Unto Thyself Be True (1949)

[Music] la [Music] as the pulse of modern living quickens in this fast moving world the problems of American Life grow more and more complex particularly do our police departments throughout the land carry a heavy share of the many tasks that challenge every one of us from day to-day modern law enforcement and Protection cover many phases of action the more violent crimes require the attention of Specialists but there are other problems not quite so grave that call for a different type of handling step inside won't you [Music] here's the file on the Heartwell case Burton you see our ultimate aim is to free the police department and leave matters such as these to you well we've had a good start haven't we and after all as a representative of the innerfaith religious Council my job is to help prevent situations like the Heartwell incident of course we're overburdened as it is with real criminal matters during the short period that our educational and religious groups have worked with the police we've kept a lot of youngsters from making more serious mistakes our efforts are worth it if we can save just one youngster from getting mixed up yes now let's have all the facts in this Heartwell case apparently the Boy comes from a very good family they live in a very nice home over in the southwest section of the city Frank come back here a minute dear all right Helen what is it now I'll be late again today why do you always have to think of last minute things if you weren't so busy with your own thoughts there wouldn't be so much fuss around here Daddy please don't forget your promise oh now don't worry darling I've already ordered that new sweater and scarf combination do I ever disappointed no Daddy Frank yesterday you promised to bring home the supplies from the 5 and 10 for the J is barbecue Saturday that's tomorrow remember are you going to forget again today why don't you stop nagging Helen I told you that I'll take care of everything bye now now is that all can I go to work now oh Dad I don't mean to delay you but what about my temporary driver's permit we'll talk about that some other time but Frank you promised the boy I know then why do you keep putting it off week after week this is important to Bill though it may not mean much to you now look here all of you this is the limit can't I ever get to work in the morning without holding a convention and as for you Bill I'll admit that I promise to apply for your driver's permit but if you want to know the truth I don't think you're entitled to it why not what have I done nothing that's just the trouble nothing you're told to mow the lawn do you do it no I asked you to polish the car you do a half big job or not at all or when it suits your own convenience right please and what's more but Dad I'm doing the best I can I've got homework and other things on my mind and besides the Fell's got to have some time for fun too sure sure I know you've always got Alibis and you dear you certainly are no help always backing him up when I'm trying to make a man of him now goodbye everybody I'll bring the barbecue things at noon and as for you get the Sellar cleaned it's about time that we put the tool shelves up and got the workbench in shape I'll see you all later please let's have a little peace and quiet around here thank you dear goodbye mom you don't think Dad was serious about my driver's permit he wouldn't let me down would he go on into the living room bill I want to talk to you a little later here Sarah run down to the groceries and get these things for me now yes Sarah now in the kitchen you'll find a box of eggs a couple of them are cracked tell Mr to exchange them okay mother well Bill did you get any ideas about your Father's Day present sure Mom see how much have you saved so far $375 another $2 and you're all set sure another $2 and I can pick that up in no time gosh mom what's the matter with Dad why is he always picking on me lately maybe he's just upset a little he never used to be that way well you know how people get sometimes besides your dad has your welfare at heart I know he has but I don't think he likes me or what is it I'm sure you're only imagining things gosh mom I almost forgot I got to go to work the Stellar well no that is not yet miss Carter promised me 75 cents if I'd wash a car but Bill suppose you don't get the seller finished in time don't worry Mom I've got it all figured out and besides she said if I changed the tire she'd give me an extra two bits oh Bill be sure to change to your real old clothes don't worry Mom I will gosh I forgot to call Arthur Franklin cut the fooling around will you r I asked you to help me not play games did your pop get you the beginners for man no first it's yes then it's no then it's yes then no gosh I don't know where I stand but we are going to have the car tomorrow for the church picnic aren't we yeah but you'll have to drive if I don't get my permit so I'll drive my license is good tell the kids we'd pick them up they're counting on us boy we'll look pretty important driving to the picnic that'll be half of fun say I got to be getting home for lunch you coming over to the Ballfield this afternoon no I'm supposed to clean the cellar or Pap will raise the roof well I'll see you tomorrow then okay I'll call you when I'm ready okay so long and thanks Bill the seller you better get started I'll be thr a [Music] minute hello Dad look I'm getting a long swell isn't this a good place for the newspapers and the magazines junk man ought to pay a couple of bucks for him it should be finished by now I know but you see no I don't see Dad if I could only explain I had to do a little job for Mrs Carter so Mrs Carter's work is more important than mine dad you don't understand there's something special I'm saving for I've lost all patience with you and I've warned you time and again again well there won't be any more warnings maybe this will be a lesson for you you can't have the car tomorrow for the picnic but d i promis my friends how can I tell them a [Applause] [Music] Shucks Sunday school Junior's picnic Saturday July 10th Woodland Park sports games baseball prizes free dinner at noon no car what a deal breaks his [Music] [Applause] [Music] promise [Music] I can use this money for myself I'll show [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] him hello art don't come over tomorrow till I phone you no there's no change in our plans and nothing went wrong right [Music] tomorrow are you sure Sarah you don't want to go to the picnic oh oh I'm sure I'd much rather go to the barbecue with you and Daddy well that's the blad's calling for us now oh Frank Frank hurry dear all right I'm ready let's go and Helen if I get talking to Blake try not to interrupt if you can help I'm trying to work out a little business deal with him yes I know don't worry now don't be too late getting home bill I won't mom goodbye come s and remember no car hello R it's me Hike it over on the double what are we starting to worly for I was just getting up when you called never mind let's shove off but we don't have to meet the other kids for an hour we'll wait but not here come on step on it what' you make me stop for I'll take over now but you didn't get your permit or did you stop yaking like an old lady you give a guy the Jitters but what if he get stopped who's getting stopped and for what come on change [Applause] places [Applause] [Music] jumping catfish let's see what we did sit tight didn't you hear what we did shut the [Music] door [Music] you get out here and meet the kids and go on to the picnic I'll be there later but aren't we going to report the accident who knows about it but us I don't want any part of this you will be part of it if you don't shut up and you don't know anything see I never saw you act like this bill what are you afraid of skip it art just get out and get going and remember not a word to [Music] [Applause] [Music] anybody [Music] [Music] what's that noise never mind de run on upstairs what's that hammering bill bill is that you down there yeah it's me come on up here I wonder if anything could have gone wrong how was that what's wrong hi have a good time well how come you home before us well you see I decided the last minute to stay home so I could finish the job on the shelves why all this sudden enthusiasm for work what's wrong if I do some work it's wrong if I do it's wrong if I don't Frank why are you so unfair to Bill I tell you that boy is acting strangely I think it's you Who's acting strangely this peculiar treatment of yours isn't doing our son any good no matter what your hidden reasons or Moes might be now look here Helen there's only one of us can set the policy around here we can't have two generals it's either you or me [Music] and besides the Fell's got to have time for some fun too sure sure I know you've always got alab eyes and you didar you certainly are no help always backing him up when I'm trying to make a [Music] matter gosh mom what's the matter with Dad why he what's picking on me lately maybe he's just out of thoughts a little maybe this will be a lesson for you you can't have the car tomorrow for the picnic but Dad I promised the kids how can I tell [Music] them mom [Music] mom must have been some dream son Terry and the Pirates a Superman much worse even po was in it well you better sleep a little later tomorrow I can't Mom I'll be late for Sunday school how silly I almost forgot tomorrow's Sunday I tell you what I'll wake you in time and we'll have hot waffles for breakfast how's that SW idea mom with melted butter and maple syrup like last week only double it sure double it how do you do is this the Heartwell residence yes I'm Lieutenant van sikman of the police department I'd like to speak to Mr Harman please certainly uh come in please oh Frank yeah this is Lieutenant van s how do you doing here Frank Harwell yes your automobile was involved in an accident yesterday and it wasn't reported to the police imposs you're mistaken well it could be an error but I doubt it well that's ridiculous my car wasn't out of the garage yesterday take it easy Frank if you don't mind there I'll handle this well someone drove it I'm not accusing you but a witness reported two young boys in the front seat that's ridiculous that same witness took down your license number after a crash on Willow dve I just come from the police laboratory samples of paint from the damag car and your rear bumper match identically Bill come here when were you snooping or around my garage we checked your car for evidence at 600 this morning lose no time you know did you drive the car yesterday me yesterday the car no it wasn't me who was it nobody I don't know what are you blaming me for I don't even know what you're talking about you're lying and you know it you're always hounding me why don't you leave me alone this doesn't look good Mr Harwell there's more at stake here than appears on the surface what do you mean that boy of yours he's tied up in a knot I'd like to have a talk with him do you mind no no no of course not Helen did you get Billy please all this beats me so you see Billy there's still some paint left on that bumper come on now you needn't be afraid to confide in me well okay then the car was out but it wasn't me who did the driving because I don't have a license I see who did do the driving Billy uh he's a sort of friend of mine and you don't want to give him away huh you wouldn't want me to snitch would you well I wouldn't exactly call it snitching it's just telling the truth okay then it was Arthur Franklin I've known him for years he's all right but I think I understand everything son we'll talk about this some more take it easy how did I know that bill was saving up his money to buy me a present would that make any difference in the way and understanding father should treat his son no of course not it shouldn't what a fool I've been fine father I am I tried to explain to you Frank now this thing with the police what time is it nearly 2 we promised we'd be down at Police Headquarters about 2:30 come on Frank I think your plan for handling the Heartwell situation is most intelligent it's time for them now send Mr and Mrs Heartwell in brown oh come in folks how are you Mr Mrs Hartwell I'm glad to see you thank you I'd like you to know Mr Burton Mr how do you do I'm glad to know you won't you folks sit down please thank you good boy it was all my fault I drove the car and I caused the accident too gosh I don't know why I let myself tell all those lies he's really a good boy never been in any trouble and he certain it didn't mean harm please try to understand that's exactly what we're trying to do understanding is the answer to all this folks Mr Burton is a member of the Interfaith religious Council he and I have been working together we found in problems like yours all we need is a chance to meet and talk it out it's good for the soul now if you'll excuse me I'm going out for a while and leave the four of you alone you know it's only been a few years since we've realized how to handle matters like this the real causes of law violations are often controllable and real trouble can be nipped in the bud as a religious counselor I can take up where the police leave off in cases like yours young man try to look at it this way you really violated one of The Commandments in that you bore a false witness against your neighbor in this instance your friend Arthur Franklin but worse than that you were untrue to yourself a far more serious error youngsters in particular should feel free and without fear to consult with their parents lies even Little White Lies never pay off son would you mind stepping outside now as for you Mr and Mrs Hartwell I'd like to suggest that we might well consider a newer commandment honor thy children by closing your hearts and channels of understanding you see how easy it is to break the bonds of confidence between yourselves and your god-given Offspring the lies that bill concocted were born of frustration he has suffered because of them and so have you Mr Hartwell above all let us be true to ourselves then as surely as the night follows the day will we be true to each [Music] other for