Original subtitles

Howdy folks. I'm the Old Ranger,

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

The Old West was full of many well known humbugs.

But there was one who left an impression

that will never be erased

because he was both sinner and saint.

I won't disclose his true identity.

I'll just call him...

♪ [ piano playing ]

All right, brothers, step right up!

We're gonna hold a revival meetin'!

I'm gonna tell you all about the joys

of the kingdom of glory!

Come on in, brothers. Come on in

and let the Gospel wash your souls

whiter than snow.

♪ [ piano continues ][ people chattering ]

Dear brother...♪ [ piano playing stops ]

let me carry your burden.

Sure. Glad to go wet my whistle.

♪ [ piano playing ]♪ Bringing in the sheaves

♪ Bringing in the sheaves

♪ We shall come rejoicing

♪ Bringing in the sheaves

♪ [ singing continues ]

Raise you 500.

Hey, stop that hollerin'!

I can't think straight with that goin' on.

Cut it out, will ya? ♪ [ music stops ]

[ people chattering ]Brothers,

give me just five minutes![ chattering stops ]

Lay aside your cards and bottles

and listen to the glory of the Gospel!

It'll pick ya up from degradation,

turn ya from evil,

and start ya down

that beautiful road to salvation.

Before we start this revival meetin',

it's customary to give a little donation.

[ people chattering ]

Brothers and sisters, won't you make a contribution?

This is such a worthy cause. Something for you, sir?

Won't you make a little donation here?

How 'bout you, brothers, a little donation from you?

How 'bout you, sir, anything from you?

How 'bout from you, sir, a slight contribution?

It'll be a powerful help to others on the road to paradise.

[ groans ][ gasps ]

Here, from the two us.

Ah, bless ya, brother!

Thank ya, brother! Glory be!

Behold, here's the decent sinner,

one in whose breast still lurks the spar--

Get your paws off me.

Hey, Sam, throw this pest out.

I'll take care of him good.

No, no, no, no violence! No violence, sir!

No, no, no violence! No si--

And stay out! [ people laughing ]

♪ [ piano playing ]

[ grunts ]You all right, old timer?

Dust to dust.

Why them son's of Beelzebub

don't want no more salvation than a hog wants ringworm.

They should've had more respect.

One measly buck.

That's one buck me and the Lord ain't complainin' about.

[ chuckles, inhales ]

[ people approaching ]

Oh, now, Chuck Dawson, you've already eatin--

Now--Now just a minute, Bessie.

It's for my friend here. He's half-starved.

I've been livin' on spiritual fodder.

Somehow it don't quite stick to the ribs.

He's a Gospel speaker.

"Gates Ajar Morgan," ma'am.

Gates Ajar?

[ gasps ] Oh, the collar. I see.

Well, uh, how 'bout some ham and eggs?

They sound truly magnificent, ma'am.

They're quick anyway.

Charge 'em to me.

[ door closes ]Bless you, brother?

Chuck Dawson, manager of the express office.

Bessie and I are gonna be married.

Well, now, if your lookin' for someone to tie the connubial knot--

Aw, thanks. Won't be till after my promotion and transfer.

That's the way Bessie wants it.

Oh.Won't be long, though.

My office has had the best record

of the whole Wells Fargo chain.

Eat hardy.

Tonight, I'll remember you

in my devotions.

[ door closes ]

Here's some coffee while you're waiting for your eggs.

Well, thank you, ma'am.

Providence has indeed been good to me today.

All right, fork it over.

Well, I'm afraid I don't--Let's have it.

Have what?

My wallet.Your wallet?

You took it when you grabbed me.

Well, what do you know!

Thievin' humbug.

I hope you'll show a little compassion, brother.

You won't turn me over to the sheriff, will ya?

I guess a couple of your prayers worked.

I don't like sheriffs.

Bless you, brother.

I work hard for what I get.

Pickins in the Lord's vineyard are mighty small.

Penny-ante stuff, huh?

[ dishes clanging ]

How would you like to make some big money?

Brother, I don't know what idea you got in mind,

but when you say "big money,"

I take warmly to it.

Look across the street.

MAN: Know what they lock up in that express company vault,

the 15th of every month?

I'm listenin'.

Close to 40,000 in gold.

Brought down from the mines and held over for the stage the next mornin'.

My brother, that's not the first express office

I've seen that holds $40,000.

It's the first one you've ever seen

with a vacant store next to it.

And stop callin' me brother.

The name's Ben, Ben Higgins.

Just how do I fit into this plan?

Well, you know, I figure that vacant store

could be just the place to open a Gospel hall.

I see what you mean, Ben,

and I take kindly to that idea.

Now, the woman who runs this restaurant

also owns that vacant store.

Here's $50.

You rent it from her.

I'll be proud to, Ben.

You know, that money whizzed out of sight

in an awful hurry.

Be sure you rent that store.[ chuckles ]

Here you are.

Well, thank you, ma'am.

Mm-hm.I, uh, understand

you own that vacant store across the street.

Yeah, my father left it to me.

You know, I aim to open a Gospel hall in this town.

Nonsectarian, of course.

And, uh, well, I look with favor on that location.

Mmm.

One thing frets me, though.

What's that?

The rent.

The Lord giveth, but not always on time.

Well, uh, why don't you hold your meetings outdoors?

The street's free.

But hard on the knees.

Well, all right.

Then you'll rent it to me?

No, I won't rent it to you...

I'll let you have it for nothing.

Bless you, sister. Hallelujah!

You're makin' it easier for me to do the biggest job of my life.

How's that?

MORGAN:Lower.

Here, Mr. Morgan, I think you'll need these things for your bed.

Aw, Miss Bessie, you're fixin' my livin' quarters up fit for a king.

Oh, and I found some picnic benches

in the storeroom of the restaurant.

Chuck, would you get them? I'll show you where they are.

Sure.

[ wood creaking ]

MORGAN: How'd you get in here?

Back door. [ grunts ]

Wanted to check on a few details.

Such as?

Well, that express company vault next door,

should be about right here.

Ben, that building is solid brick.

The whole town would hear us if we tried to blast through it.

We don't have to.

We tunnel in underneath and come up through the floor of the vault.

Tunnel through the floor of the vault?

Believe it or not, that vault sits

on nothing but ordinary wooden planking.

Well, now, that's what I call

downright careless of the company.

They deserve to lose their money.

[ chuckles ]

Morgan?

Morgan, you in there?

Who is it?

Ed Turner, town marshal.

Well, Marshal, uh, what can I do for you?

Well, I'm lookin' for a gambler named Ben Higgins.

ED: Somebody said they saw him come in here.

MORGAN: Well, there must be some mistake, Marshal.

I'm here all alone.

Gettin' ready for the opening services tonight.

Be mighty proud to have you come tonight, Marshal.

Well, I might, if it don't interfere with my duties.

MORGAN: Just what's this fella Wiggins done?

Higgins.

Oh.

I wanna advise him to pack up and move along

before they run him out on a rail.

Well, brother Higgins doesn't seem to be

very popular around here.

Well, he's had just a might too long a streak of winnings.

There's been some talk.

Why, uh, Marshal, are you implyin'...

He better get out if he knows what's good for him.

Well, if I see him, Marshal, I'll--

I'll convey your settlements to him.

All right.

[ door closes ]

They're on to you, Ben.

I heard.

What are you gonna do?

Stay right here.What?

You just start your Gospel service tonight.

I'll take care of the rest.

[ people chattering ]

♪ [ playing "Rock of Ages" ]

♪ Rock of Ages

♪ Cleft for me

♪ Let me hide myself in thee ♪

♪ Let the water and the blood ♪

♪ From thy riven side which flowed ♪

♪ Rock of Ages

♪ Cleft for me

♪ Let me hide myself in thee

♪ [ music and singing stop ]

That'll be all the praise singin'

for tonight, folks.

That may get you to the pearly gates,

and it may ring the bell,

but it won't open the door.

ALL: Hallelujah!

MORGAN: You gotta turn yourself from evil

if you wanna be saved.

Stand up.

Come forward and declare yourself saved.

Who'll be the first?

Don't be ashamed, neighbors.

Arise and shine!

What better place than here

among your own friends and neighbors,

to wash your soul pure and white

and declare all your sins washed away.

Cut loose from that old devil that's holdin' you back!

Who'll be the first?

Come on folks, who'll be the first?

I'll be the first.

[ people muttering ]Wonderful! Wonderful!

Come forward, brother.

I'm a...

I just can't deceive myself any longer.

I'm a sinner, Mr. Morgan.

To sin is only human.

Done more than my share.

I've lied and I've cheated.

I guess I've broken some other Commandments, too.

And I can tell ya, it doesn't pay.

I'm a man without a home,

without friends...

without the blessings of a wife and children...

I haven't even got the respect of my fellow man.

But at last, I think I've seen the light.

I can only hope and pray that it's not too late

to mend my ways.

Hallelujah, brother. Glory be!

I'll give ya shelter.

I'll be your friend.

Ah, the angels are carolin' in heaven.

Come with me, brother. Come with me.

That'll be all for tonight folks.

My heart's too full to go on.

[ chattering ]

[ door closing ]

Well, you could've knocked me over with a feather.

Can you imagine that tinhorn getting religion?

I just hope it sticks.

Must be somethin' wrong with my ears.

I didn't hear any angels sing.

Hmm.

[ grunts ]

[ groans ] I'm tired, Ben.

Well, don't dig so fast, brother.

Just dig steady.

All right, gimme the lantern.

Make sure you don't get any dirt

on the floorboards or the hall.

[ grunts ]

Don't forget to get those floorboards back

just exactly like they were.

Mr. Morgan!

Mr. Morgan, I've got to talk to you!

Who is it?

BESSIE: It's Bessie! I've got to see you!

[ knocking on door ]

Well, what is it, Miss Bessie?

Someone's robbed the express office.

No.Almost $40,000 worth of gold.

Miss Bessie!

And they're accusing Chuck!

Chuck?Chuck!

Oh, brother Dawson.

BESSIE: All the windows

and all the doors were locked.

And-- Well, everybody, including the marshal,

says it had to be done from the inside.

But Chuck's the only one with a key to that vault.

Why, Miss Bessie, brother Dawson

wouldn't steal that any more than--

well, than I would.

You've got to do something for me.

Well, sure, Miss Bessie, you just name it.

The miners who own that gold have gone crazy.

They wanna take Chuck out of jail

and force him to tell them where he hid it.

Why, they couldn't prove in 100 years

that he'd steal that money.

Tell them that!

Why, sure, Miss Bessie. Sure, sure.

And please, Mr. Morgan, please hurry.

[ door opens then closes ]

Where do you think you're going?

Why, I'm going to the jail, Ben. I got no choice.

You haven't, but I have.

You're stayin' put.

Well, now, Ben, it won't do no hurt

to talk to the men.

After all Miss Bessie's done, I owe it to her.

You owe me more.

Now, they got a suspect and we're in the clear.

You just let things stand as the are.

Well, if you say so, Ben.

But I was just trying to help Chuck and Bessie. That's all.

[ people chattering ]All their plans are made an--

Marshal, we dug hard for that dust,

and we aim to make Dawson tell what he done with it.

We don't know he took it.

Now, you boys get on back to your mines

and let the law handle this.

You'll give us Dawson,

or we're goin' in and get him.

[ people shouting ]The miners are powerful mad

at brother Dawson, Ben.

Tough luck for brother Dawson.

Just do what we tell ya, and you'll be all right.

You gonna listen to me!

How could Chuck tell you where he hid the gold

when he didn't even take it?

What else do you expect her to say? She's his girl.

Get her out of here! Never mind that, Marshal.

They shouldn't do that to her, Ben.

I don't fancy it.

She butted in, didn't she?

This is the last warning, Marshal.

You're gonna give us Dawson or we come in and get him.

What do ya say?

I'll do it, Joe. So help me, I'll fire!

[ thud ][ groans ]

[ people clamoring ]

I hate to see 'em do that, Ben.

Marshal's only trying to do his duty.

Look, whose side are you on anyway?

Ours! But I just can't stomach other people gettin' hurt.

You tell us what you did with that gold, and you won't get hurt.

I tell you, I didn't take the gold.

You're a liar! You stole it and I'll give you one second

to tell us what you did with it.

I didn't take it. You think I'd be such a fool?

All right, tie him up!

I can't go throughwith it.

Yes, you can.

Look, Ben, I've done a lot of bad things in my day,

but I can't stand by and see an innocent man get lynched.

Then you're just gonna have to look the other way.

Now look, Ben, look.

I'll tell you what we'll do.

You go out the back way.

Take my wagon and get out of here.

I'm gonna stay here and take my medicine.

You're not crossin' me up.

Sit down.

Would you like to preach a little sermon?

You gonna tell us what you did with that gold?

I already told ya, Bates.

I didn't steal it, and I don't know where it went.

All right, tie him off.

He who swears falsely, sins...

but he who bears false witness by silence...

shall burn forever.

Book of Saint Gates Ajar.

Matthew 15:8.

Matthew, my foot.

Matthew 15:8.

How much?Half my share of the dust.

Done.I'll show ya.

Now you just do that

'cause my mom made me learn a chapter every Sunday.

Sharpened me up for memorizing a stacked deck of cards.

There it is.

You can't do this!

He didn't steal your filthy gold.

We gave him a fair chance.

Somebody get her out of here and keep her away.

[ Bessie yelling ]Get out--

Wait there! Hold on!

Don't do that!

You're makin' a mistake!

Brother Dawson didn't steal that gold.

Then who did?

Uh, me and Ben Higgins tunneled into the vault and took it.

It's still there!

Could of gotten away with it,

but funny thing, some of the Gospel

must've rubbed off on me.

Oh, Chuck!

All right, fellas, take a look.

Better get started, Morgan,

before we change our mind.

Well, think we're all ready.

And, Marshal, I wanna thank you very much

for everything you've done. I appreciate it a great deal.

Oh, and Marshal,

there's one other thingI think

you and the good brothers and sisters

oughta know.

What's that?

Well, for-- for givin' me this chance,

I'm gonna turn around and do good to others

for a change, cut out the humbug,

practice what I preach.

Oh, and Marshal.

I guess a man can't reform overnight,

but I tryin' anyway.

Well, good-bye, all.

Giddyup there, boy!

And so reformed Gates Ajar Morgan

went on his way to benefit mankind.

And to this day, history records

the many fine deeds he performed in the early West.