Original subtitles

OLD RANGER: Andnow, Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

MAN: 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 is the year 1854.

The state of California during its short history

has already moved its capital several times.

Now at last, they'’re about to decide

on a permanent location.

That'’s the situation as our story opens

in the gold camp of Columbia.

A story which proves that...

MR. PIKE: I tell you, good citizens,

there'’s no question about it,

Columbia is the logical site

for the state capital.

Columbia is rich,

Columbia is flourishing.

Columbia has stars, churches,

a newspaper, and a school.

And the prettiest schoolteacher

in the state of California.

[ crowd murmuring ]

We have drawn up a petition,

which Tom Sweeny is holding here,

that we want everybody to sign.

Everybody living in Columbia

will benefit if the town is named the state capital.

Merchant, hotel keepers,

bartenders, dance hall.

What job you got your eye on, Mr. Pike?

Governor?

I have no political aspirations, my friends.

I am quite content with my present role

as district attorney,

helping to maintain justice, law, and order here.

All right, Tom,

start the petition circulating.

Step right up, folks.

Jim.

I'’m looking for the sheriff.

What is it?

Nick Perrot'’s been killed up in Pine Law.

Who killed him?I did.

Sheriff?Oh, hello, Jim.

I want to report a killing. Nick Perrot.

Nick Perrot? How'’d it happen?

He jumped me up at my claim.

We had a fight.

I killed him in self-defense.

Here'’s the gun, his gun.

Good riddance.

Nick was a bad hombre. He'’ll never be missed.

MAN #1: That'’s right.MAN #2: Yeah.

It was my life or his, Nella.I know, but how awful.

And just before we'’re to be married.

Will he have to stand trial?

Sure.Now, there'’s nothing to worry about, I'’m innocent.

Until you'’re proven guilty.

The sooner the case can come to trial,

the better it'’ll suit me

since I have personal plans for the near future.

I'’ll set the date

at the court'’s convenience.

Meantime, you'’ll be the guest of Columbia.

You mean lock him up?

Or post bail. $10,000.

$10,000?

You know I couldn'’t raise a sum

like that, Mr. Pike.

Then it'’s jail.

It ain'’t like Jim here was a common criminal,

sir, he just--He'’s killed a man,

so he'’s going on trial for his life.

Take him away.

I'’ll go bail for him.

Daisy?$10,000 is a lot of money to risk.

It'’s no risk.

Come on down to the Fandango House,

and I'’ll get it for you.

That ain'’t necessary.

All you have to do is post a bond.

Where?Over at my office.

Well, what are we waiting for?

[ crowd murmuring ]

Hey.

How about signing this petition?

You haven'’t signed this petition yet.

Hey, folks!

How do you like that?

All I got was six names.

This killing couldn'’t have come

at a more inopportune time.

Just when we'’re trying to build up

the reputation of Columbia.

Well, all towns have killings.

Yes, but all towns aren'’t bidding for the honor

of being named the state capital.

There'’s only one other of any importance,

and that'’s Sacramento.

We'’ve got to nose them out.

This-This wasn'’t a murder. it was done in self-defense.

All right, so we acquit Jim Hardwicke.

So the word gets around,

gets to the ears of the legislature

that Columbia'’s easy on killers.

That Columbia is a loose brawling camp.

No, there'’s only one thing we can do,

and that'’s convict him.

Convict an innocent man?

How do we know he'’s innocent?

There were no witnesses.

We only have his word for it.

But his word is good.

He'’s one of the most honest and respected men

in this community.

Look, you want Columbia named the state capital or don'’t you?

Oh, you know I do.

I got as much as stake as you have.

Together, we'’ll run this whole political machine.

All right, then get busy with that petition

and collect as many names as you can.

By myself? What about you?

I'’ll have my hands full preparing the prosecution

in the case of The People v. James Hardwicke.

We'’ll never be able to thank you enough, Miss Devine.

No sense of the man'’s rotting in jail

when he can be out working in the sun

and seeing his sweetheart.

Well, I just hope the case comes to trial

and gets over with soon.

Well, it shouldn'’t be later than next week.

And then you'’ll be free.

Who'’re you getting to defend you?

Well, under the circumstances,

I thought I'’d defend myself.

Well, look, you take my advice

and get yourself the best lawyer in Columbia.

You hire Ed Barrett.She'’s right, Jim.

What are you driving at?

Well, ordinary, Jim, this will be

a cut-and-dried affair.

But things being like they are right now,

politically, I wouldn'’t take no chances.

All right, I'’ll go see Ed Barrett.

You got nothing to worry about, Jim.

You just leave everything to me.

Thank you, Mr. Barrett.

It'’s a great relief to know

that Jim is in such good hands.

I'’ve never lost a case yet.Knock on wood, Mr. Barrett.

Is that a fact, sir?

And I defended plenty of killers, real killers.

You'’re as good as acquitted already.

Mr. Hardwicke, was there ever any ill feeling

between you and the deceased, Nick Perrot?

You mean that I ever had a fight with him before? No, sir.

You didn'’t like him?

About as much as you'’d like a rattlesnake.

I see.

How'’s it going?

Mr. Pike has started his cross examination.

I can'’t bear that man, Daisy.

Me neither. Pike'’s a louse.

[ crowd laughing ]

[ gravel pounding ]

You have testified that this atrocious killing

was quite unpremeditated.

Yes, sir.

And that you had no intention

of killing Nick Perrot?

I didn'’t even have a gun.

A trusting soul?

Well, I don'’t go looking for trouble if that'’s what you mean.

That'’s exactly what I mean.

You are by nature, mild and peace-loving,

a veritable dove.

Such being true, I presume

that you have never been involved

in any trouble before?

No, sir.You'’re quite sure of that?

Yes, sir.

I seem to remember a shooting affair

which took place about ten months ago

at the Nugget Bar.

That was an accident.

Trigger of my gun caught--

Ah, then you were involved in that affair?

Well, it was an accident.

I didn'’t mean to--I'’m not interested in the details.

Were you or were you not involved in that shooting?

Well, what happened, we were all clowning around--Answer the question.

Well, yes-- yes, I was mixed up in it,

but when--And yet, just a minute ago,

you testified under oath, that you were never involved

in any trouble before.

In plain English, you lied.

Well, I didn'’t think you meant something like that.

A man who lies once will always lie.

Especially to save his neck.

I doubt the defendant'’s word

that he killed Nick Perrot in self-defense.

In my opinion,

it was cold-blooded, premeditated murder.

[ jury murmuring ]

Gentlemen of the jury,

if Columbia allows this crime to go unpunished,

it will be an indelible blot

on the town'’s escutcheon--

record-- an insurmountable barrier

handicapped to her progress.

It may prevent for all time.

The possibility of her being named

the capital of the great state of California.

Objection, Your Honor.

There'’s no connection between this case

and whether or not Columbia becomes the capital.

Objection sustained.

The state rests.

[ crowd murmuring ]

Mr. Barrett, can I please go speak to Jim?

Well, I'’m afraid not now, Miss Nella.

You'’ll have to wait until the jury returns the verdict.

Well, how long will that be?

There'’s no telling.You do feel sure?

I mean, there'’s no doubt--

Remember what I told you, my dear.

I'’ve never lost a case yet.

[ ticking ]

[ door closes ]

I'’ve got 8,000 names to the petition.

That should be enough

to swing the legislature, don'’t you think?

Provided somebody else swings first.

Is that the state capital petition

you got there?

Yes.

I'’d like to put my name to it.

Sorry, but I'’m only collecting men'’s names.

It happens I do a heck of a lot

more business in this town than most men.

But you have no vote,

and votes are what count with the legislature.

Someday, us women will vote, and when we do,

well, we'’ll vote shysters like you out of office.

[ scoffs ]

What'’s keeping that fool jury out so long?

They'’ve been out for three hours, Daisy.

What'’s the matter with them? They know he'’s innocent.

Look, honey, why don'’t you go home

and try and get some rest.

No, I want to be sure and be here

when they bring the verdict.

Well, it won'’t be for awhile yet.

They'’ve just taken supper into the jury room.

I'’m a good citizen of Columbia, too.

Then think about its reputation

and don'’t do anything to degrade it.

ALL: Yeah.

[ mumbling ]

If we convict Jim Hardwicke of murder,

that would be the lowest thing we could do.

Well, he did swear falsely, though, didn'’t he?

About never having been in trouble before?

[ overlapping chatter ]

What time is it?It'’s almost 8:00.

Aren'’t those jurors ever gonna make up their minds?

What'’s taking them so long?

Take it easy, son.

Take it easy?

When my life'’s hanging in the balance?

Remember, I'’ve never lost a case yet.

And I'’m not going to lose this one.

[ sighs ]

9:45 p.m.

At this rate, that jury will be out all night.

Something'’s gotta be done to break that deadlock.

But what?

They'’re where you can'’t get at them.

We'’re putting on a political rally tonight.

Tonight?

To get signatures for this petition.

I'’ve already got 8,000.

You'’re going to get 9, 10, 11,000.

[ chuckles ] Well, that'’s the whole population just about.

Get the band out right away.

Have a march up the street

and stop outside the courthouse.

The courthouse?

Right under the windows of the jury room.

Give '’em the old ballyhoo. Have '’em play martial music.

So the jurors can'’t think.

Get '’em all excited about Columbia.

Stir up their patriotic pride.

Leave it to me.

Are you going to keep us hung up forever?

I still say he'’s no murderer.

Oh, why split hairs? He killed a man.

And it'’s a time we put an end to killings in Columbia.

♪♪ [ martial ]I don'’t believe it, I--

♪♪

Step right up, folks, and put your names

to this petition.

Help Columbia win the race against Sacramento

for the capital of the state of California.

We'’ve already got more than 10,000 signatures.

10,000 loyal citizens dedicated

to the future of this town, doing their part to bring

fame and honor

for the name of Columbia.

Columbia, the gem of the mother lode.

[ cheering ]

MAN: Let'’s get them.

Come on, Adam.

What'’s one man compared to the whole town?

[ men agreeing ]

[ crowd chattering ]

[ mumbling ]

Has the jury arrived to the verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Is the defendant guilty of murder

or not guilty?

Don'’t worry.

There could only be one answer.

Guilty.

[ crowd murmuring ]

[ gravel pounding ]

The prisoner will stand up and receive his sentence.

James Hardwicke, we have heard the verdict

of these 12 men, tried and true.

They have found you guilty of murder.

It is therefore the sentence of this court

that one week from today, at 10:00 in the morning,

you'’ll be hanged by the neck until dead,

dead, [ bangs gravel ] dead.

No!

No, he'’s innocent. You'’re the murderers.

See that the story'’s on the front page

of The Gazette.

"Columbia Convicts Killer," huh?Good.

They'’ve won the first round,

but we'’re not through fighting yet.

What can we do?

I'’ll go straight to the governor

and ask for a reprieve, so as I can get a new trial.

Where is he?

Up in Benicia, the present capital.

Well, you better get going fast.

I'’ll leave at once. Tell Jim not to lose hope.

I'’m leaving no stone unturned.

Thank you, Mr. Barrett.

Well, after all, I got my own reputation

to save, too.

He'’s on his way to the governor now, darling,

to get a reprieve.

Does Pike know?I don'’t believe so.

If he finds out, he'’ll move up

the date of execution.

Well, he can'’t do that.

The judge was the one who set the day.

Leonard Pike would do anything.

This whole affair is a plot

to further his political ambition.

He knows I'’m innocent,

what I did was in self-defense.

Of course.

That wouldn'’t stop him from sending me to the gallows.

No, Jim, no.

You'’re not going to die. Mr. Barrett will save you.

Mr. Barrett is the smartest lawyer

in all of California.

Except one. Leonard Pike.

Here, have a cigar and smoke up.

To Columbia, the future capital

of the state of California

and to the men who have helped

to put her there.

All 11,000 of them.

You mean you got that many signatures?

You bet.

When are you sending it to the legislature?

We are taking it, my friend,

and presenting it in person.

You and Sweeny?

And others who will constitute the committee.

Meanwhile, we better find a safe place for it.

Yes, so the folks of Sacramento

can'’t get their hands on it.

MAN #2: You'’d think they'd try to steal it?

Sure, and destroy it.

There'’s nothing those politicians up there

wouldn'’t stoop to.

The bank. That'’s the place for it.

Good idea.

Here, pass these cigars around to the boys,

with my compliments, huh?

Oh, Miss Nella.

All right.Well, here it is.

There you are, gentlemen.

I don'’t mind telling you

I'’d feel a lot easier knowing that document'’s

where nobody can lay their hands on it.

It'’s as safe as in the Lord'’s pocket in there.

Much obliged to you, sir.Not at all.

This bank'’s always glad to be of service.

Look what I brought you.

Loaf of freshly baked bread and some fried chicken.

Barrett should be back by now, shouldn'’t he?

He may have run into bad weather, muddy roads.

[ sighs ] Maybe the governor wasn'’t even there.

Sit down and eat.

No, I can'’t eat.

If you don'’t, I'’ll think it's a reflection

on my cooking.

Oh, Nella, Nella.

What would I do without you?

When I'’m alone here, everything seems so hopeless,

but when you come, the world'’s bright again.

You give me strength and courage.

Oh, darling.

Mr. Barrett.

Oh, thank goodness you made it.

Didn'’t I tell you that Mr. Barrett wouldn'’t fail us?

Was the governor nice about it?

When do we get the new trial?

I'’ll go get Daisy to put up bond again

now that Mr. Barrett has obtained a reprieve.Wait.

I didn'’t get a reprieve.What?

The governor wouldn'’t see me.

Wouldn'’t see you?

I sent a message into him by secretary,

explaining my mission.

He sent back word that he was sorry,

but there was nothing he could do.

I can'’t believe it. That'’s not human.

What do we do now?

There'’s nothing more we can do.

The governor'’s the highest authority

in the state.

Jim!

So he'’ll hang?

In recognition of your services

as foreman of the jury, we would like you

to be a member of the committee

that is to present the petition

to the state legislature.

Well, I'’m highly honored, Mr. Pike.

The committee is honored, sir.

We are picking men who represent

the very best in Columbia.

Outstanding citizens.

Well, I shall be very happy. When do we go?

Within a week.Let'’s drink to it.

Good idea.

ED: Who is it?

It'’s Nella, Mr. Barrett. Nella Corning.

Oh, Mr. Barrett.

Well, W-What is it? What'’s happened?

I just thought of something.

I got to talk to you right away.

Well, can it wait until morning?

Oh, Mr. Barrett, Jim'’s to die in three days.

Come in.

I'’ve given the situation

a great deal of thought.

And when they start letting contracts

for state buildings,

I'’ll be glad to bring whatever influence

I can to bear.

A little previous ain'’t you, Mr. Pike?

Handing out political plums?

Columbia ain'’t the capital yet.

It'’s practically in the bag.

We'’re leaving for Benicia the day after tomorrow

with a petition.

Day after tomorrow?

No wonder you wanna leave town.

That'’s the day of Jim Hardwicke'’s execution.

SHERIFF: Would you like some breakfast?

No, thanks.

Well, you got time.

It'’ll be another hour before they come for you.

No, I'’m not hungry.

I shouldn'’t think you would be.

Staring at that gallows.

I was looking at the sky,

thinking of all the mornings I'’d seen the sun come up

and never given her a thought.

Now, this is the last time.

You sure you wouldn'’t like something to eat?

Some fresh eggs and maybe a slab of ham?

No, thanks.

Hasn'’t been a message from Miss Nella, has there?No.

I thought she might come to say good-bye.

Maybe it'’s just as well.

We'’ll reach Benicia by tomorrow night

and get before the legislature with the petition

first thing there the next morning.

What'’s the matter?It doesn'’t seem to be here.

It'’s got to be.

Nothing else seems to be missing.

I don'’t understand it.

Well, I do. Somebody'’s stolen it.

How could they?

But this safe'’s as safe as the--

As the Lord'’s pocket. Well, somebody'’s picked it.

I'’ll authorize a search.

It will do no good.

Whoever'’s stole it, destroyed it.

We can depend on that.

11,000 names.

It'’s too late now to get them all over again.[ sighs ]

Yes, we'’ve lost our only chance.

Columbia will never become the capital

of California now.

Gettin'’ close to 10:00, Jim.All righty.

Jim, Jim. Oh!

Nella, you shouldn'’t have come here.

You'’re free, Jim, you'’re free.

What are you saying?

It'’s true, Jim.

We have a pardon from the governor.

A pardon?

By gosh, it is. I'’ll go tell the judge.

Well, I--

Well, I-I thought he wouldn'’t see you.

He did when I went back the second time

and handed him the petition.

What petition?

You tell him. It was your idea.

Well, Mr. Barrett took the state capital petition

from the bank safe one night.

You didn'’t know that safe-cracking

was one of my accomplishments, did you?

He tore off the first page

and substituted another demanding

that you'’d be pardoned.

Now what governor could refuse an appeal like that?

Signed by 11,000 voters.

With the governor'’s compliments.

Mr. Barrett, how could I ever repay you?

Just tell the folks that Ed Barrett is a man

who never lost a case.

[ chuckles ]

And that is the reason why Sacramento

and not Columbia became the capital

of California in the year 1854.

After all, 11,000 miners can'’t be wrong.

As to how Ed Barrett got the petition

out of the safe, well, if anybody knows,

you write me.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]