We're smut peddlers again. We're going back to our roots.
We are porn again.
When's Larry coming back?
Larry's coming back soon.
So, what do we know?
The FBI ain't got nothin'.
- That's what we know. - Who'd wanna shoot you, Larry?
Who wouldn't want to, Jimmy?
- I'd say it was the CIA. - Why?
Because of the million dollars that was offered for JFK's killers.
I think it was the interracial photo spreads and the KKK.
It wasn't the KKK. It was the Mob.
The extreme religious right. They control all the fanatics.
You've just named every American psycho. Let's try to narrow the field a bit.
Larry, you're always, always...
gonna have to watch your ass forever.
I oughta move somewhere where perverts are welcome.
Where you goin', baby?
To get some ice cream. You want some?
I want some more.
I just gave you twice your dose.
Please. Please. Please.
Larry, you're gonna overdose.
I'm not gonna overdose. I'm in pain.
- You're just doing this to get off. - More!
I'm only giving you half of what I just gave you.
Don't ask for any more.
Tight.
Okay, let go.
You all right?
I love you, baby.
Oh, God.
Hi, Doctor Bob.
Hello, Althea. How's Larry today?
Shitty.
Pretty shitty.
How are you today, Larry?
Terrible.
- I'm in pain. - He can hardly talk.
You know, Larry, we're running out of options here.
The drugs, your pain... it's going to kill you.
Something stronger.
This is 30 grand.
Can we just have our medicine, please, Doctor Bob, in peace?
Larry, there is an operation...
and apparently it's been very successful for this kind of pain.
- Ready for the laser. - Laser ready, five watts.
Okay, let's go.
Hey, baby.
What's that?
Some lady died down the hall.
I got her flowers.
How do you feel?
I feel good.
You feel good?
Yeah, I feel...
I feel great.
For the first time since those bullets...
I don't feel any pain.
I don't want it.
What do you... I don't...
I feel good.
And you're not on nothin'.
You're crookin' me, or you're a fuckin' liar.
You've been on drugs for four or five years.
I have a hard time believing that you feel really great on nothin' now.
Is it that hard to believe that I don't want any?
Yes.
I was taking the drugs 'cause I was in pain.
I'm not in pain now, so I don't want it.
Why would I want it?
- I don't know. - Why do you want it?
Well, if I don't take it I'll go into seizures and get really sick.
And it makes me feel good. Here.
- I don't want it! - In two hours you will.
I'm done with it. Okay?
- You've said this before. - Stop it!
'Cause you're fuckin' on...
Here.
- Stop it. - Get away from me!
- Stop. - I don't want it!
You're gonna hurt yourself. Stop it, please.
I don't know.
Been through a lot together. We can make it through this.
You're gonna go cold turkey?
I am, and so are you.
- Okay? - No.
Yes.
Okay.
I can't, Larry.
- What am I gonna do? - What do I need that shit for?
I want my mind back.
The pervert is back!
What's your name?
Sophie.
Tell everybody the pervert is back.
The pervert is back.
Circulation is down by a third.
The color reproduction is horrible.
The models look like they're three-dollar whores.
The writing is by some moronic idiot.
Mr. Flynt?
I don't wanna step on your toes...
but things have changed since you were actively running the company.
I mean, I look back at the stuff you did in the '70s...
and it was sort of racy and crazy...
but the country's different now.
Reagan has rebuilt America...
and the Moral Majority is gaining power.
You're fired.
Excuse me?
You...
get the fuck out of my building!
Get him outta here!
He's a blow-dried, jerk motherfucker!
Throw him in the incinerator!
Cut him into pieces and feed him to the animals!
- Get outta here! - Larry!
You can't do that! He's our vice president of marketing!
Hey, Jimbo, are you trying to challenge my authority?
You see that on the wall? "LFP."
That's Larry Flynt Publications.
Not "JFP." Okay?
I'm the big kahuna here. Do you have a problem with that?
No, Larry.
You're the boss.
So, uh, Larry...
what's the plan?
Plan.
The plan is simple.
The establishment...
took my manhood from me...
but they left the half with my brain...
and I'm gonna use it...
to get back.
Wake up.
Who is this?
It's Larry Flynt.
Is CBS interested in seeing videotape of the FBI...
selling John Delorean 50 kilos of cocaine?
- Are you Mr. Waverly? - Yeah.
- Who are you? - I'm Mrs. Flynt.
Do you want some coffee...
or tea or sandwiches...
or Ho-Hos or Pringles or something?
No, that's all right. Can I just see the tape?
- John Delorean. - There's Delorean.
These are the drug dealers.
- Guess what this is. - The coke?
That whole suitcase?
Yeah. Watch this.
Delorean... The first time to touch it.
That's it. That's all the contact he had with that cocaine.
This is my favorite part. They can't get this damn...
They can't get the suitcase closed. Right?
There's a lot of cocaine in this motherfucker.
How do they get the damn thing closed?
- They're all pushing down on it. - Amazing.
Now they do a toast.
Now watch this.
This is weird.
There's a knock at the door.
Tubby goes to the door.
Look.
Four million dollars worth of cocaine. Nobody's even nervous.
Now watch.
FBI. FBI, right?
This guy's got a good camera sense. Watch him clear camera.
Let me get outta your way. Watch this guy.
Grabs his champagne...
and walks away.
These guys aren't concerned about him...
because they're FBI!
The tapes are genuine, newsworthy, and we have a right to broadcast them.
- This is stolen government evidence. - This makes a fair trial impossible.
My client, Mr. Delorean, will never find an impartial jury.
We're talking basic constitutional rights here.
Gentlemen. Gentlemen, please.
These are stolen tapes.
Gentlemen, that's enough!
It's stolen, Judge!
Here is the Campari ad campaign parody.
"Jerry Falwell talks about his first time."
You guys are stupid.
You ever have anything positive to say, Jimmy?
I got a subpoena here for you to appear in Federal Court tomorrow...
to reveal the source of the Delorean tape.
The FBI got very pissed off.
They want you in front of the judge tomorrow.
You tell that judge I'm wipin' my ass with his subpoena.
Why is your client doing this?
My client is a very complicated man.
He's heavily medicated, among other things.
I believe him to be manic-depressive.
I'II give him something to be depressed about.
I'm issuing a warrant for his arrest.
"If anyone tries coming after me, I'll shoot him between the eyes."
Flynt has been barricaded in his Beverly Hills compound for three days.
Holy shit!
Freeze!
Federal marshals!
Drop the gun now!
Hands on your head now!
On your knees!
NBC. ABC.
What's wrong with you, CBS?
We're Federal marshals! Come out!
Shut up!
Where are your fuckin' priorities?
We interrupt this program for a special report...
I turned the whole world into a tabloid!
Here I come!
Larry, are you going somewhere?
Yeah.
Roll on out of there now!
Will you get me some bananas?
Yes, I'll get you bananas
Thank you, honey.
Raise your right hand and place your left hand on the Bible.
Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth...
so help you God?
No.
I'm an atheist.
I can't very well swear to a God I don't believe exists.
Mr. Flynt, you are a handful.
I know, Your Honor.
We'II allow you to affirm, if that's satisfactory with you, sir.
That would satisfy me.
I just need you to answer one question...
and then you are able to go back home.
Shoot.
What was the source of this videotape?
Your Honor, Vicki Morgan was Alfred Bloomingdale's mistress...
Excuse me, Your Honor.
It's okay, Alan.
Alfred introduced her to all Reagan's cabinet buddies.
She was a real party girl and they really liked her...
if you know what I mean, Your Honor.
So the thing about Vicki is...
she was a bit naive...
and she started writing a book...
about all these orgies that they were having.
The next thing you know... Bam! She's murdered.
But what these White House killers don't realize is...
Vicki...
kept some videotapes...
of their sexcapades.
These tapes, Your Honor...
are pure...
carnality.
Filthy.
I've never seen anything... Well, I have.
But most people haven't seen anything like this, Your Honor.
What has this got to do with the Delorean trial?
That's a good question.
Well, technically, nothing, Your Honor...
but I had those tapes and this tape, and it just made me think of it.
Well, Mr. Flynt, I'd appreciate it if you would stick to the subject.
I'II ask again: What was the source of this videotape?
With all due respect, you don't have the right to ask.
That's it. You're in contempt of court.
As of tomorrow, I'm fining you $10,000 a day...
until you reveal the source of your videotape.
Look. There's Larry.
There he is.
- Mr. Flynt! - Make way. Let us through here.
Mr. Flynt, is this a conspiracy?
Oh, say, can you see
By the dawn's early light
- What so proudly we hail - Where are the Vicki Morgan tapes?
Do you really have the Vicki Morgan sex tapes?
No. I just told 'em I had the Delorean tapes.
Now they believe anything I say.
Sir, take that helmet off.
We don't wear hats in a Federal courtroom.
There's no war going on here.
Well, you can never be too careful, Your Honor.
Don't worry, Mr. Flynt. The U.S. Government will take care of you.
We brought extra marshals in today...
so I'd appreciate your taking off that helmet.
Sir, are you here now...
to obey the court and reveal the source of the videotape...
or to pay the $10,000?
- I'd like a moment with my client. - No!
It is my right, under the freedom of the First Amendment...
to protect my sources.
Listen, don't go any further.
- Let me talk for one second. - Shut up! Relax, Alan.
Is that an American flag you have on there, sir?
I have fashioned this American flag into a diaper...
because if you're gonna treat me like a baby, I'm gonna act like one.
Larry Flynt, I'm ordering you arrested for desecration of the American flag.
Marshal, take him into custody.
We'd like to post bond, if that's all right.
Take it easy.
Just a minute, Marshal.
Very well, Mr. Isaacman.
Court will set a bond on Mr. Larry Flynt for $50,000.
And this time, sir...
I'd prefer a cashier's check.
Understood.
Furthermore...
I'm going to keep our Mr. Flynt on a very tight leash.
As a condition of his bond...
he absolutely cannot leave the state of California.
You're not getting on that plane.
- Yes, I am. - No! Don't do it.
- Do you think this is a game? - Yeah, you're right.
It's a fucking joke!
Five-and-a-half years since they shot me, and the government...
Hey, I was there too. You remember?
You don't see me pissing off everybody who could help us.
Yeah, well, you can walk and you can fuck...
and I'm in this chair!
I got money...
and that gives me the power to shake up this system.
Find somebody else to help you then, because I didn't sign on for this.
I don't even know what we're engaged in anymore.
If you get on that plane, I quit.
Alan, don't be so melodramatic.
You don't wanna quit me. I'm your dream client.
I'm the most fun, I'm rich and I'm always in trouble.
Hey, go to hell, Larry. Go to hell.
Bye.
Why did you disobey this court's order?
Didn't I make it clear you were not to leave California?
We had an honest misunderstanding...
Counselor, he's right.
Some rules are made to help us, not hurt us, and I...
I do apologize, Your Honor.
I want to 'fess up and reveal...
my source.
Tell me...
who was the source of this videotape?
The samurai.
Excuse me?
The samurai gave me the tape.
Who is this man, and where is he?
Unfortunately, he had a critical groin injury...
on the way to give me the tape...
and he's undergoing acupuncture treatment in Beijing, China.
- What is this? - It's okay.
Mr. Flynt, this court fears that you are seriously mentally ill.
Opinions are like assholes, Your Honor.
- Everybody's got one. - Cut it out. Shut up.
No, you shut up!
Let your lawyer do the talking.
No. I know the rules.
You're fired. I'm representing myself.
- I am so tired of you. You're fired. - You can't fuckin' fire me!
- You will not curse in this courtroom. - What?
- Larry Flynt... - How about spitting?
Marshal, put a gag on that man!
- Sit down, sir! - You bastard!
Sit down, lady! Lady, be seated!
- Get off me! - Everybody down in this courtroom!
All right, Mr. Flynt...
are you willing to calm down now, sir?
If I take that gag off, will you show me and my courtroom staff...
the courtesy and respect we deserve?
All right, Marshal.
Fuck you, you son of a bitch!
I've had enough.
Larry Flynt, you leave me no choice but to sentence you...
to nine months.
- Is that all you got? - Three more months, then.
- Fuck you, Your Honor! - You want more?
- Stop it. - Sit down!
Larry Flynt, you are hereby sentenced to 15 months...
in a Federal psychiatric prison.
Don't look at me. Ask for bail, Counselor.
Can I post bail, Your Honor?
Get him out of my courtroom.
Fuckin' bastard!
You can use all those foul words behind four padded walls!
There's something we'd like to show you, sir.
I don't understand.
The Reverend would never endorse a liquor company.
Well, there's a larger problem.
Substantially larger.
You see, sir...
it says right there that the Reverend...
It says, sir...
that he fornicated with his mother in an outhouse.
Give me a second.
What do you boys have for me today?
I think you need to read this.
Give me your jacket, please.
Stand up, please.
Raise your foot.
- Arms up. - Arms what?
Arms up.
You look so good.
You look like shit.
What?
I don't want to work at the magazine anymore.
People there...
don't listen to me...
and they don't talk to me.
They're afraid of me and...
they don't shake my hand.
I went to Dr. Robert and...
he told me that I was sick.
I mean...
sick sick.
I mean, I got AIDS, Larry.
They won't shake your hand?
Oh. Yes, sir. Yes.
Code pink. Code pink.
Larry, it's Jimmy here. You there?
Larry? Larry, you there?
I have some important announcements to make.
- So, how's the hospital treatin' you? - Never mind that.
Is everybody there?
Good.
You're all fired.
Larry, you can't just fire these people. We need them.
Shut up. It's my business, and I'll run it into the ground if I want to.
That's all. I gotta go.
What the fuck was that?
Just calm down, Arlo. Don't panic on me.
- None of you guys are fired. - But Larry just said that...
Yeah, well, what did Larry say? He's in a nuthouse.
I said you're not fired. Is that a problem?
Thank you.
Jesus, Althea.
Come on. Sit down.
You all right, Mrs. Flynt?
Fine, thanks.
You look different. Did you change your hair?
Yeah, I changed my hair.
Yeah. I like it.
Yeah, my hair's different.
What's up?
I got this the other day...
and I brought it by to see if you would look at it, please.
Wow. That is...
I mean, this is...
It's intense.
Yes, it is.
What are we gonna do?
You're gonna give it to Larry's lawyers.
You are our lawyers. You've always been our lawyers.
You're part of the family. Don't listen to Larry.
- You know how he is. - I don't know.
We need your help.
Please. Please help us.
Alan.
Boy, this is great, Larry. This is really great.
- I hope it was worth it. - Didn't I fire you?
Well, I mean, I've always ignored most of what you said, right?
Well, listen, I know the timing is lousy...
but you remember your Campari ad?
Jerry Falwell in the outhouse with his mother?
Well, he saw it.
I guess it's safe to say he didn't find it all that funny.
He is suing you...
for libel...
and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
He is asking for 40 million dollars.
This is Jerry Falwell...
in his home state.
So...
if you're up to it...
we ought to figure out how you want to deal with this.
Countersue.
What?
Yeah, he's suing you.
He's suing me?
For heaven's sake, on what grounds?
You xeroxed his ad and sent it out in a million fund-raising letters.
Yeah? So?
But you didn't get his permission...
and that's copyright infringement.
The depth of his depravity sickens me.
They are gonna put you on the stand. Your testimony will make or break us.
Downplay how much you hate Falwell.
You've got to make them understand it was just a joke.
- I'm just a clown. - Take this one seriously.
Don't fuck it up. This will be the most expensive case ever for you if you lose.
Reverend Falwell, you're a preacher. Is that right?
Yes, I am.
As a preacher, you speak to a fairly broad audience.
I mean, you preach on television and on your Old Time Gospel Radio Hour.
I do.
So you've achieved a certain notoriety...
one might say a national reputation, for your sermons...
and opinions and ideas...
and your leadership of the Moral Majority.
Yes. Our membership is now over five million.
But even beyond your membership, really...
you've been recognized...
and awarded for your efforts all over America.
I have a number of honorary degrees.
In a recent poll of Good Housekeeping magazine...
I was voted second most admired American...
behind President Reagan.
Good Housekeeping. That's... That's...
I mean, hey, you're famous. Right?
Well, I suppose you could say that.
Have you ever had sex with your mother?
Absolutely not.
Never?
Never in the outhouse, as Hustler magazine suggested?
That is an absurd question.
My mother was a very godly woman...
and as close to a saint...
as anyone I have ever known.
I'm sure she was.
Have you ever preached while drunk?
Drunk? Never.
You never had too many at lunch and went back on the radio?
That is a totally outrageous suggestion.
- "Totally outrageous"? - Totally.
You don't think that some people, despite your reputation...
might believe you could do that?
I would find that very difficult to believe.
So what you're telling me is nobody could reasonably think...
that these statements about you were true.
That's what I'm saying.
Reverend Falwell, at the beginning of this trial...
Judge Kirk gave very specific instructions to this jury.
She said, "If a reasonable person...
could not believe that Hustler magazine...
describes actual facts about Jerry Falwell...
then you must dismiss the libel claim."
Do you remember these instructions?
Obviously not, so I'm gonna ask you one more thing.
Why are you suing my client for libel?
I am not a lawyer, Mr. Isaacman.
I am a lawyer, and I can't figure it out either.
Would you state your full name for the record, Mr. Flynt?
Yes, sir.
Christopher Columbus...
Cornwallis...
I.P.Q., Harvey H. And Pagey Pugh.
That's very interesting...
but are you also known as Larry Flynt?
A.K.A. Jesus H. Flynt, Esq.
Oh, for Christ's sakes.
Are you the publisher and editor-in-chief...
of Hustler magazine?
I am the publisher of the most tasteless, sleaziest...
most disgusting, greatest porn magazine on the face of the earth.
Thank you.
I have in my hand Exhibit "B"...
a typewritten script of the Campari ad.
When you approved this ad...
did you have any specific knowledge...
that the Rev. Falwell had ever engaged...
in sexual intercourse with his mother?
But I have a photograph...
of Falwell having fellatio...
with a sheep.
Your Honor, my client is in a heavily medicated, mentally agitated state.
We will stipulate that no such document exists.
I have it...
and Mr. Fartwell is a liar, a glutton and a "sheep- o-phile."
My client's name is Jerry Falwell.
Jerry Falwell!
That's what I said. Jerry Fartwell.
Are you trying to hold Rev. Falwell up to ridicule?
No. Contempt.
- Scorn? - Truculent.
- Obloquy? - Parlez vouz Francais?
Oh, God, my French is so rusty.
Bon appetit!
I love her.
Quiet.
I love you, baby.
Jesus loves me
Do you have an aversion to organized religion?
- "A virgin"? - No. Aversion.
You heard me, Mr. Flynt. An aversion to organized religion.
You bet your sweet ass I do.
Do you think that gives you license to mock the leaders...
of great religious movements?
Goddamn right.
Objection, Your Honor.
This is totally irrelevant.
Overruled.
Free expression is absolute.
- Thank you, Your Honor. - You agree?
Order!
Ma'am, if you can't control yourself, you'II have to leave the courtroom.
So it was your intention...
to hold Rev. Falwell out to be a hypocrite, wasn't it?
Well, that's what he is.
But didn't it occur to you...
that Rev. Falwell must have an integrity people can believe in...
if he is to practice his profession?
Yeah.
And it was your intent to destroy that integrity...
and his livelihood, if you could.
To assassinate it.
Hey, it's me! It's a weird decision.
No, he's not guilty of libel...
but he is guilty of inflicting emotional distress.
Flynt has to pay him 200 grand!
This ruling shows that nobody can prostitute the First Amendment.
Pornography has thrust its ugly head into our everyday lives.
In the billion-dollar sex industry...
of which Larry Flynt is a self- described leader...
lust and greed have replaced decency and morality.
We must make a solemn commitment...
to God Almighty...
to turn this nation around immediately.
Fuckin' AIDS junkie.
You crazy cripple.
It's just not that funny.
It wasn't funny the first time we printed it either.
Well, guys, I'm certainly open to suggestions.
I would suggest if we're going to recycle it that we replace the noun...
I thought I fired all of you.
Jimmy.
Come here.
Sorry if I tried to run things, but...
I was just trying to protect you.
Come here.
Come closer.
Come on.
Don't sweat it, bro. I love you.
I love you too, man.
You look great, man.
Chester. You remember Althea. Shake her hand.
Hey, Althea, you...
Hi, Chester.
Don't sneak up on us like that.
Ah, what the hell.
Shake Althea's hand.
- Good to see you. - Welcome back.
- Hi, Althea. - What do you do?
I'm a secretary.
Who's young and healthy Cross your heart and confess
Happy you and merry me
Oh, who bought the ticket for the Joytown Express
Happy you and merry me
Though Mr. Gloom may chase us
We'll dodge him every day
Say, who is the finest
Any sane man can see
Happy you and merry me
I got it.
I wanna take my bath.
Okay, why don't you hop on.
I'll give you a ride.
Go ahead.
Buckle up.
Daddy.
Ohh! You're crushing my legs!
You're shivering, baby.
Shivering.
Detour.
- Oh, no. - What are you doing?
You're gonna kill us.
It's okay.
They'll freeze us...
and thaw us out in the year 3000.
Curbside service.
That'll be $8.50, lady.
Dr. Kipper, please.
Larry Flynt.
Dr. Kipper?
She doesn't look good.
I know, but there's gotta be something more we can do.
Some new technology or drug.
What are they doing in Europe?
Money is no object.
Althea?
Althea!
Baby.
Honey!
Help!
Baby!
Can you hear me?
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life.
No man comes to the Father...
but by Me.
He that liveth and believeth in Me...
shall never die.
In My Father's house are many rooms...
and if I go and prepare a place for you...
I will come again...
and receive you unto Myself...
that where I am there you may be also.
And you will live with Me forever...
and ever."
You cannot mock God.
You cannot fool God.
If you violate His laws...
God Almighty will judge you.
AIDS is a plague.
These perverted lifestyles...
have to stop.
If you break moral laws...
you'll reap the whirlwind.
Alan. It's Larry.
I want to appeal the Falwell case.
This is over.
No, it's not. We can go higher.
- Higher? - The Supreme Court.
- Give 'em a call. - It's not that simple, Larry.
Thousands of people every year petition the Supreme Court.
Our case is as good as any.
Our case is better than most. You're missing my point.
They will never pick you...
because you're a nightmare.
They're afraid if they let you in you'II wear a diaper or throw oranges...
and they should be.
In all the times you've asked the court for help...
you've never demonstrated any respect for its institutions and procedures.
They consider you a pig.
Well, you always said...
It's the principle. A pig has the same rights as the President.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
People get tired of a pig.
Bullshit. You're scared, Alan. You're scared.
You're letting these guys steamroll you.
It's not just them, Larry. Okay? It's me.
It's me. I am not taking you.
Lawyers dream about a case like this in front of the Supreme Court.
And they would probably hear us.
But I am not going with you.
I have been giving you my best since back when people were laughing at you...
and every time I come in you fuck me with this bullshit circus act.
I won't do it again. I can't.
I'm not gonna do it in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Your sentimental speeches and cornball patriotism...
don't work on me anymore...
because I don't believe you.
I don't believe you.
You... You're my...
You're my friend, Alan.
We're friends.
I would love to be...
remembered for something...
meaningful.
Any research problems, use my archives.
Tell the Reverend...
that I've dealt with this filth monger myself...
and I wish to offer my support.
Is that the Tin Man?
Yes, that's the Tin Man.
God vs. The Devil.
America's minister vs. America's pimp.
Today is the showdown.
Many were surprised by the High Court's decision to hear Flynt's case...
but he had some unlikely supporters filing briefs on his behalf...
like The New York Times, the American Newspaper Publishers Association...
and the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.
All rise.
The Honorable Chief Justice...
and the Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court.
Oyez, oyez, oyez.
All persons having business before the Honorables...
of the United States Supreme Court...
are admonished to draw near and give their attention...
for this Court is now sitting.
God save the United States and this Supreme Court.
We'll hear the argument first this morning in number 86-1278...
Hustler Magazine and Larry C. Flynt...
vs. Jerry Falwell.
Mr. Isaacman, you may proceed whenever you're ready.
Mr. Chief Justice, and may it please the Court...
one of the most cherished ideas that we hold in this country...
is that there should be uninhibited public debate...
and freedom of speech.
The question you have before you today...
is whether a public figure's right to protection from emotional distress...
should outweigh the public interest...
in allowing every United States citizen to freely express his views.
But what was the view expressed in Exhibit "A"?
Well, to begin with, this is a parody of a known Campari ad.
I understand. Go ahead.
Also, and importantly, it was a satire of a public figure...
of Jerry Falwell...
who, in this case, was a prime candidate for such a satire...
because he's such an unlikely person to appear in a liquor ad.
This is a person we are used to seeing at the pulpit, Bible in hand...
preaching with a famously beatific smile on his face.
But what is the public interest you're describing?
That there is some interest in making him look ludicrous?
Yes, there is a public interest in making Jerry Falwell look ludicrous...
insofar as there is a public interest in having Hustler magazine...
express the point of view that Jerry Falwell is full of B.S.
Hustler magazine has every right to express this view.
They have the right to say...
that somebody who has campaigned actively against their magazine...
who has told people not to buy it...
who has publicly said that it poisons the minds of Americans...
who, in addition, has told people sex out of wedlock is immoral...
that they shouldn't drink...
Hustler magazine has a First Amendment right...
to publicly respond to these comments...
by saying that Jerry Falwell is full of B.S.
It says, "Let's deflate this stuffed shirt and bring him down to our level."
Our level, in this case, being, admittedly, a lower level...
than most people would like to be brought to.
I know I'm not supposed to joke, but that's sort of the point.
Mr. Isaacman, the First Amendment is not everything.
It's of very important value, but it's not the only value in our society.
What about another value which says...
that good people should be able to enter public life and public service?
The rule you give us says if you stand for public office...
or become a public figure in any way...
you cannot protect yourself or, indeed, your mother...
against a parody of your committing incest with her.
Do you think that George Washington would've stood for public office...
if that was the consequence?
It's interesting that you mention George Washington, Justice Scalia...
because very recently I saw a 200-year-old political cartoon.
It depicts George Washington riding on a donkey being led by a man...
and the caption suggests...
that this man is leading an ass to Washington.
I can handle that.
I think George can too.
But that's a far cry from committing incest with your mother in an outhouse.
There's no line between the two?
No, Justice Scalia, I would say there isn't...
because you're talking about a matter of taste, not law.
As you yourself said, I believe...
in Pope vs. Illinois...
"It's useless to argue about taste and even more useless to litigate it"...
and that is the case here.
The jury has already determined that this is a matter of taste, not of law...
because they've said there's no libelous speech...
that nobody could reasonably believe that Hustler was actually suggesting...
Falwell had sex with his mother.
So why did Hustler have him and his mother together?
Hustler puts him and his mother together in a...
example of literary travesty, if you will.
And what public purpose does this serve?
The same public purpose...
as Garry Trudeau saying Reagan has no brain or that George Bush is a wimp.
It lets us look at public figures a little bit differently.
We have a long tradition in this country of satiric commentary.
If Jerry Falwell can sue when there has been no libelous speech...
purely on the grounds of emotional distress...
then so can other public figures.
Imagine, if you will, suits against people like Garry Trudeau...
and Johnny Carson, for what he says on The Tonight Show.
Obviously, when people criticize public figures...
they're going to experience emotional distress.
We all know that.
It's easy to claim and impossible to refute.
That's what makes it a meaningless standard.
Really, all it does is allow us to punish unpopular speech.
This country is founded, at least in part...
on the firm belief that unpopular speech is vital to the health of our nation.
Thank you, Mr. Isaacman.
Reverend, are you confident you'll win this case?
Absolutely.
There's no way the Supreme Court...
will come down on the side of a sleaze merchant like Larry Flynt.
Mr. Keating, why are you here today?
To show support for those who believe pornography should be outlawed.
Because if the First Amendment will protect a...
- What did Grutman call me? - A scumbag.
A scumbag like me...
then it'll protect all of you.
'Cause I'm the worst.
Larry, do you have any regrets?
Only one.
Larry.
It's Alan.
They just brought the decision in.
Well, is it good or bad?
It's a unanimous decision.
Rehnquist wrote it himself.
Is it good or bad?
I want you to hear this.
"At the heart of the First Amendment is the recognition...
of the fundamental importance of the free flow of ideas.
Freedom to speak one's mind is not only an aspect of individual liberty...
but essential to the quest for truth...
and the vitality of society as a whole.
In the world of debate about public affairs...
many things done with motives that are less than admirable...
are nonetheless protected by the First Amendment."
So we won.
Yes. We won.
Thank you, Alan.
- Thank you. - Don't mention it.
We won, baby.
Strip for me, baby.
Why?
So when you're old and ugly, you can look back at this.
I'm never gonna be old and ugly, Larry.
You're gonna be old and ugly.
I've just closed my eyes again
Climbed aboard the Dream Weaver train
Driver, take away my worries of today
And leave tomorrow behind
Ooh, Dream Weaver
I believe you can get me
Through the night
Ooh, Dream Weaver
I believe we can reach
The morning light
Fly me high through the starry skies
Maybe to an astral plane
'Cross the highways of fantasy
Help me to forget today's pain
Ooh, Dream Weaver
I believe you can get me
Through the night
Ooh, Dream Weaver
I believe we can reach
The morning light
Though the dawn may be coming soon
There still may be some time
Fly me away
To the bright side of the moon
Meet me on the other side
Ooh, Dream Weaver
I believe you can get me
Through the night
Ooh, Dream Weaver
I believe we can reach
The morning light
Dream Weaver