presented and accredited
to plead before the
highest court in the land.
Only lawyers ever plead
in that hallowed chamber.
But today, all eyes are focused
on the court's newest newcomer,
who has just received confirmation
from the Senate of the United States.
Court watchers will be fascinated
in the weeks and months ahead
by the figure in the leather chair
farthest to the left of the chief justice.
How will this feminine presence
affect
what, for two centuries, has
been an all-male preserve?
Because so many states have
accepted pornography as a way of life
does not mean that we are willing
to compromise our values
in the sovereign state of Nebraska.
Ergo, I beseech
this distinguished body,
in its infinite and scholarly wisdom,
to uphold the exalted
standards of morality
which this lofty court
so fervently advocates.
And how rare it is to find
judicial minds
so attuned to the higher
reaches of the spirit,
so understanding of the basic
values we so dearly cherish,
so incredibly sensitive
to the deep strains of decency,
which constitute the lapping
tidewaters of our heritage?
The state of Nebraska contends
that Herbert G. Maloney
knowing and willfully
perpetrated an obscene and foul...
Your time is up.
- May I be permitted...?
- No.
Any questions, gentlemen?
Madame Justice?
I get the impression that the state
of Nebraska would like to see this film
confiscated, burned
and the ashes sent into space.
Is that the idea?
If the court so recommended.
Is it your contention
that the Constitution gives
this court any such power?
This court is the judge
of its own power.
Until we actually examine
the film in question, I think...
May it please the court,
I respectfully submit that my client's
rights under the First Amendment...
The First Amendment
doesn't give anybody the right
to commit acts which are harmful
to the public good.
But this is an educational film.
A major documentary,
a work of art.
How can we judge that
until we've seen it?
Do any of the justices object,
besides Justice Snow?
I think it's essential
that we see the film.
Then the clerk will schedule a showing
of the film at some future date
which is not in conflict with the
schedule already on the calendar.
If you saw Lois walking along
in the sunshine of Beverly Hills,
you might think she was just
a healthy, ordinary girl,
but Lois has a problem.
Like the alcoholic
who cannot stop with one drink,
like the compulsive eater who must
consume one dessert after another,
Lois can never be satisfied,
can never get enough
of what she craves.
- Why isn't Mr. Justice Snow here?
- He never comes to these showings.
The average young woman wants
one man, but Lois is insatiable.
- Have we missed much?
- The lady's just getting started.
You guys get over there.
And shut the door.
We asked a distinguished physician
to give his opinion of Lois' condition.
He has asked
that his name be withheld
because of his high standing
in the medical profession.
Dr. X, from the point of view
of a man of science,
what can be done for Lois?
This sort of affliction
is difficult to treat.
Let's look at the other sex
as Lois sees them.
Oh, let's not.
Can Lois ever be cured?
Or is she doomed to a life
of ever-increasing frustration?
I don't know about Lois,
but I'm cured.
Haven't we seen enough?
During the next hour,
we will try to show you...
No, I don't think so.
Projectionist, will you stop
the film, please?
Please.
Thank you.
- Does anyone object?
- No.
Are you stopping the film because
there's a woman in the room?
- That's not why I'm uncomfortable.
- You think I'm offended?
Of