Original subtitles

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger,

with an exciting new story

of real life in the Old West.

Long before it became known as the sport of kings,

horse racing was one of the world'’s favorite pastimes,

and nowhere did it enjoy greater popularity

than in the Old West.

This is the story of a fateful Nevada stake race,

and I call it...

The story begins, however,

not on the Western frontier,

but in far off Virginia.

All right, I have $900.

Going once, going twice.

Sold to the gentleman for $900!

Come, come, gentlemen.

Now, just a moment. The sale may not be quite over.

I crave your indulgence for just a moment.

Now what?

Well, there won'’t be much left after the creditors are paid.

I thought you might'’ve changed your mind

about, uh, Country Squire.

Look, we went through all that before.

This was my father'’s favorite horse.

And he is not for sale.

Well, he'’s way past his racing prime,

and he'’s lame to boot.

You let me worry about that.

Besides, I'’m taking him as part of my share.

All right, gentlemen.

All right, the sale is over.

I know you gentlemen are anxious to get away,

so I'’ll hurry up with the accounting.

He was right, you know, about Squire.

I'’m willing to gamble my last penny I can get him into shape

by the time the track opens.

But you don'’t have much left to gamble with, Greg.

It costs a lot to ship a horse to Saratoga.

Well, I'’ll squeak through.

I'’ll tell you what.

I'’ll pay half of Squire'’s shipment charges

and half his keep

till you find out whether that leg clears up.

All right, on one condition.What'’s that?

Half of everything I win goes to you.

All right.

But you get half of all the gold I dig up.

Are you still going to set out for Nevada?

That'’s right.

It'’s a deal?

Whatever either of us comes up with,

we share and share alike.

Keep your britches on, sonny. We'’ll get there.

Couldn'’t we go just a bit faster?

Scared there won'’t be no gold left?

No, but it'’s a long road from Virginia.

And now that I'’m on the last lap,

seems I can hardly wait.

We'’ll be at least an hour late, won'’t we?

An hour?

Nope, won'’t be more than 55 minutes late

getting into Cherry Creek.

Ah. Tie him up, Peewee.

Give him a good rubdown.

Yes, sir, Mr. Murdock.

Mr. Murdock.

What'’s up, Dawson?

Hello, boys.

MEN: Hi, Mr. Murdock.Well?

We'’re making up a pool

on how late ol'’ Charlie will bring in the stage today.

You want in for $20?

Why not? I'’ll take, um, 55 minutes.

Why, shucks, ol'’ Charlie's nearly 55 minutes late already.

[ men laugh ]

Oh, I didn'’t realize what time it was.

Well, I guess that'’s one on me, boys.

The stage would have to be

practically within hailing distance right now or I'’d lose.

CHARLIE: Hyah!

Hyah!

Ho! Ho!

Ho!

Fifty-five minutes exactly.

You win, Mr. Murdock.

[ men chattering ]

MURDOCK: Well, now, wasn'’t that something?

Sure pays a man to forget to look at his watch

once in a while, doesn'’t it?

Oh, sure.

Well, thank you, boys. Thank you very much.

Now, how about coming across to the saloon?

The drinks are on me.

That'’s a good idea.

You did it again, Pop, after you promised me.

Well, I'’m sorry, Helen.

I thought I had that Murdock dead to rights this time.

Nobody ever has "Sure Thing" Murdock dead to rights.

Look, chances are he had it fixed up with old Charlie

to bring the stage in at exactly 55 minutes late.

Well, you know that old Charlie wouldn'’t do a thing like that.

He not only would, but he did.

Ain'’t I got troubles enough without a stranger butting in?

Sorry.Oh, you'’re not butting in as far as I'’m concerned.

Look, it'’s time that the people in Cherry Creek

learned a lesson about "Sure Thing" Murdock.

Why, he'’s won bets around here

about everything from wrestling matches

to how many crackers there are in a barrel.

That still don'’t prove that Charlie was in on this.

Well, I rode up on the box with him,

and he told me we'’d be 55 minutes late getting into Cherry Creek.

Why, he walked the horses along,

and then he speeded them up just to make it look natural.

Well, that still could be just one of those things.

Oh, one of those "sure things."

All right, have it your own way.

Humph!

Poor Pop.

Oh, uh, if you want something,

I'’d be glad to help you.

Well, I'’m going prospecting.

And I picked out this shovel and, uh--

Well, the truth is

I'’m too green even to know what I need.

Well, the mining stuff'’s all over there.

Oh.

Well, I see you run the post office here too.Uh-huh.

I sure hope there'’s a letter for me pretty soon.

Oh. Sounds important. Your wife?

Oh, not married.

Best girl?

My brother. All the family I got left.

Well, if-if you let me know where your diggings are,

I'’ll try to get word to you if-if a letter comes.

That is, if you tell me your name.

Oh, sure thing.

I mean, LaMonte Carlyle.

[ chuckles ]

[ grunts ]

POP: Ho.

Hi, Monte.

Oh, it'’s good to see you, Helen.

You too, Pop.Yeah.

Say, what brings you all the way out here?

Well, deliver supplies to run the mine.

You know, before you come along,

I used to be able to make these deliveries all by myself.

Pop, you know why I came this time.

[ laughs ]

Lucky you sent us word you were changing your diggings

to Sugarloaf Hill.

You don'’t mean a letter finally came.

On this morning'’s stage.

You know, I'’m the duly appointed postmaster of Cherry Creek.

But my delivering that piece of mail

wasn'’t good enough for her.[ chuckles ]

Good news?

Well, Squire-- that'’s the thoroughbred I was telling you about--

is almost over his lameness.

The very first week of the Saratoga meeting,

Greg picked seven winners!

And--

What?

Nothing but loses ever since.

Fact, he'’s flatter than a flapjack.

Had to take a job in the stable.

I wish I could send him a little money.

Truth is I'’m almost busted myself.

Well, I guess I was dreaming

to think I could find a gold mine.

Well, wake up and quit dreaming.

I think you'’ve been standing on one.

A gold mine?

Right here? You mean I'’m standing on it?

Well, what did you expect? Nuggets?

I'’ve done a little prospectin' in my day.

That looks like pay dirt.

Just don'’t stand there.

But-- But I--

"Buts" is for billy goats.

Get your claim markers up.

You can ride into town with us.

And bring plenty of them samples for the assayer.

[ both giggling ]

Not yet?

[ grunts ]

Well, I went ahead and filed the claim already.

You think I was fool not to wait

till you finished the assay report?

Yes and no.

Well, what does that mean?

Well, there'’s gold there, but it ain'’t high grade.

Probably wouldn'’t run you more than $40 to the ton.

And you'’re going to have to move a lot of rock to make it pay.

I don'’t think you'll ever make a go of it alone.

Well, I made my brother a half partner in the claim.

Already wrote him to come out right away.

That won'’t do much good

if all he'’s got is just muscles.

You'’re going to need a lot of heavy equipment

to get that ore out.

You'’re going to need a stamp mill,

all of which is going to take a lot of capital.

I see.

Well, uh...

you suppose I could borrow it on the strength of this assay report?

Oh, you might get packing from any of a dozen different outfits

in Denver or maybe even in San Francisco.

Well, I--

I couldn'’t afford the fare there.

There'’s one local man that might be persuaded

to loan you the money.

You mean you?

No, I was referring to Mr. Murdock.

Oh, I see.

Well, I'’m kind of afraid to do business with him.

He'’s the only man in these parts

with the cash you'’re looking for.

So, if you don'’t want to do business with him,

you just ain'’t doing business.

Thank you.

Hello.

Well, my friend,

I'’ve already got those papers all drawn up for you.

Is that so?

Yes, siree, you'’ll never find moss

growing on any proposition Seymour T. Murdock is interested in.

Well, it must be a pretty good investment

'’cause I understand you never back anything that'’s not a sure thing.

That'’s right. I like sure things,

and that'’s what you'’ve got right here,

a sure thing.

With the proper equipment, that is.

Without it, you'’ve got nothing but calluses.

All right, let'’s see the papers.

I'’m only charging you 10% interest,

and the payment on the principal won'’t be due for 90 days.

That'’s mighty soon.

To save time, I'’ve already made out a draft

to the Great Western Mining Equipment Company

in Sacramento.

You just endorse it and get it in the mail right away,

and you'’ll be able to make those payments

like they were peanuts.

[mumbling] What is this?

According to this agreement, if I should happen to default,

you get the mine.

Well, now, a man puts up $15,000,

he'’s entitled to protection.

Anyone else you'’d borrow from

is going to demand the same thing.

Well?

There'’s pen and ink in my tent.

♪ [ saloon piano ]

♪ [ continuing ]

[ men chattering ]

Excuses me.

Well, you sure put one over on me. Didn'’t you, Murdock?

Well, I can'’t imagine what you'’re talking about.

This letter from the Great Western Mining Equipment Company,

informing me they won'’t be able to make deliveries

on their equipment for at least 120 days.

Well, now, that'’s a real darn right shame.

Oh, I knew you'’d cry your eyes out for me,

especially since the first payment

on that contract is due you in 90 days.

You found yourself a sure thing all right. Didn'’t you?

Now, how was I to know they were short of machinery?

Well, maybe this will refresh your memory.

"In fact we had already informed Mr. Murdock

of the unavoidable delay in all deliveries."

Carlyle,

I guess the rocks and the men

are just a little bit too hard for you out here in the West.

[ laughing ]

What did he say?

He'’s actually proud of the way he tricked me.

And the worst part of it is just like he says,

all according to law.

Well, can'’t you get your money back

and buy the equipment somewhere else?

Not a chance.

They already cashed the bank draft

and entered the order.

There must be some law

to protect people against a slippery customer like him.

No one in this town'’s ever had the courage

to take Murdock to court.

Maybe--

Maybe it'’s about time someone did.

[ chattering ]

[ strikes gavel ]

JUDGE: Ready for the verdict.

Litigants will rise.

The evidence shows

that you were deliberately deceived

and done in,

but we happen to have a principle in law--

uh, caveat emptor,

which means, "Let the buyer beware."

Now, you bought the money,

but this court can do nothing about the terms

except to urge you to do a little more bewaring

the next time you make any deal,

particularly with men of the defendant'’s nature.

[ crowd murmuring ]

However, an investigation of the title

to the Sugarloaf mine

reveals that LaMonte and Gregory Carlyle

were not registered as co-owners,

but as individual owners

of a 50% share apiece.

Well, what has that got to do with it?

Under the law, LaMonte Carlyle

had no right to put up his brother'’s half interest in this mine.

[ murmuring ]

[ strikes gavel ]

It is therefore the decision of this court

that S.T. Murdock can foreclose

only on LaMonte Carlyle'’s half interest in the mine

and that Gregory Carlyle'’s separate half interest

shall remain free and unencumbered.

[ strikes gavel ] Court is adjourned.

[ chattering ]

Well, you'’re pretty slick yourself. Ain'’t you?

Well, call it that if you like.

What I don'’t like is being in business with your brother.

Where is he anyway?

I finally heard from him. He'’s on his way here.

Oh, good.

When he shows up, send him around.

I never was one to be satisfied with just half a loaf.

Well, he'’ll be here any day, Murdock,

but I wouldn'’t be too anxious to meet him if I were you.

Greg? Greg!

Well, hello, brother. How are you?

Gee, it'’s great to see you, Greg.

Maybe you don'’t think I'’m glad to see you.

What took you so long? I thought you'’d never get here.

Neither did I, but the only way I could cross country

was on old Squire'’s back.

Good old Squire.

I just couldn'’t risk laming him again,

so I took it in real easy stages.

Every now and then I had to stop off

to earn enough for grub.

Well, hello.

You'’re Greg.That'’s right.

This is Helen.

Well, I--

I see you really did strike it rich up here, brother.

And I don'’t mean just the Sugarloaf mine.

Well, Greg, listen. About the mine--

DAWSON: Out of the way, everybody!

Get back!

Out of the way!

Get back. [ gun fires ]

[ crowd clamoring ]

Horse racing Western style?

"Sure Thing" Murdock style.

He'’s not only got most of the money in town.

He owns the horse that just won.

Well, I'’d sure like to meet him.

You will. In fact, you'’re in business with him.

Me?Here he comes.

Well, this is my brother.

Well, well, the long lost brother.

You know, I actually thought he made you up.

Slick enough to, you know.

We Carlyles don'’t consider being called "slick" a compliment.

Oh, now, I didn'’t mean no harm.

Me, I like everything slick--

men and... horses.

Never saw a breed like that before.

What is he?

A thoroughbred.

Oh-Oh, my mistake, I guess.

I never would'’ve picked that horse for a thoroughbred.

Listen, Mister, anyt--Greg.

You were saying?

Never mind.

It'’s too bad he doesn'’t amount to more.

I'’m sort of running out of horses

to race against Star Hill,

but about the mine...

Later. My brother and I have some things to talk over first.

I'’ll be over at the saloon.

Thoroughbred, ey?

Why wouldn'’t you let me take up his challenge?

Or are you so set against betting?

Like I said, we got things to talk over.

[ men chattering ]

Well, boys,

here'’s to settling our differences.

Sounds like you got an idea on the subject.

Sure thing. I mean, sign your half of the mine over to me,

and I'’ll give you a percentage of all I take out of there.

No.

Well, you haven'’t even asked me what percentage.

Don'’t have to.

Why, you'’d rig the books so that even the mother lode

wouldn'’t show a profit.

[ chuckles ]

You just don'’t trust me. Do you, boys?

Well, do you have a better solution to the problem?

Yeah. A little stake race.

Our half of the mine against yours.

You mean Star Hill against--

against your horse?

That'’s right. Whatta you say?

Well, I'’d want to sleep on it.

Well, told you he'’d back down, Greg.

He only likes a sure thing.

Said I'’d let you know in the morning, didn'’t I?

Well, suit yourself, Murdock.

Come on, Greg.

[ no audible dialogue ]

[ horses approaching ]

Where do you want us to start, Mr. Murdock?

Start your race down at the rock slide

and finish up at this point up there.

That'’s about the right distance.

All right, let'’s get started.

I'’ll be waiting down here.

Didn'’t even have to prod him, Mr. Murdock.

Star Hill had plenty left at the finish.

Good. How about that one?

I pushed him for all he was worth.

He just ain'’t got it.

[ laughs ]

[ riders laughing ]

Heard Murdock was looking for you boys

over at the hotel.

Don'’t worry. He'’ll find us.

Speak of the devil.

Well, you boys changing your horse'’s shoes?

Just the two front ones.

Well, I-- I must say he looks a lot sharper

than the first time I'’d seen him.

In other words, you didn'’t sleep too well.

How'’s that?

You said you had to sleep on it.

I guess you had a bad dream

and decided not to race your horse against Squire.

Matter of fact I had me a mighty satisfying dream.

Just real as life I saw Star Hill breezing

down Main Street in easy weather.

You can'’t back down on me now

just because you heard the mining equipment is finally arriving.

It is? Well, a Carlyle never backed down yet.

Uh, 2:00 this afternoon, then?

Let'’s shake on it.

Let'’s put it in writing instead.

I already have.

The winner gets all of the Sugarloaf mine.

And this is something that'’ll hold up in any court.

[ people chattering ]

Monte, you shouldn'’t have let Murdock trick you into this.

Well, half a mine'’s no good anyway.

[ chattering continues ]

Get ready.

One, two...

[ people shouting ]

[ shouting ]

Come on, Squire!

[ shouts ]

[ crowd cheering ]

I can'’t understand.

[ overlapping cheering ]

[ laughing ]

I just can'’t understand it.

Well, it'’s not so hard to understand, Murdock.

We just tore a page out of your book.

How'’d you work it? What did you do?

Well, I knew you'’d never make the bet unless you figured it was a sure thing,

which meant that you'’d probably kidnap Squire

and hold a test race.

That still doesn'’t explain it.

This will.

We put these heavy shoes, weighing four pounds apiece,

on Squire'’s front hooves,

for your race last night.

That slowed him down.

And this morning we put the regular shoes back on.

[ horseshoes clang ]

Here, hang them up over your mantle.

The winning of that horse race

was only the beginning for the Carlyle brothers,

for the Sugarloaf mine

became one of the most productive in the history of the Old West.