Original subtitles

Any higher, they'll take you home in a box.

♪ Guess he'd rather be in Colorado ♪♪

I got a rustler.

You're not gonna believe this, chief.

I'll believe it. Where are you?

I'm in jail.

And I'll have the rest of the gang before the week's out.

- Chief, it's me, Broadhurst. - Where is McCloud?

Broadhurst: According to the sheriff, he's a fugitive.

[engine revving]

Man on radio: Overseer to ground crew.

Overseer to ground crew.

Go ahead, overseer.

I picked up about 25 head

ten miles north of Fairchild Road.

Any wire?

Man on radio: Far as the eye can see.

We're on our way.

25 head. Ten miles north of Fairchild Road.

[engine revving]

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

[engine revving]

[door closes]

[music continues]

[engine revving]

You got 30 minutes to slaughter and dress the beef.

You got 30 minutes. Don't waste it.

[music continues]

[cows mooing]

Come on. Get a move on, get up there.

Go on. Go on.

Get up there. Hah.

[whistling]

See you back in Jefferson.

[instrumental music]

All yours.

- Hey, where they from? - Lazy Q.

Ooh, that's prime stuff.

Do you think I'd steal anything less?

[laughing]

Oh, how many?

Twenty-five head.

That's fifty sides.

Hundred dollars a side, comes to, uh...

Five thousand dollars.

It'd take a quarter horse to get the jump on you, Clay.

Well, that's how I stay in business.

Mm-hm.

Okay, Lester, soon as they load up, you better take off.

See you in a week or so.

Where they headed?

New York.

[instrumental music]

You sent for me, chief?

I think we've finally found a use for you

here in the concrete canyons of Manhattan.

- What's that? - Cattle rustling.

[chuckles] In New York?

[laughing] Well, the results of it anyway.

Mr. Pearson's with the Department of Agriculture.

Situation has them very concerned.

Ever since the recent beef shortage

and the high prices that went with it

cattle rustling's been on the increase.

Well, my daddy used to say

it was the second oldest profession in the world.

[coughing]

Pearson: It's become a multi-million

dollar business, marshal.

Last year alone, Texas lost over

two million dollars to rustlers.

Florida, nearly three million.

Well, that's a lot of hamburger.

Black market beef is not inspected

by the Department of Agriculture.

You know, that funny little blue seal

you find on the meat that says USDA.

So the buyers and sometimes the sellers

they have no way of knowing if the meat's contaminated.

A shipment of contaminated beef reached New York

and the results so far are five people dead

including one little girl.

Eleven more are in the hospital.

You have a line on who did it?

Pearson: We've traced it to a meat wholesaler

on the West Side.

Now we've gotta find out where they got it.

That's why I sent for you, McCloud.

Most of my men wouldn't know a side of beef

from a side of fries.

You go with Mr. Pearson and give him any help you can.

Here's a warrant to search the premises.

And if Mr. Pearson feels there's cause for an arrest

you'll make it.

- Yes, sir. - Shall we?

Yup.

Clifford: McCloud.

That little girl's funeral is in three days.

I want the people responsible for her death before then.

[instrumental music]

[door closes]

Are you Carlo Banducci?

Yeah?

Gene Pearson, Department of Agriculture.

Sam McCloud, New York Police.

[laughing]

Just when you think you've seen about everything.

Did you sell some meat to Manny's Steak House?

Yeah, that's my business. I sell meat.

We'd like to know where you purchased it.

- Why? - That was contaminated.

Hey, I sell nothing but the best beef.

I've got a reputation to maintain, you know.

Do you have a bill of sale, Mr. Banducci?

And an inspection certificate?

Hey, look, I can't leave the dock right now.

If you want it, I'll bring it to you tomorrow.

Mr. Banducci, if you cannot produce

an inspection certificate I'm afraid,

we'll have to place you under arrest.

What are you doin'? You accusing me of something?

I'm an honest businessman.

There's some more that good beef you been sellin'?

Why don't we have a look, huh?.

Alright.

Hey, you can't just go poking around here

without a search warrant.

There you go.

Do you have papers on this shipment?

- What is this? - Police.

You mind giving him an answer?

Well, sure I got papers.

May we see them?

Uh, no inspection certificate.

- What's that mean? - It means you're under arrest.

- Should I put up my hands? - That won't be necessary.

I don't mind.

[gunshot]

[intense music]

[grunting]

[siren wailing]

He wasn't a cop. He wasn't even wearin' a gun.

Well, there was no way you could know

that driver had a gun rigged.

Well, I should've known something, he gave in too easy.

We put out an APB.

The airports and bus terminals are all covered.

What about our friend Banducci?

He swears he doesn't know the guy's name

or anything about him.

But the truck's carrying Colorado plates.

We better alert the Colorado police.

- He might head back there. - I want him.

So do I.

But if he gets out of the state,

I'm afraid it's somebody else's responsibility.

[instrumental music]

♪ Guess he'd rather be in Colorado ♪

♪ I guess he'd rather work

♪ Out where the only thing you earn ♪

♪ Is what you spend

♪ In the end up in his office

♪ In the end quite a cough

♪ Is all he has to show

♪ He lives in New York City ♪

[siren wailing]

[indistinct chatter on radio]

Traveling a little fast there, mister.

[chuckles] These rented jobs.

The speedometer must be busted.

[indistinct chatter on radio]

I'll take it easy from here on in.

Can I see your driver's license, please?

[indistinct chatter on radio]

Where you goin', Mr. Neal?

Denver.

And where you been?

Chicago.

Then how come your plates say New York?

I meant I left Chicago this morning.

You mind steppin' out of the car?

What for?

Out.

You always write your speeding tickets with that thing?

I believe New York wants you, Mr. Neal.

- For murder. - There must be some mistake.

We won't know that till we get to the sheriff's office.

- Okay. - Hold it.

Any higher, they'll take you home in a box.

Butt out, Dewey. This is my arrest.

I'm just tryin' to help. Turn around.

Face the car.

Okay, now raise your hands. Higher.

Dewey, that ain't proper procedure.

Just keep goin'.

[gunshot]

Now how'd you know he was outfitted like that?

Pays to read the wanted bulletins all the way through.

Far out.

That's him.

That's the fella that killed Pearson.

The name is Lester Neal.

- Where'd they find him? - Somewhere out in Colorado.

Uh, it's called, uh, Twin Forks.

- Chief, I would like to-- - I know, McCloud.

You want to bring him back.

That's the least that I can do.

Alright. You've got the job.

Thank you, appreciate it.

I'll be ready in half an hour. Twenty minutes.

McCloud.

I know how important this is to you,

so you'll be happy to hear that I'm not going to give you

my usual lecture on your responsibility

toward this department.

Appreciate it.

I'm not going to point out

that you'll be going to Two Spoons--

Twin Forks.

As the representative of the thirty thousand men

on this force.

I appreciate it, chief.

I'm not going to say that what you do

will reflect on those men.

That their reputations will be in your hands.

I appreciate your candor, chief.

I am not going to warn you,

that if anything goes wrong,

that if any of the usual havoc

that seems to dog your footsteps--

Chief, I understand exactly what you saying,

I'm gonna be on my best behavior.

McCloud.

Here's your fugitive warrant and the plane tickets.

I've already wired the local sheriff,

he knows you're coming.

You, uh, shouldn't have any trouble.

Don't have to worry about a thing, chief.

Colorado's practically in my backyard.

Those are my kinda people.

Bevins: I'll shoot him on sight!

Why didn't you talk to me before you contacted New York?

Well, there was an APB out on him.

You read too much, Dewey.

Why don't you just play checkers like the rest of the deputies?

Bevins, we wanna talk to you.

Now we got hit again.

In broad daylight.

They got 30 head of prime stock.

Make out a report.

I'm getting writer's cramp from filling out reports.

Now what I wanna know is

when are you gonna put a stop to these cow thieves?

When I get as many men and have

as much equipment as they got.

Don't you ever run out of excuses?

Now, now that's a fact.

They got helicopters, trail bikes, walkie-talkies,

that's why they can hit you anyplace they want to

anytime they want to.

I got three men, two cars

and we cover three hundred and fifteen thousand acres.

Well, not for long, Bevins.

It's gonna take a miracle just to keep you in office

long enough to be voted out.

Is that why you're running against me, Ben Willis?

You figure it's a sure thing?

I'm doing it in self-defense.

You're sheriff for another two years

we're gonna be out of business.

I'd like to see him on the other side of this badge.

Five minutes after they pin it on him

he'll be cryin' for help.

Couldn't do any worse than you've done.

They've been at it for six months.

Even my ten year old kid

could've turned up a clue by now.

I got more than a clue. I got a rustler.

Locked up tighter than a tick.

And I'll have the rest of the gang before the week's out.

And that's a promise.

Alright.

You keep that promise, Floyd...

and you might keep your job.

But if you're just stallin' for time,

it's running out by the election.

It ain't every day that a very important law enforcement

official from New York comes all the way out to...

Ma'am.

Come all the way out here to, uh...

consult with a local sheriff.

[indistinct chatter]

- Sheriff Bevins? - Later, Son.

Just move right along.

You can pick your luggage up in the back.

Who's he lookin' for?

Important visitor.

- Who is it? - Police official.

You're kiddin'?

One of the top men in the country.

Huh.

- Where's he from? - New York.

New York.

Personal friend of the Commissioner.

[chuckles]

You wouldn't happen to know what his name is, would ya?

Uh, McCloud. Sam McCloud.

[chuckles] Well, you know, this is uh,

a little bit embarrassing but that's me.

- You? - In the flesh.

- Far out. - There you go.

- Hey, sheriff? Bevins: What?

- I found him. - Who?

Uh, fella you been waitin' for.

Sam McCloud.

This is the big New York City policeman

you dragged us down here to see?

He looks more like your cousin, Floyd.

Give me a smile, sheriff.

[camera shutter clicks]

And I really needed you.

He always that cheerful?

Well, election's a serious thing.

Especially when you're gonna lose it.

Ah.

Well, the plane leaves at 4:30

that just gives me enough time to get a bite to eat

and freshen up before I'd be at the airport.

Thanks for your help.

Bevins: I would suggest you take a real long bath

and have a big meal.

'Cause that's all you're takin' with you.

I'm not surrenderin' my prisoner.

Why not?

Because he's the only real solid lead I got to the rustlers.

And I need a little time to squeeze

some information out of him.

How much time?

Hm, whatever it takes,

but I ain't about to turn him loose.

[scoffs]

You seem to think I'm gonna set him free.

I'm taking him back to New York to stand trial for murder.

Well, New York's got a lot of murderers.

They won't miss one more.

Well, I don't mean to get hard-nosed, but I don't think

my chief is gonna agree to that.

He's probably one of them damn civil servants

ain't nobody can vote him out of his job

just at the drop of a hat.

I promised the folks that I'd have those rustlers

arrested by the weekend.

And there ain't no smart New York cop's

gonna make a liar out of me.

I'm from New Mexico.

Bevins: The plane come in from New York

unless you come in on the tail of a mule

that's where you're from.

Neal could sit on his guff for three years

and I'll tell you what you wanna know.

I don't have time for that.

Then maybe you better get your guff on that 4:30 flight.

This may come as a shock to you, but I got a legal paper

here that says that that fella is mine.

Now you got confetti.

You can tear up all the warrants you want to

he still killed a man in New York City

and I'm gonna get him back there one way or another.

You try and I'll drop you where you stand.

Well, Cobb, you look like you got a brain rollin' around

in that head of yours someplace

why don't you talk some sense into him

before this thing gets out of hand?

I've tried.

You mean, you're just gonna go along with it?

He's my boss. He's also married to my sister.

Cobb family got stuck on both ends.

What's the county seat?

Uh, Mercer.

Why?

You gotta try and understand his problem.

No, somebody has gotta try and understand mine.

His name is Peter B. Clifford.

Hello, I would like the county courthouse at Mercer.

Sent me out here to pick up a prisoner

and I don't intend to disappoint him.

This territory makes its livin' off of cattle.

These rustlers are bleeding us dry.

There's even talk of forming a vigilante group

to patrol the range--

That's the problem...

Well, you know what that could mean?

It's a roadside justice

a long rope, a tall tree.

We'd be sent back a hundred years.

I'd like to speak to the judge, please.

Any judge, doesn't make any difference.

He's just tryin' to keep that from happening.

Well, he's doing the right thing

he's just going about it in the wrong way, that's all.

Uh, hello? Uh, who am I speaking with, please?

Judge Starrett?

Well, this is Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud.

Just a minute.

Excuse me.

Uh, judge, well, I would like to...

[indistinct chatter]

Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

I'm gonna see the judge in the morning.

He's gonna give me a writ,

two patrolman to serve it.

I'm sorry that things worked out this way, McCloud.

Hey, no, look, Cobb, it's not your fault.

Hey, I can understand the box that he's in.

Really.

That doesn't make the one that I'm in any less tight.

You know what I mean?

- Peace. - Yeah.

[instrumental music]

♪ Guess he'd rather be in Colorado ♪

♪ He'd rather spend his time out ♪

♪ Where the sky looks like a pearl ♪

♪ After a rain

♪ Once again I see him walking

♪ Once again I hear him talking ♪

♪ To the stars he makes

♪ And asking them for bus fare ♪

♪ I guess he'd rather be in Colorado ♪

♪ He'd rather play his banjo

♪ In the morning when the moon is scarcely gone ♪

♪ In the dawn subways coming ♪

♪ In the dawn I hear him humming ♪

♪ Some old song he wrote

♪ Of love in Boulder Canyon

♪ I guess he'd rather be in Colorado ♪

[instrumental music]

♪ I guess he'd rather be in Colorado ♪

♪ I guess he'd rather work

♪ Out where the only thing you earn ♪

♪ Is what you spend

♪ In the end up in his office

♪ In the end a quiet cough

♪ Is all he has to show

♪ He lives in New York City ♪

[clanking]

[dramatic music]

Jiminy Christmas, what's...

Cobb: Oh, quit, quit...

[grunting]

Neal!

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

- Are you alright, Cobb? - McCloud?

Just hang in there, I need your car keys.

Hold it...

right there.

[dramatic music]

[phone ringing]

Clifford. Woman 1: Peter B. Clifford?

Speaking.

Woman 1: I have a collect call for you

from Twin Forks, Colorado.

Will you accept the charges?

Yes.

Woman 1: Go ahead, please.

Hello, chief?

Why are you calling collect, McCloud?

Why are you calling at all?

Why aren't you on your way back here with the prisoner?

Well, which one of those questions you want me

to answer first?

All of 'em.

Well, let's see, I'm-- I'm callin' collect

because, uh, you can't make nothin'

but a local call for free.

Just where are you, McCloud?

Well, you're not gonna believe this, chief.

I'll believe it, where are you?

I'm in jail.

[chuckles] Oh, you mean you're, uh, conferring

with the local authorities , huh?

McCloud: Uh, no, not exactly.

You mean you're under arrest?

There you go.

What's the charge?

Well, let's see, uh...

I was aiding and abettin' a, a prisoner to escape,

uh, dischargin' a firearm within the city limits,

and I think the other was, uh,

assaulting a police officer.

This prisoner you aided and abetted

wasn't by any chance Lester Neal?

One and the same.

But it doesn't, you know, it's not as bad as it looks, chief...

[clattering]

Well, I guess...

Guess we got cut off.

- You wanna call again? - No, no, it' s alright.

It's, uh, it's a bad connection anyway..

Get nothin' but a lot of static.

Broadhurst, drop everything.

- McCloud? - How did you know?

That vein in your neck, it always starts throbbing

when it has something to do with McCloud.

Well, as usual with him, the message was a little garbled.

Near as I could make it out.

You know, that prisoner he was sent to bring back?

Well, he helped him escape instead.

Now, McCloud's in jail and the prisoner's on the loose.

I want you to catch the first available plane to Denver.

From there you catch the shuttle flight to Twisted knife--

Twin Forks.

I want you to find Lester Neal and bring him back here.

And get McCloud out of jail.

What you do on your own time is up to you.

Yes, sir.

Friendly word of advice, Broadhurst.

Think of this as a suicide mission.

If you have the choice between coming back empty handed

or going down in flames.

Take the flames.

Yes, sir.

I had a legal right to that prisoner.

Now why would I take the risk of bustin' him

out of here if I was gonna get him this morning anyway?

Well, maybe you got anxious.

Oh, come on, that doesn't make any sense.

I suppose not.

You know that I had nothin' to do with Neal's escape.

- Maybe. - The sheriff knows it, too.

Maybe.

The only reason that he locked me up

was so I wouldn't find Neal first

and take him back to New York.

Maybe.

Well, maybe you oughta do somethin' about it.

I am doin' something about it.

What?

I'm makin' sure that you don't escape.

He killed a man right in front of me, Cobb.

Now maybe if I'd been just a...

a little bit smarter, a little bit quicker,

maybe that man'd still be alive.

Well, I tell you that.

That goes down kinda hard.

Well, I appreciate your feelings, McCloud.

That meat that he brought into New York,

some of it was contaminated.

It's already killed five people, Cobb.

Five people.

One of 'em was a little girl.

She's gonna be buried tomorrow.

The sheriff's gone clear to the next county lookin' for him.

Well, he oughta be lookin' for him here.

Neal came back for a reason

only you picked him up before he had a chance

to get where he was goin'.

Well, maybe he's still tryin' to get there.

I don't even have a place to start.

Well look, we-- we know that Neal

was involved with the rustlers, right?

Yeah.

Well, doesn't it stand to reason

that if we find the rustlers we're going to find Neal?

McCloud, we've been tryin' to get a line on those rustlers

for six months now.

Well, you're not gonna get a line

on 'em sitting in here.

At least if-- if-- if you were out sniffin' around

well, you-- you might pick up a scent.

Oh, they won't hit today.

Floyd's got fifty men out beating the bushes for Neal.

[laughing] Oh, that's, that's really good.

You know, when that, when the hound is chasin' the rabbit

the fox has the run of the woods.

Well, I can't leave you unguarded.

Well, take me with you. You can guard me on the way.

Ah, Floyd'd skin me alive.

Floyd is in the next county,

that means that you are officially in charge.

Not for somethin' like that.

Cobb, the more we stand here

beating our gums and arguing about it,

the more chance Lester Neal has of slippin' through

our fingers for good.

Floyd left strict orders.

McCloud: Floyd is tryin' to get himself re-elected.

I'm tryin' to find a killer, before he kills somebody else.

Now you think about that.

You choose your side.

Cobb: Floyd hears about this, you're gonna have a cellmate.

McCloud: Well, least we're doin' something positive.

That's a pretty good idea you had, gettin' the horses, Dewey.

Cobb: Can't ford a stream or go up the hill in this thing.

No offense, Dewey, but, uh, you're about the most

unlikely lookin' deputy that I've ever seen.

Well, my sister's idea mainly.

One lawman in the family wasn't enough?

Well, it goes back a long way.

You see, my folks died when I was pretty young

and my sister raised me.

I've always had this natural affection for music...

and she kinda thought that was...

unmanly.

Anyway, the more I played,

the more she worried about my manhood.

Was kinda funny, I never worried about it.

Then this job opened up,

she talked Floyd into givin' it to me.

I guess she figured anyone who carried a gun

had to be a man.

Well, a lot of people make that mistake.

I'll tell you though, McCloud,

I think I could be a good deputy.

Well, I think you're a good one right now.

Look over there!

[helicopter blades whirring]

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

[indistinct shouting]

[dramatic music]

[cows mooing]

Hold it right there.

Looks like we struck paydirt.

Where you guys takin' these cattle?

Thank you.

What are you doin' with this, listenin' to the ball scores?

Where you takin' the cows?

Well, I'll tell you, fellas.

Might go a little easier on you if you'd cooperate.

Deputy Cobb here can put in a good word for you

but he needs a reason.

Now where you takin' the cows?

Get off of there. Get on the horse.

Mount up.

I'm just gonna lay you out right where you stand.

Get up there.

There's only one way to deal with cattle thieves.

That's to find a tall tree and a long rope.

I'm gonna make you famous.

They'll be talkin' about you for years to come.

You're gonna be the first man hung in this century

for stealin' cows.

I'm gonna give you one more chance

to save your partner's neck.

Where you takin' the cows?

I ain't gonna tell you nothin'.

You ain't really gonna do it.

[sniffles]

McCloud?

Ha!

Ha! Ha!

[intense music]

Alright, you're next. Get on the horse.

Jordan's! We-- we're takin' the cows to Jordan's

- Clay Jordan? - Yeah.

It won't do you any good though,

'cause they're all cut up by the time they arrive,

so there's, there's no way to prove they were stolen.

Who else is in on this?

Abel Hollister. He's in charge.

- Where can we find him? - The Corral.

That's over in Jefferson, it's a bar, it's in the next town.

- What about Lester Neal? - I ain't seen him.

Get the rope, Cobb.

Look, mister, I'm too scared to lie.

Now that makes sense.

Let's see how your buddy's doin'.

You didn't really hang him.

Well, hanging's against the law.

You oughta know that, son.

- Lock 'em up. - What charge?

Grand theft cattle.

Aren't you supposed to be locked up, too?

Well, I've been paroled in Deputy Cobb's custody.

Sheriff know about that?

I ain't had a chance to tell him.

Where is he?

Still out lookin' for that escaped prisoner.

No calls and no visitors

until I have a chance to talk to the sheriff.

Joe: McCloud! - Joe! What're you doin' here?

What're you doing out of jail?

You make it sound like it's some kind of a crime.

What are you doin' here?

Well, the chief sent me here to find Neal.

- Any sign of him? - Well, no, not exactly.

We do have a couple of pretty good trails though.

I'll handle it from here on in, McCloud.

What kind of trail?

Well, the best one, I guess,

is a fella by the name of Clay Jordan.

- Who? - Clay Jordan.

He owns the wholesale meat company.

He buys the stolen beef and then we figure he sells it

to fellas like Banducci.

Hmm. What else have you got?

Well, we know uh, the name of one of the rustlers.

Of course we can pick him up at any time.

He, he hangs out at... what is that place?

- The, uh... - The Corral.

Yeah. The Corral.

But the one to concentrate on, is Clay Jordan.

What does he have to do with finding Lester Neal?

Uh, right, right, here.

Here, Joe, just have a seat there for a minute.

Now just think this through.

Lester Neal makes a delivery in New York City.

That means that he must work for Clay Jordan.

Now if we can get somebody close to Clay Jordan's operation,

we're gonna get a line on Neal.

Watch it when he starts saying we.

Yeah, I've noticed that.

If somebody sold me some contaminated meat,

I'd be a little bit annoyed. You know that?

- Banducci? - Yeah. Right.

I might even be annoyed enough to-- to send somebody out here

like yourself maybe, Joe, to get my money back

or at least get a fresh supply of beef.

Uh, give me the, uh, the Jordan Wholesale Meat Company, please.

Oh, no, McCloud.

My job's hanging by a thread now.

Uh-- uh, Mr. Jordan, please.

Uh, uh, Joe. Now be firm.

And remember that your boss is out a lot of money.

- McCloud-- - Be firm!

Jordan: Hello?

Hello?

- Mr. Jordan? Jordan: Yes.

This is Joe Schultz.

I'm calling for Carlo Banducci.

Uh...

- How is Carlo? - Disappointed.

In the merchandise you sold him.

It's caused him a lot of trouble.

Oh, well, I'm sure that I can make that up to him.

That's why I'm here.

Uh...

do you know how to get out to my place from where you are?

I'll find it just like I found you.

Hey, you know something?

The chief is gonna be real proud of you, Joe.

I haven't even checked with the sheriff yet.

Hey, Joe, what-- what're you nervous about?

I'm gonna be close by.

Well, why do you think I'm nervous?

[chuckles]

[instrumental music]

Ah, Mr. Schultz? My name is Clay Jordan.

Please, have a seat.

Uh, can I fix you a drink?

Alright, now, so there's no misunderstanding

y-- you are representing

the Banducci Meat Company in New York?

That's right.

And you're here to register,

uh, a complaint against a shipment of beef?

Right again.

Well, now, what was wrong with it?

It was contaminated.

Well, uh, e-- every side of beef has gotta be

inspected by the Department of Agriculture.

- Not this kind. - Oh? Why?

Because it was stolen.

And Mr. Banducci wants his money back...

or a fresh shipment.

I see.

Now you want me to, uh...

sell Carlo Banducci's stolen beef through you.

- Is that correct? - I want what's coming to us.

And that's exactly what you're gonna get.

Hey, what is this?

This is a cheap shakedown, my friend.

Now, I've never sold anybody stolen beef.

And Carlo Banducci has never heard of you, Mr. Schultz.

[instrumental music]

[telephone ringing]

Clifford. Hello.

Woman 2: Peter B. Clifford? - Speaking.

I have a collect call for you from Twin Forks, Colorado.

- Will you accept the charges? - No, McCloud.

- I will not accept the charges. - Chief! It's me.

Broadhurst.

- Why are you calling collect? - Well...

They only let you make a local call for free.

- You've been arrested. - Yes, sir.

May I ask why?

For attempting to buy stolen beef.

Where's McCloud?

According to the sheriff, he's a fugitive.

I hope he gave orders to shoot to kill.

Alright. What about the prisoner?

Disappeared.

But, chief, it's not as bad as it...

Maybe it is as bad as it sounds.

- Hey, what about our calls? - Yeah.

- Don't we have any rights? - Shut up.

Before I turn the hose on ya.

Who are those two guys?

Dewey brung 'em in told me to keep 'em on ice

till he spoke to you.

Maybe we oughta let them make their call.

No, Dewey must've had a reason

for wantin' them in the deep freeze.

We'll just have to wait till he explains it.

Cobb: McCloud, you're worse than Phase Four.

I just can't figure out what happened.

Do you have the same kinda success in New York?

Well, there's only one thing left to do.

Yeah. I just hope Floyd gives us a chance to explain.

Oh, no, we-- we've gotta come at 'em from the other end.

Through this Hollister fella.

You know, I'm gonna do exactly what I should've done

the moment I met you, McCloud.

- What's that? - Ignore you.

Now, Dewey, listen, that's, that's not the--

No, I'm gonna tell Floyd

all about Hollister and let him handle it.

Well, you do that and you're gonna spoil everything.

They'll arrest Hollister and that'll drive

the whole bunch underground, we won't be able to,

to pin anything on Jordan or find Neal, nothin'.

Be like goin' after a shark and comin' back with a guppy.

You're beginning to make sense, McCloud.

- Right. - That worries me.

I wanna tell you something, when this is over

the sheriff's gonna be mighty proud.

Oh, that's what you told Broadhurst,

just before he was arrested.

McCloud: You know where we could pick up a semi?

Cobb: McCloud!

[helicopter whirring]

[instrumental music]

Man on radio: Overseer to ground crew. Overseer to ground crew.

I sure hope one of us knows what you're doin'.

Man on radio: Overseer to ground crew. Overseer to ground crew.

Hey, they're playin' our song, Dewey.

Man on radio: Go ahead, overseer.

Man on radio: I picked up about 20 head, 15 miles north,

off Dearborn Road.

Man on radio: We're on our way. - So are we.

[engine revving]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[cows mooing]

- Alright. Herd 'em in. Go on. - You're not with our outfit.

Uh, we're new in these parts.

You're givin' us a mighty neighborly welcome.

Let's go.

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

[music continues]

[truck hissing]

Where are they?

Somebody stole 'em.

I sure hope Floyd doesn't miss his truck.

I sure hope he doesn't notice

all those extra cattle on his spread.

[instrumental music]

Beer.

Same.

Thank you.

- Keep the change. - Thank you.

You know, that's practically my whole life savings there

that you're throwin' around like newspaper.

How's anybody gonna know I got it

if I keep it tucked away in my pocket?

Besides, you're gonna get it all back.

- Hi, there. - Hey there, young lady.

How would you like to go for a little ride?

[instrumental music]

[laughing]

[whistles]

[laughing]

[whistles]

Hey, Dewey.

why don't you get yourself one of these and join the party.

[whistles]

You always this shy, cowboy?

Only when I'm packin' a full load.

Oh, easy, cowboy, you're gonna lose that

before I get my share.

Yeah, that's what I like, is an honest woman.

- Drinks for everybody! - Just at this table!

I'm Luann and that's Gloria Jean.

I'm Sam and the fella there with the greenish tint is Dewey.

Now that we've got ourselves properly introduced

why don't we get a little better acquainted.

What stroke of good fortune brings you to Jefferson?

- Oh, I'm celebratin'. - Oh, we just love to celebrate.

You might say that's our life.

[laughing] I know what you mean.

- Ten-fifty. - Ten-fifty. You bet you.

Out of twenty. And keep the change, partner.

- Thank you. Luann: Hmm.

That just hit the spot.

- What is that? - Champagne cocktail.

- How about another? - Take it easy.

Just for my sake.

There's plenty more where that came from, Dewey.

No there's not.

Dewey's the worrier in the group, if you know what I mean.

Oh, doesn't seem like you boys have anything to worry about.

- Not after tonight, we don't. - Oh, what happened tonight?

- We made ourselves a big sale. - Of what?

- Cattle. - Oh.

Do you have a ranch around here?

Well, not exactly, uh...

Then you just drove 'em up here to sell.

- Try again. - Oh, I give up.

So did they.

[laughing]

- Bottoms up. - Oh, promises, promises.

Why don't we slip over to a hotel? It's so public here.

[whistles]

[laughing]

I think maybe we've done about as much damage

as we can here for one night. You don't wanna overdo it.

Why don't you get us some champagne, Gloria Jean.

- We'll meet you over there. - Okay.

Good idea. Come on, Dewey. Get a smile on, boy.

[grunting]

Thanks for the drinks.

Come back and see us again.

This is my territory. Now stay out of it.

[instrumental music]

Ever since Neal come back, things have been falling apart.

Oh, I wouldn't worry about Lester.

I mean, I'm gonna keep him on ice till this thing settles down

and then I'm gonna ship him out of the state.

That's not gonna solve it.

First that cop tries to set you up.

Now I've got a couple clowns stealin' cows

right from under my nose, and for all I know

they might be cops, too.

Alright. Alright. You got problems.

- Now have you got solutions? - Yeah. Yeah, a very simple one.

Shut down.

[chuckling]

- That's impossible. - Now you listen to me.

They know what we're doin', we keep goin',

they're gonna find some way to prove it.

Do you wanna call our customers in the east

and tell them that their orders won't be delivered?

Now they've given me advances against delivery, Abel.

I don't have the money to pay them back.

Now maybe you'd like to help out.

You could start by selling that new house

that you just bought,

maybe take your kids out of that private school.

I mean, after all, it was their money

that got you all those things in the first place.

I earned them things. I'm gonna hold on to 'em.

Then stop talking about shutting down.

Now, I've dealt with those people for a long time.

Now, I'm already shaky over that contaminated shipment

and then Neal killing that Agriculture Inspector.

I can't turn around to them and say, "I'm sorry, gentlemen,

but I'm closing down because I'm afraid of getting caught."

Abel, they send people out here with guns...

and the only way that you know they've been here

is after you're dead.

Well, what about these two?

What if they turn out to be cops?

Then you handle them and you do it quietly.

But we've got to keep shipping.

You know, McCloud, the next time I listen to you

you have my full permission to shoot me.

Oh, look on the bright side, Dewey.

Least we found Hollister.

Yeah, well if that's the bright side,

I'd hate to be around you when a storm hits.

[knocking on door]

- Oh-oh! - Surprise!

[sighs] I'm sorry, ladies, but we had all the surprises

our bodies could stand last night.

- That's why we're here. - To apologize.

And bring a message from Mister Hollister.

The gentleman you met in the alley.

Oh, yeah. Well, come on, Dewey.

Get out of the ladies' way, you're blockin' the door.

He's sorry he was so rough, but he has to be careful

in his line of endeavor.

- That the message? - He'd like to see you later.

- Why? - He didn't confide in us.

He just sent us as a peace offering.

Will you pop my cork?

I'll pop it after I see Hollister.

Uh, well, he's not available right now.

He'll see you later.

He told us to occupy you as best we could.

Come on, Dewey. Not now. We got business in Twin Forks.

How can I convince you to stay?

[instrumental music]

You're makin' progress.

Hello, chief.

You know, Broadhurst, I never realized it before

but there's an awful lot of McCloud in you.

Not you two.

You can only hold us so long before you have to book us.

Yeah, well, y-- your time ain't up yet.

How can I book 'em when I don't even have the arrestin' officer?

I haven't heard from Dewey since he turned McCloud loose

on an unsuspectin' world.

According to the sheriff, you were the last one to see him.

Now did he say anything that might give us a clue

as to where he is or what he's up to?

- Well, let's see. - Think back, Joe.

Back to the time before you met McCloud.

You remember what it was like to be a good policeman.

To observe and retain

to turn a word or a phrase into a solid lead.

Well...

he did say he knew the name of, uh, one of the rustlers.

Well, he didn't happen to tell you his name?

Least that's consistent.

But he said the guy hung out in a place called The Pen.

- Uh, no, that's not it. - Come on, Joe.

You haven't worked that long with McCloud.

The Stable. No, that's not it.

- The Corral? - That's it.

You mean he hangs out with a bunch of horses?

No, this particular corral is a bar over on Jefferson.

Well, it's a beginning.

[instrumental music]

I don't like people standin' outside my door with shotguns.

I just thought it'd give you a chance

to think over what I said.

We're stayin'.

Now, why would you wanna bring all that grief

down on your heads?

Oh, people are friendly, the picking's are easy

and if you're the best competition we got,

we're knee-deep in steaks.

You know, I haven't decided about you yet.

Whether you're honest cow thieves or cops.

Then you'd best give us a wide berth.

What I'd like to do is kill ya.

That'd solve the question once and for all, wouldn't it, hm?

Only I can't afford the noise right now.

So, if you stay you stay right here with me

where I can keep an eye on you.

You mean you want us to work with you?

For me.

Well, my partner and me, we're kind of independent.

You meet a better class of people that way.

Well now, Sam, maybe we oughta hear him out?

Well, you can stay if you want to, Dewey.

He hasn't said anything to interest me.

You take step out that door,

you better keep goin' till you hit Mexico.

Look, Sam. It doesn't cost us anything to listen.

So what's in it for us?

Twenty-five dollars a head.

[chuckles] We're gettin' 50 now.

Yeah. But I take care of all the expenses.

Well, give us 50 and we'll split the expenses.

Thirty-five a head and that's all I'm offerin'.

Well, we're gonna have to talk it over. Come on, Dewey.

What're you doin', McCloud? He wants us to join him.

Well, the harder the chase the sweeter the catch.

Hey, that's my truck!

- I'll check the hotel. - We'll check the bar.

Alright, whoever sees 'em first,

I'll give 'em the right to open fire.

[indistinct chatter]

Surrounded by McClouds.

Chief.

You got yourself a deal.

[instrumental music]

McCloud!

[crashing]

Who says I'm too loud?

[clamoring]

Chief!

One thing I can't stand is a punk who can't hold his liquor.

We'd better leave before the police come.

Just as it was getting interesting.

- Who is that? - My chief.

Kinda hate to leave him like this.

Alright! Hold it!

Alright!

- Who started this? - Him.

[instrumental music]

[cow mooing]

[indistinct shouting]

This truck is worth a signed confession.

Oh, yeah? Let's see if we can't get another signature or two.

That's good work.

Well, I figure about $700 worth.

Uh-huh. You'll get that tomorrow.

[chuckles]

That's not a very healthy way

to start a long standin' relationship.

Yeah, well, uh, I get paid, then you get paid.

And that's the way it works.

Well, I'd hate to see anything happen

between your pocket and mine.

So unless you got $700

tucked away in your socks somewheres,

yeah, we'll just go along with you.

[dramatic music]

You see, we don't mind if you keep an eye on us, Hollister,

just as long as you give us the same privilege.

[dramatic music]

Come on, Charlie, give 'em a hand.

- Who're they? - New men.

They don't trust me. Wanna make sure they get their money.

Alright. After the merchandise is unloaded.

Soon as he gives Hollister the money, we grab 'em.

It's no wonder I don't have the time to catch rustlers.

I'm too busy arrestin' smart-alecky New Yorkers.

How's your eye, chief?

Am I glad you're here, sheriff, them two prisoners have been

yellin' their heads off. Say they're gonna sue us.

- For what? - False arrest.

Denial of due process, extreme mental cruelty.

And all because we ain't let 'em make their phone call.

Let 'em make their phone call.

I'm not sure Dewey's manhood is worth all this.

Let's see, uh, 40 sides comes to, uh...

$4000.

Minus 700 bucks.

[telephone ringing]

Hello? Yes.

- Well, where have you been? - Tryin' to get to a phone.

They wouldn't let us make no calls.

Here.

Yeah.

Just sit tight, now, there'll be somebody along.

I've got a few matters to clear up here first.

Come on, Jordan. Let's get with it. It's been a long day.

Well, you wanna hear something funny?

Uh, there were a couple of guys...

a tall guy with a mustache

and a shorter guy with little round glasses

arrested Chet and Willie the other day, how about that?

Now all of a sudden you two show up.

Now, isn't that a coincidence?

You are cops!

Listen, why don't you take 'em on a tour of the plant, Abel.

And start with the refrigerator unit.

[instrumental music]

Alright. Hold it right there.

This, gentlemen, is the refrigeration unit.

We maintain a temperature of 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

[chuckles] So the meat don't spoil.

Alright. Go on.

[instrumental music]

Hey, McCloud.

We don't have to look for Lester Neal anymore.

Do you have any idea where they take the beef?

Not a one.

- McCloud thought he knew. - Yeah, but he didn't.

That's how come you wound up in jail.

Well, if Jordan was involved in the rustling

and he suspected a setup,

he did exactly the right thing by turning me in.

He came off an honest citizen cooperating with the law.

Well, I ain't about to bust down Clay Jordan's door.

Do you have any other doors to bust down, sheriff?

[exhales sharply]

Man, what a place to expire.

Well, there's a way out of here.

Dewey, we just gotta find it, that's all.

McCloud, we came in the only way out.

You got no faith, Dewey.

[breathing heavily]

Huh! He was wrong about the temperature.

He said it was 23 degrees, it's only 22.

Oh!

Well, that's not gonna make it any warmer.

There's gotta be some kind of a, a warning system

hooked up to this thermometer.

So that they know if the unit's working or not.

Yeah, but the only one's that are gonna hear it

is the fellows that put us in here.

Well, if they...

if they think it isn't freezing in here, they're gonna...

they're gonna come in to find out why.

When they open the door...

that's when we make our move.

And these two, uh, fellas from New York

thought that maybe you might have seen 'em.

No, I'm sorry, sheriff, the only man that I've seen

is this Mr. Schultz here.

[machines whirring]

You know, there's a good part to this plan and a bad part.

The warmer it gets in here, the harder that unit works.

We're gonna freeze to death in record time.

There's drawback to everything, Dewey.

Uh, look, gentlemen, we're awfully busy here, I-- I...

Well, we're, uh, we're awful sorry

to have disturbed you, Mr. Jordan.

Come on. Let's go.

It's the last match.

Come on.

[alarm ringing]

- Far out. - There ya go.

[instrumental music]

Come on, McCloud!

[tires screeching]

I love you like a son, but if you don't catch 'em,

don't come back!

[intense music]

[siren wailing]

Twin Forks Sheriff to all highway patrol units,

request assistance.

brown pickup headed north on highway 18.

Approach with caution. Suspects are armed and dangerous.

[tires screeching]

They'll have this road blocked before we can hit open country.

Jordan: The chopper, we can reach it

through Wilson's canyon.

[music continues]

We're gonna lose 'em.

What we need is somethin' that uses all four wheels.

Yeah. Or all four legs.

[dramatic music]

- Got half a dozen. - Half a dozen what?

Saddle 'em up.

- This truck will never make it. - Then we'll use the bikes.

- You better wait here, chief. - Oh, no.

I didn't go through all this

just to watch you ride off into some sunset.

Well, suit yourself. But this ain't 42nd Street.

I can handle it.

Uh, you mount from the left side.

Always mount from the left side.

I'll read the instruction manual later.

Let me get on this thing.

[instrumental music]

Hey, how do you make it go straight?

You pull the left rein to go left

and the right rein to go right.

[grunting]

Come on, you... Oh!

[instrumental music]

[horse neighing]

Slow down!

[instrumental music]

[engine revving]

Come on! Forward!

[grunting]

[indistinct shouting]

Ho!

Well, McCloud...

I'm finally beginning to understand

why you're the way you are.

Enough of this would make anyone...funny.

[applauding]

[cheering]

Hope they have standing room on that plane.

I hope you will all pardon me if, uh, I don't stand up.

[laughing]

When I pursued them cow thievin' killers

into them rugged mountains,

I knew they was armed and dangerous.

But as your sheriff of Twin Forks,

I also knew it was, it was my duty to... to apprehend them.

Looks like Floyd's good for another two years.

Yeah.

And with...

with some small assistance from my good friends from New York,

uh, Chief of Detectives, uh...

uh, Peter B, Clifford, and, uh, Sergeant, uh...

uh, Joe Schultz. That's exactly what I did.

Without thought of harm to life or limb.

As, uh, as you can plainly see.

[applauding]

He sure has a way with words, doesn't he?

There you go.

Far out.

[laughing]

[instrumental music]

[theme music]