Original subtitles

All the gold in California

is in a bank in the middle of Beverly

Hills. It's somebody else's name.

So if you're dreaming about California,

it's on...

Trying to be a hero.

Excuse me, boys.

Come on, Jim. I want you to meet him.

What did you do, Tony?

I sent him some of your songs. Come on.

Nancy Carlson, this is Jim Lee.

Glad to meet you, Mr. Lee.

Nancy was telling me how much he loves your music, Jim.

He wants to record some.

Thanks a lot, but if you'll excuse me, there's something I need to do.

Tim?

Tim?

Jason!

Come on, son, get your stuff. Bring it. Put it in the truck.

Honey, what's wrong?

You had no right to send my song to Yancey Carlton.

Didn't you think about asking me about it?

Tim, I'm sorry. I wanted to surprise you. I thought you'd be thrilled.

Go on, get the rest of it. Go on.

Dad!

What's wrong?

You coming back in?

Later.

Come on, boy. Jackson, come on.

Daddy, what's wrong?

Come on, get in the truck.

We're leaving.

Earth's a nice place to visit, but a wooden wall to die

here, that's something I don't know how to do.

Earth's a nice place to visit, but a wooden wall...

restoration of my classic mint condition Rinell cabin cruiser has caused me to

temporarily relocate at this number.

I'm sorry, but I'm not in right now.

If you'd care to leave your name, number, and the time you'd like to be

up this evening, I'll be happy to.

I didn't think you'd mind.

Why should I mind?

I don't get any messages anymore.

By the time your legions of madness have finished shrieking their primordial

oath, you're still sore at Carlos, aren't you?

Oh, you mean we've determined that it was human after all. It was hard to tell

with all that panting. He wants to make it up to you, A .J. Good. Tell him to

lose my number. No, he's got a present for you. Oh, that's what I was afraid

Now, look, you tell Carlos for me to take his present. You don't want to

Carlos.

alive? I'd spoil the surprise.

Have you seen it?

Nobody's seen it. Hasn't even been uncrated yet.

Uncrated? You're gonna love it. Now, come on, this is a biggie for Carlos,

you guys kind of have to rebuild bridges, you know? I like being an

All right.

Just tell me, where is this surprise waiting for me? That much I can do, now.

You know the old burned -out gas station at the corner of 4th and B? You know,

the one with all of the hook rugs and the panda bears and stuff? Yeah, I

don't... I hate those things.

This is Carlos's? I certainly hope so.

I'm looking for the private investigators.

Oh, well, you found them. AJ, AJ, Simon.

I'm sorry to bother you on the weekend.

But I just... I just got this in the mail.

And it may be my last chance to find my man.

He left a note.

Said he loved me.

And that he was sorry.

Nothing for a week till this.

Blythe, that's along the Colorado River. It's a good place to start.

We miss you very much. We love you. Hope you're okay.

Jason, the son, he wrote this?

We were very close.

How long were you together?

Almost a year.

We love each other very much.

He wouldn't leave unless he had to.

Well, could it have been something that's...

What's his name? Yancey Carlson said... He didn't say anything.

I was there.

Yancey was about to offer Jim the biggest break of his whole life.

And my whole life.

What makes a man run away from that?

into taking the power wagon. Absolute insanity.

Nope. Foresight.

People talk to us in this. Only a con man or a car salesman drives something

like yours into a country town.

Broomstick, Nevada?

Yeah.

Where in the world are we?

America.

Real thing.

The kind of place where a man can survive just by singing it for his

which is how we're going to find Jimmy Lee.

Yeah, I hate to break it to you, Rick, but they have MTV on their cable

Well, it will never replace the Honky Tonk Saloon, trust me.

Remember, I've been on the road, you haven't.

Two months. You were on the road for two months in 1967. Two months which have

yielded a veritable lifetime of wisdom. You'll learn a lot in a hurry on the

road. Thank you, Charles Kuralt.

Why is the vent open when it's 110 degrees out?

It's the heater.

It keeps the radiator from boiling over. That's one of the things you learn on

the road.

Oh, shut up.

What are you doing in San Diego, Greenwood?

Same as you. Job.

My job has rules.

So does yours, haven't you heard?

Hey, we're not so far apart.

After the same scum, ain't we?

Not always.

You got 20 seconds, Greenwood. What is it you want?

Like country music, Brown. What country?

Heard of Jim Henderson, songwriter.

Married to Bonnie Henderson.

Her I know.

15 seconds.

Heard he's in San Diego.

Calls himself Jim Lee.

So?

So he's an interstate fugitive.

Took something that don't belong to him no more. That's your interest.

What's yours?

Oh, I just hang around, pick up pieces of vulture head instinct.

What's your excuse?

I'm giving you the courtesy of telling you why I'm here. I'd like to avoid

getting rousted like last time.

You obey the laws in this municipality, you won't get rousted.

You still carrying that pearl handle cannon?

Always.

Take out the bullets, put the gun in that bag, keep it in your trunk.

If that gun comes out of that bag, you go into a cell.

Tonight's in blight.

Money from that won't get him far.

We know which direction he's headed in.

Look at that old guy.

Maybe he needs a ride.

We saw you standing by the side of the road. We thought you might need some

help.

It ain't hard to stand by the side of the road.

You live around here?

Yeah.

Well, then maybe you could help us. See, we're musicians.

What makes you think I'd be interested in knowing that?

Well, we're looking for work, and we thought maybe you could tell us where

musicians work in these parts.

Probably some sort of night spot.

Well, is there some sort of night spot around here?

No.

Got one over in Hurricane.

Thank you.

Sure you don't want to ride?

You're Joanie, right?

I'm Matt Greenwood.

Song plugger for Yancey Carlson.

The man sent me by to ask about your friend.

Tim Lee.

Yep. Yeah, that's right. Yancey really wants those songs.

I don't think Jim is interested.

Took off again, huh?

Look, we did some checking.

Seems your man owes some bills to a few people up in Nashville.

Nothing that serious.

Yance and I, we were going to clear the whole thing up.

You'd do that for Jim?

You bet.

Good songs are hard to find these days.

But then so's your man, huh?

Boy, Yance is not going like this.

Well, thanks anyway.

Wait, wait, just a minute.

I hired some private detectives, Rick and A .J. Simon. They just called from

Colorado.

No kidding.

I think they know where to find him.

Great. Maybe I can help.

I could fly up and tell Jim his troubles are all gone, you know?

It's in a little town called Hurricane.

Right in the eye of the storm, huh?

Is that boy still with him?

Jason? Oh, he's my best fella.

Mr. Greenwood, thank you.

I miss Joanie, Dad.

I do, too, son.

I mean, it was mean for me to fight that.

Well, I can't argue with you there.

Sometimes you've got to do things, even when you don't want to do them.

Yeah, but I still think she would have come with us.

We've been through that before.

There's no reason for Joanie to live like this.

I mean, she would have come with us. You're right.

That's why we had to leave.

You going to be all right?

Okay, I'll check with you between sets. We're not going to be in there long.

Just going to try to make a little money, get that old radiator fixed, and

we'll go someplace real nice.

Okay?

You got it, Peter.

They hurt you.

I got somebody waiting, but thanks anyway.

Do you mind if we talk to you?

Just for a minute.

I'm A .J. Simon.

This is my brother Rick. Hi.

We're private investigators.

Hey, boys, you can just stop right there.

Me and Jason ain't going back with you or anybody else.

If you try taking it, nobody's going to get hurt, so why don't you just go on

home? What do we tell Joni?

Joni?

Joni sent you guys?

That's right.

She's a very upset young lady.

I really love her, but I can't be with her.

It's not her fault.

Don't you think you ought to tell her that face to face instead of just

off? Hey, that's something I've got to live with.

It's my life, not yours. I'm sorry.

Just go on back, tell her I'm gone.

She might as well just, you know, forget everything.

I've got to go take care of my boy.

Can't force him to go back.

If the guy doesn't want to.

Let's give him a little time to think about it. Talk to his son. Maybe have

second thoughts.

We ought to find out why he left in the first place. Joan's got a right to know

that. Can I help you, boy?

Oh, yeah.

Jason! Come here, boy. I want to show you my new car.

Jason, where are you going?

Come on, Jason. Take a look.

Get in the camper, Jason.

Come on, Jason.

Get down, Jenkins!

Run, Jenkins!

Jason. Oh!

I've done a lot of crazy things in my life.

And you can fill a book with the mistakes I've made, and it's cost me a

What I've got right here in this room, worth all the gold in the world.

Oh, come on, babe.

I do love you so.

So Yancey Carlson hired this guy Greenwood?

No, Greenwood doesn't work for Yancey. I mean, Ellis hired him.

Who? Ellis, Bonnie's manager.

He's the one behind all of this.

I see. Okay, but presumably it was Carlson who told Ellis the thing out

Well, I figured he would.

I mean, Bonnie still has legal custody of Jason.

And when you steal a kid from the sweetheart of country music house,

going to make some enemies.

Well, Dad didn't steal me.

I ran away.

Ellis and his boys have been pushing Bonnie real hard. I mean, really hard.

She's a fragile lady.

They've been giving her all kind of pills and stuff just to get her propped

to go on stage.

It wouldn't surprise me if they were stealing the money, too.

Why didn't you tell the judge all the cuts you're hearing? I tried to.

Without any proof, it didn't make any difference.

Mom's changed, Dad.

I'm scared.

I'll go away with you.

They'll never find us.

I think Jim already knows that running's never going to work out. A man hunter

like Greenwood doesn't give up, and he doesn't much care who he hurts along the

way. It's time to go back and face this thing square on.

The only hope you have of keeping Jason is to prove what Ellis has done to his

mom.

You've got to show that it's a danger to his welfare.

It's not going to be easy.

Would you like some help?

Free of charge.

Always wanted to see Nashville.

This looks like a mighty fine dressing room for you, Rick, old son.

What are you doing?

Why, we're just looking for a dressing room, sir.

See, this is not the one.

They just down the hall a ways?

Thank you.

guys anyway i don't need this kind

of treatment colonel uh now take it easy rick boy i'll straighten this all out

this year is rick cheyenne the singer and i'm colonel sanders

the other colonel sanders now rick here is here for the country newcomer part of

the show now he's already the hottest thing in six counties back in texas And

after tonight, watch out, universe.

I don't believe I caught your name, sir.

Your name?

Alice. Miss Alice.

You go see

the stage manager.

Thank you. Much obliged.

Much obliged.

Come on, Rick. Dress room's right down here.

How you doing? Just fine.

You going to play with Bonnie and us tonight?

Well, I hope so. My manager here's got some job on him to do with her and

but you boys know how that is. We know all the traveling and business.

We want everybody every time.

I swear,

sometimes they remind me of old Tick getting fat off a hard -working dog.

Yeah. I tell you, I have heard some things about that Ellis.

Yeah, I can tell you some things myself.

I need out, Ellis.

A month or two.

I don't know.

Maybe some time at one of them treatment centers.

Honey, we got another record coming out.

As soon as it's a hit, and I know it will be, we'll take some time off.

There's always another record, Ellis.

These will help you tonight.

Since your mama teach you how to knock.

I got a report.

You interested?

Where's my son?

Got close.

Lost him in an arroyo a couple of days ago. He's traveling with your ex and two

detectives.

I'll find him again soon enough.

Hi. or someone else, Alice.

This old lady can't even outrun a ten -year -old boy.

for the best in country music, because we got a truckload of stars for you here

tonight. Now, some you've seen, and some you've never seen, are country

newcomers.

Now, I want you newcomers to play your hearts out tonight, because it's a very

special night for all you young and talented guys and gals.

Because in our audience, we have none other than the famous Hollywood agent,

Sanford Thompson!

All right!

And, of course, we've got some great stars here that you know from before.

Miss Molly Vicks.

T. Tom Carter.

And,

of course, the sweetheart of country music, Miss Bonnie Henderson.

Now, of course, we want you to settle down, have some hot buttered whatever,

because we're going to have a night to remember.

Well, I figured if we didn't need managers to keep us on the road, there'd

bounty on them, you know what I mean?

Some people do anything to keep a singer going.

Are we talking about anybody we know?

Hey, you!

Excuse me.

It's really going to be something.

I can't...

It's dedicated to somebody that's very close to me and somebody I need very

right now.

Hey, Jay, they're out to get me.

I'm a man on the run.

Oh, yes, sirree.

Please come on out and give me a helping hand.

Miss Henderson.

Who are you?

Your ardent admirer. Your most ardent admirer, Miss Henderson. Your devoted

I throw myself at your feet, ma 'am.

Thank you. Thank you very

much. Thank you. Thank you.

Oh,

yes, Mr.

Simons. That'll be fun.

Good, good. You get in touch if you need it, all right?

Yes, sir. We'll do that.

You know where I'm located?

Let's see.

Uh, Opry Motel on Shelton.

That's it.

Now, I'm worried about my boy here. His energy seems to be running kind of low.

I'm hungry.

Yeah, after the doctor looks you up, boy.

I've told you, Colonel.

Whenever I open my mouth, you better have a cookie to put in it or you're

out on the street.

Mr. Cheyenne.

Oh, I'm sorry, Doc. My nerve's a little bit on edge.

Want an autograph?

Why don't you wait outside while I talk to your manager?

Oh, is that little old nurse still out there?

It's just a lot easier. It protects all of us.

I understand. Why not go get my boy and bring him in here for an examination?

No, it's not necessary.

You just tell me what you need, and I'll tell you how much.

Well, sir, it is a pleasure doing business with you.

Thank God.

Two vets of books.

One for Rio, one for the IRS.

He's in serious trouble, A .J.

They got her on amphetamine so she can perform, barbiturate so she can sleep.

Woman's in real bad shape.

Well, at least we got some hard evidence for Jim to take into court.

Now if we could just nail Ella.

The whole time we were in there, all I could think about was Jason.

I mean, that poor little guy.

He really got saddled with a couple of crazy coots for a mom and pop.

At least he's loved.

When the noise and smoke died down, that'll put him way ahead of the game.

His mom and I love him.

But there's more than that to being a good parent. I mean, I wanted to keep

safe. I couldn't even do that.

Now Bonnie's got him.

Maybe I ought to just give up.

You can't do that.

Jim.

We saw his mom. She did not look good. She looked real strung out.

You want the little boy to stay in the same environment that destroyed her?

No.

First thing we've got to do is get Alice out of Bonnie's life.

Look, you used to be familiar with your wife's business affair.

You think if you took a look at the books, you could tell if there's

fishy going on?

I could try.

Just look for contracts or cash. If they're skimming from her, it's not

be any bank account.

Honest, I can't go on tonight. I can't.

I feel sick.

Now, look.

I told you I would get you your boy back.

I did it.

Now, you have got to do something for me.

You know I am grateful to you for that, Ellis.

You could lose that kid as quick as you got him.

Okay.

Now you take these.

They'll help you tonight.

Hey.

Don't you worry.

I have got everything under control.

Including you.

Jason? I don't like him.

Sometimes I don't either, baby.

Why do you have to know him then, Mama?

He's no kin to us.

He don't love you.

You should only be with people that love you.

Do you love me, baby?

Yes, Mama. You know I love you.

I don't like being here. I don't like the way things are around here.

Oh, I love you too, sweetheart.

Come on.

Jimmy's going to get out of here right now.

Excuse me, miss.

Henderson, is there something I can help you with?

Me and my boy are leaving.

Get out of my way.

Well, if you need something from town, maybe I can send in for it.

This is my house, and I can leave if I want to, can't I?

Well, I, uh, Miss Henderson, why don't we just step in the house while I make a

call, and there'll be no problem.

Why, George.

Outing statement.

Now it's to Bonnie.

$10 ,000 for doing FMU Stadium?

Man, that's crazy.

How come? She gets $10 ,000 for playing the Chamber of Commerce picnic.

I mean, for a gig like that, she's got to make $50 ,000, maybe more.

$50 ,000? Are you sure?

$50 ,000?

He's robbing her blind.

Not much longer.

What the hell are you doing in here?

Hey, we know about your deal with Dr. Montana, Ellis.

And we know you've been skimming money off of Bonnie's fees.

What do you want, Jim?

Good boy.

I can get him back for you. I know how to handle Bonnie.

It just won't work anymore, Ellis.

You've finally run out of people to use.

You sure as hell ain't gonna use my boy.

Congratulations,

Big Shot.

Next thing you'll be doing is promoting sing -a -locks.

Stay pink.

Ella, I'm finished with you.

Daddy! Jason, stay back!

I'm walking out of here.

I'm on my next job.

I just came by to say goodbye.

Well, goodbye.

A couple of boys that really know how to take it on the road.

A few years ago by the San Diego Bay, a

woman raised two boys different as night and day.

Rick, he is the rebel.

He always wears a hat.

A .J. is the quiet.