I wanna appeal the Falwell case. This is over. Over! No, it's not over. We can go higher....

Larry Flynt: I wanna appeal the Falwell case. Alan Isaacman: This is over. Over! Larry Flynt: No, it's not over. We can go higher. Alan Isaacman: Higher? Larry Flynt: The Supreme Court. Yeah, give them a call. Alan Isaacman: It's not that simple, Larry, thousands of people petition the Supreme Court, okay? Thousands. Larry Flynt: Yeah, and our case is as good as any. Alan Isaacman: Our case is better than most. But you're missing my point, and my point is: they will never pick you. Because you're a nightmare. They're afraid if they let you in there, you're gonna wear a diaper, or throw oranges at the justices. And they should be, Larry. Because in all the times you've gone to the court asking for help, you've never once demonstrated any respect for its institutions and procedures. So as far as they're concerned, you're just a pig. Larry Flynt: Yeah, well you always said, and it's the principle: "A pig has the same rights as a president." Alan Isaacman: yeah, yeah, yeah... You know, people get tired of a pig. Larry Flynt: Bullshit! You're scared, Alan! You're scared! You're letting these guys steamroll all over us! Alan Isaacman: Look, 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, they dream of it. And they would probably hear us, if you want the truth. 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 there now, 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 Supreme Court of the United States. Your sentimental speeches and your cornball patriotism, they don't work on me anymore, Larry, because I don't believe you. I don't believe you. Larry Flynt: You're my friend, Alan. We're friends. You know, I would love to be remembered for something meaningful.

I wanna appeal the Falwell case. This is over. Over. No, it's not over. We can go higher. Higher? The Supreme Court. Yeah. Give them a call. It's not that simple, Larry. It's not that simple. Thousands of people every year petition the Supreme Court, okay? Now, our case is as good as any. Our case is better than most. You're missing my point. My point is, they will never pick you because you're a nightmare! They're afraid if they let you in court, you'll wear a diaper or throw oranges. And they should be! In all the times you've gone to court asking for help, you've never demonstrated respect for its institutions and procedures. As far as they're concerned, you're just a pig. Yeah, well... You always said, and it's the principle, "A pig has the same rights as a president." Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's... You know, people get tired of a pig. Bullshit! You're scared, Alan. You're scared. You're letting these guys steamroll... Look, 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. They would probably hear us, if you want the truth. 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 there, you fuck me with this circus act! I won't do it again. I can't. I'm not gonna do it in front of the Supreme Court of the United States. Your sentimental speeches and your cornball patriotism, they don't work on me anymore, Lar, because I don't believe you. I don't believe you. You're my... My friend. Alan. We're friends. You know, I just... I would love to be remembered for something meaningful. Any research problems, I encourage you to use my archives. And, uh, 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 versus the devil. America's minister versus 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: The New York Times, the American Newspaper Publishers Association, and the Association of... - All rise. The honorable, the chiefjustice and the associate justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Oyez, oyez, oyez. All persons having business before the honorable U.S. Supreme Court are admonished to draw near and give their attention. For this court is now sitting. God save the United States and the Supreme Court. We'll hear the argument first this morning in number 86-1278. Hustler magazine and Larry C. Flynt v. 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. Now, 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 citizen of this country 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. Okay. Also, and more importantly, it was a satire of a public figure, of Jerry Falwell, who was really a prime candidate for such a satire