Original subtitles

OLD RANGER: And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪

MAN: Hi-yah!

Yah!

Yah!

Howdy, folks.

I'’m the Old Ranger.

And I have another interesting true story

for you about the historic

Death Valley country.

In telling this particular story,

I realize I'’m leaving myself wide open,

for it'’s an important bit of California history

on which no authorities agree.

Even folks who lived through it

left conflicting accounts.

I read them all,

visited the scenes

where the events took place,

and tried to the best of my ability

to give you here at least

the essentials of the story.

This is my version

of the story of...

"The Bear Flag."

♪♪

OLD RANGER: Here is the Pueblo

of Sonoma, California

in the year 1846.

The northern outpost

of the Mexican Republic,

taken from an early painting.

In command of the region

with a title of Military-Governor

is General Mariano Vallejo.

His is the house

with the watchtower

overlooking the plaza,

where on this day in early June,

flies the flag of Mexico.

In his office, General Vallejo

is entertaining a neighboring ranchero,

Don Miguel Ruiz.

The talk, as everywhere else in California,

runs to politics.

Things cannot go on like this much longer.

Some kind of change is imminent.

The settlers are talking of revolution.

What have they to revolt against?

They don'’t belong here in the first place.

I will try to get them out.

They are coming in over the mountains

as in greater numbers every year.

Hunting, farming, trading.

And marrying.

Your son-in-law is a Yankee, is he not?

How does he feel about the political situation?

Oh, he'’s prejudiced, naturally.

He thinks California should be a part

of The United States.

I agree.

If I were head of this country,

I would ask for annexation at once.

General Vallejo!

How can you make such a statement?

You know as well as I do,

but our Mexican government is, like...

weak, divided, corrupt.

Nevertheless, it'’s ours.

That flag that flies out there

is the flag we owe allegiance to.

I am simply being realistic, my friend.

The great powers of the world

all have their eyes on California.

One of them will move in on us

and take over.

Russia, perhaps.

Huh! Heaven forbid.

She has been creeping

steadily down the coast.

The United States is the one to which

we should belong.

Can the garrison defend Sonoma?

What garrison have we?

A few rusty soldiers

which I pay out of my own pocket.

A few pieces of artillery.

If we had an invasion, we would be defenseless.

Then you really think it'’s imminent?

General Castro at Monterey expects trouble.

He has just commandeered 200 head

of horses from this region

to be used in case of attack.

Hmm.

I have heavy mind

to send the women of my family

down to Monterey

when this crisis is over.

There'’s no protection at the ranch.

I hope I'’m not alarming you unduly.

No, indeed. No.

♪♪

I help put this flag in California

when we threw off the yoke of Spain.

I have one hope.

It continues to fly here.

♪♪

The corral is just ahead.

This time in the morning, they'’ll still be asleep.

So we can take them by surprise.

Or shoot them down.

No, not unless they put up a fight.

The horses are all we want.

Ready?

Ready.

[ horses neighing ]

Hi-yah!

Yah! Yah!

[ horses galloping ]

Yah! Yah!

Yah!

♪♪

[ horse neighs ]

What is the meaning of this?

Get your hands up, all of you!

I got you covered!

All right, boys. Open the corral

and start running '’em out.

♪♪

[ horses neighing ]

[ horse neighs ]

♪♪

[ horses neighing ]

MAN: Lets go. Yah! Yah! Come on.

These horses are the property

of General Castro.

We know what he wants them for,

drive the Americans out of California.

I shall report this outrage.

There will be reprisals.

Now, let'’s get one thing straight, mister.

The U.S. government'’s got nothing to do with this.

We'’re acting strictly on our own.

Just a band of settlers?

EZEKIEL: Right.

We are sick and tired of the way

things are being handled around here.

MAN: Yah!

Yah! Yah!

♪♪

We'’ll leave your mount

and your arms.

You are very kind, señor.

The name'’s Merritt,

Ezekiel Merritt.

♪♪

Merritt and his men staged a surprise attack.

They drove all the horses into the mountains.

Yes, I know.

The whole valley was buzzing about it today.

They are lawless adventurers.

Hmm, discontented farmers.

You should be wearing your hair

in pins and combs now, Margherita.

This way is more comfortable, mama.

You'’re a woman grown.

Just 16.

And soon to be married.

How soon?

We are arranging a suitable alliance.

Oh, mama.

You are so formal.

As if I didn'’t know.

MERCEDES: Your father told you?

Rod himself told me.

Rodrigo, my dear.

When have you seen him alone?

A number of times.

When you father was supposedly present?

Mama, how else

could I have learned to love him?

That'’s not important.

To Americans, it is.

You'’re not an American.

My name is Brown.

But remember,

on your mother'’s side, you are a Ruiz,

one of the oldest families of Mexico.

HARVEY: Mercedes, Maggie.

We have something to discuss with you.

Is it about my wedding?

No.

The country around here

is in a state of unrest.

Under the circumstances,

Harvey and I think it would be wiser

if you and your mother

went down to Monterey.

You think so, sir, not I.

You said you were willing.

I am.

I don'’t regard the situation

as particularly dangerous.

I tell you now that those Americans

have tasted blood.

Anyway...

I feel the ladies

will be safer in Monterey,

under the protection of my old friend,

General Castro.

You will go with us, Harvey?

I'’m afraid not, my dear.

I have responsibilities here.

And you, father?

I shall remain here too, of course.

Oh, dear.

I wish I were a man.

[ chuckles ]

You will enjoy the capital, chiquita.

MERCEDES: There are many fine shops there.

Perhaps, we can buy the silk

for your wedding gown.

MAGGIE: That will be lovely.

I'’d like to see Rod

once more before I go.

I'’ll send him a word.

Harvey.

Why shouldn'’t she have a chance

to say goodbye to him alone?

♪♪

Of course, you should be where no harm can befall you,

but I shall miss you most desperately.

The minute my back is turned,

you'’ll be serenading some other senorita.

Querida.

My mother'’s watching you from the window.

How long will you be gone?

Until things settle down.

That could be months, years.

Then I would be an old woman,

of 21 perhaps.

I think I should go to Monterey too.

Join General Castro'’s army.

Fight against the Americans?

Or anyone else who threatens California.

I wish the Americans would take us over.

Maggie, that'’s treason.

No, it'’s destiny.

My father said so.

There is danger.

I shall go with you as far as Sonoma.

Rod, would you?

Could you?

Anything to put off the moment

when we have to say goodbye.

♪♪

We'’ve struck the first blow.

Now, while the iron is hot,

we got to strike another one.

ALL: Yeah.

Fighting forward is my moniker.

Let'’s go.

We'’ll ride on Sonoma without delay.

Sonoma?

What do you say, Ide?

I'’d say capture Sonoma

and the Californians won'’t have a rallying point

north of the bay.

ALL: Yeah.

We'’ve only a handful of men.

How can we take a whole pueblo, Mr. Merritt?

Same way we took the horses.

We stage a surprise attack at dawn.

There are no sentries in Sonoma.

We'’ll surround thecomandante'’s house

and arrest him and all the other high-monkey monks.

Take over the key to the public buildings.

And their ammunition.

EZEKIEL: It will be a cinch.

We'’ll show those Spaniards

who'’s running California.

ALL: Yeah.

♪♪

I hesitate to ask for an escort

for my ladies to Monterey, General,

when I know how short-handed

the garrison is here.

A couple of soldiers will make no difference.

Two will be enough?

Oh, quite, quite.

I will arrange it at once.

Thank you.

When will they be leaving?

They are due to arrive

here at Sonoma any moment.

My son-in-law comes with them.

He'’s to stay with our old friends,

the Hernandez, next door.

For safety sake, you had best

get them up for Monterey at dawn.

Then you do think the situation is dangerous,

right, general?

Nothing would surprise me at this point.

Look out there at the plaza in the sun.

Quiet, sleepy.

Yet who knows?

It may be just the calm

before the storm.

Come, Margherita, Mercedes,

on your way when all is quiet.

It'’s good you can get such an early start.

It'’s barely daylight.

Do you have my letter for General Castro?

Yes, in a safe place.

I wish I didn'’t have to leave you, Harvey.

No, the whole thing is nonsense in my opinion.

Just because a handful of settlers

run some horses off from our corral is--

what'’s that? MAN: Yah, boy. Yah!

♪♪

Stand back and you won'’t get hurt.

But don'’t try to leave the plaza.

That'’s Vallejo place with the watchtower.

Cover all the exits.

Make sure nobody escapes.

♪♪

Vallejo!

Vallejo!

Come on out.

Come out and Surrender yourself.

TODD: Come out of there...And the rebellion has come

sooner than I expected.

FORT: We got you surrounded.

You can'’t escape.

Come out and surrender.

I'’m gonna break the door down.

No, give them a chance to open up.

What are they going to do to him?

Perhaps he can escape out the back way.

Not General Vallejo, he'’ll face them.

Vallejo.

I apologize for keeping you waiting.

But I was not dressed.

What is it you gentlemen wish?

You'’re under arrest, General Vallejo.

By who'’s authority?

The Republic of California.

Which one of you is the leader?

I am.

Ezekiel Merritt.

Then perhaps you will come inside

where we can discuss matters more comfortably.

Do you think it'’s a trap?

I'’ll take these two men and go inside.

The rest of you stay out here.

Ide, you'’re in charge.

I won'’t be long.

♪♪

You don'’t suppose he'’ll kill him in cold blood?

Well, they'’re not butchers.

I wouldn'’t put anything past them.

And you insisted there was no danger.

♪♪

Now...

what can I do for you, gentlemen?

There ain'’t no use beatin' around the bush, general.

We'’re plain folks.

We believe in plain talk.

We'’re establishing new government

here in California,

an independent republic.

That comes as a nasty shock to you, I reckon.

No.

I have been expecting something of the sort,

though not at this hour of the morning.

You must be weary after riding all night.

I will order the refreshments.

You'’re under arrest, General Vallejo.

Before we discuss details,

I think we had better have some wine.

Or perhaps you gentlemen prefer brandy?

Don'’t you understand, sir?

You are our prisoner.

And you are my guests.

Be seated, gentlemen.

I don'’t know what's taking them so long.

Oh, the Spanish take forever,

their formalities.

Nothing formal about this.

We want action.

What'’s happening there, Merritt?

Don'’t keep us waitin' out here all day.

MAN: What'’s going on out there?

They'’re growing restless.

I don'’t like the sound of it at all.

♪♪

So, this is the way you occupy your time, drinking?

May I offer you some wine, señor?

No, we'’re here on business.

Blamed important business.

VALLEJO: It has all been attended to.

I am under arrest.

I have delivered the keys

to the public property of Sonoma.

I have relinquished

what arms we possess.

I fear you will find them sadly inadequate.

And guarantees have been thrown up

on both sides.

You'’re taking all this pretty calmly.

It seems to me.

I have always been a friend of the Americans.

Perhaps because I was born

on the 4th of July,

your Independence Day.

Well, I'’ll be darned.

I have openly advocated annexation

to the United States,

believing it would offer the greatest future

for California, which I love.

Understand, sir, we have

no personal quarrel with you.

Thank you.

EZEKIEL: Well...

guess that pretty well covers it

from both sides.

We, the undersigned,

members of the Republican Party

in California

haven taken General MG Vallejo,

Lieutenant Colonel Victor Prudon,

and Captain Salvador Vallejo

as prisoners,

pledge ourselves that we will not

disturb private property,

molest themselves, their families,

or the citizens of the town of "Zonoma."

Sonoma is spelled with an S,

not a Z.

This one'’s for your signature.

Being prisoners of war,

we pledge our word of honor,

we will not pick up arms

against the said armed force.

[ murmuring ]

Very well.

♪♪

Here they come.

[ music playing ]

[ crowd cheering ]

[ chattering ]

Senor Vallejo,

they cannot do this to you.

I will not put us in no danger, my friend.

Where are they taking you?

EZEKIEL: Sutter'’s Fort.

William Ide will remain here

as Commander-in-chief until I return.

[ crowd cheering ]

Let'’s go.

♪♪

What are we gonna put in this place, Ide?

The stars and stripes.

But we can'’t do that, that'’s United States.

We'’re the California Republic.

Well then...

make a new flag.

Out of what?

Well, there must be stuff around town.

I'’ve seen a woman with red flannel petticoat

hangin'’ on the clothesline as we rolled in.

Try paying for that.

[ laughs ]

Scout around and see what you can find--

cotton cloth, paint,

needles, and thread.

♪♪

You know, Ide, it'’s a good thing we got

a couple of saddle makers in our outfit

that knows how to sew.

TODD: Yeah. And a piece of homespun

that'’s never been worn.

♪♪

Well, there she is.

All done.

♪♪

Now, what do we put on it?

California Republic.

Just that and nothing more?

Ought to have some emblems on it.

How about a star?

Who are you, mister?

I'’m Harvey Brown.

I'’m a Yankee from way back.

IDE: Oh, I thought maybe a Texan,

suggesting a lone star.No.

Say, that'’s a good idea.

We can'’t just copy Texas.

We'’ve got to have something that'’s really ours.

FORT: Well, how about a bear?

A big grizzly?

Why a bear?

Well, a grizzly is full of courage.

Once his dander'’s up,

he stands his ground.

All right.

The star and a bear,

and the words, "California Republic."

We'’ll need some paint.

I think I know where there'’s some.

I'’ll go get it.Good.

Who'’ll do the work?

Fort?Nope, not me.

Fighting is my line.

Todd?

I'’ll do my best.

♪♪

I'’ve got an aunt who'd laugh

to see me doing this.

Who is she, Betsy Ross?

Nope.

Mrs. Abraham Lincoln.

Well.

♪♪

Republic.

♪♪

Say, you left out the L.

Now, how did I ever come to do that?

And I can'’t get the ink out now.

Put a tail on the I

and make an L out of it.

Then the C has got to be changed to an I

and another C added.

It will never show when the flag is flying.

Anyway, I got no choice.

♪♪

Anyone would think you sympathized

with your cause.

They'’re making more than a flag.

They'’re making history.

♪♪

[ birds chirping ]

How much longer do these rebels intend

to keep General Vallejo prisoner?

It'’s been three weeks now.

Longer than that.

They took Sonoma on the 14th of June.

Today is July 9th.

Twenty-five days.

And what has the republic accomplished?

At least there'’s been no fighting.

RODRIGO: Well, there had to be a revolt.

I'’m glad they staged it just when they did.

Otherwise, the ladies would be done in Monterey

instead of here,

celebrating our betrothal.

I wish to propose a toast.

Margherita and Rodrigo.

[ inaudible chatter ]

What is all that commotion?

♪♪

[ speaks in foreign language ]

Seniors, I bring news.

The United States and Mexico are at war.

Commander Sloat has raised

the American flag in Monterey,

claiming California for the United States.

They know about this at Sonoma?

A naval cutter is on its way

there now from San Francisco,

where the American flag has also been raised.

Well, that means the end of the Bear Flag Republic.

What will become of the Californianos?

Californian'’s will become Americans.

California will be the greatest state

in the United States.

♪♪

OLD RANGER: And so, on July 9th, 1846,

the Bear Flag was lowered at Sonoma

by a young officer from the United States

sloop of war,Portsmouth,

Lieutenant Joseph W. Revere,

grandson of the famous Paul Revere.

And the Stars and Stripes

were run up in its place.

The Bear Flag Republic...

was over.

♪♪

OLD RANGER: But the Bear Flag remains.

In 1911, it was approved by a legislative act

as the official state flag of California,

where it flies today

with Old Glory.