Original subtitles

OLD RANGER: And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Ha. Yah.

Yah.

Yah.

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger,

and I have another interesting true story for you

about the historic Death Valley country.

It'’s the year 1871 in the famous old mining camp

of Virginia City, Nevada,

and a wedding celebration is in progress

as our story opens.

I call it...

♪♪ [ upbeat piano ]

MAN: May I have the pleasure?

WOMAN: No, thank you.

Perhaps I should introduce myself.

I'’m Steve MacIntyre,

the new superintendent at the Yellow Jacket Mine.

That'’s a mighty tantalizing tune they'’re playing.

I don'’t dance.

I don'’t believe it. ♪♪ [ tune ends ]

[ crowd clapping ]Please?

And I'’m blind.

Forgive me. I--

I had no idea.

Suppose we sit it out then, and just talk?

I don'’t feel like talking.

♪♪ [ slow tempo ]

Hobson? Who is that blind girl?

Susie Jarvis.

How long has she been that way?

Well, it happened about three years ago.

There was an accident. Her folks were killed in it.

I guess she'’s wished many times

that she'’d been killed in it, too.

How does she get along?The town looks after her.

Mrs. Prentiss gives her a room,

and she gets her meals

at Mrs. Wimmer'’s Boarding House.

I think I'’ll start getting my meals

at Mrs. Wimmer'’s too.

Mind if I sit here? I'’m a new boarder.

You don'’t have to, Mr. MacIntyre.

So you recognize my voice.

Here, my dear. I buttered a biscuit for you.

And here'’s some nice stew.

I'’ll get some vegetables for you in just a minute.

Thank you.

Mrs. Wimmer'’s a good friend, isn'’t she?

Yeah, at least her intentions are kind.

What do you mean by that?

Well, she treats you as if you are helpless.

I am.Are you?

You know I am.

And you needn'’t look at me like that.

[ Steve chuckles ]

You'’re really amazing.

Tell me--I don'’t want to talk about myself.

Yet that'’s all you think about.

You spend your life as far as I can see

just sitting back.

What else can I do?

You can at least be friendly.

Give a fellow a smile.

When he goes out of his way

deliberately to insult me?

Remind me I'’m handicapped?Now wait a minute.

You'’re not going to walk out on me again.

I don'’t want any dinner.

After someone has cooked it for you?

Served it to you? Paid for it?

Now you eat your stew

like a good girl before it gets cold.

[ knocking on door ]

Come in. [ door opens ]

Miss Susie.

Are you alone, Mr. MacIntyre?

Yep. All alone. Come in.

Thank you.

I'’ve-- I've been thinking about

what you said at supper last night.

I'’m afraid I was a bit rough.

Oh, no, no, no.

It-- I-It was just what I needed

to-- to jolt me.

Oh, Mr. MacIntyre, I would like to be able to do something.

To make myself useful.

But what-- what can I do without eyes?

Well, how about learning telegraphy?

Telegraphy?

It calls for keen ears. You certainly have those.

The way you can recognize voices and sounds?

And sensitive fingers.

You have something else, too,

that'’s denied to those of us who can see.

It'’s a-- It'’s a sort of a...

sixth sense you might call it.

I'’m afraid I don'’t understand.

Well, the way you came into this room just now.

Yes?Now, you sensed that chair was in your path

before you even touched it.

Oh. Oh, yes.

You sense people'’s moods before they even speak.

There'’s no reason in the world

why you shouldn'’t make a first-class operator.

But would anybody hire a blind one?

You prove you'’ve got the stuff,

and there will be a job for you.

The stuff.

All right, I'’ll-- I'’ll give it a try.

[ thud ]H-- dot, dot, dot, dot.

H-- dot, dot, dot, dot.

I-- dot, dot.I-- dot, dot.

Good. Now we'’ll go over it again.

F-- dot, dash, dot.F-- dot, dash, dot.

C-- dot, dot, dash. No, no, no.

C-- C-- dot, dot, dot.

[ chuckles ] D-- dash, dot, dot.

[ clinking ]

What are you doing, Susie?

Learning Morse code.The Morse code?

Uh-huh. I-It'’s Steve's idea. Mr. MacIntyre'’s.

Well, then, not a bad one.

[ chuckles ]Go ahead.

Don'’t let me interrupt.

J-- dash, dot, dash, dot.[ thudding ]

Now K.

K-- dash, dash, dot.No, no.

K is dash, dot, dash.K is dash, dot, dash.

Yeah. Now L. L, L, L...

L is dash, dash--No, no.

L is a long dash.

Oh, Steve, I just can'’t do it.

I tried. [ muffled crying ] I tried.

What you need is a day off.

Say, how about taking a drive with me

up to the divide?

Now, I have to go up there anyway to look over some ground.

[ chuckles ] Oh, Steve, I'’d love.

[ chuckles ]

This used to be my favorite view.

It'’s marked by telegraph poles now

and wires shining in the sun.

Why, you'’ll be sending messages

over those wires before long, Susie.

Down to Carson Valley and over the Sierras,

to Placerville and Sacramento.

I wonder.

Oh, I'’m sure of it.

And the day you get that job, we'’re gonna celebrate.

We'’ll have dinner together at the International Hotel.

Oysters and champagne. Is it a date?

It'’s a date.

Hohh. Ho!

Mr. Lent.Hello, Steve.

Welcome back, sir.

My daughter Mary.

Steve MacIntyre, my dear. Superintendent of our mine.

A great pleasure.How do you do?

So, this is Virginia City.

This your first visit here?Yes.

Mary'’s just out of finishing school back East.

I'’m afraid you'll find this quite a contrast.

I hope so.

A man for breakfast every morning.

That'’s the rule out here, right, Steve?

Well, not since the vigilantes got busy.

Oh, dear.

What about dinner then, tonight?

I was just about to invite him myself, Mary.

I'’d be honored, sir.

Good. Now let'’s get out to the mine as soon as we can.

There'’s a lot of work to be done.

Send our things to the hotel, please.

My, you sure look pretty, Miss Susie.

Where you going?

Out with Steve to celebrate my new job.

[ footsteps ] Oh, here he comes now.

How do you know it'’s him?By his footsteps.

Hello, Susie.

Hello, Steve.

Did you get my message at the office?

No, I'’ve been at the mine all day. What was it?

Well, I got a job, Steve.

Susie, no. Tell me.

Well, it isn'’t here in Virginia City,

but at least it'’s nearby.

Just down the mountain in Dayton.

Steve, I-I took a test.

And passed with flying colors.

Oh, Susie, I'’m so proud of you.

I knew you could do it.

She'’s wonderful, but don'’t you go

getting her all messed up just before[ chuckles ]

you take her out to dinner.

Dinner? Oh, our celebration.

Susie, I'’m terribly sorry,

but I'’ve already made other plans for tonight.

I came here to tell Mrs. Wimmer

I couldn'’t stay for dinner.

If only I'’d gotten your message sooner.

Oh, that'’s all right.

I'’d break this other engagement,

but it'’s with my boss, Mr. Lent.

Well, I-I-I understand, Steve.

We'’ll do it tomorrow night.

How'’s that?

I'’m afraid that will be too late.

I'’m leaving on the morning stage.

Oh, that'’s a shame.

Well, I'’ll be at the stage to see you off.

Good night.Good night.

[ coughs ]

There'’s a nice German restaurant

down the street, Miss Susie.

Not as classy as the International Hotel,

but the food'’s good.

And if you can stand the company

of a Wells Fargo detective...

Thank you, Mr. Hobson,

but I do feel rather tired.

I-I think I'’ll just stay in tonight.

Good-bye, Susie, and good luck.

I'’ll be thinking of you.

Thank you, Steve, for everything.

MAN: All aboard.

Good morning.Why, hello, Mary.

Am I in time to mail a letter?

Sure, Miss Lent. I'’ll give it to the driver.

Thank you. I couldn'’t wait, Steve, to write back East

and tell about my first dinner in Virginia City.

Champagne and oysters. They'’ll never believe it.

Yah!

Ho, whoa.

[ horse whinnying ]

Throw down them small bags.

It'’s a holdup.

All right. Come on out of there.

Come on. Shake a leg, sister.

We ain'’t got all day.

Where you carrying the rest of your money?

That'’s all I've got.

Now, look, sister. You see this gun?

No, I don'’t.

Now don'’t get funny.

She'’s telling the truth. She'’s blind.

Blind?

All right. Go on, get back inside.

Here. Here'’s your purse.

All right, get going.

Git! Yah!

[ shouting ]

"Stage held up near Black Mountain

"by two road agents.

Took strongbox. Susie Jarvis."

They didn'’t get much of a haul.

That'’s one good thing.

But when we ship out the spring cleanup...

That'’s still some weeks off, Steve,

and they'’ll have no way of knowing

which stage it goes out on.

Yeah.

I'’m glad at least nobody got hurt.

[ door opens ]

Hello, you two.

Oh, Mary.Are you ready?

Steve'’s taking me to dinner and the theater tonight.

Then I won'’t keep him any longer.

You go right along.

Her first official message.

Good night, Father.Good night, sir.

Good night.

[ clicking ]

Good morning.Good morning.

May I help you, sir?

Is there a message here for Clanton?

Clanton? James Clanton?

That'’s right.

Yes, it-- it came in about a half hour ago.

Good.

How do you like this weather we'’re having?

Doesn'’t bother me. I can take it or leave it.

Come on, hurry up, sister.

Here it is. Good.

Any answer?No. No answer.

JAMES: Now, look, sister.

You see this gun?

[ reading ]

How does she know?I couldn'’t say.

But we'’re taking no chances.

I'’m putting two armed riders with that stage.

And I'’ll be inside with Hobson.

You?If they take this gold,

they'’re gonna have to take me with it.

Wait.

Outriders.

We wouldn'’t have a chance.

Oh, thank goodness you got through all right.

I-I was so afraid you might not

get my message in time.

How did you know?A wire that came in.

Here'’s a... Here'’s a copy of it.

Listen to this, Dave. "Your spring jacket,

"cleaned and packed out today.

Hope you get it safely. Mother."

I thought at the time it was a strange message.

And then, after I realized who Clanton was,

I began to figure it out.

It could only mean the spring cleanup

from the Yellow Jacket Mine.

Oh, bless you, Susie.

I always said you had a sixth sense.

She should be the detective. Do you think you'’d

recognize this fellow again?

Oh, anywhere.

There'’s no mistaking his voice.

We'’ll let you prove it.

His partner hangs out in Virginia City-- that'’s certain--

and tips him off.

Now, Clanton will be coming around here again,

Susie, for more messages from him.

Uh-huh.And when he does...

I'’ll be right on hand, waiting for him.

[ clicking ]

Aren'’t you working pretty late

this evening, Miss Susie?Mr. Hobson.

Every time that door opens, I hold my breath.

There was a fellow who came in here yesterday

that walked exactly like that outlaw.

You know, I never get over marveling at you.

[ chuckles ] The change in me?

In just a few weeks, you'’ve become

a seasoned telegraph operator.

Steve deserves all the credit.

Oh, when I think of what I was like

when he first met me.

But he started me out on a whole new life.

He gave me hope and courage and--

Hello.Steve!

So you haven'’t forgotten me.

Of course not.

We were just talking about you.

Oh, there'’s somebody with you. A lady.

What did I tell you? And you never said a word.

But her skirt rustled.

I'’m Mary Lent.

Steve'’s told me so much about you.

How do you do?

You look real elegant in your ball gown, Miss Mary.

Oh, yes, it'’s... it'’s beautiful.

Don'’t often see soup and fish around here, Steve. Where to?

Oh, we'’re down here for Senator Tyler'’s shindig.

We'’re so thrilled, aren'’t we, Steve?

I understand it'’s going to be a wonderful affair.

Any news of our man?Not yet.

Yeah, he may have smelled a rat.

He'’ll turn up sooner or later.

Just thought I'’d drop in and ask.

Good-bye, Miss Jarvis. I'’m so glad to have met you.

It was nice to have seen you.

Bye, Susie. See you later, Dave.

[ door closes ]

They'’ll make a handsome couple

at the ball.

Funny. First time Steve ever spoke to me

was to ask me to dance.

I refused.

I wish now I'’d said yes.

[ clicking ]

Howdy.

Good afternoon.

I'’m expecting a telegram.What is the name, please?

Tuttle, Frank Tuttle.

I think there is a wire

that came in this morning, Mr. Tuttle.

As I remember, it was from Virginia City.

Yes, I'’m-- I'm sure of it.

Now, uh-- Now, where did I put it?

I hope you haven'’t mislaid it.

Here it is.

FRANK: Why, this is blank.

But this ain'’t. You'’re under arrest.

What for?

Holding up and robbing the Virginia City stage

on November 16th last.

I never held up a stagecoach in my life. You'’ve made a mistake.

There'’s no mistake.

I was a passenger on the stage that trip,

and I recognize you.

Recognize?

You mean you'’d take the word of a blind girl?

When it'’s Miss Susie's, I sure would, mister.

LEWIS: There is no doubt

that folks without sight

develop keener ears than the rest of us.

But to convict a prisoner

simply on the strength of this young lady'’s

recognizing his voice?

It is contrary to all the laws of justice.

I'’m inclined to agree.Your Honor.

I'’m sorry, Mr. MacIntyre and Mr. Hobson,

but the evidence is not sufficient.

I will have to release Mr. Clanton.

Here. Get these things off of me.

Just a moment, Your Honor.

There'’s something else that I just remembered.

At the time of the holdup,

when the bandit handed me back my purse,

my fingers touched his wrist.

There was a jagged scar on it.

Well, if you don'’t believe me, look for yourself.

Lock him up.

Good for you, Susie.

It just came in, Steve.

So before you go, let'’s have the presentation.

You do the honors, Dave.

Miss Susie, on behalf of Wells Fargo,

here'’s a check for $5,000.What?

The reward that was offered for the arrest of Clanton.

$5,000?

And you earned every penny of it.

You did, indeed.

Oh, Susie, I'’m so happy for you.

All aboard! Virginia City.

Oh, Steve, we better go. Good-bye, Susie.

Good-bye, Mary.

Good-bye, Susie.Steve?

I just wanted to thank you again

for everything you'’ve ever done for me.

How can I ever repay you?By wishing me luck.

[ sighs ] Oh, I do, Steve.

With all my heart.

She'’s the perfect wife for you.

God bless you, Susie.

Git!

Git!

I guess I got no further excuse

to hang around here.

A nice nest egg that will make for you, that $5,000.

You put it in the bank now, and you'’ll never have to worry.

But I'’m not going to keep it for myself.

I'’m going to use it to help other blind folks

learn what I'’ve learned.

Oh, it doesn'’t have to be telegraphy,

but anything that will help them to be

useful and h-happy.

Bring them out of the darkness.

Well, that makes it a lot easier for me.

I'’d hate to have anybody think

I was going to marry you for your money.

Why, Mr. Hobson.

I love you, Susie. How could I help it?

All the weeks I'’ve been here,

looking at you,

talking with you.But I--

I'’d be the proudest man in the world

if you'’d be my wife.

I'’m not much to look at. Just an old flatfoot.

But you'’re good, Dave, and kind.

I'’d be proud to be your wife.

Susie.

And so our story ends the same way it began--

with wedding bells ringing

in the old mining camp of Virginia City.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]