Original subtitles

[ men laughing ]

[ chattering ]MAN: Place your bets, please.

Place your bets.

[ men laughing, distant ]

[ laughing continues, distant ]

"Gambling prohibited."

That'’s a dirty deal. You know that, don'’t ya, Luke?

Yeah. Yeah, I know it.

But if Mayor Webster and his pals

think they'’re gonna run me outta town with ordinances,

they got a little more thinking to do.

Made this one just to ruin the Long Branch.

Without a good poker game, we ain'’t gonna have no business at all.

No gambling. That'’s the law, Hank. We'’re gonna observe it.

Law? Why, any saloon owned by Webster'’s friends can have a game if they want.

Luke, it'’s a law against you.

Well, we'’re not exactly friends of Webster'’s, are we?

Or his county attorney. You buy the boys a drink, Hank.

I gotta figure out some way to get the customers back to the Long Branch.

♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger.

Dodge City, Kansas, was fabled in the Old West

as the roughest, toughest cow town of the prairie.

But in time, it was tamed by straight-shooting,

clear-thinking marshals and lawmen.

For a while after that, it was quite mild.

Now, in the year 1883,

trouble'’s brewing again with a corrupt mayor in office.

Looks like they'’ll have to call in...

Mr. Mayor. County attorney.

[ men chattering ]

[ chattering ]

MAN: Place your bets.

Well, it looks like you'’ve got yourself a few customers tonight, Ab.

Yeah, business has picked up.

For some reason, the Texas boys have passed up the Long Branch for the Alamo.

I think maybe they like the name.

Or perhaps they find the Long Branch a little dull these days.

You want my opinion?

Short will be through in a week.

Well, seems you'’re county attorney, I respect your word.

And Dodge City will be a better place without that ex-gunslinger.

Well, you have my word for it.

Yes, I'’m sure our little ordinance

will take care of friend Luke.

[ no audible dialogue ]

Miss Lovett, I'’m Luke Short.

I'’ve heard of you.

The reformed Luke Short.

Well, it, uh, looks like you'’re having a little trouble here.

I came to Dodge to give piano lessons,

but I'’m afraid people here are more interested

in learning to shoot straight.

That'’s the last of it, Miss Lovett.

You'’ll have to get all the stuff off the street before evening.

Well, what do you expect me to do with it?

Now, ma'’am, that's your problem. I was just told to evict you.

Guess you kind of gotta expect that when you don'’t pay your rent for six months.

Well, it-- it didn'’t exactly come as a surprise.

What are you gonna do now?Wish I knew.

Well, don'’t you have a home or a family or something?

In Kansas City, but...

Miss Lovett, I--

Could I... lend you the money?

Thank you, Mr. Short, but I can'’t accept charity.

I'’ve gotta earn my fare back home.

But how? What are you going to do?

Well, that'’s-- that'’s the problem, I suppose.

I can'’t do anything except play the piano.

Doesn'’t sound very efficient, does it?

No. No, it doesn'’t.

Now, Miss Lovett, I think I have the solution to all your problems, and mine too.

How would you like to play the piano in my place?

You mean... in a saloon?

Well, I'’ll pay you more than you can make giving lessons.

Well, heaven help the poor working girl in a town like this, but...

Mr. Short, you have just hired yourself a piano player.

[ chattering ] ♪ [ piano, distant ]

[ chattering stops ] ♪ [ continues ]

[ chattering resumes ]

♪ [ continues ]

[ chattering, laughing ]

[ chattering, laughing continue ]

♪ [ stops ]

Stay out till you learn to be a gentleman!

That goes for the rest of you too.

When you'’re in the presence of a lady, you act like gentlemen.

♪ [ resumes, upbeat ]

You said you'’d have Luke Short out of Dodge within a week.

Well, it'’s been a week, and he'’s still here.

What'’s more, during that week, he'’s managed to ruin my business.

He'’s just been lucky.Lucky!

It'’s that girl piano player that'’s attracting all our business.

Get yourself a piano player.

She'’ll bring the business back to the Alamo.

I don'’t want just any piano player.

I want that girl, Lady Lovett.

She'’s the one that'’s doing the business.

Offer her more money.I did.

She turned me down.

She has a silly sense of loyalty to that tinhorn gambler.

Well...

there'’s always another way to skin a cat, Mr. Mayor.

[ chuckling ]

[ door closes ]

"Ordinance number 83.

"No person is permitted to have a dance hall

"in Dodge City, or any other place,

"where lewd men and women congregate

for the purpose of dancing."

What'’s this got to do with it?

The next part has the meaning.

"No saloonkeeper is to keep, maintain,

"or allow in his, or her, place of business

"any violin, piano, or musical instrument,

"and must not permit them to be used

"to the annoyance or inconvenience of any person.

Fine: $10 to $100."

Mayor Webster again.

Trying his dirtiest to get me to break the law again.

What are you gonna do about it?

If it'’s a law, it's a law.

[ chattering ]

[ chattering stops ]

[ murmuring ]

Sorry, Miss Lovett. No music tonight.

No music? Have I done anything wrong?

No, no, of course not. It'’s not you.

The city council passed an ordinance

prohibiting any music in these places.

Just as I was starting to get my debts paid.

You don'’t have to worry about money, Miss Lovett.

I told you, Mr. Short. I can'’t accept charity.

I'’m sorry to see you leave.

Been good for the Long Branch having you here.

I understand.

If there'’s anything I can do for you, I...

You'’ve been very kind. Thank you.

[ chattering ]

[ chattering ]

♪ [ piano, distant ]

[ chattering continues ] ♪ [ continues ]

♪♪

♪ [ stops ]

I'’m sorry, Mr. Short, but Mayor Webster offered to rescind the ordinance,

but only if I worked for him.

I wouldn'’t have taken the job--I understand, Miss Lovett.

Well, it wouldn'’t make any difference if I didn'’t work here.

The ordinance is still in effect against the Long Branch.

Webster!

You'’d like to see me, Short?

It'’s not really a pleasure.

I'’ve heard of some raw deals in my time, Webster,

but this one'’s first prize.

Two sets of laws!

For two sets of people: the decent citizens and the jailbirds.

I think the law says, "Persons of ill repute."

And remember, you have a prison record.

That'’s all over and done with a long time ago.

Leaves a bad smell, though.

That all you had to tell me, Short?

Yeah. Yeah, that'’s all for now.

But you haven'’t heard the last of me...

or the Long Branch.

[ chattering ]

Yep, got himself a whole "orchestry." Oh, Luke ain'’t foolin'.

Should'’ve been here a couple hours ago, but the stage is late.

Is this Luke Short'’s place?

He'’s expecting you.

Sorry we'’re late, but the stage had trouble.

Did you check in at the hotel?

No, we came straight here.Fine. I'’ll get word to Luke.

Fine. We'’ll start tuning up.

♪ [ discordant notes ]

♪ [ upbeat tune ]

♪ [ continues ]

♪ [ stops ]All right, boys. Get packed.

Come on there, piano man. Get going.

All right, fiddle boy, go.

Get that thing outta here. Come on.

I'’m telling you for the third time, Short.

I can'’t let them prisoners out without bail.

I'’m telling you I wanna pay the bail.

I'’m just a turnkey.

I ain'’t got no authority to take it.

Well, where are the people with the authority?

Well, I guess they must be around someplace.

Reckon you'’ll just have to find '’em.

I wouldn'’t be surprised if you couldn'’t find any of them till morning.

What do you mean by that?

Well, just that they don'’t want you to find '’em.

You can let loose of me, Luke.

I ain'’t in on it.In on what?

Webster'’s gonna get you outta Dodge by hook or by crook.

'’Cause I'm competition.

He says you got a bad reputation from way back.

From way back, that'’s right. That'’s past history.

Gives him an excuse, anyhow,

to bring these ordinances against ya.

Now, you bail them music-makers outta jail,

and the sheriff'’ll clap 'em in again tomorrow.

Webster'’ll see to that.

No two-bit mayor or flunky sheriff

is gonna run me out of Dodge now or ever.

I wouldn'’t try any rough stuff, Luke. Not with your record.

Oh, I wouldn'’t try any rough stuff.

Not unless I have to.

[ door closes ]

Hey, Hartman.

Hartman!

[ men chattering ]

I guess y'’all heard the shooting. Now, if you wanna stay alive,

you better clear outta here.

I just shot Hartman. Nobody'’s gonna believe it was self-defense,

but I'’m staying here and protecting myself, and the Long Branch.

Now, you clear outta here, Hank.

[ gunshot ]

[ gunshot ]

[ men chattering ] [ gunfire ]

Luke!

Luke Short!

What do you want?

All this gunning stuff is foolish, Short.

A real mistake.

A lot of innocent people might get hurt.

Now, Hartman'’s all right.

He'’s willing to forget about the whole thing.

What about the shot he took at me?

He thought you were gunning for him, that'’s all.

Now, all we want from you is for you to put your guns down before real trouble starts.

The only thing you'’re guilty of is disturbing the peace.

But you pay your fine, and everything will be all right.

You have my word on that, Short.

All right, I'’m coming out!

You'’re being smart about this.

Now we'’ll go down to the courthouse, and you can pay your fine.

Oh, the, uh, shooting'’s over.

You won'’t be needing that.

What is this?

You'’re through, Short.

But I'’m gonna make you a proposition.

You know, we could throw you in jail and let you rot there.

But if you'’ll get out of Dodge City,

we'’ll forget all about the trouble you caused us.

What do you say?You can all go to the devil!

On second thought, you don'’t have a choice.

The eastbound stage leaves at noon.

See that he'’s on it, Hartman.

All right, boys. Let'’s get his things.

All right, Short, get aboard.

And remember, stay aboard.

If you ever come back to Dodge City again, you'’ll wind up on Boot Hill,

take my word for it.

I'’ll remember,

and I'’ll remember you,Hartman.

[ stagecoach driver shouting ]

Well, Luke, I'’ve listened to your story,

and I'’m inclined to agree that you haven'’t had an honest shake,

but I'’m powerless to do anything about it.

Mike Sutton, the county attorney, has told me, on many occasions,

never to interfere in Dodge City problems.

They like to take care of their own affairs.

Looks like they'’ve taken care of mine too.

Every nickel I have is in the Long Branch. I want it back.

What do you expect me to do about it?

You promised Dodge not to interfere.

Give me the same deal. I think I can reinstate myself.

Well, Dodge is in a muddle right now.

I'’d like to teach Mike Sutton a lesson,

but I don'’t want any mess.

Governor, I promise you, it'’ll all be nice and tidy.

All right, Luke. You have my word. I won'’t interfere.

Governor, from here on out, you have all my votes.

But remember, it'’s gotta be nice and tidy.

[ telegraph clacking ]

Send these out right away, please.

[ clacking ]

Whoa!

♪ [ piano ]

[ chattering ]

Luke Short'’s in town. He just got off the stage.

He wouldn'’t dare.Boyd. You sure it was Luke Short?

Yeah.He'’s had fair warning. I want him dead.

♪ [ loud, sustained note ]

If you'’re thinking of warning Mr. Short,

I'’m afraid we can't allow that, matey.

But you just can'’t shoot him down in cold blood.

I want you to get Short.

Let'’s see if you're worth what I'’ve been paying you.

All at once, or one at a time?

Pick your choice, but make it brief and tidy.

I believe you know my friends.

Bat Masterson.

SUTTON: Wyatt Earp.

Johnny Green.

Will Harris.

SUTTON: Dan Tipton.

WEBSTER: Charlie Bassett.

SUTTON: Johnny Millsap. Jack Vermillion.

I ain'’t seen so many marshals and fast guns in one place in all my life.

All right, boys, what'’ll it be? Shooting or talking?

You can'’t do this, Short.

You can'’t move in with your gunfighter friends and take over Dodge.

I'’ll wire the governor. He'’ll send troops.

We'’re not here to take over Dodge.

And the governor'’s not gonna interfere.

Your friend, Mike Sutton, saw to that.

"Dodge can manage its own affairs."

Well, that was before anything like this happened.

I'’m gonna clear out of here.

What is it you want?

Very simple. I want a fair deal.

I want as much right as any other saloon owner here in Dodge.

I'’ll call a council meeting.

Oh, that'’s nice of you.

Uh, these gentlemen here will represent my interests.

Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Short?

Yes. Yes, there is.

I want you to fire an employee.

Fire-- Who?

The piano player.

I have a contract!Pay her off.

You heard what he said.

You'’re fired.

Seems like you need a job again.

Well, you got one.

Because Luke Short believed the police would harass him

once his friends left Dodge,

a committee was formed to appoint new officers.

This is the famous photograph of what became known

as the Dodge City Peace Commission.

In the picture are Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp,

Charlie Bassett, Frank McLean, Neil Brown,

and all the rest of the men who came to Luke Short'’s rescue.

The most illustrious group of marshals, gamblers, and gunfighters

ever assembled for one portrait.