Original subtitles

Shall I stand a little closer, Marshal?

Maverick.

Starring James Garner and Jack Kelly.

Produced by Warner Brothers.

From the entertainment capital of the world.

Produced for television by Warner Brothers.

This is Boot Hill.

Elwood, Kansas.

It's a nice place to visit.

I like to come up here sometimes to think and maybe get ahead a grave or

Elwood's a peaceful town.

That's the way the merchants like it, and that's the way I keep it.

I'm a merchant myself.

I own 37 .5 % of the Weepin' Willow Saloon.

Sometimes a visitin' cowboy gets a little drunk, but that's what the town's

for.

Thieves and criminals, though, they stay away.

They know what they can expect of Mort Dooley.

That's my name, Mort Dooley.

I'm the marshal.

Only real threat to law and order around here lately was a certain roving

gambler I had to keep throwing out of my town.

Some folks say he came here from Wormwood, Kansas.

I don't know where he came from myself, but it all started about a week ago.

The name he was using at the time was Maverick.

For example, in 1870, there were 2 ,666

,000 farms, averaging 110 acres.

Some larger, of course, and some smaller.

And while there were only 24 million cattle in the whole country, there were

million hogs.

How do you know how many hogs there is?

Knowledge is my stock in trade.

Cool. I'm a commercial traveler from Martinson's abridged encyclopedia.

Badger's a name.

Kenneth P.

Badger.

In fact, if you have a few moments to spare... No books.

Too much education has been the death of me already.

Miss Andy's mother, when I was a lad, she used to say to me, Father, your

she said, him being a duke, nothing but the cream for little Freddy, meaning me.

And so it was. Tutors and governesses, public schools in Oxford, and for what?

Gentle birth and schooling don't mean nothing in this wicked world no more.

I wish we had time to hear the whole story.

Sheriff in here anywheres?

Not hardly.

Anybody in here can read?

Might try the bartender when he wakes up.

I, uh,

got this here letter.

Where'd you dig this up?

Didn't. Plowed it up.

That was this here man's coat. Had three bullet holes in it, massive bones, and

the letter in the pocket.

June the 12th, 1863.

Dear sir, the market here is finished and the creditors are moving in from all

sides.

All is lost except the stuff, which I haven't had time to transfer.

Deep in debt, but if you can foot 15 from the southern dues...

I will try to pump the rest out of Jethro.

It's very interesting, almost.

Well, that's all.

It's signed, yours in haste, Andrew McElhaney.

Who's it to?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Mr. George B. Crispin, Vicksburg, Mississippi.

I can't go traipsing around looking for the law.

I'll get my milking done, too.

Well, I'll be seeing the sheriff. I'll give it to him.

Well, if it won't be no trouble.

When you see the sheriff, tell him I got the coat and the bones over at my

place, Ames Farm.

Well, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I have a train to catch.

You better be finding the sheriff.

Why, there aren't any trains out of here tonight.

McElhenney. Now, that name means something to me.

If it means something to you, it must be in that book of yours with all their

mugs.

Now, wait a minute.

Let me see here.

Abner McElhenney, American economist, formulated McElhenney's law of

returns.

Alexander McElhenney, poet laureate of New Jersey.

Here's an Andrew J. McElhenney.

Mississippi legislator and captain in the Confederate Army.

Led rebel underground activities in Kansas during the War of the Southern

Rebellion.

Narrowly avoided capture at Elwood, Kansas in June 1863.

Believed to have escaped to Europe with $500 ,000 in gold entrusted to him by

the Confederate government.

Andrew W. McElhinney, 1822 to 1842,

composer of Birdsong at Eventide.

This is the Weepin' Willow Saloon, the finest store of its kind in Elwood,

Kansas.

My very good friend, Amy, runs the store, owns 25 % of it.

I own 37 and a half.

A cowboy wants recreation, and that's what he finds at our card tables.

That and protection.

Professional gamblers and card sharps stay away from Elwood, Kansas.

They know we don't want them in our town.

We have a crackerjack police force in Elwood.

This gentleman being my deputy, Clyde Dieffendorfer, owns 17 .5 % of the

Willow. I own 37 .5%. Doc Stuckey,

finest undertaker west of Dodge City.

Also a partner of mine.

Owns 17 .5 % of the store.

You can learn a lot from old Doc.

I hated to do that, but it kind of opens up the board. Your move.

Mr. Dooley, Mr.

Dooley, there's a professional gambling man over at the Weepin' Willer Saloon.

How do you know he's a professional gambler, Clyde?

He's wearing a clean white shirt and a black necktie, and he's a winning, Mr.

Dooley.

pass of Jethro's around here now that I think of it.

The whole south half of this town was built on the old Jethro farm.

Where would I find the nearest Jethro's now?

Brother, that we won't know this side of Judgment Day.

It was all wiped out in the John Brown raid of 1858.

When John Brown and his boys come through here, the first...

Mort, be careful.

Stagecoach out of here in 20 minutes. Be on it.

Why would I want to do that?

It's a clean town, mister.

We endeavor to keep it that way.

The gambling facilities here are for visiting trailhands, not for

card players.

Well, suppose I just stop playing cards while I'm here.

Because I plan to be here for several days.

I don't think you're here good, mister.

I'm running you out of town.

What for?

You're disturbing the peace.

How?

Flaunting authority and goading me into a gunfight.

You get aboard that thing and you stay out of Elwood, Kansas from here on.

Stand back. Let the decent element off first.

Marshal, I know that man.

Yeah? He's a professional card player and he cheats.

Mister, I know a respectable businessman when I see one.

And as I knelt there beside that wounded little drummer boy, I could hear the

bright wings of death flapping over the scene I could.

He knew he was done for, too.

One of the countless lads, blue and grey, as was lost on the bloody

that day.

He looked up at me, his gallant little face twisted with pain, and he gave me a

brave little smile he did.

Sir, he said, me being a very high -ranking officer, sir, all the kith

and kin I has in this mournful world is them distant cousins back in

Kansas.

I knowed he was a Kansas boy.

Bless you, young Jethro, I says them.

I'll go to Kansas meself, and I'll tell them, Jethro's, you went like a brave

lad and a soldier.

And with that, he's aspired in me arm.

He did.

Poor little thing.

And not knowing all his kinfolks had aspired ahead of him.

All of them?

Gone to glory when old John Brown and his boys came through here in 1858.

I was just passing by and I saw your light.

Oh.

Couldn't quite remember who you was first off.

You're the bloke I seen in the public house over in the next town.

That's right, Brett Maverick.

Well, what have we been up to since last we met?

Well, now, that's what I was going to ask you.

I heard your performance over at the saloon.

Even through the back door, it sounded magnificent.

Just carrying out a solemn pledge I made to a little midshipmite who served

under me.

A drummer boy.

Right you are.

There are so many of them.

All named Jethro?

You're a keen one, you are.

I might as well explain the whole blooming thing to you. Let me save you a

Before you let me find out that you're the rightful king of France, let me tell

you I know you, Hawkins.

I saw you in San Francisco two years ago. You and the Denver kid.

You were working the smack.

Why, so we were.

What are you working now?

Looking for the end of the rainbow, same as you.

It is a lot of money, you know.

There's been a lot of people looking for it, too.

Oh, we are not like them, Jacko.

We've practically got a map. We have... All we have to do is... Pump it out of

Jethro. You found out for yourself there aren't any Jethros anymore.

And there weren't any when this letter was written.

It is my lucky day.

The blame is all mine.

Perhaps you'll tell us to what we're indebted.

Well, my name is Emmeline Cameron, Colonel, and I'm the reporter on the

newspaper, the Elwood Clarion. Reporter?

I heard that you two were in town asking about our local customs and traditions.

We haven't been asking no questions.

You mustn't try to keep secrets from the press, Colonel.

You've been asking about Jethro's farm and Captain McElhaney.

Who?

Oh, Jethro.

I'm afraid you have us confused. Better make a clean breast of it, my boy. Take

the press into our confidence.

Miss, uh... Cameron.

We tell you this only so as you'll see that nothing can't be printed without

querying the old blooming works.

You think I'm Colonel Albert Augustus Hawkins.

I'm not.

In actuality, my name is Sebastian Jethro.

It is? The last of a noble house.

My solicitors has informed me that my family estate still own the land where

stands... Trinity Church in New York City.

Astounded by this amazing discovery, as you might very well imagine, I'm

searching the face of the earth in a conscientious effort to make sure that I

am, in truth, the last remaining relic of that noble line.

This is me legal counsel, Mr. Archibald Pomeroy.

Your servant.

Mr. Pomeroy.

But I still don't understand why I can't print the story.

Bless you, ducky. If this story was to get out before I was ready to take my

rightful claim into the courts, we'd have the sharks about us.

It ain't everyone's as honest as the likes of you and I.

I shall respect your wishes.

I do wish you the best of luck, Colonel... Colonel Jethro.

Mr. Palmwright.

You weren't asking around about McElhaney.

No. Was you?

She knows.

Maybe. Anyway, she's not a reporter.

That's dishonest, telling us a pack of lies like that.

Who could she be?

Well, while I'm trying to find out, Archbishop, you watch your step. Come

Maverick, you can trust old Freddy all the blooming way.

Well, I don't have to trust you, Freddy.

If you double -cross me just the teeniest little bit, I'll publish

letter in that paper. I'll have everybody in Elwood, Kansas, looking for

gold. Of course you would, bless your heart.

I'll do the same myself.

It's my policy to allow a dog or a darn fool one mistake.

Whichever category you are, Maverick, you've had yours.

Thank you, Marshal.

When I put you on the stage this time, I want you to stay on.

If you come creeping back into Elwood, Kansas, it's going to be you and me,

Marshal, can't we just talk this whole thing over?

Already have.

Like I told you before, stand back and let him off first.

Well, now, Marshal... Pleasant journey, and a long one.

About the Ruslan?

Yep.

Hundred head of cattle.

I heard they took them south.

Probably headed for the Mexican border.

Yep, that makes sense.

I hate to butt into the Marshall story like this, but somebody has to tell you.

The conversation you have just heard has nothing to do with the story.

And there will be no further reference to rustling.

Marshal! Marshal!

You better get up to Haglin's farm.

Why is that, Lamb?

There's Indians up there.

That's about 18 miles north of town, isn't it? That's right, Marshal.

Well, there's always Indians up around there.

These ones are skulking around, Marshal, and muttering.

What are you going to do, Mort?

I'll know when I get there.

Mort, be careful.

One thing about being a peace officer, it keeps you on the move.

You never know where you're going to be sent next or by who.

I couldn't find anything either.

You're not going to leave before you get your story, are you?

Well, I... You want to tell me what you're looking for?

Perhaps we're looking for the same thing.

Why, no idea what that could be.

Well, suppose I give you the key word first.

Three guesses.

Copperheads, McElhaney, gold.

You're very clever, Mr. Pomeroy.

Maverick. Are you ready to talk now?

Can we go somewhere?

We're getting there already.

Is someone following us?

Not a chance.

I do hope you're going to be all right.

She's about so tall, light brown hair, and very attractive.

Well, at least she sounds interesting.

But not familiar.

Friend, I never been able to recognize any female with just a description.

The one you're talking about, well, she could be most anybody.

It's a pretty big town, mister.

Yeah.

Uh, mister, I hope you find her before Marshal Dooley finds you.

Thank you.

As publishers of books, we pop right over as soon as we heard you was an

on the history of Kansas.

Well, I'll do what I can.

You tell me about this Kansas business, and I'll blink and well listen.

Ain't nobody ever wrote the history of Kansas before, and Kansas is pertinent

historical as a place can get.

What's historical about Kansas, eh?

Well, everything is.

You've heard about Bleeding Kansas, ain't you?

Who hasn't? Well, folks around here was a fight in the Civil War ten years

before it ever started.

There's many a cove writing books when he don't know who's which from whence

what. Now, if you was closer to where some of this history happened, you can't

get no closer than Elwood, Kansas.

This is where all the Copperheads was and Captain McElhenney and all them

people.

Be a good lad and tell us all about it.

Well, now, the whole south end of town used to be the old Jethro farm.

How? Can't complain, Marshal. How are you?

Have you saw any hostiles around here?

Not lately.

Red man talk straight?

You know it, Marshal.

Got some nice blankets, Marshal.

Long knife already got blanket.

Anything else I can do for you, Marshal?

Yeah. How do I get to Haglin's farm?

You went right past it, Marshal.

where our spools, grain, and feed store is now.

Now, that's where the old Jethro farmhouse was.

Now, there was the barn.

Now, if you'd taken Mazinger's Livery Stable and the Eli Cafe, both of them

is where the barn was.

The old smokehouse would take up the whole street between Mr. Preacher

house and the funeral parlor.

Doc Stuckey, he's the local undertaker here, fine feller.

Him and me is both 17 .5 % owners of the Wheatman -Willer Saloon.

Then Mr. Dooley, he owns 37 .5 % and Miss Amy, you saw her, handsome blonde

lady. What's her smokehouse?

Oh, that's where the country folk cure their hams and things for the winter.

You see, you take your ham... It's just a bare structure.

Log, usually, with a dirt floor. A what floor?

Oh, a plain old dirt floor.

That's because there's usually a fire going on in the middle of it. And when

get a fire, you... Mr. Badger, my boy, I don't think we need question this

gentleman no further.

Whatever happens, throw, bowl, or pitch, he's the man to write this trip Kansas

for us.

You'll be hearing from us in a matter of weeks.

it for me, laddie. I can't dig no more.

We shouldn't stop now.

I'm fine.

You look like a piece of chewed string.

Let's hop it.

All the old blooming towns are awake.

I've just about got enough strength to fall into bed.

First things first, me boy. I have to sneak these things back in the shop we

them from.

Honesty in all things, says I.

late morning, maybe quarter to eight, when I got back to the city, and I

suddenly noticed things weren't right.

Everything was too quiet.

The street was like that when we got up this morning, Marshal Dooley. Someone

dug it up in the night.

Kids in this town are getting meaner every day.

It's you parents' fault for not taking a stick to him.

Clyde, you're in charge.

I think I'll get some cut -eye.

Oh, then there's Mrs. Adams' daughter, Virginia.

A lovely girl.

Except her mouth is just a little wide.

I can't stand a wide mouth.

Well, that's the one.

Well, Mrs. Adams is the schoolteacher here.

Wonderful lady.

They live in the little yellow house out that way.

Well, thank you, ma 'am. If she's the right one, I can't tell you how much

you've done for me. Oh, heavens, I know how you young people are.

Well, thanks again.

Well, you're not going to shoot me.

That's what I usually do.

I haven't done it to you because you're kind of pitiful.

I'm going to give you one more chance, and then I'm going to shoot you.

Oh, Marshal, I'm awful sorry about getting you out of bed this way.

Don't be.

You didn't.

Last we'll be seeing him, Doc.

It's quite a ways to the next town.

I made him promise he wouldn't get off there.

I hope so, Mort.

Of course, he could get off at the edge of Elwood when the train stops to take

on water.

He wouldn't dare.

He's not that stupid.

Yeah, you've been mighty patient with that boy, Mort.

How many men you shot this month for aggravating you a lot less than he has?

We're sure getting some strange breeds in Elwood lately.

Yeah.

Remember that gunman came through last week, passing out business cards?

That closed my books on Mr.

Brett Maverick, I figured.

And things in Elwood went back to their normal course.

to open it. It don't have to mean a death in the family.

Mr. Dooley?

Where you going?

To Kansas City, Moe, to pick up Hog Nose Hughes.

Morton.

Be careful.

Well, if it ain't our old friend in again, out again.

How's your poor old feet, matey? Close the door, Badger. There's a good boy.

Better be draft. Otherwise, take a seat.

Dropped in just when it was getting good, you did. Now then, we've talked

each other's health and the blooming weather.

Let's look lively now, and you tell us what's your little game.

But I've told you, Mr. Jethro, we don't have any little games.

Not half you don't.

Snooping about, giving out fictional names.

Telling a lot of whoppers.

And for what, I put it to you. For half a million dollars in gold.

Now we know as everybody's looking for the pot of gold. Right?

This time last week, nobody knew the gold was there.

These ways, we didn't.

Next question is, how did these two vultures happen to be in on it?

Sir, I find your manner of speech inexcusable.

Of course you do.

Let's hear some of yours.

Mrs. Adams, you're from Mississippi, aren't you? Down around the bayou

It's a funny thing about accents.

Your mother speaks pure bayou, and you don't.

Now, you probably came to Kansas as a child.

Don't say anything at all, dear.

I'll bet everybody back home thinks you're in Europe.

I don't know why I should, eh?

They probably think you went to join your husband.

Yeah, now, what's all this ruddy noise?

Who's husband?

Mrs. McElhaney's husband.

What makes her, all of a sudden, Mrs. McElhaney?

Captain McElhaney left a wife and small daughter in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Except for the three of us, they would be the only two people in the world who

would have any interest at all in Captain McElhaney.

Or anything connected with him.

Mr. Maverick is quite right.

Mother.

It's all right.

There doesn't seem to be much we can hide from these gentlemen.

Well, I hate to pry into anything painful, but can you tell us what you're

in Kansas?

It's where my father fought and died.

We came here hoping to find some proof that Andrew McElhenney did not betray

trust.

We gave up years ago.

And then suddenly you gentlemen came along.

Why? What brought you here?

We were just playing a hunch.

I feel quite tired.

Will you please go?

Yes, ma 'am.

Excuse me.

Cheerio.

I'm going to give them back the letter, Freddy.

They need it and we don't.

Done right, Noble. You are a maverick.

Freddy?

Give it back.

Afraid you'll just have to tell them about it, Maverick.

What do you mean? You did steal it out of my pocket, didn't you?

That's a blunt way of putting it. Come on, let's have it.

Haven't got it no more, my lad.

Afraid it would get in the wrong hands I was, and like a proper mug, I burnt the

blooming thing.

The market is finished and the creditors are moving in on all sides.

Market finished don't mean a blooming, because there never was no market here

the first place.

Creditors moving in would mean the Yankees, of course.

Then he said, all is lost except the stuff, which I haven't had time to

transfer, and that's certainly clear enough.

Deep in debt.

But if you can foot 15 from the southern dews, I will try to pump

the rest out of Jethro.

Foot 15 from the southern dews.

15 feet due south.

15 feet due south of what?

I will try to pump the rest out of Jethro.

Hey, you, about time the house bought one, ain't it?

Get away from me. I got orders. The house don't ever buy you one. If Marshal

Dooley was here, he'd buy me one.

Well, Marshal Dooley ain't here, and if he was, he'd throw you out himself.

That's the way with all of you people.

Make a lot of money on the customer when he's got it, and nothing but loud talk

and abuse when he's a little low.

Friend, if you'll just stop hollering, I'll be glad to buy you a drink.

Whiskey for the gentleman.

Now, that's what I... Have another.

Mister, I can't tell you how I needed that.

Bim? Don't mention it.

I was as dry as Jeff Rose's pump.

That's what?

Jeff Rose Pup.

You believe in Santa Claus?

Well, I sure do.

Well, you just sneak out this front door about a minute after I do.

I think I just heard sleigh bells.

Mister, it's just a saying around here.

Some of the old folks like to say as poor as Job's turkey.

Folks here says as dry as Jethro's pump.

I never heard it anywhere else.

Don't reckon I ever did either.

There must be a Jethro's pump around here. There must have been at one time.

Well, you'll have to ask somebody that knows more about it than I do.

Day in the morning. You ain't supposed to be here.

Mr. Dooley said he'd kill you if you came back into town.

No, he just said I wasn't to let him see me in town again.

Come to think of it, that is what he said.

Coffee?

Well, thank you, deputy.

New shoes?

No. Blamed horse stepped on my foot this afternoon.

Well, it's nice.

Kind of gives you character.

Well, thank you.

I've been puzzling, Mr. Mallory.

How come you come back into town every time Mr. Dooley throws you out?

Well, I have to, Deputy. It's very important.

And you're the only one I can turn to for help.

Well, I'll do what I can.

Well, the Clyde Dieffendorfer I'm looking for is a historian.

Well, that's me.

Who's the governor of Kansas?

John P. St. John. And what's his salary? $3 ,000 a year.

What was Jethro's pump and where? Oh, that's a good one.

Jethro's pump was right here in town.

Spring went dry, but the pump was still standing when I first came to Elwood.

Standing where?

You know the hitching rail over yonder in front of the temperance hall?

The north post of the hitching rail. That's where the Jethro's put their

Good afternoon, Marshal Dooley.

If you won't draw, I will.

Shall I stand a little closer, Marshal?

Go ahead.

Use your gun, Maverick.

Act, Marshal. What's the point of that?

I'm just as far out of range as you are.

Everything's going to be all right, Mort.

You're as good as you ever were.

Like the fellow said himself, Mort, he's out of range.

If you'd have been just 20 feet closer, you'd have got him.

You'd have got him six times, Mr.

Dooley.

12, 13, 14, 15.

Now then, that sounds a bit of all right.

It's it.

I'm sure it's it. Had to wait for some time. I was beginning to think that we

was on the everlasting staircase.

Where did you come from?

Faith borders, Maverick. I and Mr. Badger here have had faith in you all

blooming way.

I'm going to break down and cry.

Great faith, Mr. Maverick. I not only arranged for horses for all three of us,

but I managed to acquire a good, sturdy prairie wagon.

What's that for?

Why, we need it.

Whether our gold's in corns or bullion, a half million dollars should weigh

about 2 ,600 pounds.

Well, at least it's easier to watch that way.

What's it look like, matey?

Some sort of a trunk.

Break this one.

Open it up and run your hands through it, laddie boy.

Let's hear the pretty jingle it makes.

It doesn't jingle.

Doesn't jingle?

What sort of a do is that?

Gentlemen.

Let me read you the saddest words of tongue or pen.

Gold certificates, it says.

Six months after the conclusion of the war, the Confederate States of America

will pay to the bearer... What's this?

Confederate money?

Why did everybody think it was real gold?

Why? Who was going to explain it wasn't General Crispin?

He was killed before McElhinney in the siege of Vicksburg. Well, it was a rare

old law while we was at it. And what would we have done with a wagon full of

money? All my life, a decent, respectable, church -going, honest man.

I did my work, I paid my taxes.

And never once did I stray from the path of rectitude.

Coup.

Then I fell among thieves.

Yes, I did.

Thieves. Break me up for fair you do. When you finish that, friend Maverick

pass the tambourine.

I hope I never see either of you ever again.

You better keep that wagon, Badger. You got a heavy load of righteousness to

carry. Leave the horses. There's a dear boy.

There's a... Pledge of a nation that's dead and gone.

Keep it, dear friend, and show it.

You keep it, friend.

It can't buy happiness.

Thank you, neighbor.

I can certainly use it.

How's that?

A contribution to a worthy cause.

Huh?

I can't believe it.

It's all there.

The whole half million.

Even if it is worthless.

It's not worthless to us, Mr. Maverick.

It's all we needed.

Well, I'm... I'm glad.

Awkward time to come call in three o 'clock in the morning.

But I fancied you might like this.

My husband's handwriting.

The letter he wrote to tell the Confederates where the brass was hid.

I don't know what you can do with it, of course, but, uh... Well?

Mr. Harkins.

Here, now.

Here.

Mr. Dooley, you just gotta eat sometime.

You just gotta.

Don't go for your gun, Marshal.

Don't shoot me, Mr. Dooley.

Don't, Mr.

Dooley.

Just don't shoot me. Look, I'll get out of your town.

So don't shoot me, Marshal.

I'm going to leave your town and I won't ever come back. I promise I won't.

I'm going to get on my horse. I swear I won't ever come back. I promise.

Mr. Dooley, look at that scoundrel go.

That tin horn in the end turned out to be just as yellow as the rest of them.

What kept you so blinkin' long?

Oh, I had to do my little bit for law and order in the West.

I thought he never would come out of that office. You'll never get nowheres

this cold, cruel world. Too sentimental you are.

Who is the tall, dark stranger there?

Maverick is the name.

Riding the trail to who knows where.

Luck is his companion.

Camper 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.

That's the New Orleans living on Jackson Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.

River, well, ring your bell.

Farewell, Annabelle. Luck is the lady that he loves the best.

That's the New Orleans living on Jackson Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.