Original subtitles

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, I'’m the Old Ranger,

and Death Valley'’s my stampin'’ ground.

Many'’s the tale of adventure I'’m going to tell you

about the Death Valley country.

True stories, mind you. I can vouch for that.

Every town has its town bum.

And this is a story of the man

who enjoyed that dubious distinction

in a California mining town I'’m going to call Amargosa.

It'’s the true story of...

[ whistles ]

[ mumbles ]

I was just trying to make you more comfortable, Mr. Solomon.

Your head was clean off the post.

[ mumbles ]

I wish you would come on over to my house

and sleep on the hammock.

You'’d be real comfortable there.

[ groans ]

You'’re a good Samaritan, Sandy, my friend.

Don'’t worry about me. Go.

Sell your papers while the news is still news.

Papers ain'’t out yet.

Then go enjoy the pleasures of youth

while you can.

I wish that Solomon Ross would go somewhere else

to sleep off his liquor.

I got a good mind to throw a bucket of water on him

and chase him away.

Oh, he isn'’t hurting anything.

Poor fellow.Well, he'’s certainly no decoration.

And no credit to the profession, either.

One of the best newspapermen I ever saw

when he first came out here.

Now look at him.

The evils of over indulgence.

Say, that would make a good subject

for your feature article.

I'’ll take care of the feature article.

You just rustle up enough news

to fill the rest of the paper.

I'’m on my way now, Chief, to meet the stage.

Maybe there'’ll be some interesting arrivals.

For a change.

BOTH: Could I help you, miss?

Thank you.

I'’m looking for Mr. Solomon Ross.

My brother.

I came out from the East to visit him.

A surprise.

Don'’t tell me he'’s moved away.

Oh-Oh, he'’s still here.

But he'’s out-- out of town right now.

Yeah, but on business.

But he'’ll be back before dark.

Oh. If you could direct me to a hotel?

BOTH: My pleasure.

They said Solomon was out of town.

Yeah.

Something tells me news is in the making.

[ clears throat ] It is indeed a pleasure

to welcome the sister of

our Mr. Ross.

It'’s a pleasure to be here.

I hope you'’ll drop in at the Bon Ton haberdashery

while you'’re here. I am the owner.

And the Silver Dollar restaurant.

I'’m the owner.Thank you.

This way, please.

Well, where do we go from here?

You boys certainly have talked yourself

into a fine spot.

But we couldn'’t tell her the truth, Margie.

That her brother is a bum.

Boy, oh, boy, she'’s certainly the best-looking girl

to ever set foot in Amargosa.

MARGIE: And she'’ll shake the dust of Amargosa

from those feet when she lays eyes on our Mr. Ross.

MR. HARDY: Then she mustn'’t.

Until we'’ve gone to work on him.

Huh?

"Many friends of Mr. Solomon Ross

"are happy to welcome his sister, Miss Anne Ross

of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania."

Well, this is ridiculous. Preposterous.

Trying to pass him off as a pillar of society.

All right, then don'’t print it.

You'’re the only person

in town who won'’t play the game.

Henry, you really are a stinker.

All right. I'’ll print it.

With some slight editorial additions.

All right, me sleeping beauty, come on.

Time to sober up.Oh, let go of me, let go.

All right, now upsy-daisy, now.

Upsy-Daisy. Come on now.

Put it around there.[ slurring ] Is somebody buying?

That'’s all right. You'’re all right.

[ gasps ]

What'’s the idea?

We'’re sobering you up for your sister.

My sister?

MAN: Your sister, Anne.

Anne?She'’s here in Amargosa.

Here?

What?

[ sighs ]

Give him the works, Leo. It'’s on me.

Well, I appreciate the trouble and expense

you fellows are going to, but I can'’t figure out

why you should bother.

But a girl as pretty as your sister?

[ chuckles ] It'’s a pleasure.

So that'’s it?

Come on. She'’s waiting for you down at the hotel.

Look, I'’m as nervous as a bride groom.

How about a short one? Just enough to steady me.

Oh, nary a drop as long as your sister'’s around.

Come on.

I guess it'’s been at least six years

since I'’ve seen Sol.

And he hasn'’t been very good at letter writing.

But I suppose he'’s been too busy.

Yes, he'’s been very busy.

SANDY: Here'’s your papers, Mr. Hardy.

Hot off the press.Thanks, Sandy.

Paper, miss? Something about you in it

on the front page.

Oh. I can see where you'’re going to be

a newspaperman when you grow up.

No, ma'’am. Mining engineer.

I got a big mineral collection.

Oh.Oh, allow me.

Thank you.Thanks.

I'’ll see ya.

It isn'’t very often that I make the front page.

"The many friends of Mr. Solomon Ross,

"our local Horace Greeley

"and prominent man about town,

"are happy to welcome his sister,

"Miss Anne Ross of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania,

who arrived today to pay him a surprise visit."

Oh, Sol.

Anne.

Shades of Beau Brummell.

It'’s so wonderful to see you again.

Well, I-I'’m sorry I was out of town when you arrived.

Oh. You'’re thin, thin and warm.

You'’ve been working too hard on the paper.

Paper?

The Amargosa Record.

You don'’t need to pretend.

It'’s right here on the front page.

"Our local Horace Greeley."

Horace Greeley

was a newspaper editor, wasn'’t he?

Oh, yes, yes. He-He was one of the greatest.

Just as you'’ll be someday.

How long do you plan to stay out here, Anne?

Everybody'’s been so lovely to me.

Maybe for quite some time.

Oh.

It serves you right, Henry,

for embellishing that notice in the paper.

You said he was the local Horace Greeley, not me.

All right.

You want to pose as editor? Be the editor.

Get the next issue out on your own.

I'’ll have no part in it.

Fall flat on your face and then explain that

to your precious sister.

I'’m going to tear down the old hotel

and put up a new one in brick and stone.

It'’ll be the finest building in this part of the country.

You'’re not listening.

Oh. I was thinking about poor Solomon.

Well, what about him?

[ sighs ] Grubbing away in the office

getting out the paper

while I'’m having such a lovely time.

Are you? [ Sandy whistles ]

There'’s somebody coming.

Hi, Mr. Hardy. Hello, ma'’am.

Hello.How'’s prospecting, Sandy?

Just fine. I got some swell new samples

of copper and silver. Well, I'’ll see ya.

Goodbye.Bye.

[ whistles ]

He shouldn'’t be alone in these hills.

I-It'’ll be dark pretty soon.

Oh, there are no Injuns around here.

And no bad men. I promise you.

OLD RANGER: It has been a long time

since Sol Ross has done any newspaper work.

Or any kind of work for that matter.

And to find himself behind a desk again

faced with the necessity of getting out a paper,

even a small one like The Amargosa Record,

is proving tougher than he had figured.

For hours he'’s been struggling

to write an editorial, but the thought

just won'’t come.

And the only thing he can think of

has nothing to do with the job at hand.

At last, he couldn'’t stand it no longer.

But I'’ve been on the wagon for over 24 hours now, Patty.

I'’m going crazy.

I'’m sorry.But I gotta get that paper out tonight

and I can'’t unless--

One drink, Patty. Just one little drink.

Not a chance.

But it'’s nobody's business but my own.

'’Tis everybody's business.

The leading citizens of this town

have all got a stake in you, Sol Ross.

And I'’m not going to see them lose on their investment.

Now, go on back to that office and get to work.

And don'’t go running around

to any of the other bars neither.

I'’ve given them all orders not to serve you.

But--No.

Hello.

So they sent you over here to ride herd on me, huh?

Why, I don'’t know what you'’re talking about.

I just came in to type up my social column.

At this hour? It'’s almost midnight.

Well, that'’s the newspaper life for you.

How are things going?

[ scoffs ] Slow.

I'’m a little rusty.

It was slower than slow and far from being sure.

But Sol just couldn'’t tell Margie he was late.

Take a breather. I could use one, too.

What'’s the matter? Ink on my face?

No. I was just thinking.

As long as I'’ve been around this town,

this is the first time I'’ve ever really seen you.

Well, let'’s hope it won'’t be the last time.

Well, back to work.

And back to work Sol went.

With Margie'’s words,

let'’s hope it won't be the last time

spurring him on.

Well, I guess that does it.

Just finished my set. Here'’s your social column.

You spent all your time just-just writing this?

[ sighs ] Well, I'’m kind of slow, too.

"Now'’s the time for all good men

to come to the aid of their country."

"Now'’s the time for all good men

to come to the aid of their country."

"Now'’s the time

for all good men to come to the aid of their country."

[ chuckles ] Now, what'’s the idea

of reading a girl'’s private correspondence?

Thanks, Margie. Thanks a lot.

BOTH: Recordpaper.

Recordnewspaper.

Amargosanewspaper.

[ kids, repeating ] Paper! By golly, Sol did all right.

All right? He did dern good.

Yeah. Hey, Henry?

Did you see the issue Sol put out?

Not yet. Pretty bad, huh?

You should be that bad. This is big city stuff.

Yeah, you oughta read it yourself

and learn something.

But you have to admit, Henry, it was a good issue.

You don'’t have to rub it in.

That'’s all I've been hearing all around town.

Well, in next week'’s issue, I thought I--

You'’re not getting out any more issues.

You'’re through.

Through?No, Henry!

Yes, King Solomon is abdicating.

Not yet.

Let me stay on--Right now, this minute.

But my sister'’s coming to the office--

Your sister'’s not going to find you here.

Henry, have a heart.Are you going to get out of here

or have I got to throw you out?

Leave him alone.You stay out of this.

Now, that'’s no way to push her.[ groans ]

[ grunts ]

[ groans ]

[ grunting ]

[ grunting continues ]

Now get out of here.

Sol.

Sol, where are you going?Where do you think?

Sol!

[ whispering ]

Have you looked everywhere?

Now, don'’t worry, Anne. He'’ll turn up.

But he'’s been gone almost 36 hours.

He could'’ve been called out of town unexpectedly.

His things are still in his room.

Maybe he'’s writing somewhere

and he doesn'’t want to be disturbed.

Sure, sure. You know how writers are.

That wouldn'’t be like Sol. No, something'’s wrong.

And if you won'’t go to the sheriff, I will.

But Miss Ro--

Solomon!

Oh, I knew

something had happened.

You'’re hurt. You'’ve had an accident.

Sol, you'’re intoxicated.Oh, no, I'’m not.

I'’m drunk. Roaring, stinking drunk.

How could you?

Because I'’m Sol Ross. The town bum.

Don'’t say that. That'’s not true!

Yes, it is. Ask them.

They'’re the ones that picked me

out of the gutter. Old Charlie here.

He dressed me.

And Dutch here, he-he fed me.

And Stu, he got me my room.

What did you do?

Oh, yes, he gave me my haircut.

Big joke while it lasted. Almost fooled myself.

So, it was all a trick?

A game everybody was playing.

Except me.

You oughta be ashamed of yourselves.

Of all of the contemptible...

I'’ll never forgive you as long as I live.

And you either, Sol.

[ crying ]

Two news items for you.

Miss Anne Ross, who'’s been visiting Amargosa,

leaves for home today.

On the noon stage.Oh?

And the other?

Miss Margie McMahon resigns her post

in The Amargosa Record.Margie!

I don'’t like working for a heel, Henry.

Well, just because I--

Because you knocked the props

right out from a fellow who was trying

to make a comeback.

And he would have.

Whoa. Did you hear about young Sandy Beard?

Why, no.A mine shaft caved in on him.

Oh, no.Yep, the old Eagle Nest Mine.

A couple of prospectors just happened

to see him as he went in.

I'’m rounding up volunteers and equipment

to try and rescue him.

Sol? Sol, wake up!

Sol, please. Sol, Sandy'’s been hurt.

[ mumbling ] Sandy'’s been hurt.

Yes, Sol. He needs help.

Help. Help?

Who?Sandy.

Sandy needs help.Yes, Sol.

Help. Sandy needs help.

Is he still alive?

I don'’t know but he won't last long without air.

How far down is he?

Thirty to forty feet in the gallery

off the main shaft.

Well, what are you digging here for?

Why don'’t you clean the shaft out?

It'’s all choked up.

And the shoring is so rotten,

we'’re liable to cave the whole thing in

if we fool with it.

What are you going to do?

I think there'’s enough

of an opening I can get through.

I'’m going down for a look.

No, Sol, you heard what that man said.

The whole thing is liable to cave in.

If it does, nobody will miss me

but a few bartenders.

And me.

If I get out of this,

I'’ll ask you to repeat that.

Hey, Nate! Help me with this rope.

All right. Slack off.

Sandy?

Sandy, it'’s Sol. Can you hear me?

Margie?

Take this story.

Gallery box cellar with bomb debris.

Fate of boy is still unknown.

I'’m attempting to get air to him.

All right, lower down that air hose.

And a short-handed shovel.

Coming down.

All right, I got them.

Start pumping.

[ air hissing ]

[ coughs ]

What'’s going on? Did they find him yet?

When did it happen? How far down is he?

Who are they pumping air to?

Here are the facts so far.

Sol'’s down there giving me the story.

Sol? Down there?Yes, Sol.

Well, you'’ve always wanted to give out an extra.

You'’ll never have a better reason.

Yeah. Yeah, and I'’ll get all the bulletins, too.

And Henry?

Make sure Sol gets the credit.

[ air hissing ]

Well, I thought you left on the noon stage.

I heard Sol was down there.

I-Is there anything I can do?

Yes. Pray.

Night found the rescue work

continuing at a feverish pace.

With eager volunteers ready

to step in and carry on as a man became exhausted.

And through it all,

Margie stayed at her post by the old mine shaft,

keeping contact with Sol in the tunnel below.

Thanks.Anything new?

Nothing yet.

[ air hissing ]

Margie? Can you hear me?

Yes, Sol, go ahead.

I tunneled through about six feet.

But there'’s no change in what'’s ahead.

I still haven'’t gotten any answer from Sandy.

Got any more?This is the latest.

Thanks. Talk about excitement.

The Associated Press picked up the story.

Papers all over the country are printing it.

The telegraph wires are humming.

This will really put Amargosa on the map.

And The Recordtoo. Nice reporting job.

By the time daylight came,

there wasn'’t much hope of finding Sandy alive.

But the rescue work went on without slacking.

Margie? Margie?

Yes, Sol?

I just broke through dirt.

I struck a pile of caved-in timber.

Sandy? Sandy, it'’s Sol. Can you hear me?

Sandy?

Sandy? Sandy, it'’s Sol. Can you hear me?

SANDY: Sol.

Margie, he'’s alive!

[ gasps ] Thank God.

He'’s behind some timber where I can'’t see him

or get to him, but he answered me.

Then he'’s alive.[ sighs ]

He'’s alive! Sandy'’s alive!

Sandy'’s alive. Sandy'’s alive.[ crowd cheering ]

Sandy--Sandy, are you hurt?

SANDY: I-I-I can hardly breathe.

I'’m shoving the air hose through.

Everything will be all right.

He'’s all tuckered out. But he'’ll be all right.

[ crowd clamoring ]

A little food and rest, Sandy,

you'’ll be out prospecting again.

From now on, I'’m sticking to the newspaper business.

Good boy.And Sol?

Thanks.Ah.

Hold it.

[ camera clicks ]

This picture will appear on the front page

of every paper in the country.

And Sol?

For the number of inquiries that have come in about you,

it wouldn'’t surprise me if you landed

behind the editor'’s desk at one of them.

Good luck.

Oh, Sol. Oh.

PATTY: By golly, that calls for drinks for everybody.

On me!

[ crowd cheering ]

Solomon in all his glory.

And that'’s the story

of the town bum who became a hero.

But more than that, became a man again.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]