Original subtitles

♪ [ dramatic ]

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger,

with an exciting new story of real life in the Old West.

In the mother-lode country back in the gold rush days,

very few small towns were lucky enough to have a doctor.

In emergencies, anyone who could substitute was in demand,

like the young druggist in the mining camp of Gold Run,

who found himself face-to-face with...

Professor Peacock.

Professor Peacock. I'’ve got to talk to you.

Please, Professor, open the door.

Can I help you?

It'’s my little boy, I-- MAN: Yes, yes.

What is it, madam? Why do you awaken me at this hour?

It'’s my little boy. I gave him some of your medicine for his cold.

And now he'’s worse.Worse?

Are you insinuating my product is injurious to the human system?

WOMAN: He wasn'’t like this before.

The beneficial qualities of Professor Peacock'’s Miracle Compound

are a matter of record. However, I will not quibble.

If you are not satisfied, I will gladly return your money.

Now, goodnight, madam.

I-I didn'’t want my money back.

I-I just wanted him to help my little boy.

Well, if I were you, I'’d get him to a doctor.

The doctor'’s away in Auburn.

Well, isn'’t there anyone in town who can help in an emergency?

Oh, we usually go to Mr. Gates, the druggist.

Well, come on. Let'’s go get him.

[ knocking ]

WOMAN: Mr. Gates.

Open up, Mr. Gates. It'’s an emergency.

Yes? Mrs. Baker.

Well, what'’s the matter with Timmy?

I don'’t know, I'’m-I'm afraid he'’s dying.

Let me take him.

How long has he been this way?

Well, ever since I gave him this medicine.

"Professor Peacock'’s Miracle Compound."

Did you give him all this?

Took that much to make him stop coughing.

A lot of alcohol in it. But it shouldn'’t have that effect on him.

Well, maybe the medicine didn'’t have anything to do with it.

I'’m Maggie Evans. I work with Professor Peacock.

Well, that explains why you'’d say that.

Well, it could be true, couldn'’t it?

It could be, but hardly probable.

You happen to know what'’s in here?

No, the professor keeps that

a pretty carefully guarded secret.

Those fellas usually do.

Mrs. Baker, give him a whiff of this ammonia every few minutes.

I'’ll try to analyze this stuff

and see if I can come up with an antidote.

Is that the alcohol burning?

Yes.

I'’ll evaporate the rest, and test the residue.

There'’s some brown stuff left.

When I add this, it should turn blood-red.

It is blood-red.

some bichloride of mercury.

[ sighs ]

Just as I suspected.

What?

Opium.

Well, good morning, Samson. Morning.

Are you awake, Princess? Time to get up.

Princess? She'’s not there.

Well, how do you know?

I left her at Mrs. Baker'’s,

helping them care for the little boy

your Miracle Compound almost killed last night.

What is this nonsense? Who are you?

JUSTIN: My name is Justin Gates. I own the Gold Run Pharmacy.

Oh, I see. [ chuckles ]

Beginning to feel the pinch of competition, huh,

and trying to start a little trouble?

Well, don'’t worry, young man.

We'’ll be moving on in a few days.

You'’re moving along today.

I can'’t control what you do in other places,

but you'’re not selling any more of that poison in this town.

Poison?

Opium.

I assume you know there'’s not enough opium

in my product to do any harm.

There was enough to put little Jimmy Baker

into a stupor that lasted all night.

If his mother had given him anymore of it, he never would'’ve come to.

But he'’s all right this morning?

No thanks to you.

Now get your outfit and get out of here.

I resent your attitude, sir.

We don'’t threaten anyone, and we don'’t want anyone threatening us.

Do we, Samson?

Well now, I can'’t go around arresting people for something that might have happened.

Opium is dangerous! It'’s a narcotic!

Doesn'’t matter if it is or it ain'’t.

There ain'’t no law on the statute books

that says what you can and can'’t put in medicine.

Now, if I was you, I wouldn'’t tangle with him again.

Morning.Morning, Sheriff.

How'’s Jimmy?

All children are amazing.

The way he was running around when I left his house,

you'’d never think that there had been anything wrong with him.

What happened to you?

I told the professor to get out of town.

Neither he nor Samson cared for the idea.

Well, personally I don'’t care what the professor does.

I'’m quitting, and I'm going over right now to tell him so.

JUSTIN: No, don'’t quit.Don'’t quit?

Not yet.

You'’re the professor's star attraction.

I want a big crowd at today'’s show.

♪ [ waltz ]

[ crowd rooting ]

[ crowd applauds ]

PEACOCK: Thank you, Princess Nadja.

Our show will continue in just a moment.

Ladies and gentlemen, right now I want to pause and explain

how you too can obtain the radiant vitality

and the physical perfection of these two young people.

Here is your answer, ladies and gentlemen.

Dr. Peacock'’s Miracle Compound!

I am asking $1.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, one paltry dollar

for this key to a richer and fuller life.

MAN: I'’ll take a bottle.

Well, thank you, sir. And here you are.

JUSTIN: Just a minute!

Before you buy any of this so-called "medicine,"

there'’s something you ought to know.

Oh, now, now. One moment, Samson.

In this glorious country of ours,

every man has a right to be heard, whether you agree with him or not.

Proceed, sir.I intend to!

Folks, last night, little Jimmy Baker almost died

from an overdose of this compound.

He would have died if I hadn'’t analyzed the ingredients

and given him emergency treatment.

Do you know what this concoction contains?

A drug as dangerous and deadly as any poison.

It'’s opium!

[ crowd chattering ]

If that'’s the kind of richer and fuller life you want,

why, go ahead.

Otherwise, you'’ll run this faker out of town.

[ crowd clamoring ]

Ladies and gentlemen, one moment please.

The young man speaks impressively,

but I assure you, friends, my Miracle Compound

contains such a minute quantity of the ingredient mentioned,

it is absolutely harmless to both man and beast.

It wasn'’t harmless to Jimmy Baker.

I was coming to that, sir.

What was the matter with the little boy,

that he required your emergency treatment?

You know what was wrong with him. He was in a coma.

In other words, a deep sleep.

That'’s right.

Are you aware, sir, that sleep is one of nature'’s great healers?

Not the kind he was in.

And how is the little boy this morning?

Fortunately, he'’s all right.

Only all right?

I understood his cold was almost cured.

Well, you can'’t take credit for that.

Well now, suppose we allow these good people to decide.

My friends, yesterday,

little Jimmy Baker had a bad cold,

Today, thanks to the sleep inducing qualities of my Miracle Compound,

and in spite of the interference of this--

this purveyor of powders and pills,

he is almost completely recovered.

Now I ask you, ladies and gentlemen,

who deserves the credit?

[ crowd chattering ]MAN: You do, professor.

MAN #2: He'’s got you there, Justin.

I see others of you down there who,

yesterday, bought a bottle of my, uh, so-called "poison."

Tell me, friends, did any of you happen to die last night?

[ crowd laughing ]

If he wasn'’t good with words, he wouldn'’t be in this kind of business.

I tell you, you'’ve got to listen to me.

This man-- I believe we'’ve listened to you long enough, young man.

I sell an honest product.

And with the kind permission of these good people,

I will continue to sell it.

Now, if you'’ll kindly leave the platform, we will continue with the show.

[ crowd muttering ]MAN: Come on, Justin. Let'’s get on with the show.

I'’m staying right here until I make you folks understand.

Oh, no, no, Samson.

Sheriff, this man is trespassing upon my property.

Will you remove him, please?

You better get off of there, Justin. Come on down.

Instead of running me off, why don'’t you run him off?

Well, now we went through all of that this morning.

You'’ve got no business up there if he don'’t want you. Come on down.

[ crowd muttering ]

And now, we will proceed with our entertainment.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have here in my hand, $500.

Which I will gladly present to the first man

who can best Samson in a one fall wrastling match.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard me correctly.

Five-hundred dollars to the first man

who can pin Samson'’s mighty shoulders to the ground.

Now, who wants to try?

This may be your golden opportunity to win $500.

Well now, what about you, sir?

Uh, and you, sir?

Now, what do you say?

Well, you look like a likely challenger, if I ever saw one.

What are you going to say?

MAN: Give it a try, Jed.

Go ahead, give it a try.

Well, I'’ll make a try at it.

Oh, splendid.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Samson not only trains on my Miracle Compound,

but he also takes a drink of it before every bout.

For the instantaneous vigor and strength that it imparts.

Well, here you are, Samson.

Now, don'’t forget, take a good, big drink.

[ crowd muttering ]

Now, step up, kid.

Gentlemen, don'’t forget. No biting, no gouging.

Other than that, no holds barred.

Ready? Go!

[ crowd rooting ]

Now you got him, Jed. Go on, pin him. Pin him!

[ crowd rooting ] MAN: Come on!

[ crowd yelling ]

Ah! Ah!

What'’s the matter, Jed? Come on, Jed. You can do better than that.

Ah!

[ crowd rooting ]

[ crowd applauds ]

Ladies and gentlemen,

the winner-- the mighty Samson!

[ crowd cheering ]

Thank you. My, that was a splendid effort.

Now, if you and the other good people will return with me to the platform,

I will see to it that your valiant efforts are properly rewarded.

[ crowd muttering ]

[ chuckles ] Jed never had a chance.

Samson was just playing with him.

Say, if the professor'’s medicine puts people to sleep,

how come Samson can drink it and show no ill effects?

I'’ve been thinking about that myself.

Maybe I can give you an answer at his next show.

Hello. Well, hello.

You got anything to cure a headache?

Well, at least I'’ll have one convert anyway.

I'’m sorry you couldn't get the people to listen.

I should have known better.

My father used to say

that telling somebody something for his own good

is like pouring sand down a rat hole.

[ chuckles ]

Here. Guaranteed to cure your headache and not a darn thing more.

Thank you.

You mind if I ask you a question?

No.

How did you happen to become Princess Nadja?

Well, the name was the professor'’s idea.

Eating regularly was mine.

Until I found out about the professor,

I-I thought it was better than working in a dance hall or a saloon.

Have you quit yet?

No. The professor went with some friends to have a drink right after the show.

I didn'’t get a chance to talk to him.

What time is the next show?About an hour.

I'’d appreciate you staying for it.

Oh, Justin, you'’re not going to try to talk to that crowd again.

No, no.

It'’s going to take more than talk to make them realize the danger.

Ladies and gentlemen,

once again I have in my hands, $500.

Which I will gladly pay to any man

who can defeat the mighty Samson in a one fall wrastling match.

Speak up, gentlemen. Who will it be?

A chance to win $500 in good American money.

Who will wrastle Samson? Who can defeat the mighty Samson?

I will.

[ crowd muttering ]Have you gone loco?

He'’ll bust you to bits.

Well, if it isn'’t the young druggist.

I must confess, I'’m a little disappointed.

I was hoping it'’ll be someone who'’ll give Samson a real workout.

But I said, anyone. And I'’m a man that keeps his word.

If you will direct your attention over

to the wrastling arena, ladies and gentlemen.

Just a minute.

Professor, let'’s make this really interesting.

My drug store against your whole outfit.

[ crowd groaning ]Your store against my outfit?

That'’s right.Justin, for Pete'’s sakes!

Well?

I accept your wager, sir.

Sheriff, you heard the terms.

Back out, while you can.

Oh, I'’m sorry. It'’s a little late to back out now.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you please.

[ crowd muttering ]

Ladies and gentlemen,

as usual, Samson will take a drink of my

Miracle Compound before the bout.

Here you are, Samson.Not that bottle, professor.

Suppose you let Samson drink some of the stuff you sell.

Wha-- Are you accusing me of trickery, sir?

I am.Well, upon my word.

Princess Nadja, if you'’d please.

Is that all you'’re going to drink?

Why, he doesn'’t even need that much to win this bout.

[ laughter ]

I want him to have every advantage.

Drink plenty.

No, more than that. Drink the whole bottle.

[ gulping ][ coughs ]

What'’s it going to do to me?

Why, it'’s going to put you to sleep like you'’ve never slept before.

You better finish him off fast.

He'’s stalling until that medicine takes effect and you get sleepy.

Come on, now. Hurry it up!

How do you feel? Are you getting sleepy?

Not yet.

You'’re keeping these good people waiting.

[ crowd muttering ]

No gouging, no biting!

Other than that, no holds barred. Go!

Look out, Justin!

[ crowd rooting ]

Go on. Go on, Samson.

[ crowd cheering ]Hurry up, Samson.

Don'’t let him get away.

[ crowd cheering ]

That'’s it, Samson.

Come on, Samson.

Now you got him, boy. That'’s it. Pin him down.

Now pin him down, Samson. You got it.

Go ahead, Samson.

SHERIFF: Get him up there. Come on, Justin.

Come on, Justin!

[ crowd rooting ]

[ crowd cheering ]

[ crowd congratulating ]

MAN: Yahoo-hoo-hoo!

[ shatters ]

[ shattering ]

Well, that'’s the end of Professor Peacock'’s Miracle Compound.

[ shattering ]

Well, now that you own the outfit, Justin,

what are you going to do with it?

I'’m going to put in a stock of legitimate drugs and medicines

and cover the towns where they don'’t have drug stores.

Well, what about your shop in town?

Oh, I thought I'’d get a friend to look after it,

while I'’m on my trips.

Oh.[ sigh ]

You'’re the friend I had in mind.

And so Justin Gates established a route which took

him through most of the mining camps and towns of the area,

bringing to the sick and weary reliable drugs

that were literally worth their weight in gold.