Original subtitles

I couldn't find a trace there.

Except for her hat.

They were right.

This is a death ship. Nonsense.

It was an accident.

Well, that's too bad.

But one less person to split with when we collect the 20 ,000. You shut up.

What are you getting so holy about?

A woman just drowned.

For all we know, you may have pushed her under.

She may not be the last one to go, Maverick.

A Warner Brothers television production.

Toward the end of the summer, I had pretty well exhausted the possibilities

the poker tables at Kansas City.

And they had exhausted me.

They'd exhausted me to the point where I was traveling to St. Louis with all my

worldly possessions in the shape of the $1 ,000 bill pinned inside my coat.

Of course I'm not all right.

But it takes more than that to kill off a Mackenzie.

Oh, man, you saved me from a dire predicament.

Well, it didn't look like you were being rewarded for civic virtue. Who tied you

up? I don't know the names, but there were three miserable hymen in the ware,

and they must have seen my wallet when I took it out to buy myself a drink in

St. Louis.

They took all my money, they did, aye?

Ah, well, what's done is done.

But it was a broad stroke of luck that brought you along, laddie.

I'm deeply grateful to you, Mr... Maverick. Brett Maverick.

Well, I'm glad I could be of service, Mr... Did you say McKenzie?

Aye.

Gillespie McKenzie.

A proud name, lad.

And I owe you more than thanks for saving my life.

Ah, forget it.

I feel I owe you something more tangible than bonny words for what you did for

me just now.

Now then, lad.

Capturize over that.

Looks like a deed to a boat.

The Cynthia B?

Aye, that it is. And what a boat.

I want you to have a lad.

I couldn't think of it, Mr. McKenzie.

Ah, you should see her, lad, with her great white paddle wheels, throwing

and plowing down the Mississippi like a royal queen, and the fine ladies and

gentlemen promenading up and down her deck.

Oh, I can't let you give me this.

Well, uh, I was not thinking of, uh, giving her to you, exactly.

You want me to buy the boat? For a token payment only.

Uh, the Cynthia Bee is easily worth $40 ,000, and, uh...

I'd ask you for a thousand.

You understand, Mr. Maverick, that I'm a man of means, only my means happen to

be a great distance from you at the moment because those rogues, they took

penny I had, and the only reason that I'd accept a token of a thousand dollars

from you, just traveling expenses to and from the bank.

Otherwise, the Cynthia Bee would be a gift from me to you, pure and simple.

You keep your boat, Sport, and I'll keep my $1 ,000.

That way, everything will be kept pure and simple.

You're probably right, but it takes a gambling man to appreciate my

I must be daffy to think of straddling you with all that responsibility.

All the money rolling in every night and those lovely lasses to be keeping an

eye on.

What lasses?

Oh, the pretty lasses that help out at the gambling salon, of course.

The gambling salon?

Oh, did I not mention it?

Why, the Cinzia B is a regular floating poker palace.

Mr. McKenzie, tell me more.

You'd no be interested, lad.

You're not a gambling man.

Now, wait a minute.

Just wait a minute.

Did you say this boat was worth $40 ,000?

Aye, you could get that amount of money, I think, on market.

And then if you wanted to, well, operate on the river, you'd have the profits

from the gaming tables, and you could also carry freight.

And you get some money from there. I could not... possibly estimate the

profits.

It is a pity you're a canny lad.

Now, let's not be too hasty.

Hey, Sonny, is this the Thomas and Meacham dock?

Yep.

I imagine they have more than one dock, huh?

Nope. Well, can you tell me where they keep a great big white paddle wheeler

called the Cynthia B?

Right in front of you, mister.

Ain't white, though.

Ain't big neither.

Doggone sure is easy to pull in suckers around here

There's

nothing

we can do about it. I say we take our looking like men and stop the crying

What do you want?

My name is Maverick. You know that old boat you got down at your dock, the

Cynthia B?

Well, I bought it.

Oh, no.

And another one.

What are you talking about?

This is Mr.

Maverick, another one of McKenzie's victims.

So, Mr. Maverick, you too were taken in by the canny Mackenzie.

How much did he nick you for?

What are you talking about?

How much did you pay for the Cynthia B?

A thousand.

You were lucky, sir.

When Mackenzie sold her to me on Monday, it cost me two thousand.

Incidentally, I'm Quincy T. Smith.

I know.

Mrs. Ambrose Tutwiller on Tuesday paid Mackenzie a thousand.

Rutherford Carr on Wednesday forked over 750.

Montgomery Teague here got nicked Thursday for 1 ,800.

And Jefferson Cantrell Friday parted with 1 ,500.

That just about rounds out the week.

I got mine on Saturday.

Today is Monday.

Let's hope McKenzie observed the Sabbath.

I think I'm beginning to get the picture.

McKenzie was an expert forger.

Oh, he owned the Cynthia Bee, all right.

That's how he got the original papers to forge his title.

Well, what do we do now?

Cut cards to see who gets the old scowl?

Hardly.

However, Mr. Maverick, you're just in time to hear my proposition.

I may be a sentimental, impractical sort of fellow, but I am going to give each

of you $300 right now for your share in the Cynthia B.

Now, just a minute.

Why, that's splendid.

It's a loss, but at least it's something.

I'm for it.

Well, now, hold on, Smith.

Why would you be willing to put $1 ,500 on top of the $2 ,000 you've already

paid McKenzie?

That's what I'm trying to say. Gamble, pure and simple, sir.

I thought I might take a chance on fixing up the Cynthia Bee and selling

a profit.

Yes, indeed.

I certainly want no more part of this boat business.

I say no.

You're not making sense, Smith.

I'm just a businessman.

$300 is my top offer.

Take it or leave it. Mr. Smith?

I read the Memphis Journal, too.

I might have known it.

All right, I was only trying to do a little business. Nothing venture,

gain. I don't know what's going on here, but I don't like it. Not one bit.

Now, you start talking and talk straight.

All right, what does it say?

Ebner Morton, Memphis shipping magnate.

is ending his search for the old Mississippi sternwheeler, the Orleans

Is that next Thursday noon for expiration of his offer of $20 ,000 for

vessel delivered to his dock?

Well, what's that got to do with us, Smith?

Do you think you can pass off the Cynthia B as the Orleans Princess?

We don't have to.

She is the Orleans Princess, right?

That's correct.

The name was changed several years ago.

Well, then all we have to do is get the Cynthia to Memphis by Thursday noon?

He's got fuel and up on board.

We'd have to hire a couple of stokers and a river pilot.

You get the stokers, Smith, and tend to your engines.

I'll pilot her. I've got a license.

Well, all this is very fine, gentlemen, but why would Mr. Morton be willing to

pay $20 ,000 for the Cynthia B?

Listen to this.

Morton, the original designer of the Princess, wants to rebuild her for river

racing.

According to Morton, Her hull was designed for this purpose, although she

never fitted with proper engines.

Well, let's get going.

Is there anything more to that story? Oh, nothing of any...

Well,

this makes kind of interesting reading.

The Orleans Princess will be remembered by the old -timers on the river as the

Death Ship.

The death ship.

All of the first six owners of the Orleans Princess died under mysterious

circumstances while aboard.

Oh, my.

All of us are owners.

It's probably just an old wives' tale.

Maverick. Modesty Blaine.

You out on parole?

Now, don't be stuffy, darling.

I may have taken advantage of you once or twice. That doesn't mean I don't like

you.

Now, where can we have a nice long talk?

I think right here would be just fine.

You better be nice to me, Brett.

Because I can set you up in a perfectly wonderful job.

What kind of a job?

The kind you've always dreamed about.

A poker player.

Right where the pickings are the choicest and the easiest.

On a great, big, white, fancy Mississippi riverboat.

Mm -hmm.

Sunday.

What do you mean, hmm, Sunday?

Well, isn't that when you bought your great white boat from a Scotsman named

McKenzie?

Why, Brett, you're a mind reader.

Well, since you know so much about it, you can just help me get a crew

Now I'll need a captain, and a chef, and a steward. Modesty. And a porter, and a

chief. Modesty.

What is it, Brett, darling?

I have news for you.

$20 ,000.

That's not very much money split seven ways.

Well, just be thankful there are only seven days in a week.

Anyway, it's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Well, I'd like

poke Mr. McKenzie in the eye with a very sharp stick.

What happened?

It just might have been an accident.

A peculiar feeling, it wasn't.

Ah, this is Mrs.

Maverick, I presume.

I should say not.

I couldn't afford to give her in bail money.

I couldn't afford to give her in silks and satins.

Now, I'm afraid she's another one of Mr.

McKenzie's victims.

To meet Miss Modesty Blaine.

Oh, I hope she understands this is no pleasure trip. I don't like the idea of

women aboard. It brings bad luck.

Why, Mr. Carr.

We already have one lovely lady aboard.

I'm sure another won't make any difference.

Well, we should have enough team pressure up by now. What do you say we

out, Gatlin?

The sooner the better.

Water's feet ahead.

Hey, let's have another one.

Well, you never needed a whistle before.

Come, my dear.

I'll show you where your cabin is, and then we can go to the galley and unpack

the baskets of food and plan the cooking.

Modesty? Cook?

We may never reach Memphis.

Well, gentlemen, it's hot in that engine room. We just came up for a breath of

air. I'll meet my two stokers, Jim and Gus.

I think I'd better go up to the wheelhouse and learn something about

the tub from Cantrell.

Somebody's got to relieve him now and again.

I'll come with you.

Wait for me.

Well, I have to arrange some sort of work schedule for you two. I'll see

it in a few minutes.

You may have noticed, Maverick, that some of the people on this boat aren't

exactly friendly.

I won't expect Valentine's from them. Don't tell the women this, but something

funny just happened.

Funny peculiar?

Funny ha -ha? I found the safety valve on the boiler tied down, but it was tied

in a very obvious way, almost as though it was supposed to be found before any

damage was done.

Now, what do you make of that?

Someone trying to scare us off?

So there'd be less people to share in the 20 ,000? I was just thinking that

myself.

Keep your eyes open, Maverick.

Well, I've got a good eye for that sort of thing. Avoiding trouble?

Avoiding.

Get back to the engines.

Got as much steam pressure up in that old boiler as I dare, but I think it'll

hold together.

You think it'll hold together? What happens if it doesn't?

Quite a lot of things.

All at once.

to refuse to take the blame for the quality of this dinner, gentlemen. That

stove in the galley, this old chinaware in the spooky room, it's enough to take

anyone's appetite away.

Why, Mrs. Tudwell, this is a far better dinner than any I've had in some of the

establishments I've been in. Why, Mr.

Maverick, you're such a gentleman.

You're so, uh, so proper.

I just know we womenfolk have nothing to fear when men of culture like yourself

are around to protect us.

Oh, I concur completely with Maverick, madam. An excellent meal indeed.

Delicious. Oh, this boat gives me the creeps. The legend about its being a

ship. Probably just an old wives' tale.

Tell me, Gantrell, who do you have up in the wheelhouse mining the store?

Cars at the wheel.

You thinking of taking charge here?

Well, I wouldn't think of it.

Shipmate. Please, please, please, gentlemen.

This horrible boat has everyone's nerves on edge.

I'll just bet nobody expected dessert, did you? She made it all by herself. She

calls it apple surprise.

No wonder they call this a death ship.

Mr.

Maverick, you should be ashamed of yourself, and she worked so hard, too.

Believe me, I didn't even know she knew how to cry.

If you'll excuse me, Mrs. Tutwiller.

Gentlemen.

Modesty. Oh, get away from me.

Please, modesty, how was I to know?

I've seen you tell off circuit judges.

Handle some pretty angry sheriffs and never so much as a tear. I just don't

it.

No, you wouldn't understand.

Understand what?

That I'm a woman.

Oh, I understand that, all right.

And a beautiful one, too.

Oh, Brad.

Do you really mean it?

That was for your remark about my cooking.

And this is for your remark about my being beautiful.

Oh, my, it's pleasant to get away from that horrible dining salon.

Oh, it's such a beautiful night out.

I see you've forgiven Mr. Maverick for his ill -timed remarks, modesty.

She's all heart, ma 'am.

I know how young people are on a night like this. They have many things to say

to each other, so I'll just continue my stroll.

Good night, ma 'am.

I'll be in to help you with the dishes in a little while.

Oh, by the way, Mr. Maverick, you forgot your apple surprise, so I set it aside

for you.

I'll save her every morsel.

Brent. Hmm?

When we get to Memphis and sell the Cynthia B to Mr. Morton for $20 ,000,

should give each of the owners about...

$3 ,000 apiece. What about it?

Well, if there were just one title holder to the Cynthia B.

Well, I mean, if all the others lost their papers, then whoever held the

remaining title paper would get the whole $20 ,000.

Just what are you cooking up, dreaming up?

Just thinking.

Now, if Deke and Carr and Cantrell and all the rest were to lose their

That would be just the two of us.

What's the whole $20 ,000?

No. I said no.

It would be so easy.

I know where all of them keep their papers.

Mrs. Tuckweller keeps hers in her handbag.

Karin Cantrell in their suitcase.

Smith, Teague, and you keep yours in your inside coat pocket.

But just to keep things balanced.

Where do you keep yours?

Right here.

Talk to my garden.

What's going on down there?

Man overboard. Stop the boat.

Cut.

What's the matter?

Can't see either one of them.

Could be they both got lost under the paddle wheel.

I couldn't find a trace there, except for her hat.

They were right.

This is a death ship. Nonsense.

It was an accident.

Well, that's too bad.

But one less person to split with when we collect the 20 ,000. You shut up.

What are you getting so holy about?

A woman just drowned.

For all we know, you may have pushed her under.

She may not be the last one to go, Maverick.

All right, boys, let's get back to those excuses for engines.

Cantro, take her away.

That was a harrowing experience.

I don't feel well at all. I think I'll turn in.

I think I'll go to bed too, Pratt.

You better get some dry clothes on before you catch your death.

Please, Modesty.

Watch your choice of words.

The next two days were fine.

It was the night that got on everyone's nerve, when anything horrible could

happen.

Oh, Brett, you frighten me.

I ought to do more than that. Oh, Brett, please don't be angry with me. I heard

a noise in my room and it worried me.

So I... I came here looking for you.

Where did you expect to find me?

In my coat pocket?

You don't believe me. Not a word.

And you shouldn't be roaming around this boat alone at night anyway.

Have you forgotten what happened to the barrel on the dock?

Mrs. Tutwiller?

Now go on.

reports a theft in the morning.

I'm going to search you personally.

Modesty how many times do I do?

Modesty? Modesty?

Modesty? Are you all right?

Why shouldn't I be? Modesty, I was just... You didn't shove me that hard.

get out of here, Brett Maverick! Get mad later. Someone just tried to kill me.

What?

What's all the ruckus?

This is insufferable.

I need my sleep.

I caught someone prowling my room.

Tried to knife me.

Who was he?

I don't know. It was too dark to see.

But it was a man. He was fully clothed, so it couldn't have been you.

I'm not a criminal, Mr. Maverick.

How come you're dressed, Smith?

Take your sights off me.

I just left the engine room to turn in.

Jim and Gus are with me. We can all vouch for each other.

Why would anyone want to kill you?

Because I caught him going through my coat. It was after my wallet.

Or more likely, my copy of the title paper for the Cynthia B.

What good would the papers be to him?

Anybody that tried to claim two shares.

He wouldn't claim two shares. He'd just destroy my copy of the paper.

That'd leave one less person to share with.

No one could prove a thing.

Then whichever one of us it is, might not stop at trying to steal just one

paper. My!

Where's Carr?

I don't know.

Might be up in the wheelhouse with Cantrell. More likely in his cabin.

Maybe it was him that tried to kill you.

Remember how he threatened you the other night?

That's right, he did.

Carr?

Carr?

He's dead.

Stabbed. T, take Modesty out of here.

Oh, oh, oh.

Take who out where, Brett?

We'll have to report all this to the authorities in Memphis.

Nothing more we can do.

There's something more I can do.

What?

Keep from getting killed myself.

Well, there are only five of us left.

Do we still believe that Mrs.

Tutwiller really fell overboard accidentally?

Her title paper was in the beaded bag that went down with her. I tell you all,

this is a damn ship.

We'd better go up to the wheelhouse and warn Cantrell.

Not yet.

Why not?

Let's just keep him out of it until we have a chance to talk it over for

ourselves.

Modesty, you better get dressed. We'll meet in the dining salon.

Better get dressed, too.

Honey, would you come with me to my cabin?

Teague, are you sure Smith isn't the killer?

That wasn't funny.

No offense.

You're not entirely in the clear.

Neither are you.

Well, I'm...

I'm here, Mr. Maverick.

Hey, what's going on?

About two minutes ago, you had your nightshirt on.

Well, I'm a fast dresser, Mr. Maverick.

You're not that fast.

What do you mean?

The man who tried to knife me was fully dressed.

You had your nightshirt on over those clothes.

Well, I was cold.

Maverick, you asked for this powwow.

What's on your mind?

Mr. Maverick has made an outrageous charge.

I just heard it.

Come to think of it, Maverick, how can the rest of us be sure somebody really

did attack you?

You could have faked the whole thing.

To put it bluntly, you strike me as a shifty character.

Shiftless, maybe, but not shifty.

Well, please, modesty.

I didn't know you cared.

But for the minute.

Let's assume that all of us here are innocent.

Who does that leave?

The two stokers, Jim and Gus.

Impossible. They were never told about the title papers.

Besides, they were both in the engine room with me when Carr was killed.

That leaves only Cantrell.

Right. Are you asking me to believe that this boat steered itself while Cantrell

went below, killed Carr, and attacked you?

The river's wide along here, Smith.

Cantrell could have lashed a wheel and left for as long as ten minutes.

I guess he could have at that.

Yes. And from the wheelhouse, he could have seen Mrs. Tutwiller on the deck

below all by herself.

He could have gone down, pushed her over, and gotten back before Maverick

have reached the stern.

I never liked that Cantrell. He's even more shifty than Maverick here.

Well, now, I've still got my eye on you as the suspect, Pete.

It could be, Cantrell.

He's strange and he's mean. We can't prove a thing.

You're right.

So why make trouble?

We'll just sit here together all night till we dock at Memphis in the morning.

Brad, aren't you supposed to take the wheel at two bells?

Yes, it's past that now.

And if I know Cantrell, he'll be fuming.

You're not really going up to that wheelhouse, are you?

As my pappy used to say, a man does what he has to do if he can't get out of it.

A coward dies a thousand deaths.

A hero dies but one.

I prefer the coward's way.

The odds are much better.

What's the matter?

Jim and I knew the boat was in trouble, but we didn't dare stop the engine until

we heard from the bridge.

You did right.

We just came a little too close to the riverbank.

You can go back to the engine.

Go on.

Where do you suppose Cantrell went to?

That's kind of obvious, isn't it?

You mean he's the killer for sure?

Why, of course.

He must have thought we were on to him and he's hiding out somewhere on the

ship.

Waiting to kill us all.

He'll have to if he expects to collect that money from Abner Morton.

We better not go looking for him, though.

We'll be safer here altogether.

We'll make him come to us.

Fabric, you've got the gun.

We're starting to stairway to the wheelhouse.

Well, at least we've got him outnumbered.

Well, he won't get me.

I'll hide, that's all.

He's dead.

Looks like he wasn't playing hide -and -go -seek.

Stabbed.

Just like Carr.

Take it easy.

Modesty.

Well, I guess I fear you about Cantrell.

Red, it's got to be one of the four of us.

Modesty, it can't be one of us.

I've just come to the same conclusion.

The way the current's running along here would take 20 minutes at the most for

the Fenty to run into the riverbank without someone at the wheel to prevent

We've all been together for over half an hour.

Then it's got to be one of your stokers, Smith.

One or both of them.

It's hard to believe, Teague, but you must be right.

Well, we better go below and face it.

Now, let's not be heroes.

We're better off right where we are. When we get to Memphis, we'll let the

authorities take over.

It is a wise decision to know we're seeking trouble.

And because you'll be avoiding trouble, I'll know you'll do me the honor of

raising your hands.

Fast!

Kenley.

Where did you come from?

Been with you all the time, laddie. Just hiding out in the old aft storage

locker, that's all.

I shipped aboard just before you cast off in St. Louis and... in the bare nick

of time, I might add.

Unfortunately for us.

Don't blame me, lad. I tried to scare you and the lass off before the boat

the dock.

And I tried to warn Smith here by tying down the safety valve.

You're a thief and a murderer.

The first by inclination and the second...

By necessity.

I read about Abner Morton in the Memphis Journal. And his fine offer of $20 ,000

from his ship. Why, it was just a chance I could not pass up.

I wish I had.

Dinner fret, lass.

No harm will come to you.

Now, all of you, hand over your title papers.

You can have mine.

All right, Maverick.

You're next.

Go ahead, Maverick.

He's killed three people for those papers already.

Just two?

Really? Mrs. Tutwell has fallen into the water. It was just a melancholy

accident.

Take it out of the envelope, lad.

Is this any way to treat a man who saved your life?

Well, it does give me a bit of a twinge in your case.

Now, Smith, your paper.

And now, Miss Blaine.

Be a bonny lass and give me yours.

Don't be alarmed, folks.

The original title deed is in the pocket here. I've always had had it.

What's next, McKenzie?

You can't do business with Morton while you're holding a gun on us.

I didn't intend to, laddie.

Grab him, then. Get his gun, Gus.

You're a sharp laddie.

And the trick might have worked, except that Gus and Jim are no longer aboard.

And if they can swim, I expect that they'll be wading ashore through the

by now three miles back.

Just before I came up here, I persuaded them to jump into the river.

Does that give you any ideas?

Please, please don't throw us in the water.

I have no intention of throwing you into the water.

You're going to jump in all by yourself.

Walk the plank, so to speak.

ever swam since I was a boy.

Now that is an ugly thought, but I know exactly how you feel since I've never

been able to swim a stroke myself.

But I'm sure when you hit the water, it'll all come back to you.

It's better than getting shot, Teague.

Take off your coat, Teague. It's easier that way.

Please.

Looks like he was telling the truth.

He didn't come up.

I am a businessman, Maverick. Not a fool, as you seem to think.

But... And if you think I'll hand over the $20 ,000 for the Cynthia Bee without

getting title papers, you're crazy.

How do I know you bought the boat?

How do I know you didn't even steal her?

Answer me that.

Oh, get out of here and leave me alone.

Anyway, I've almost changed my mind about buying the boat.

As it said in the paper, my offer expires at 12 noon today.

And it's just 15 minutes from that time now. You couldn't possibly bring me

proof of ownership in that time.

Good day, Miss Blaine.

Mr. Mallard.

Pardon me, ma 'am. Is Mr. Morton in? Oh, excuse me.

Mr. Morton, I believe?

Correct. What can I do for you?

Well, sir, I have here the title paper on the riverboat Cynthia B.

Formerly called Orleans Princess.

Well, I understood that you made an offer.

Good till noon?

Of $20 ,000.

That's my brother, Bart.

Correct again?

I'm a man of my word.

I believe your boat is tied up at a dock in St. Louis.

I haven't seen her personally. I won her in a poker game in St. Charles,

Missouri last Sunday.

Their previous owner, a very nice Scotch chap. His name was McKenzie.

I didn't hear about your offer until late Tuesday night. As you can see, I

barely made it here in time.

The boat was in St. Louis.

Yes, sir.

However, the smooth, oily fellow, apparently a boat thief, stole her and

her here this morning.

Tried to sell her to me without any paper of title.

He did.

This makes 20 ,000, Mr. Morton.

Thank you, Mr.

Maverick. Bart Maverick.

Pete.

We're going to split the money three ways, huh?

Five ways.

Five ways.

Who are the other two friends of yours?

No.

You might call them shipmates.

Welcome aboard, Brother Bart.

Who is the tall, dark stranger there?

Maverick is the name.

Riding the trail to who knows where, luck is his companion, gambling is his

game. Smooth as a handle on a gun, Maverick is the name.

While there's a wind in Oregon blowing up a canyon easier to tame.

Riverboat, ring your bell.

Fare thee well, Annabelle. Luck is a lady that he loves the best.

Massachusetts, New Orleans.

Living on Jackson, Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.

loves the best.

That's to New Orleans, living on Jackson, Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.