Original subtitles

A Warner Bros.

television production.

What's your pleasure, mister?

Well, generally it's poker, but right now I'm a little thirsty.

Nice little town you got here.

It's a friendly place.

A little too friendly, if you ask me.

Ain't had a good fist fight here in over a week.

I thought I saw a little ruckus outside.

A gunfight ain't no good for watching.

It's over too soon.

Well, I'm a peaceful man myself. I get all the action I want at the poker

You can find all of that you want right here.

You're new in town.

Yeah, I just got in.

In that case, the drink's in the house.

I call that real friendly.

Like I say, it's a friendly town.

Welcome to Medicine Bowl, Mr... Maverick. Brett Maverick.

did was say my name was Brett Maverick. What's wrong with that?

I don't call that very

friendly.

Look, you better tell me what's going on around here. If you don't know, mister,

there ain't nothing I can tell you.

All right, what is it you want?

A rope around your neck for one thing, Maverick.

Do you mind telling me what it is I'm supposed to have done?

Stop bluffing, Maverick. You know the answer to that one better than any of

Let's get him!

I'm trying to keep the law in this town.

You've already had a shooting, and now you want a necktie party.

We ain't gonna have it.

Do you know who you're protecting, Sheriff?

I'm protecting the law.

That's what I'm protecting.

And Lynchon's outside the law. So is Brett Maverick outside the law? And

him right here.

So you're Brett Maverick.

I'm beginning to wish I wasn't.

You'll wish you wasn't when the law gets through with you.

I'll have your gun.

Been holding a cell for you for quite a while, Maverick.

Well, I guess that beats dangling from a limb of a tree.

But not much.

Jail's too good for him, Lem, and you know it. Of course I know it.

But the law says he goes to jail.

And the law is the law.

And that's that.

Sheriff, now that I'm safely locked in jail, do you mind telling me why?

You know why.

That's what everybody tells me. But it's not the answer I want.

Cheating people out of their money is bad enough.

Murdering the mayor is what they wanted to lynch you for. Murdering the mayor?

Sheriff, I've never been in Medicine Bow before.

I know that.

You know it?

That doesn't make any sense.

It will in the courtroom.

Well, what am I supposed to do in the meantime?

Sit here and rot?

You won't be there long.

Your trial's going to be a short one.

Then what?

Then they'll hang you.

But you stopped a lynch mob from doing that outside.

They was trying to lynch you.

A legal hanging's different.

Not to the hangy.

Sheriff, if they're going to try me for something I don't know anything about,

the least you can do is get me a lawyer.

Well, law says you're entitled to one.

If I can find one.

Well, I got $4 ,000 in that safe. I want the best lawyer in town.

Best lawyer in town was the mayor.

You shot him.

You can name any city in the world, including this one, and I did not murder

mayor of it.

Save that talk for the court.

Still, the law doesn't entitle you to one.

Let's see.

The other good one in town is Jim Davenport.

All right, I'll take him.

Can't. He's handling the prosecution.

Oh, fine.

Then there's Judge Bishop.

All right, get him.

Can't. He's trying the case.

Well, that's three down.

New fella in town. Name, uh, Luke Abagar.

Just hung out at Shingle about a week ago.

Still looking for his first client.

Well, I guess he found him.

Don't be sure of it.

He may figure it'd be bad luck to take you for his first.

Does it look that bad for him?

Well, let me put it this way.

You get a fair trial, but it's an open and shut case.

Mainly shut.

Go call on Luke Abagor.

See if he'll take you on.

Well, Sheriff, don't tell him I got $4 ,000. I may be needing some of it later.

I don't know what for.

Tom will give you a decent burial.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Yes, ma 'am. A room for one?

Yes, please.

I'm traveling alone.

What a pity.

I mean, yes, a room for one.

Sign here, ma 'am.

Is Mr.

Brett Maverick stopping here?

Mr. Maverick is stopping in jail.

Again.

For heaven's sake, what for?

It's a long story, ma 'am.

And not a very pretty one.

This is Luke Amigar, your lawyer.

Attorney at law.

He'll handle your case.

You have my sympathy, sir.

We haven't lost the case yet.

Yes, but I have the feeling that the signs are not satisfactory.

Mr. Maverick, what is your birth date?

May the 11th, if it makes any difference. It certainly does.

May the 11th.

I'm afraid your moon is in the house of Taurus. It is?

Very definitely.

And that's bad?

Very definitely.

Well, that's astrology or something, isn't it? Do you believe in that? I run

life by it.

Well, let's not run mine by it, huh?

And your numerology reading isn't too hopeful either.

A numerology reading?

Well, when did you have time to do that? You just got here.

I did it in the office from the letters in your name.

I have a little black book that I'd like to show you.

Well, it doesn't matter. You probably wouldn't understand anyway.

You're so right.

Hey, would you mind discussing the case for a minute?

That will be impossible today. You see, the signs are wrong both astrologically

and numerologically.

Well, it just doesn't seem to be my day.

Well, I'll look in on you again tomorrow. We'll discuss the case fully.

fine, since I seem to be the only man in town who doesn't know anything about

it. Sheriff?

Oh, Mr. Maverick, I forgot one thing.

Let me see your hand.

Over.

Palmistry.

Yes, just as I thought.

Your lifeline seems to come to a sudden end.

Good night.

Sorry, Maverick.

We don't know much about him.

Best I could do.

And the best is none too good.

Boys are gathering around again.

Judd, take a look out there, will you?

You keep saying you don't know anything about all this.

And I'll keep telling you that till they flip the noose around my neck.

Sheriff, somebody has got to believe me. I wish it could be you.

Well, something's fishy about this whole thing, I'll admit.

But I'm a man that goes by the book. And the book says I'm guilty without any

proof? Your name's Brett Maverick. That's proof enough.

Somebody could have been using the name.

You'll have to turn up evidence.

I'm not going to turn up much evidence cooped up in here.

The law says you belong there.

And that's where you're going to stay.

Excuse

me.

Gracious. Thank you, boys.

And so tall.

Good evening, Sheriff. I'm Melanie Blake.

Miss Melanie Blake.

Don't generally get ladies calling at the jailhouse.

Do you have business here, ma 'am? Indeed I do. I'm head of the Wyoming

for Prison Reform.

I'm here to inspect your facilities.

Prison Reform?

A sweet little lady like you.

Well, here they are. Inspect away.

Uh, excuse me, ma 'am.

Judd?

I got business to attend to.

Brett, darling.

Melanie, what are you doing here? I thought I left you in Maverick Springs.

I've been looking for you.

Oh, you're so clever.

I'm behind bars.

Now, what's clever about that?

Silly. I'm talking about the wonderful scheme you just pulled off here in

Medicineville. I just heard about it. What a brilliant scheme.

We can do the same thing in New Orleans or any town where there's a river, where

we can make a fortune. I do not know anything about any scheme. All I know is

I'm in jail. I'm going to be tried for murder, unless they lynch me first.

It just shows how much you need the woman's touch.

With me around, you'll stop murdering people.

Oh, as soon as I get you out of jail. I didn't murder anyone. I have never

murdered anyone, and I don't intend to murder anyone.

Oh, that's sweet of you.

But as soon as I get you out of jail, we'll start making plans.

Oh, about plans.

How do you plan to get me out of this jail?

Oh, I'll think of something.

Bye, Brett.

I'll be back.

I'll be here.

There's places for gatherings.

Like your saloon, Grady.

They do it like it here better.

Anybody care to make an issue of it?

All right, boys.

Come on, Roscoe.

I report to the ladies that your prison is just lovely.

You do that, ma 'am. Except for one thing.

What's that?

Your prisoner has a complaint.

He's been complaining ever since the minute I threw him in the cell.

Oh, but this is my complaint, too, and the complaint of the Wyoming Women for

Prison Reform.

Well, just name it, ma 'am.

Well, it's past supper time, and he hasn't had a meal.

Come to think of it, neither have I.

There's a place down the street.

It ain't fancy, but it's where I eat.

Take care of things, Judd.

We'll, uh...

We'll bring him back a tray.

You'll bring him back a tray, ma 'am.

The jailer will be there when you get back there. Me?

I'm taking an hour off from everything.

Oh, good.

Oh, goodness.

Your servant, ma 'am. Most willing.

Oh, thank you. Here, let me help you.

I'm sorry.

We've got to find some way to get out of here.

Well, not yet.

They'll find out about this soon enough.

Posse will head out.

And we'll just take off in the opposite direction.

Fred, you're positively brilliant.

I can't wait till we get in partnership together.

But, Melanie, I don't know what this scheme was I'm supposed to have had. I

never seen the mayor I'm supposed to have killed. Now, will you believe me?

You really mean that someone has framed you?

Yes. And I want to find out whoever it was and put the frame right back where

belongs, around his neck.

Fred. If I help you find him and we get him thrown in jail, then there's nothing

to stop us from going ahead with the scheme, hmm?

You tell me what the scheme was and we'll talk about our plans later.

Well, it all started a few months back.

The mayor of Medicine Bowl got a letter from the town of Kyle about 30 miles up

the river.

It told about a plan to gather cattle from the eastern part of the state at

and ship them by river barges to the railhead at Medicine Bowl.

The idea was the boat ride would bring the cattle into Medicine Bow as fat as

when they left the range and bring higher prices.

Now, isn't that the greatest idea you ever heard?

Well, it's great, but what's it got to do with me?

Oh, well, the letter was from the, uh, River Developing Company, and it was

signed by, uh, Brett Maverick.

Hmm.

All right.

Well, where's the rest of the swindle come in? Oh, this is the part you'll

Now, the plan meant dredging the river here in Medicine Bow and setting up

wharves, which, of course, would cost a lot of money.

Now, the mayor liked the idea, so he went to Kyle to see the man named

And when he came back, he sold the idea to a lot of people.

They raised about $15 ,000 and sent it to the man, whoever he was, in Kyle.

I know the rest of it.

They never heard of him, right?

Mm -hmm.

So... The mayor then went to Kyle to see what was wrong.

And he got killed for his trouble.

Well, I don't like the killing part. That wasn't necessary.

Oh, but whoever he was, you must admit he had a good idea.

Nobody in Medicine Bowl saw the killer, right?

Right.

But plenty of people in Kyle did.

I don't care where the posse's going. We're going to Kyle.

We've been looking all over for you. That fellow Maverick made a break, and

took that nice prison reform woman with him. You say you go by the book,

Sheriff. Just what does the book say about jailbreaks?

Says the sheriff goes after his man. Ah, we should have hung him good and proper

in the first place. We'll hang up a posse.

That won't be necessary.

Why not? You let Maverick get away, we'll get him back. When I need a posse,

I'll organize one.

Maverick got away from me.

It's my job to get him back.

Well, you're tired. Why don't you put up at a hotel and I'll look around and see

what I can find out.

I chased you all the way to Medusabal. I'm not going to lose you here in Kyle.

Melanie, do you think I'd run away?

Do you want me to answer that?

Well, anyway, I'm not running.

I'm staying right here until I find out who this other Brett Maverick is.

Brett, do you suppose it could be your brother Bart?

Brother Bart doesn't go in for murder.

And for that matter, he only swindled swindlers.

River Development Company.

Howdy.

You ever hear of a river development company

Yep, I've heard of her

Yes,

ma 'am We were wondering if perhaps you could direct us to that place.

Well, I certainly can

It's way down at the end of the street there.

There's a sign on it.

I thank you so much.

Any other information you'd like to have?

No, I think not, thank you.

That's fine.

That's a woman's touch, all right.

My friend Maverick wasn't very tidy.

Your friend Maverick probably was in a hurry.

There's another office.

Looks like we're going to have to add kidnapping and jailbreak to your other

charges, Maverick. Why, that's ridiculous, Sheriff.

The jailbreak was my idea, and as far as the kidnapping is concerned, why, I

practically kidnapped him.

Didn't I, Brent?

She's a very strong -willed little lady.

Well, I've got to admit, you don't look like nobody dragged you here.

Sheriff, put yourself in my place.

Supposing you were thrown in jail on charges you didn't know anything about.

And you found out that what you were supposed to have done was done right

in Kyle.

What would you do?

Come up and find out what I could find out.

And that's just exactly what I would have done.

That's exactly what we did.

I'm not a murderer.

I'm a gambler. And I took the biggest gamble of my life, breaking jail and

coming up here.

Well, let's say I half believe you, Maverick, that you didn't kill the

And that maybe somebody was using your name.

Well, try this for the other half. If I did kill the mayor...

Wouldn't it be pretty stupid of me to walk into Medicine Bow and introduce

myself?

Well, man have to be a little local for that for sure.

Yeah. Well, doesn't that give you the other half?

Not according to my book.

You say somebody's using your name.

You got no evidence.

That's why we came.

To find some.

And we need time.

You're an escaped prisoner, Maverick.

It's my duty to take you back to stand trial.

Still, I don't like railroading a man.

Tell you what I'll do.

I'll give you 24 hours.

If you can't dig up anything in that time to prove you're innocent, we're

heading back for medicine, Bo.

Well, thanks is a small word, Sheriff.

It's the best one I know.

I'll put this thing away, Abagor, before you faint.

My chart told me I shouldn't have come here.

His chart.

Oh, I'd like you to meet my attorney, Mr.

Abagor, Miss Melanie Blake.

Miss Blake, what is your birth date?

How come you showed up here, Luke?

Well, I heard about the jailbreak, and I've also heard that a criminal always

returns to the scene of the crime.

Criminal? And you say he's your attorney?

Well, that's the luck of the Mavericks.

You ask for a lawyer and you get a fortune teller.

I'm giving your client 24 hours to get evidence that he's innocent, Abagor.

After that, we're heading back to Medicine Bowl.

Well, I'll do all I can to help, naturally, but I don't think it'll do

good. Maverick, you and I will go downtown and ask some questions.

Luke, you and Miss Blake search the office. See if you can find anything.

Oh, uh, Miss Blake, what is your birthday?

It's January the 8th. Now, let's start the search. Oh, January the 8th? That

means we're both Capricorn.

You know, the stars must have brought us here.

Well, maybe the stars brought you here, but I came in a buggy with Brett

Maverick. Oh, no, no, no, just a minute. You start in there, huh?

And I'll look around in here.

Look in the files.

Brett Maverick?

No, can't say I ever heard the name before.

Ever seen this man before?

No, can't say I ever seen him either.

Say, Jake, did you ever see that fellow before?

Anything else I can do for you, Jim?

Not a thing.

Thanks.

Well, I meet all the men in town at one time or another, but never met a Brett

Maverick.

Ever see this man before?

No, I haven't, but I'm willing to correct the situation.

Well, that's the best offer I've had all day.

Let's go.

What'll it be, Johnson?

Nothing. I'll have the same.

We're here on business.

Ever heard of a man in town named Brett Maverick?

Maverick?

Oh, you mean that fella that runs a place down the street, the River

Company or something like that?

That's the one.

Did you ever see him?

Oh, I saw him a couple of times coming out of his office.

What does he look like? You remember?

You're not playing a trick, are you, Sheriff?

What do you mean?

Well, unless I'm awfully mistaken, he looks exactly like the fellow standing

right there next to you.

Oh, he's lying, Sheriff.

Tell him you're lying.

What reason would I have to lie? The Sheriff here asked me a question and I

answered him.

Can you be sure this is the man you saw coming out of that office?

Well, I can't be sure of nothing. But if he's not, these eyes of mine are sure

giving me trouble.

Sorry, Maverick.

Looks like you're 24 hours about up.

We'll be pulling out in the morning.

I see a rosy future.

A tall, dark man will come into your life and perhaps change it.

Will this tall, dark man have money?

Perhaps more than you think.

And if you're very wise, you'll go away with him.

Just where do you expect to get this money, Mr. Abagor?

Why, Miss Blake, you don't think that I'm the... If that's the way you feel,

then... We'll be going back in the morning, Miss Blake.

Better find a hotel for the night.

Well, I've got a room at the trail house. It seems very comfortable.

If you're through holding the young lady's hand, we'll take off.

I'm sorry.

We'll have supper.

Fred, it isn't morning yet. You may still have a chance.

I'll take a sip.

Oh, Sheriff.

You can just have a talk with that bartender.

You already had your talk.

I never saw him before in my life. He never saw me either.

It's his word against yours in court.

Yours isn't worth much in medicine, Bo.

Have me a towel, will you?

Here it is.

Good night, Sheriff.

a little talk in the back room.

Is that it?

Yeah.

Let's go back there.

That's quite a swindle you pulled off over at Bettison Bow.

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

I'm talking about you using my name for your phony river development company.

You been hitting a red eye or something?

You're wasting your time and mine.

You start talking, we'll have a little call on the sheriff, huh?

Well, I...

Well, I took your gun, huh?

Where'd you get that?

The book says, always carry a spare.

I'm sorry I had to plug you, Sheriff, but my book says I had to.

Can't say I blame you.

I'd have done the same thing myself.

What do you know about the Stargazer?

Luke Abagor?

About as much as anyone.

Nothing. Why?

peculiar about him, that's all.

And I wish that fortune teller wasn't handling Brett's case.

Amen. It's like having the undertaker on your side.

But I'm stuck with him.

Sheriff, why don't you believe Brett?

I know he didn't have anything to do with the swindle.

Why, the only time that I caught him in one was... Thanks for trying, Melody.

I almost believed you, Maverick, until we ran into that bartender.

Well, that doesn't prove anything. He said he wasn't sure.

It won't take much proof to convince the jury in medicine, Bo, I'm afraid.

Maverick, I wish I could do something for you.

All I can do is bring you back.

We get an early start tomorrow morning at 6 o 'clock.

6 o 'clock?

Why, that's impossible.

How come?

Well, it's just indecent for a lady to be out at that hour.

Are you coming back with us?

Well, I'm certainly not going to desert Brett now.

And besides, I've never been up before ten in my life.

I need my beauty sleep.

Well, don't look like you need too much of that, ma 'am.

There's not much point in arguing with Melanie, Sheriff.

All right.

At ten o 'clock tomorrow.

A deal, Maverick.

Cut.

Your share, Charlie, $5 ,000.

Well, it still don't seem fair to me that you should be getting $10 ,000.

You heiress people have poor memories.

You seem to forget the whole scheme was mine from beginning to end.

Outside of one unfortunate incident.

Well, the mayor was getting rambunctious. I had to kill him.

Yes, but you know how I detest violence. You could have found another way.

Yeah. Well, I got on edge when he began yelling. And I'm still on edge with

Maverick and that lawman hanging around town.

Well, just leave everything to me. Nothing's happened to you yet, has it?

No, but I won't get much rest until they're on their way back to Medicine

Yeah, I'd better go and call them and make certain they haven't changed their

plans. You go home and go to bed. Nothing's going to happen. All the stars

in favor of us.

Look, stars or no stars, I'm hanging around this hotel until I see them two

leave with my own two eyes. Just a minute. Do your hanging outside this

Any new developments, sir?

I'm afraid not.

Don't suppose you found out anything?

Not a thing.

Sorry, Mr. Maverick.

I know how you feel. It's just how I feel.

Sit in for me, Mr. Abigail.

I've got to get some sleep.

Ten o 'clock does come early in the morning.

Well, just one hand, perhaps. I don't do much gambling.

I'm afraid I'm not going to be doing too much myself.

Maybe you'll have to change, friend.

It ain't nice going through a man's pockets.

I, uh... I must have gotten the wrong room.

Don't tell me, lady.

We'll wait here together and you can explain it to Luke Abagor.

Now sit down.

Thank you.

Well, to what do we owe this unexpected visit?

I caught her going through your coat.

Is this what you were looking for?

Go ahead, pick it up.

Don't let her see that, Mook.

Oh, why not? I'm very proud of it.

Besides, she can do us no harm now.

Here, take it.

You're a very clever man, Mr. Apricot.

You hear that, Charlie?

She said I'm a very clever man. I've been telling you that for years.

I said this afternoon that the tall, dark man might have more money than you

think.

Oh, goodness.

Well, it's nothing really. It's merely a matter of working things out

astrologically.

Dual astrology.

I knew it when I first saw you.

You and I and this gentleman, too, could do well together.

That's not a bad idea.

A beautiful woman could be handy in many situations.

And don't forget, we're both Capricorn.

You know what I think?

We're going to have to take her with us anyways now that she's seen the book.

We can talk about this partnership later.

Good thinking, Charlie. You're improving.

We'll leave right now.

Right now?

The sheriff and Mr.

Maverick might stop in my room later on. Don't you think it would be a good idea

for me to stop by and say goodnight right now?

I don't trust her, Luke.

But she has a good point there.

But just to make sure that we can trust her, let me have the gun.

Now you can say goodnight.

We'll be right back.

Thank you.

Go in.

I just stopped by to say good night.

I'll see you at 5 .30 in the lobby.

But I still think it's too late if you want to get an early start.

Does she change her mind often?

Not Melanie.

She squawks like a jaybird about not getting her beauty sleep.

I'd say something's wrong.

astrological diary, property of Luke Abygore. Let me see that.

Bad day today, Mars and the house of Gemini.

Charlie shot the mayor.

Melanie.

The table.

Come on out, Abagor, or we're coming in.

That arrangement suits me.

Come ahead.

As far as I can tell, they've only got one gun between them. Where's your

Left in the room.

Sort of even things up, doesn't it?

I'll try for the back way, and when you hear me yell, you come in shooting.

I wouldn't if I were you, Sheriff.

Miss, where were you going?

I was, um, going for help.

And I know just who you were going to help.

Little old Miss Melanie Blake.

an honest man, Sheriff.

You go by the book.

Thank you, Mr. Maverick.

The people of Medicine Bowl want me to thank you for getting back their money.

And they asked me to tell you that they'd be willing to part with some of

most any poker table in town if you'd care to hang around for a while.

Well, no thanks.

When you mention that word hang, I get itchy feet.

I wonder if I could have a word with the prisoner.

Why did you happen to pick my name for your scheme?

Numerology. The name Brett Maverick seemed the luckiest one I could find.

Well, it might be luckier if you had happened to be the original owner.

Oh, there's another thing.

How come you decided to settle down here in Medicine Bow?

I had a hunch that this would be the last place they'd look for me.

Well, never trust hunches. The stars are safe.

That's so long, Sheriff. I enjoyed your hospitality.

Goodbye, Maverick.

Thanks again.

I just wanted to thank you for being such a willing servant.

Brett, darling.

Look what I borrowed from the sheriff's office.

We can start working our scheme right away as soon as we find another town

a river.

Melanie, no.

Now, I know where there's another town with a river. Um, Laramie.

No, absolutely no.

But, Brett, do you know what I went through to get this book? I don't care.

this is a brilliant scheme.

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.

Wild as the wind in Oregon, blowing up a canyon, easier to tame.

Riverboat, ring your bell, fare thee well, Annabelle.

Luck is the lady that he loves the best.

Nice to see you, New Orleans.

Living on Jackson, Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.

Riverboat, ring your bell.

Fairly well, Annabelle.

Luck is the lady that he loves the best.

Nice to see you, New Orleans.

Living on Jackson, Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.