Original subtitles

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger,

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

When Captain Henry Fitch of Massachusetts

sailed his ship into San Diego Bay in 1828,

he never dreamed that in a few short months

he would change the course of his whole life

and make California history with a...

What time is it?

11:00, Your Excellency.

11:00.

We should be there in a matter of minutes.

No more than 30 at the most.

Small consolation when the time for the ceremony is right now.

Oh, they would not start the wedding without me.

After all, the señorita'’s godfather?

At least they will wait 30 minutes.

I hope for your sake that you'’re correct.

MAN: Ho! Ho! [ horse neighing ]

[ groans ] What happened? Why are we stopping?

What is it? Why have we stopped?

Capitán, what happened? Why are we stopping?

Landslide, señor.

[ groaning ]

Landslide?

Can'’t we go around it?

No, Your Excellency, we will have to go back about 10 miles.

Take the other trail.

That will take at least another hour.

They won'’t wait that long. Even for a godfather.

Take one of the horses.

You-You want me to take one of the horses?

You can ride, can'’t you?

Yes, Your Excellency.

Well then, ride. And here.

Give this to the bride and groom, with my compliments.

Where'’s that blamed godfather?

I wasn'’t this nervous rounding the Horn in a 100-mile gale.

Don'’t like to scuttle your arrangements,

Henry, but I can'’t wait any longer.

Barry, you can'’t walk out on me. You'’re my best man.

But I'’ve already laid my sailing the whole day.

Got to catch the afternoon tide.

Spanish, they'’re never on time.

We'’ll be putting back into port in a couple of days.

We'’ll hold a party aboard the Vulture

in honor of you and your bride.

Has he arrived?

Not yet. Don Joaquin asks for you to be patient.

How'’s Josefa?

Mi amigo, not Josefa,

"Hosefa."

She'’s like a caged tigress.

[ laughing ] Well, good luck.

I'’m sure the knot will be tied good and tight,

even though I'’m not here to witness it. [ chuckles]

Now, Barry, wait! I'’m gonna go in there

and demand they start the ceremony immediately.

Uncle Domingo, or no Uncle Domingo.

Yeah, why don'’t you?

Yes...

But wouldn'’t that be flying in the face of a custom?

Then, I will do it for you, mi amigo.

You will?

It would be a pleasure.

But if they refuse?

Tell them, he'’ll take Josefa to the mission and marry her.

[ both laughing ]Yes.

Bravo, mi amigo. Bravo. [ laughing ]

[ speaking foreign language ]

[ horses approaching ]

[ continuing liturgy ]

Stop this ceremony.

His Excellency, the governor prohibits this marriage.

On what grounds?

It is unlawful.

Unlawful?

I don'’t understand. Everything is in order.

Please continue, Padre.

Anyone aiding the marriage will be reported

to the ecclesiastical authorities.

You are the parents. I order you to stop the wedding.

I am sorry, my children.

Uncle Domingo, you can not do this to me.

As the governor'’s aide, I am only carrying out his orders, my dear.

Padre, please.

The governor'’s word is law in California.

Where is the governor?

At his residence,

or will be very shortly.

I'’ll be back.

I became a citizen of California in order to marry Josefa.

I have her parents'’ consent in writing.

I was baptized in her faith.

I have a right to know on what grounds

this marriage is unlawful.I told you, señor,

I do not wish to discuss the matter.

But, Sir, you stopped my wedding.

I think I have a right to know the reason why.

The governor does not have to give a reason.

[ sighs ] I think I can guess.

I can spare you the trouble.

I'’m a very poor loser.

I heard of your feelings for Josefa.

Well, I'’m sorry.No, that is not enough, señor.

You will forget Doña Josefa.

That is an order.

Sir, aren'’t you taking advantage of your authority and position?

[ laughs ] Señor Capitán.

What is authority for if it not to be used?

Why does a man want position if not to serve his own purpose?

Is it not? It serves my purpose to keep you from going to your Josefa,

because she was promised to me, and I propose to marry her.

Now, you may go.

Not yet, Your Excellency.

Now, go!

But Your Excellency--Guard!

I demand a right to be heard. I--

If we had only started the ceremony on time.

But the governor would have annulled the marriage.

We have no one to blame but ourselves.

When he asked to court you,

your mother and myself, we gave him our blessing.

And I chose to marry Enrique instead!

But we took advantage of His Excellency'’s absence in Monterrey.

He has every right to be angry.

He could ruin us.

Oh, you'’re all afraid of him.

Well, I'’m not, and neither is Enrique.

My Enrique will stand up to him!

Josefa, wh-why don'’t you change your dress?

I want to be ready when Enrique returns.

Let me know the minute he comes.

Domingo has posted guards.

I have given orders to the service to refuse him the house.

We can not risk the anger of the governor.

[ whispers ] Oh, no.

[ sighs ] Well, when I went back to see Josefa,

I found the doors shut on my face.

You will not blame her family, Enrique.

But the governor is so powerful.

But he had no right to stop our wedding.

Spite and jealousy, that'’s all it was.

That is enough.

A jealous man is a very dangerous man.

I'’ve got to see Josefa, Don Pio, and talk to her.

You know what it means if you'’re caught...

I'’ll take my chances.

PIO: Bueno, mi amigo.

I'’m always on the side of love.

When do you wish it?

Tonight.

Well, the household will be retiring soon.

How good are you on climbing?

You'’re talking to a sailor.[ chuckles ]

Well, the gates will be locked.

Watch the house very close,

until the lights go out.

Then climb the wall, and wait in the garden.

I'’ll be there.

Bueno, mi amigo.

Salud por le amor, to love.

[ knocking ]

Yes, Domingo?

Your Excellency, CapitánFitch was very indignant

at finding himself in the jail.

Well, he is lucky to find himself alive.

He keeps saying it is the right of every American citizen to--

He forgets that he is now a Californian.

But he will have plenty of time to reflect upon that.

I commend you for your diligence, Domingo.

Always at your service, Your Excellency.

Ah, Domingo...

Uh, your niece...

Doña Josefa, she knows nothing about this, huh?

Oh, certainly not, señor.

You tell her that the, um,

the governor craves her indulgence

and will present himself at the Casa Carrillo

at his earliest opportunity.

Yes, Your Excellency.

Bueno.

Señorita,not for all the worth of Montezuma

would I willingly hurt you.

Then why did--You parents can understand.

They never truly approved of this marriage.

My Excellency, it was you we favored as a son-in-law.

But I love Enrique.

I am not censoring you, my dear.

Women always find foreigners attractive.

But as husband? Most unstable.

Enrique unstable?

The way he blows hot and cold.

Cold?

In the face of opposition.

JOSEFA: Enrique would never give me up.

He will fight you till the last drop of his blood.

Señorita,

he has yet to share his first drop.

Perhaps you expected too much of him, my dear.

He'’s hardly more than a boy.

You'’re jealous.

Naturally, my pride was deeply wounded

when you cast me aside for this Yankee.

But señorita,I realized I am twice your age

and not as attractive as your deserve.

But you could have been the First Lady of California.

And the first and only lady in my heart.

Josefa, it is because I love you so very much

that I dared to do what I did.

And still dare.

Well, perhaps I misjudged you.

Perhaps.

Domingo, what'’s going on?

Where is everybody? When do I get out of here?

Please, CapitánFitch, so many questions, so fast.

You'’d have a lot of questions too if you hadn'’t seen anybody

but your jailors since you'’ve been thrown in here.

How is Josefa?

She is in seclusion, Capitán,

doing penance for all the trouble she'’s caused.

She'’s caused? It's that green-eyed governor.

Please, Capitán.

What kind of a country is this,

where a man can be thrown in jail for being in love?

When you became a citizen, Capitán,

you swore to obey the laws and the customs.

The laws concerning marriage are very rigid and important.

And I followed them to the letter.

What else can a man do?

The only thing left for you to do now my friend

is leave this country.

Orders from His Excellency.

It would be better for everyone.

Especially Josefa.

So, that'’s it. [ sighs ]

You will be provided with a horse and food for your journey.

The sooner you leave, the better.

This is as far as we will accompany you, CapitánFitch.

If you continue to travel in that direction, you are free.

And what if I don'’t?

It would not be wise of you to find out.

[ sighs ]

Capitán! Capitán!

Huh, so the governor won, huh?

What could I do?

I thought you Yankees were fighters.

How can you fight from behind bars?

[ sighs ]

When you see Josefa again, tell her I'’ll always love her.

I don'’t know, but, uh, maybe she'’s moving to Monterrey pretty soon.

Convent?No, the governor residence.

His Excellency is courting her like a fury.

She listens?

Oh, she'’s flattered.Flattered!

You know, you have to give that rascal credit.

When he want something, he let nothing stand in his way.

And, uh, a girl likes that.

I'’ll see you, Capitán.

Barry!

Ho, down there!

HENRY: Coming up!

Captain Barry! Pablo?

Captain, Barry, a man'’s swimming out to the ship, sir.

Did you say "swimming"?Aye, sir.

Should be coming over the side now.

Henry!

What the devil'’s going on?

Haven'’t they got any rowboats in this port?

Not for someone who'’d be shot if they were caught.

What'’s that?

It'’s too long a story to tell right now.

Have any of your men gone ashore?

No. I'’m waiting for the customs inspector?

Good. Be ready to sail any time after midnight.

Figure on two passengers.

[ laughs ] From all this, I take it you'’re not a husband yet.

Not yet, but with your help, Barry, I soon will be.

You'’ve got it.Fine.

[ exhales forcefully ]

[ water splashes ]

Can I still be the best man?

You can be anything you want, except the groom!

[ crickets chirping ]

[ carriage approaching ]

[ carriage door opens ]

[ man speaks Spanish ]

Oh. Perdón, señor.

[ doors close ]

[ laughter ]

[ chattering ]

[ laughter ]

[ chattering continues ]

[ laughter ]

Psst! Psst!

[ mouthing words ]

[ whispering ] It is very dangerous.

[ mouthing words ]

[ mouthing words ]

I suppose you'’re leaving for Monterrey pretty soon, Your Excellency?

No, señor. I do not anticipate taking a trip to Monterrey

for some considerable time.

There is something far more important than politics

to keep me here in San Diego.

[ laughs ] And it'’s not hard to guess

what that something is, Your Excellency.

Well, I drink to your success

and to the happiness of my beautiful cousin, Josefa.

[ speaking Spanish ]

Oh, Pio, look what you'’ve done!

Look what you'’ve done.Pio, you are so clumsy.

[ mutters ]Oh, yes. You see what you'’ve done?

Oh, perdón.You have spoiled her nice new dress.

I'’m sorry.Ohh!

[ door opens ] [ chattering ]

[ knocking on window ]

[ knocking continues ]

Enrique!Josefa!

I thought I would never see you again.

They told me you had gone.

We'’re going together.

What do you mean?I'’m taking you with me.

Captain Barry'’s ship is waiting in the harbor.

You mean elope? But here in California, people do not elope.

Then we'’ll be the first.

But the house, the guards! There are guards everywhere!

How could we escape?

We'’ll never know till we try.

Do you love me enough?

[ men laughing ]

[ chattering ]

[ laughter ]

Señors,this is an important night for the governor and me.

You will find food and wine in the kitchen.

Go and enjoy yourselves.

Muchas gracias, señorita. Muchas gracias.

You too.I cannot leave my post, señorita.

Oh. I'’m sorry.

I couldn'’t get rid of the guard.

Then I will.

[ grunts ]

Quickly, tie his hands.

[ knocking ]

DONA: Josefa?

[ knocking ] Josefa?

[ grunts ]

DON: Josefa!

[ pounding ] Josefa!

Oh! Oh!She'’s gone.

Quick.Oh!

[ men laughing ]

[ quietly ] Let'’s go.

[ whinnies softly ]

[ clicks tongue ]

Excellency! Excellency, she is gone!

She can'’t be far. The gates are all guarded. [ muffled shouting ]

[ shouting continues ]

Oh! Oh.

[ shouting continues ][ no audible dialogue ]

Yah! Hah!

Captain, the Yankee!

Which way?To the beach!

Get the horses!

[ men shouting to horses ]

[ shouting continues ]

I can see them!

If we can just make that beach!

They'’re gone!

Gone?

The Yankee! To the beach!

What is it?Out there. The rowboat.

No, Domingo.

No use.

[ chuckling ] Well,

it looks like I'’m going to be best man after all.

Henry Fitch and Josefa Carrillo were married in South America.

A year later, they returned to San Diego for the parental blessing.

As penance for elopement,

the court ordered that Fitch give a bell,

weighing not less than 50 pounds,

to the church in the pueblo of Los Angeles, which had none.

[ bell tolling ]

This bell, known as "the Elopement Bell,"

still hangs in the bell tower

of the Plaza Church in Los Angeles

and rings today in memory of the first couple

ever to elope from California.

[ bell continues tolling ]