Suddenly

Officer, can you tell me

the way to Three Rivers?

About two miles to the first

main intersection, then turn left,

it's about 60 miles.

- Thanks. What town is this?

- "Suddenly".

- Suddenly what?

- No, that's the name.

- Ha, ha, it's a funny name for a town.

- Hangover from the old days.

That's the way things used

to happen here. Suddenly.

I see.

- Road agents, gamblers, gun fighters.

- Well, I take it things have changed.

Things happen so slow now

the town council wants to change

the name to 'Gradually'.

- Ha ha, thanks officer.

- Pleasure, come back.

Suddenly

Hello there, Pidge.

- Hi Tod.

- Where's your mother?

We've been shopping. I gotta' put

this stuff in the car, wanna' come?

Yeah, sure.

- Tod?

- Uh huh.

Well no. I guess not.

She wouldn't let me.

- Who's she?

- Mom of course.

Well then you'd better

say Mom, Pidge.

It's kinda' not polite to say 'she',

especially about your mother.

Well anyway, she wouldn't.

You know, I bet I can guess

what's on your mind.

Bet you can't.

Well, now let's see.

You want an ice-cream soda?

Um, not a bad idea,

but that's not it.

You wanna' go

to the movies?

No, that's a war picture.

Mom won't let me see those.

Boy oh boy,

this is tougher than I thought.

- I got it, you want that baseball bat.

- No, but you're awful warm.

Is that it?

Sure that's it. Ain't it a beauty?

But shucks, it's no use.

Mom won't let me have it.

She doesn't like guns.

I know.

It's because of my father

being killed in the war.

Look Pidge, if you had the gun,

what would you do with it?

- Stick up a filling station?

- Stick up a filling station.

Heck no, I'd be Sheriff,

and I'd catch all those road agents

and cattle rustlers. Just like you.

But what about Mom?

I think we can persuade her, what with

you wanting to be a peace officer.

We've got lots of time. Mom's still

in the market getting groceries.

Let's go.

- Oh hell...

- I got it.

Thanks Tod. Hello.

Hi, can I give you

a lift to the house?

Thanks, but I have

the car with me.

- Goin' to church tomorrow?

- Yes.

I'll pick you up

about 10:
45, huh?

You never give up,

do you?

Ellen, I know how you feel, believe me

I do, and I've tried to understand, but...

I haven't asked you

to understand.

- That's because I'm in love with you.

- Tod... you shouldn't say that to me.

- Why not? It's true.

- Don't Tod.

Ellen, you can't go on

being a widow forever.

It's been over three years

since Pete died.

Don't you understand?

No one can take Pete's place.

I'm not trying to take Pete's place.

I'm trying to make a place of my own.

You've been wonderful Tod, and I'm

grateful, but I can't help how I feel.

Ellen, you've got to stop

doing this to yourself,

because you're doing it

to Pidge too, and to me.

You're digging a big pit

and shoving all of us into it.

Leave me alone Tod,

please.

Pidge,

where did you get that gun?

- I bought it for him, Ellen.

- Tod, how could you?

We thought you wouldn't mind,

cos' I'm gonna' be a sheriff, like Tod.

- Take it off Pidge.

- Ellen.

I can't help it, I can't stand

seeing him play with a gun.

But the boy's gotta' learn sometime

that guns aren't necessarily bad.

- Depends on who uses them.

- Tod carries one, doesn't he?

- Yes.

- Well then.

- Just take it off, Pidge.

- Aw gee!

That's three dollars, please...

Thank you.

Ellen.

I know you don't want the boy

to see war pictures, but it seems...

Teaching children the art of death and

destruction, the cruelties, the tortures...

He's gotta' know that these things exist

and then he can fight against them,

when it's his turn.

You can't wrap the boy in cellophane.

I can try, as long as possible.

Look, when a house is on fire,

everybody has to help put it out,

because the next time,

it might be your house.

Oh Tod, don't.

- Church tomorrow, Ellen?

- No Tod, I can't go with you.

I can't go on asking you and

get turned down. I mean that.

Bebop. Goin' over to Tilly's for a cup

of java. You can handle things.

It's a quiet day.

It's been a quiet day in this burg

for the last 50 years.

For you?

- Good night shirt!

- What's the word?

Go get the Sheriff. Tell him to get

over here fast, it's an emergency!

Hey! Take it easy Pappy,

- Where's the Sheriff?

- Try the office... Hey, what the...?

- Where's Tod?

- Catch your breath. He's...

It's an emergency! Ed Hawkins

has gotta' see him now!

What happened?

I don't know, something came

over the wire. Ed wouldn't say.

Yeah, that's funny.

Well there's Tod now.

It's an emergency. Ed Hawkins

has gotta' see you right away!

- Hello Ed.

- Thanks, get outta' here.

Wait a second.

I wanna' know what it's about.

It's top secret,

get outta' here.

- For Pete's sake, I ran my pants off...

- Blow.

Aw shucks.

What's the word?

Listen to this.

I haven't finished typing it yet...

Sheriff Tod Shaw, Suddenly, California.

Confidential code: 'Hangover'.

Special train number 10.19 carrying

the President of the United States

will arrive Suddenly 5pm today.

President will detrain and

drive to White Springs Ranch.

Will require adequate transportation.

Appreciate cooperation your staff.

With secret service operators

arriving 1:
15pm.

Carney acting chief U.S.

Secret Service.

- No mistakes, huh?

- Only in typing.

Now, can I use your phone?

Help yourself.

Give me State Police Headquarters

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