HEAD ON A SWIVEL has caught a glimpse of Tippy
Salerno, ever-present cigar between collar pulled up against
the weather, heading alone toward his car further back down
the road.
Nason quickly intercepts.
JERRY (CONT'D)
Mr... Salerno? Jerry Nason, the
Globe. I hear you're back working
with Tarzan Brown.
TIPPY
(turning to look)
Nason? Oh yeah, yu'know of course I
recognize yuh. What d'yuh wanta
know about Tarzan? Don't worry,
yu'know, I can promise he won't be
divin' intuh no lake this year!
Weather's not fit fer ducks, ain't
it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
98.
JERRY
Your boy's been running well again
so far this season. Just wondering
if he's fit enough to go the distance.
TIPPY
Hey Nason, yu'know, he's fit as a
fiddle, that's fer sure. But yuh
know how hard it is to figure out a
marathon... We should all know how
it's gonna come out by the hills.
JERRY
The hills usually do tell the tale.
TIPPY
Yu'know, I can tell yuh one thing
'bout Tarzan. It'll be all or nothin'
at all.
JERRY
Huh? What are you telling me -- are
we expecting another lightening start?
TIPPY
Nah. I don't know. That's just,
yu'know, some song he keeps in his
head sometimes. It's this Sinatra
guy on the radio -- good singer,
yu'know, yuh gotta listen sometime.
But that's kinda how Brown runs: all
or nothin' at all.
(trys relighting cigar)
To be perfectly honest... I got no
idea what's gonna happen today. But
yu'know what? I gotta go -- got him
back stayin' warm in my car till the
start.
(turns away)
JERRY
Okay, well... tell Tarzan good luck
from me, will you?
TIPPY
(walking off)
Nason, yu'know what, he'd rather
have yer respect than yer luck.
JERRY
(calling back)
HEY, THAT TOO -- you gotta respect a
man gives you the stories Tarzan's
given me!
CUT TO:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
99.
OLD RIFLE FIRING INTO SKY
THE RACE IS UNDERWAY. Early on, Ellison is well back in the
pack, wearing his familiar "Westerly, R.I." singlet, number
189 pinned to the chest.
INT. STUDEBAKER, (MOVING) ON THE COURSE -- EARLY AFTERNOON
Nason scribbles notes, glancing at runners just outside.
Les Pawson is running close to another runner, Walter Young.
Just ahead of both is an INDIAN RUNNER -- but it is not
Ellison Brown.
Nason leans over to Jack, the reporter next to him.
JERRY
Who ever expected to see an Indian
leading -- other than Tarzan?
REPORTER JACK
(yelling back)
Kelley and Brown are well back.
Either they're both running smart or
just not fit enough to keep up.
JERRY
Neither one of those two ever run
what I would call "smart".
EXT. FURTHER BACK THE COURSE -- THAT MOMENT
In the midst of a small pack of runners, Ellison Brown runs
beside Johnny Kelley. Pawson and Young are practically specks
in the distance.
FAVORING ELLISON
JOHNNY
Okay Tarz, we're five miles in.
This some kinda new strategy, or are
you just slow like me today?
ELLISON
(narrow eyes ahead)
Just holdin' back, still too early
to go.
JOHNNY
(breathing harder)
Well, don't hold back on my account...
I'm no threat this year... can feel
them extra five pounds.
ELLISON
(a little smile)
You soft an' lazy Irish.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100.
JOHNNY
(laughing)
Jeepers, don't make me laugh...
EXT. NATICK -- A LITTLE LATER
ELLISON is pulling up behind Pawson and Young. (The other
Indian has dropped back.) The Studebaker cruises nearby.
INT. STUDEBAKER -- FAVORING NASON
REPORTER JACK
(into Jerry's ear)
Hey, how come Tarzan's wearing 189?
Don't the top runners usually get
low numbers?
JERRY
Yeah, I noticed that at the start.
Apparently, he was the last one to
pay his entry fee -- had to borrow
the buck from the starter -- so he
got the last number. There's exactly
189 entries this year.
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- He is pulling right up beside Pawson and
Young.
PAWSON
(glancing at newcomer)
Welcome aboard, Tarzan. Feel free
to break the wind anytime you want.
YOUNG
I think the wind's at your back,
Les.
PAWSON
It's swirlin'.
ELLISON silently surges slightly ahead. Breathing deeply,
he appears very comfortable with the pace as he takes the
lead in the wind and driving sleet.
YOUNG
Is he always so chatty?
PAWSON -- calls out to Ellison as the Indian moves further
ahead out of normal earshot:
PAWSON
Hey -- looking good, Tarzan, nice
running!
(then to Young)
Don't worry, let him go. He'll slow
down by Newton. We can work together
to rein him in well before the finish.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101.
YOUNG
I don't know, he looks pretty strong
right now.
PAWSON
Trust me, we'll catch him.
EXT. NEWTON HILLS -- LATER
THE STUDEBAKER cruises beside Ellison Brown, who is running
powerfully, staring ahead with narrow, focused eyes. RAIN
is coming down in sheets.
INT. STUDEBAKER -- FAVORING NASON
REPORTER JACK
He's still got a big lead, can't see
anybody coming up behind him... yet.
JERRY
Yet? What do ya mean -- yet? Tarzan
looks uncatchable to me.
EXT. BOSTON, WITHIN SIGHT OF THE FINISH LINE -- LATER
ELLISON BROWN is still running swiftly and easily, staring
through steady rain toward the distant finish banner. He
slows somewhat, turns and glances behind... Then, slowing
virtually to a stop, he turns again and takes a long look
behind him.
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- There is no one in sight behind, just
wind and rain. He turns back toward the finish, focuses on
the banner as he resumes running and strides toward victory.
FINISH LINE
ELLISON crosses the line, surrounded by officials, police
and press, all in hats and raincoats. An official drapes a
small tarp over Ellison as he slows to a walk.
B.A.A. OFFICIAL
2:28:51! That's the world's best
time this year, son! You're the
fastest marathon runner in the world!
EXT. BOSTON -- FINISH LINE AREA -- LATER
JOHNNY KELLEY, looking rain-drenched and exhausted, spots
Ellison being interviewed by the press. He cuts through to
congratulate the champion.
JOHNNY
(clutching Ellison)
Helluva race, Tarzan! The way you
held back early on showed a lot of
patience. Didn't think you had it
in you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
102.
ELLISON
Thanks, Johnny. Old Indian trick.
(winks)
EXT. PLATFORM NEAR THE BOSTON MARATHON FINISH -- LATER THAT
AFTERNOON
Light rain is still sprinkling. Ellison "Tarzan" Brown,
wearing a laurel wreath and champion's medal, holds a bouquet
of wet flowers as he surveys the crowd assembled below. A
B.A.A. official beside Ellison steps back, relinquishing the
microphone to the champion.
ELLISON
Well... Last time I was up here,
some of you might remember I said
something like, "you don't have to
be a dead Indian to be a good
Indian"... something like that.
Pause. Panning smiles and some laughter in the crowd.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
Well... I'm not good at making
speeches, but I just want to say
that lots of people were saying before
today that I was kind of a dead
Indian. Broken down and useless.
Well, today I proved all those people
wrong. My plan was just to wait a
bit, then run my head off -- go as
fast as I could go till I dropped
dead. Well... I didn't drop dead.
And I want to thank all the people
back home who still believed in me...
Ethel... my family, and my coach,
Tippy Salerno -- they helped me do
the work to get back up here. 'Cause
it takes a lot of work to run a fast
marathon... Even for a fast Indian.
(pause)
APPLAUSE and SOME CHEERING in the crowd, not just from the
Native representation.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
I never tried to use my running to
say Indian people can be as good as
white people... But maybe I should
say that. Maybe you can all respect
me a little more, not just because
I'm a fast Indian... but because I'm
an American too... And I'm proud to
be who I am. American Indian...
Narragansett. And I'm real happy
and proud I won the race today...
And glad I didn't drop dead too.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
103.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
(pause, sparse laughter
in the crowd)
Now I think I'm gonna take a break
from running, spend more time with
my family... and working to earn a
living. Someday... I'd really like
to buy me a truck... that would be
swell. Well... thanks for listening.
After a beat of silence, there is LOUD CHEERING and DRUM
BEATING from the Indian supporters, less enthusiastic applause
from the rest of the crowd. Panned expressions range from
smiles and nodding support to rolling eyes and shaking heads.
INT. BROWN FAMILY SHACK -- NEAR CHARLESTOWN, RHODE ISLAND --
DAY
ELLISON sits at the dinner table in the two-room cabin, with
Ethel and the couple's 18-month-old daughter. Ethel feeds
the toddler as Ellison eats chicken with his fingers, sucking
bones clean as he goes.
ETHEL
Ellison, what are you doing tomorrow?
Are you going up north for that wood-
cutting job, or is it all finished?
ELLISON
(licking his fingers)
All done.
ETHEL
Did you get paid for it yet?
ELLISON
Yeah, but I only got 20 bucks.
Shoulda been a lot more.
ETHEL
Well, 20 bucks is 20 bucks. Seems
you weren't working at it long.
ELLISON
Ethel, I can sometimes get 20 bucks
now just for showing up at a big
race. There were lots of trees to
take out. Seems to me they shoulda
paid a lot more than 20 bucks to do
it.
ETHEL
Well, maybe you work so fast, folks
don't know how much money it's worth.
Maybe you should've asked for more.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
104.
ELLISON
No. I know these people. They
would've just found some other Indian
to do it then. There's always Indians
around to work for half the wages of
white men.
(picks up more chicken)
Anyway, you're right -- 20 bucks is
20 bucks.
ETHEL
Well... Charlie Adams told me your
stone work is some of the best he's
seen. Said you might find yourself
real busy doing that, once folks
start building more again.
ELLISON
(shaking his head)
I need work right now. Who knows or
cares what might happen down the
road.
ETHEL
Well, at least your running is going
real good. Now everyone is proud to
know you. That should help you get
more work.
ELLISON
It better. Can't eat medals and
trophies.
ETHEL
Sweetheart, you wouldn't even if you
could; I know how proud you are of
winning all those races.
ELLISON
Guess you could eat a laurel wreath...
Probly wouldn't taste good though.
ETHEL
Things will work out -- you know
they always do.
Ellison pushes his plate away and starts trading smiles and
funny faces with his daughter.
ELLISON
Sure they will. And if they don't...
(big funny face)
We'll make 'em!
DISSOLVE TO:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
105.
MONTAGE -- TO "I'LL BE SEEING YOU" BY FRANK SINATRA
Old tape of Hitler addressing Germany's military.
New York Times headline: It's War! Hitler Invades Poland.
Tape of Allied troops, mobilizing against Nazi Germany.
New York Times headline: Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor!
More images of World War II action.
Ellison, carrying a lunch box, going to work in a factory.
New York Times headline: VICTORY!
Ellison cheerfully doing stonework.
Ellison, wearing hip waders, arriving home with a catch of
fish -- Ethel, baby in arms, and two toddlers greeting him.
Ellison, looking slightly heavier and more mature, running
strongly down a country road.
Ellison, in a desolate barroom, slumped over the bar -- head
down on crossed arms, surrounded by a squad of beer bottles.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TIPPY'S HOUSE -- CHARLESTOWN -- DAY
TIPPY SALERNO, a little older and thicker than when last
seen, moves slowly to open the front door as someone knocks
loudly.
TIPPY
Okay, okay, hold yer horses, I've
got it.
Tippy opens the door, revealing Ellison Brown. The two men
just look each other in the eyes for a beat.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
Well? Yuh here tuh cut some firewood
for me?
He pokes his cigar in Ellison's belly.
ELLISON
(smiles)
Hello, Tippy.
TIPPY
Yu'know, I think yuh could use the
exercise.
(chuckles)
Well, c'mon in, son. Good tuh see
yuh.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106.
ELLISON
Good to see you too.
TIPPY
Ever since yuh moved near Charletown,
seems like I hardly see yuh. Place
is gettin' too damn big, yu'know?
ELLISON
I know.
Ellison follows Tippy to his kitchen. Tippy opens the door
of his fridge, fishes through stacked egg cartons...
TIPPY
Have a chair. Think I got a beer
for yuh in here somwhere. Ah, here
we go.
ELLISON
(taking beer)
Thanks, Tip.
TIPPY
Now where's that bottle opener...
Ellison opens the beer with his teeth.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
That can't be good for yuh.
Tippy takes the chair across.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
So? Heard yer all done at the defense
plant.
ELLISON
Yeah. Since the war ended they don't
need so much of that stuff I guess.
That's okay, I never liked factory
work. But it put food on the table.
TIPPY
How many kids yuh got now -- five,
right?
ELLISON
Four. I got four kids.
TIPPY
Yuh want a cigar?
ELLISON
No thanks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
107.
TIPPY
I meant, yu'know, five kids for Ethel.
Countin' you.
(chuckles, snorts)
Seen yuh runnin' by a few times.
Gonna go back to Boston next spring?
ELLISON
I want to. But I got a long ways to
go to be ready.
(beat)
To win.
TIPPY
(relighting cigar)
Really? So yuh wanta win again,
huh?
ELLISON
Yeah.
TIPPY
Really?
ELLISON
Yeah.
TIPPY
Yu'know, last time I saw yuh run
Boston, yuh showed off how many hot
dogs yuh could eat just before the
start. What'd yuh have -- three or
four?
ELLISON
Four. I didn't have breakfast so I
was really hungry. I threw up half
way through the race, but I think it
was 'cause of the ice cream along
the way.
TIPPY
Yeah, the ice cream. I forgot.
(pause)
Hey... Remember, yu'know, when yuh
first got me listenin' to that Sinatra
guy? I'm thinkin' of that song,
"All Or Nothin' At All".
ELLISON
Yeah, still like that one.
TIPPY
Well, don't take offense kid, but
yu'know, lately, the way I hear yer
drinkin' like a piss tank, yuh've
been more the "nothin' at all" part.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
108.
ELLISON
(nodding)
Whole lotta nothin' at all.
TIPPY
Gonna be hard yu'know... to put the
"all" back in yer "nothin". Yuh
gotta be willin' tuh pay the price,
yu'know.
ELLISON
I have to. There's nothing left for
me to do, I have to win again. And
I want a world record.
TIPPY
Really? Yu'know what? -- that's
great!
(relights cigar again)
So... Yuh still runnin' for respect?
ELLISON
Still can't get a haircut in this
town. Probably never will.
(shrugs, little smile)
Yeah, it's about respect. But maybe
this time... I'm running more for
my own self-respect.
TIPPY
That's good enough for me, sport.
ELLISON
There's more.
TIPPY
There usually is.
ELLISON
If I can win the marathon, maybe set
a world record... maybe I can get
steady work. If I could just get me
a truck, I could make a good living
around here.
TIPPY
Self respect and a truck. That's
good motivation.
ELLISON
Yeah.
TIPPY
Yeah. Got some work to do, but
yu'know what? We can win the damned
thing again. And maybe get yuh that
world record.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
109.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
(snorts, nodding head)
And world-record holders drive cars
or trucks. Nice ones.
(smiles, sucks cigar)
CLOSE TO ELLISON'S DREAMY EXPRESSION...
CLOSER...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD -- DAY
A 1946 FORD PICKUP TRUCK accelerates up the road.
INT. TRUCK -- THAT MOMENT
ELLISON'S DREAMY EXPRESSION behind the wheel as he shifts
gears and pushes the throttle wide open... ...as Sinatra's
voice croons "All or Nothing At All"...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BOSTON GLOBE PRESSROOM -- DAY
JERRY NASON, looking a little older and wearing glasses,
sits typing at his desk. His typing speed has improved.
CLOSE UP to the text as it forms. Nason narrates his words.
JERRY (O.S.)
One of the past champions returning
to the 1946 Boston Marathon is Ellison
Tarzan Brown, winner in '36 and '39.
Though he hasn't run the race since
placing 21st in '43, I am picking
Tarzan as the favorite to win
tomorrow's marathon. Recently I
accepted the Indian runner's
invitation to visit him at his home,
near Narragansett Bay in Rhode
Island...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BROWN FAMILY SHACK -- DAY
NASON and A CAMERAMAN, walking up a path through the woods
are greeted by Ellison and Ethel, a few dark-eyed toddlers
in tow. (NASON'S VOICE-OVER CONTINUES as he tours the
primitive Brown accommodations.) The cameraman snaps pictures.
The two-room shack sits in a clearing, a small brook out
back where Ellison has hand scooped out a large basin for
bathing. There is an outhouse nearby with a flapping blanket
for a door. A homemade punching bag hangs from a tree branch;
two enormous dumbbells sit below -- evidence of the source
of the famous Tarzan physique.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
110.
JERRY (V.O.)
Tarzan still lives as if the white
man never came to this country.
Surviving in a small tarpaper shack
with his wife and four children, he
ekes out a living as a part-time
tree surgeon, stonemason, fisherman,
and handyman -- doing anything to
earn a dollar. Privately, he
expressed some frustration that his
past marathon victories have brought
him little fame and no fortune, and
that he is still treated with
discrimination by the white society.
Now Tarzan says he has been back
training hard and is determined to
again win the Boston Marathon -- in
world-record time. His objective is
to gain a little financial backing.
"If I could just buy myself a truck,"
says Tarzan, "I could make a good
living around here." A desperate
man, living on the very edge of
desperation, the Deerfoot of the
Narragansett returns to Boston with
nothing to lose.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. STARTING LINE OF BOSTON MARATHON -- HOPKINTON -- NOON
A PACK of runners gathered at the start.
CUT TO:
OLD RIFLE FIRING INTO SKY
CUT BACK TO:
THE PACK of runners surging forward, ELLISON BROWN close to
the front in the early going of the race.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FINISH LINE OF BOSTON MARATHON -- MID AFTERNOON
ELLISON, running slowly... painfully toward the finish banner.
B.A.A. ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Now approaching the finish, we have
former champion, Tarzan Brown. A
good showing, but just outside the
top-ten finishers this year... C'mon
folks, give him some encouragement --
he's having some trouble. Let's
cheer and help him get to the line.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
111.
EXT. FINISH-LINE AREA -- MOMENTS LATER
TIPPY SALERNO drapes a blanket over a spent Ellison, as the
grimacing Indian tries to walk out the cramps that destroyed
his race.
TIPPY
Hey, I know yer not happy with 12th,
kid, but yuh showed some good stuff
not quittin' when yuh cramped up.
Yu'know... most runners woulda dropped
out... but yuh slugged it out to the
finish. I'm damn proud of yuh --
yer not done yet!
(snorts)
ELLISON
(shaking his head)
I don't know, Tippy, I feel like I
might be done... don't think I'll
be back.
TIPPY
Well, yu'know, it's too soon to talk
about that. Just remember one thing.
I respect the hell outta yuh. Yer
the best runner I've ever seen --
Champ.
(claps Ellison's back)
Now, time tuh get some rest -- yuh
deserve it. And keep eatin' lots of
eggs -- we gotta keep yer strength
up. Never know what the future holds,
yu'know.
(snorts, sucks cigar)
EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD OUTSIDE CHARLESTOWN -- DAY
Ellison and Ethel stand on the roadside, looking out over a
wooded area.
ELLISON
Our great grandparents lived on this
reserve land. Their spirits will be
guiding us, helping us build here.
ETHEL
Hope they bring their axes. Seems
like a lot of trees to cut down first.
ELLISON
That'll be the easy part. I've been
saving up old used planks and nails.
There's lots of stuff at the dump.
But it ain't gonna be easy... building
out of nothing. We need money.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
112.
ETHEL
The hardest thing for me is being
away from the kids -- losing a home
is so much harder on them. They
just don't understand why we all
can't live together right now... I'm
worried they'll think we don't love
them.
ELLISON
(puts arm around Ethel)
Then we better get started. Gotta
get this house built before they all
grow up and want to move out anyway...
(smiling)
And at least they can stay with
family. They'll be well looked after
till we're done.
ETHEL
(kisses his cheek)
You always make me feel better. I
love you, handsome hero.
INT. A PAWN SHOP -- DAY
THE DOOR opens, and Ellison Brown enters the small shop. A
scrawny, rat-faced man behind the counter looks up, appraising
Ellison with no expression.
RAT-FACED MAN
So? Ya bring 'em?
ELLISON reaches into his pocket and lays the contents on the
counter: two gold medals attached to blue and yellow ribbons.
The man picks up a medal, inspecting it closely.
RAT-FACED MAN'S P.O.V -- CLOSE to a medal in his unclean
hands: beautiful, gold-crafted with an eagle above two Greek
runners, diamond studded and the words "April 19 American
Marathon Boston A.A. First Prize" engraved.
RAT-FACED MAN (CONT'D)
Okay.
The man opens up his till, extracts some money, places it on
the counter and picks up the two medals.
RAT-FACED MAN (CONT'D)
There ya are. One fifty for both of
'em.
Ellison reaches for the medals back.
ELLISON
Hold on. You told me 200 bucks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
113.
RAT-FACE
My buyer lowered his offer.
Ellison hesitates... then lowers his hands to take the money
instead, stuffs it in his pocket, turns and shuffles out the
door.
EXT. MAIN STREET -- A RHODE ISLAND TOWN -- DAY
ELLISON and A RIVAL are running hard, side by side. A few
onlookers lining the street are cheering as they go by. The
other runner takes a quick glance over his shoulder.
RIVAL RUNNER
No one close. Looks like it's you
or me gonna win this thing.
AHEAD, the finish banner is 200 yards away.
ELLISON
You go ahead. I heard second prize
is a nice wrist watch.
RIVAL RUNNER
So? You don't want the winner's
trophy?
ELLISON
Naw. Got lotsa trophies. They turn
black after awhile. I can get some
money for the watch. One time I won
a refrigerator but had to sell it
'cause I got no electricity. You go
ahead, this one is yours.
The other runner nods, tips an invisible hat to Ellison,
then accelerates ahead toward the finish. The thickening
crowd lining the course cheers and applauds the decisive
move to victory.
EXT. BY A COUNTRY ROAD OUTSIDE CHARLESTOWN -- SUMMER DAY
A small, uncompleted house -- looking patched together out
of used materials -- stands on cleared land. A man is on
the roof, using an ax to nail down bark shingles. Closer,
the man is Ellison Brown, cheerfully whistling a tune --
"The Coffee Song" by Frank Sinatra.
A HAWK flies overhead, its CRY causes Ellison to look up,
setting down his ax. He watches the bird disappear over the
trees, then he continues to gaze toward the forest...
ETHEL comes out the front door -- looks up toward her husband
gazing off into the summer heat.
ETHEL
Are you done pounding? Must be
getting hot up there.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
114.
ELLISON
Done for now. Time for a run.
ETHEL
Not too hot to run?
ELLISON
(moving to roof edge)
Never too hot. You know me.
ETHEL
(laughing)
I know you. And I love you.
CUT TO:
EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD -- DAY
ELLISON RUNNING. CLOSE IN, as he tosses away his shirt...
CLOSER. Chin up, head leaning slightly to his left... his
exprsssion is dreamy... eyes squinting against bright sun...
CLOSER... INTO THE SQUINTING EYES... (IN A CREATIVE DREAMLIKE
STATE -- PERHAPS STIMULATED BY ENDORPHINS, A "RUNNER'S HIGH" --
ELLISON'S MIND BEGINS A SORT OF VIRTUAL "MOVIE")...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FINISH-LINE AREA OF BOSTON MARATHON -- DAY
TIPPY has his arm draped over the shoulders of Ellison.
TIPPY
Now, time tuh get some rest -- yuh
deserve it. And keep eatin' lots of
eggs -- we gotta keep yer strength
up. Never know what the future holds,
yu'know...
(snorts)
Besides, when yuh do retire from
marathon runnin', I got a plan for
how yuh can make some real money.
Maybe help get yerself that truck.
ELLISON
(turns, all ears)
Huh?
TIPPY
Yuh heard of some guy over in
Connecticut named BOBBY CALLAHAN?
ELLISON
You mean THE BEARCAT? Yeah, of
course, who hasn't? But nobody calls
him "Bobby"... not to his face.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
115.
TIPPY
Think yuh could beat him?
ELLISON
In a footrace, of course. In a fight --
are you crazy? He's a monster --
probably outweighs me by 100 pounds.
TIPPY
Well I hear he's takin' challengers.
Yuh last six rounds with The Bearcat,
yuh make 150, maybe 200 bucks.
There's serious money in the fight
game, yu'know.
Tippy's hand reaches to massage Ellison's neck.
TIPPY (CONT'D)
I used to train boxers, yu'know.
Ain't that different. Yuh need good
wind, instincts and skill... Yuh
got the first two already.
ELLISON
He's awful big... but I sure could
use the money...
CLOSE to Ellison's dreamy expression...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD -- RUNNING ELLISON'S DREAMY EXPRESSION...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE ROOF OF THE UNCOMPLETED BROWN CABIN -- DAY
ELLISON GAZING (same dreamy expression) toward the forest,
as A HAWK disappears over the treeline.
ETHEL comes out the front door and looks up toward her
husband.
ETHEL
Are you done pounding? Must be
getting hot up there.
ELLISON
Done for now. Time for a run.
ETHEL
Not too hot to run?
ELLISON
(moving to roof edge)
Never too hot. You know me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
116.
ETHEL
I know you. And I know you don't
like running in the heat. You're
training. And I know what for --
Ellison Myers Brown. You're actually
going to fight that bear man in New
London. You'll get yourself killed.
ELLISON
It's The Bear-cat. And the fight's
actually gonna be in Pawcatuck.
Tippy's got it all worked out.
ETHEL
(shaking her head)
I bet he has.
ELLISON
(grinning)
Save your betting for the fight.
Don't worry, it'll turn out okay.
We got a good plan.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD -- RUNNING ELLISON'S DREAMY EXPRESSION...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BESIDE THE UNCOMPLETED BROWN HOUSE - EVENING
Ellison sits with Horatio and Atmore Stanton -- on log stools
around a fire pit. They are drinking beer (Atmore soda pop)
and laughing as they share stories.
ELLISON
Best one was when my neighbor, Ed,
challenged me to a potato-digging
contest. We cleared the whole field
before I beat him.
(laughs)
He got so mad for losing, he bet me
he could split firewood faster than
me.
Horatio Stanton, now past 50, holds his thick belly as he
laughs.
HORATIO
Big mistake that.
ELLISON
Yeah. He put up a couple face cords
before I beat him. Best part was...
it was my wood we were splittin'. I
was all set for the winter.
All three laugh hard at that. Then a pause.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
117.
HORATIO
Now Ellison...
(lighting big cigar)
I was talkin' to Tippy about that
fella, The Bearcat, you're gonna
fight next week. Tip says we gotta
help find out his weakness so you
stand a chance of lasting six rounds.
ELLISON
Weakness? Tippy never said nothing
like that to me. Said I just have
to move around real quick, stay out
of reach for a few rounds, wear the
big guy out. Get my shots in too.
ATMORE
Maybe that's his weakness -- lack of
wind. Or maybe he's just slow footed.
HORATIO
No, I think Tip means more like how
Goliath had a weak forehead against
that kid with the slingshot...
Everyone's got a weak spot.
ATMORE
Like that Greek guy -- weak heel.
Ellison reaches for an empty soda bottle.
ELLISON
Like this soda-pop bottle.
In a second, Ellison has bitten the neck off the bottle --
spits it into the fire pit. He holds up two fingers close
together...
ELLISON (CONT'D)
The glass is thin with soda bottles...
and there's a weak spot right at the
base of the neck.
HORATIO
That can't be good for yuh.
ATMORE
Maybe a good shot to the base of The
Bearcat's neck. Right below the
Adam's apple. Smack -- down he goes.
Atmore makes a hard air punch toward Horatio -- who springs
to his feet and assumes something awkwardly between a
wrestling and martial-arts stance.
HORATIO
C'mon tough guy. I already know your
weak spot -- your whole body.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
118.
More laughter -- fades with the scene.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD -- RUNNING ELLISON'S DREAMY EXPRESSION...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. A TENT ENCOMPASSING A PRIMITIVE BOXING RING --
PAWCATUK, RHODE ISLAND -- EVENING
ELLISON (prizefighter edition) is in one dirt-floor corner
of the ring getting last-minute intruction from Tippy. In
the opposite corner, THE BEARCAT, large, hairy and menacing,
sits on a stool, glaring toward his opponent. The ring is
surrounded by makeshift bleachers holding 150 or more NOISY
FIGHT FANS.
RINGSIDE ANNOUNCER (INTO MICROPHONE)
GOOD EVENING fight fans and welcome
to Pawcatuk. And now, what you have
been waiting for, our MAIN EVENT of
the evening, a challenge featuring
two worthy adversaries...
HORATIO AND ATMORE are ringside, Ellison's corner.
ATMORE
What a monster. He looks twice as
big as El.
HORATIO
Bigger they are, harder they fall.
Just like Goliath and slingshot kid.
RINGSIDE ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
In one corner, wearing the red shorts,
we have the challenger, a 50-to-one
underdog, from Charlestown, Rhode
Island, weighing in at 149 1/2 pounds --
TARZAN "THE JUNGLE MAN" BROWN!
LOUD CHEERS AND SOME DRUM POUNDING
RINGSIDE ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
And in the other corner, wearing
black, we have the UNDEFEATED CHAMPION
from New London, Connecticut, weighing
in at... an even 260 pounds... MR
ROBERT "THE BEARCAT" CALLAHAN!
THUNDEROUS CHEERING FROM THE WORKED-UP CROWD
RINGSIDE
SCREAMING FAN
KILL THE RED-SKIN -- YAAAAAAAA...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
119.
ATMORE
(above the noise)
Even the ring announcer's afraid to
call him "Bobby".
RINGSIDE ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Ladies and gentlemen, the fight will
be for six rounds or until a knockout
or stoppage at the decision of the
referee for tonights fight, JAKE
MUNRO. Okay here we go, let's make
it a clean fight, and may the best
fighter win!
IN ELLISON'S CORNER
TIPPY
Okay Tarzan, remember everything I
told yuh. This guys a palooka,
yu'know, just keep movin' and don't
do nothin' stupid in the first round.
ELLISON
Just me being here's not stupid?
TIPPY
Don't worry Champ, we'll take this
thing round by round. We can do it.
A RINGSIDE BELL IS HAMMERED -- CLANG!! CLANG!!
Ellison and The Bearcat come out to the center of the ring
and touch gloves. THE BEARCAT'S EYES are raging -- like a
Viking berserker warrior -- down on his opponent.
THE BEARCAT
I hate Injuns. I'm gonna kill you.
THE BEARCAT's P.O.V. -- Ellison's eyes narrow.
ELLISON
Okay, let's go... Bobby.
THE BELL AGAIN
ELLISON AND THE BEARCAT are shuffling around the ring, each
looking for an opening...
THE CROWD is already expressing its restless nature.
THE BEARCAT, impatient, lunges clumsily toward Ellison,
swinging wildly with haymakers, catching only air...
ELLISON deftly counterpunches back, then bounces clear as
the big man tries an uppercut.
CUT TO:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
120.
RINGSIDE -- HORATIO AND ATMORE
HORATIO
At this rate, The Bearcat'll punch
himself out in no time.
CUT TO:
IN THE RING -- LATER (ROUND FOUR)
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- A HUGE BOXING MITT EXPLODING into his
face -- BLOOD SPURTS from the impact.
The Bearcat follows with a blow to the midsection, as Ellison
staggers... another shot to the head snaps it back... the
Indian is in big trouble...
Ellison ducks the next punch as he tries to recover, bobbing
and weaving, but like in s l o w m o t i o n.
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- The out-of-focus Bearcat moving in,
looking for a knockout... AS THE CROWD ROARS FOR THE KILL...
THE BELL -- saves Ellison.
CUT TO:
ELLISON'S CORNER -- MOMENTS LATER
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- An out-of-focus Tippy.
TIPPY
Okay Champ, yer doin' great. Just
two more rounds, he's gettin' tired.
We can start lookin' for the knockout.
ELLISON'S FACE -- nodding. Bruised, puffy and bloody. One
eye is nearly swollen closed.
THE BELL
RINGSIDE -- HORATIO AND ATMORE
HORATIO
I think it's time -- let's do it,
Atmore.
Atmore reaches into a sack. Extracts THE SNAKE and flings
it into the center of the ring, between the two fighters.
IN THE RING -- THE SNAKE'S P.O.V. as it hisses, its attention
aimed up at The Bearcat.
THE BEARCAT
(high pitched)
EEK! -- A Snake. I HATE Snakes!
TO RINGSIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
121.
HORATIO
Our source was right -- his weakness.
I think this is gonna work.
IN THE RING -- BOXING GLOVES reach and scoop up the snake...
ELLISON'S P.O.V. -- as he swiftly BITES the snake in half,
tossing the squirming pieces in front of his shocked
opponent... who backpeddles on the smooth clay surface.
RINGSIDE
HORATIO (CONT'D)
Like a gauntlet. Okay, let's go,
Now Tarzan's ready tuh rumble!
IN THE RING -- "The Jungle Man" is now stalking his quarry.
THE BEARCAT'S EYES -- unsure... beginning to show fear.
ELLISON JABS with his left then leaps to rocket his right
into the big man's forehead.
CLOSE TO A GIANT FOOT -- stepping back... onto slimy snake
guts -- quickly skidding straight back and up...
THE BEARCAT crashes face first -- down hard to the floor.
REFEREE JAKE MUNRO hesitates... looks to the ring announcer...
RINGSIDE ANNOUNCER
Nothing in the rules about snakes.
JAKE MUNRO COUNTS OUT THE BEARCAT... AS THE CROWD ROARS...
ELLISON IS MOBBED BY HIS PEOPLE
TIPPY
(hugging Ellison)
YUH DID IT -- CHAMP. Always knew
yuh had the guts tuh be a boxer!
ELLISON
Tippy... uh, me and my face kinda
think maybe we stick to running.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD -- DAY
ELLISON RUNNING -- a smile lighting his features -- as he
picks up his pace and begins to fade... into the distance...
DISSOLVE TO:
MONTAGE -- TO "THAT'S LIFE" BY FRANK SINATRA
FOOTNOTES OF THE 50s AND 60s -- SUCH AS:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
122.
New York Times headline: War In Korea Inevitable!
Tape of Roger Bannister running the world's first sub-four-
minute mile.
Tape announcing Hoola-hoop Craze sweeping America.
New York Times headline: Russia Puts First Man In Space
J.F.K. Assassination.
New York Times: AMERICA FACES WAR AGAIN -- VIETNAM
Martin Luther King Assassination.
Tape of Black-gloved 1968 Olympic Protest OF U.S. Racism.
Tape of First Lunar Landing.
Tape of "Flower Power" and anti-war protests.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT. A HALL IN WESTERLY -- EVENING
SUPER: NOVEMBER, 1974
PANNING the large room: seated at tables are over 400 people,
most Native Indian, young and old. Seated at a long head
table are Ellison Brown, now looking a former athlete at 60
years, his wife Ethel and a large family including two sons,
two daughters, two sisters, and 13 grandchildren. Elderly
Horatio -- with cigar -- is there; his son Atmore at a PODIUM,
addressing the assembly. Everyone's dressed up.
ATMORE
Now as you all know, tonight is to
honor our hero, Ellison Tarzan Brown,
and celebrate his recent induction
into the American Indian Hall of
Fame in Albuquerque...
Applause interrupts.
ATMORE (CONT'D)
...AND I know you've already heard
lots of funny stories -- some even a
bit true -- but I've got just one
more about one of his last
victories... or maybe I should say
"one of his most recent victories",
'cause he ain't done... not yet...
More applause and cheering.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
123.
ATMORE (CONT'D)
This one happened just a few years
ago when Ellison was already past 50
years old... Sorry El, but I think
everyone here knows you're over 60
now, you old fossil! Anyway...
Ellison was just comin' in to Peace
Dale from Charlestown Pond to sell
some shellfish...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. 1969 PEACE DALE MAIN STREET -- DAY
ELLISON, wearing hip-wader boots, is carrying a basket as he
walks along the street...
ATMORE (V.O.)
Now, standing right there on the
street was this South Kingstown High
School track star with his buddies...
(THE VISUAL)
ATMORE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
...this guy had been braggin' that
he was faster than Tarzan Brown was
in his prime. So now here they are,
face to face... so to impress his
buddies, the track star issues a
challenge to Ellison: a race to
downtown Wakefield and back.
CUT BACK TO:
INT. WESTERLY HALL (1974)
ATMORE
Of course, we all know how Tarzan
Brown reacts to a challenge...
Applause and cheers.
ATMORE (CONT'D)
...so here's 50-something-year-old
El, still wearin' his hip waders,
racing off down the road against
this young hot-shot whippersnapper...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PEACE-DALE FLASHBACK
The young track star is out in front of Ellison, as they
head around the corner and out of town.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
124.
ATMORE (V.O.)
So the track star's buddies are
waiting there expectin' him to come
back in way out in front... when
what they see is...
ELLISON coming around the bend back into town, arms pumping --
sprinting hard despite wearing hip waders...
ATMORE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Ellison has got the race wrapped up,
so when he sees the jaw-droppin'
expressions on the kids watching,
what's he do? Well... he turns around
and finishes the race runnin'
backwards -- all this wearin' hip
waders.
(VISUAL)
DISSOLVE BACK TO:
INT. WESTERLY HALL
LOUD APPLAUSE AND CHEERING.
ATMORE
Friends and neighbors, I am thrilled
to have the privilege of asking the
newest member of the American Indian
Hall of Fame to come up and say a
few words... or LOTS of words,
whatever he wants... But first I'd
like to say, Thanks El, for all you've
accomplished for yourself and your
people... Everyone here loves you --
hope you know that. And for being
my best friend for as long as I can
remember... Thank you! Now Folks,
I give you our own Mr Ellison Tarzan
Brown, still and always, the Deerfoot
of the Narragansett!
MORE LOUD APPLAUSE, CHEERING AND TRIBAL DRUMS BEATING
ELLISON BROWN Strides to the podium.
ELLISON
Wow, thanks Atmore...
(wiping his eyes)
You told that story so good it gets
me all fired up and makes me want to
go run against Johnny Kelley again
in the Boston Marathon... Almost.
Laughter and applause. Kelley and Les Pawson are beaming
from a back table. Ellison's dark eyes search them out.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
125.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
Thanks so much for coming, Johnny
boy and Les. It means a lot to me
having you both here tonight. I
feel so good, my heart is singing --
no, not Sinatra...
He pauses for effect and more laughter.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
It makes me feel very happy to see
friends I haven't seen in years, an
to share some memories of the good
old days. It's swell for you to get
together and say so many nice things
about me. Too bad I got DQ'd outta
the Olympics, or maybe I'd be real
famous... like Johnny Kelley.
CLOSE to KELLEY'S BLUE EYES, twinkling through tears.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
Anyway, I never saw myself as gettin'
old, but I guess you can't stay young
forever... though I sure as hell
tried... And I know back after I
stopped winnin' races, lots of people
seemed to think I should've done
better in life than I did... maybe I
would have if I'd got me that truck
I always wanted...
(pauses, dabs an eye)
But all this makes me think maybe
there's some things I haven't got
around to sayin' more than doin'...
Things that should be said to lots
of you... but all I really want to
say for now is... thanks to all of
you for being part of my life -- and
making it so much fun...
APPLAUSE AND CHEERING. Ellison holds up his hands.
ELLISON (CONT'D)
BUT... MOST of all, I want to thank
my wife. Ethel, you were beside me
from the beginning... and through
some tough times -- you were always
there. I know I never said it
enough... But -- I love You! As
much as a man can love anything in
this life. I'm such a lucky man to
have a whole lifetime of your love.
APPLAUSE, CHEERING AND DRUM BEATING as ETHEL BEAMS through
tears of pride and joy.
DISSOLVE TO:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
126.
EXT. THE WRECK BAR -- WESTERLY -- NIGHT
SUPER: AUGUST 23, 1975.
INT. WRECK BAR
ELLISON BROWN is seated at the bar, a few beer bottles on
the counter in front, each side of him are empty stools.
The tavern is busy -- mostly with American Indian patrons,
but two young white men are playing pool against two young
Natives. A jukebox is playing "Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen
Campbell (again -- it was a popular song that summer).
Out of nowhere, a middle-aged Native man takes a seat beside
Ellison, who looks over.
ELLISON
Hey WILLIE, where'd you come from?
WILLIE
Nowhere. Warm night out there.
Just in to wet my whistle. You by
yourself?
ELLISON
Yeah. Just waitin' for a ride home.
Relaxin' for a bit... Thinkin'.
WILLIE
Hmmmm.
VOICES at the pool table are getting louder, more noticeable
as the Rhinestone Cowboy rides into the sunset...
A SHOW.
Ellison and Willie turn to view the developing altercation.
INDIAN POOL PLAYER
You scratched.
LONG-HAIRED WHITE POOL PLAYER
I didn't fucken scratch!
INDIAN POOL PLAYER
You scratched.
LONG-HAIRED WHITE POOL PLAYER
(heatedly)
Heard you the first time! Fuck off --
I didn't Fucken Scratch. Learn The
Fucken Rules!
Willie turns to Ellison.
WILLIE
You think they'll fight?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
127.
ELLISON
Doubt it, unless the hippy's stupid.
This place is full of Indians.
WILLIE
Hmmm. Don't have to be stupid, just
drunk.
ELLISON
I know all about that.
WILLIE
(smile)
Yeah... You used to grow ten feet
tall after you had a few.
ELLISON
Still do.
Willie chuckles with Ellison.
The long-haired pool player tosses his cue down and strides
over to join his buddy at a table close to Ellison and Willie.
Glancing over, Long-hair makes eye contact with Ellison.
LONG-HAIRED FORMER POOL PLAYER
What the fuck you lookin' at,
Geronimo?
Ellison says nothing, but his eyes narrow as he stares, stone-
faced, back at the long-haired man. After a few seconds,
the young man's eyes look away, he shakes his head and engages
his buddy in conversation, extra-loud "F" words still his
favorite modifiers. Just then the jukebox starts up -- this
time it's "Please Mr. Please" by Olivia Newton-John.
WILLIE
Those guys are in for trouble if
they stick around here.
ELLISON
Can't stick around much longer.
Place is closing up soon.
WILLIE
I mean if they're smart, they'll
high tail it outta here quick.
ELLISON
Hey, you driving -- can I get a ride?
WILLIE
(shakes head)
No, but I'm sure if you hang around
out front, you won't have any trouble.
Somebody'll give you a lift.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
128.
EXT. WRECK BAR -- A LITTLE LATER
A MOB of people loiter outside the front of the pub, spilling
into a lane to a side parking lot. Lighting is poor under a
single street light.
INT. A WHITE CHEVY VAN PARKED IN THE LOT -- THAT MOMENT
A LONG-HAIRED MAN inside slams the driver-side door.
EXT. WRECK BAR -- A MOMENT LATER
THE VAN creeps forward up the lane, is about to turn onto
the street, honks its horn once to disperse the crowd...
But instead... THE MOB is surrounding... closing on the van
Loud Banging on the side of the vehicle
The van creeps ahead into the crowd...
LOUDER BANGING
The van's motor Guns --
The vehicle suddenly plows forward through the mob
Yelling and Swearing -- Panic!
The van zooms away, headlights penetrating the darkness.
A man is down on the side of the street. People are kneeling
beside him... Quiet.
Then...
SOMEONE
Hey, it's bad! Somebody --
CALL AN AMBULANCE!
FADE OUT:
SUPER. ON BLACK:
IN RESPECTFUL MEMORY
ELLISON MYERS "TARZAN" BROWN -- DEERFOOT OF THE NARRAGANSETT
BORN SEPTEMBER 22, 1914 -- PASSED AWAY AUGUST 23, 1975
An Olympian and two-time Champion of the B.A.A. Boston
Marathon, Ellison twice raced and won two full marathons
within 24 hours -- an unprecedented athletic feat.
Ellison was survived by Ethel, two sons, two daughters, and
13 grandchildren.
(MORE)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
129.
Friend and rival, Johnny A. Kelley, completed the Boston
Marathon a record 58 times. He won twice and finished second
an amazing seven times. Kelley lived to be 97, passing away
in October 2004.
In 1975, the year of Ellison's passing, the Narragansett
Indian Tribe filed a land claim suit against the State of
Rhode Island and several landowners for the return of
approximately 3200 acres of undeveloped reservation land.
The suit was settled out of court in 1978, with about 1800
acres of land passing to the Narragansett people.
In 1983, the Narragansetts received official reinstatement
as a federally recognized and acknowleged Indian Tribe.
Traditional Narragansett culture, passed down from generation
to generation, is today as strong as ever among over 2400
tribal members.
And in today's world, Narragansett men and women have careers
in every profession; they are doctors, lawyers, teachers,
cooks, commercial fishermen, artists, and stonemasons.
In them lives on the pride and spirit of Tarzan Brown.