Original subtitles

[ cows mooing ]

Hello.

[ indistinct chatter ]

[ gun cocking ]

Billy, move away from Sherman, unless you want to die with him.

I said move!

All right, Mr. Patton,

it's only the two of us now.

What's this all about?

I trusted you, Sherman.

Took your word.

You sold me out.

I don't know where you picked up that idea.

We've got every head of your cattle into Riverton.

Got top prices for them, too.

Where is my money?

Marty's got it.

I asked Sherman!

Your boy's got it.

And where might he be?

Or don't you know, Mr. Boss Trail Herder?

You promised to look out for him.

You gave me your word.

And I did my best to keep it,

but when Marty wanted to stay in Riverton a few days,

well, I couldn't think of any way to talk him out of it.

Well, you should have... 'cause he's dead.

This telegram just came from Riverton

a few hours ago.

I don't know what to say.

You don't have to say anything.

Just walk out on that street.

I'll settle it with you out there.

You can't blame Slim for what happened to Marty.

None of us could get him out of there.

He was chasing after some saloon--

You shut up!

[ groans ]

I'm sorry, Mr. Patton,

but you didn't leave me much choice.

I'm all right.

You might not believe this,

but I did do my best to get your son

to leave Riverton when we did.

But he just plain wouldn't listen.

I-- Well, I didn't figure he'd get himself killed.

Maybe you thought you did your best.

But with my son dead,

it's just hard to believe

you couldn't have done something.

Slim, wouldn't you feel better if you talked it out?

The only thing that would make me feel better, Daisy,

is if it hadn't happened at all.

But blaming yourself for Marty Patton's death,

that's wrong.

You did your best to stop him.

That's just it, I didn't.

There must've been something I could have done.

Like what?

Turn him over your knee?

Marty Patton was over 21.

That's old enough for anybody to take care of them self.

The thing I can't figure out is why his old man trusted him

on a cattle drive in the first place.

Because Clara Patton is seriously ill,

and Mr. Patton couldn't leave her alone.

Now please, don't mention that to anyone,

- Clara wants it kept quiet. - Patton pride, huh?

Oh, they've had their share of troubles like the rest of us,

maybe more.

The Pattons will probably lose the ranch

now that the cattle money is gone.

It was their ranch.

I thought old man Patton owned half the land in this territory.

Well, I suppose almost everyone thought so,

but Clara Patton told me, while you were away,

it's been one thing after another.

Mr. Patton lost everything

except the ranch over a year ago.

But his pride wouldn't let him admit it even to his own son.

That's why he couldn't wait for the fall drive.

He was strapped for cash.

Slim, was there anything in that telegram

about who killed Marty Patton?

No, there wasn't, Jess.

Nothing about the $3,000 either.

I wonder why the marshal didn't mention it.

I'm wondering about that myself.

Welcome, friend.

Room and board, dollar a day.

No credit, no late meals.

Jenks is my name. Rutherford Jenks.

Oh, Mr. Sherman.

Howdy, Mr. Jenks.

I expected someone from your outfit to be along.

Well, I'm afraid you had a long trip for nothing.

Lee Christy killed that young Patton in a fair fight.

Lee Christy?

Can you imagine those two rich young hellions

squaring off over a baggage like Nora Kelsey?

Of course, she was just another saloon girl for Lee,

but he never could tolerate anybody stealing his thunder.

Big spender, I mean.

Your boy spent it, he really spent it, Mr. Sherman.

Would you say a fair fight?

Well, if you discount the fact that your boy

never got his gun unholstered.

Oh, Lee's fast.

I've never seen anybody faster or prouder of it.

Then you saw it?

Oh, no, no, I did not.

Two miners seen it, they'll swear to what happened.

They better since they both work for Christy's brother.

Come here.

Mathew Christy Mining Enterprises.

That spells influence in this here town.

Could get a man a funeral,

if he ain't careful who he runs up against.

Are you saying that Mathew Christy

has the marshal in his pocket?

Oh, no, not me.

I've got troubles enough of my own.

Where do I find Lee Christy?

Oh, I thought I told you.

Down the street, two doors, at the saloon.

See that my horse is stabled.

Sure.

Lee Christy?

My name is Sherman.

I want to talk to you about Marty Patton.

Who?

I understand you killed him.

It was a fair fight.

Like the lady said.

He was carrying $3,000 on him.

Have any idea what happened to it?

What if I told you I took it for the lady?

Lee...

Well, Nora, don't deny it.

What would you do?

Have me arrested?

Or maybe you'd like to call me out?

Mister, he-- he doesn't mean what he's saying.

Saloon talk is cheap.

NORA: Stop it. You better get out of here, mister!

Right now!

We were only getting acquainted, marshal.

I know what you're hoping for,

and I know what you're doing here.

But I'm warning both of you.

If there's any gun play, so help me,

I'll run down the survivor and see to it

that he gets hung for murder.

You understand that, Christy?

I'll give you all the details you want to know in my office.

I couldn't let you get killed your first day in town.

Nora, I want to talk to you.

All right.

You said you wanted to talk to me,

well, make it quick.

No, it's gonna be slow and you're gonna listen.

Why don't you smarten up and stay away

from that gun-crazy kid?

Matt Christy knows what you're up to

and he doesn't like it.

Well, then why doesn't he tell me himself?

Because he knows I'm looking out for you like always.

Only don't push your luck.

My luck? Oh, that's funny.

I haven't had any luck since you've pulled me in

out of the rain two years ago.

And you still think you can trade in on it?

I'm telling you, Nora--

Well, you stop telling me!

What was between us is over and it's done with.

And besides, Matt doesn't care what his little brother does

as long as he's amused.

And I've been keeping him amused.

You don't have to tell me, I've seen it.

Throwing yourself at him like a cheap--

Don't you call me names!

You get out.

Get out!

Now you're either plain stupid or tired of living.

You want to find about Patton, you come to me, you understand?

If you're not satisfied with my answers,

you go over my head to the territorial marshal.

I told him it was a fair fight, marshal.

Gave it to him right from beginning to end.

Jenks, don't you have a business to mind?

Well, I was just trying to help.

Well, help yourself out the door.

Come on.

Now if there isn't anything else,

I've got work to do.

What happened to the $3,000 young Patton was carrying?

What he didn't throw away at the saloons,

- he lost at the card palace. - To anyone special?

An out-of-work bank robber turned card sharp.

Who just happened to have left town, I suppose.

That's right.

His name was McKeever.

He's been working the territory for the last three months

with a shill by the name of Heron.

And for your information and for the record,

your cowpuncher friend was warned

not to sit in with McKeever.

Oh, he was warned. Well, that's a big help.

There are always trail herders in town just begging to be fleeced.

And you just sat back and let it happen.

Mister, I cannot bird dog every poker game

in every hotel room in town.

As long as men gamble,

there are gonna be card sharps and suckers.

Now if you want to make out a formal complaint

to have McKeever and Heron picked up,

I'll do that the minute they show.

But without witnesses you don't stand a prayer

making the complaint stick,

much less getting any of the money back.

Well, that's just what I figured.

Messed you down, did he?

Marshal's a mighty rough man, but honest.

Yes, sir, honest as they come.

I thought you said Mathew Christy owned him.

Oh, no, no, I did not.

Of course everybody knows that Mathew

and the marshal are close friends.

Anything wrong with the lawman

having a few influential friends?

Stop that, Davy.

What is it?

The message is for you, from Nora at the saloon.

You're to get out of town.

Lee Christy is on his way here gunning for you.

I hate to disappoint him.

I never was much good at running.

You ain't gonna be good at anything

if you don't get out of here quick.

You don't need that, Sherman.

You're leaving town out the back way.

How did you find out, marshal?

The same messenger who told you. Let's go.

Just who are you trying to protect?

Me or your friend's murdering little brother?

You move.

[ bell ringing ]

Lock the door after them,

and then bring me a glass of water.

Livery stable's over there,

your horse is saddled and waiting.

Well, you thought of everything, haven't you?

You keep on talking, you're gonna make me sorry

for having saved your life. Let's go.

First one that draws gets it.

I mean it, Christy.

[ gunshots ]

Slim, you all right?

Yeah, just a notch.

Lee, why did you make me do it?

All of you are gonna stand around here looking?

Why don't one of you get a doctor?

What's the matter? Couldn't you find the livery stable?

Now you wouldn't chase a wounded man

out of town, would you, marshal?

For you I'd make an exception, you've caused enough trouble.

Maybe, but I'm staying.

Who for? McKeever?

Yeah.

Jenks tells me he carries a big roll around with him.

If he comes back to town, I might be able to persuade him

he owes the Patton family the better part of that $3,000.

It never ends.

Besides, you might be needing some help.

Lee Christy may not make it.

Well, for his sake, I hope he does.

And what about you?

Talk is that Matt Christy and a bunch of his miners

are gonna pay you a visit.

So I've heard.

Sun's not up.

Oughta be pretty soon though.

You know, Slim,

I was born and raised in a soddy house in the middle of the plains.

In the daytime, the heat get something fierce,

seemed like it took forever for the sun

to get from one end of the sky to the other.

So I learned a long time ago, you got to sit and wait.

Waiting's a lot easier when you don't have to do it by yourself.

What do you think you're doing?

- I'm backing you. - You take that off.

If you ever get to know me, Tate,

you know I like to pay my debts.

You don't owe me anything.

My job is to keep troublemakers like you

and Lee Christy from breaking the peace.

You saved my skin out there in the alley.

I count that a debt.

You've got a stubborn streak in you.

Yeah.

Almost matches yours.

[ horses approaching ]

Looks like you've been expecting me.

I've been expecting you to show up here alone

like a man would, not with half a mob at your back.

My friends have an interest in this, too.

If Lee lives, he'll be paralyzed.

I left the doctor less than an hour ago,

he said there's a chance that Lee's gonna be all right.

A chance, just a chance,

and that saves your conscience, doesn't it?

Look at him, here's the man we pay to keep the peace

and he can't even handle a liquored-up kid

without blasting him with a shotgun.

I'm sorry, Matt.

I take no satisfaction in what I had to do.

He was warned a lot more than most would have been.

I'm taking your badge, Tate.

And you'll be tried and sentenced according to law.

Lynch law?

My law.

Don't try it.

You put this badge on me in the first place,

and I'm not running scared at the wearing of it now.

You can say that to me after what you've done to Lee?

If you want to bring any charges against me, you go to the US marshal.

I can't let you get away with it, Tate.

Matt, what do you think you're doing?

Can't you see that mob rule will take over the minute

you set your grief above the law?

Maybe that doesn't matter anymore.

It matters to me, if not to you.

Everything you've built,

everything you've planned for this town, your town, will crumble into nothing

the minute you lay a hand on this badge.

He's right, Mr. Christy.

And in case you hadn't noticed,

here's another badge you're gonna have to tear off.

I just might arrange that.

One of your men seems to have the same idea, Mr. Christy.

I hope you'll listen to reason.

Put it up, Slim.

Matt, you go on home, you sleep on it.

If you feel the same way tomorrow,

I'll surrender myself for trial

to any legal court in the territory,

you have my solemn word on that.

Tate.

I got something for you.

Will you excuse us, Sherman?

Do you have to make a scene right out here

in the middle of the street?

- Take your hands off of me, you killer. - I didn't kill Lee Christy.

You crippled him, you might as well have killed him.

I talked to the doctor. He said there's a chance he'll be all right.

Do you believe that?

You knew exactly what you were doing when you pulled that trigger.

I warned him. What else could I do?

You cut him down deliberately just so I wouldn't marry him.

Nora, so help me, I didn't, I didn't.

It's the only way you could compete with a real man.

Well, now you look, you take one long last look,

because tomorrow I'm taking the stage

out of this miserable town.

You know, Slim, it beats all how women are sometimes.

Yeah.

She's got a temper, that gal.

Makes the rest look like kittens.

She'll be over this by morning though.

She doesn't really like Lee Christy.

She only used him to make me jealous, that's all.

You know how women are.

Hold it, McKeever.

Our friend, the marshal is making his rounds.

Don't want him to know you're back in business, do you?

[ footsteps ]

Well, Slim, this is it.

You might as well go on home, I'll finish up.

I don't mind keeping you company.

No, go ahead.

I'm used to this night prowlin'.

You sure?

I am. Go on.

All right. Good night.

Good night.

[ knocking on door ]

You get out of here.

I'm not letting you go, Nora.

I'm not losing you over what couldn't be helped.

Well, you can't lose what you never had.

- Now you get out! - [ knocking on door ]

I've been looking all over for you, marshal.

Uh, good evening, ma'am.

What do you want?

McKeever's in town.

Are you sure?

At the hotel, right next door to my place.

Him and Heron, they checked in about an hour ago.

Yes, sir, I-- I seen him.

Dirty and dusty and looking for trouble,

if you ask me.

Did you tell Sherman you saw McKeever?

Oh, no.

Say, Sherman wouldn't be waiting for McKeever,

would he, marshal?

Whether he is or he isn't doesn't matter much now.

You're gonna keep your mouth shut.

- But-- - No buts about it, you're coming with me.

I'll be back.

I got it now.

Sherman's waiting for McKeever

because McKeever fleeced that young Patton in a card game.

Uh-huh, now that you got it, you're gonna lose it.

Now you're going downstairs to the bar,

and if you open your mouth for anything except a drink,

- you're gonna be in trouble. - Yes, but I don't drink.

Well, you do now.

All right, here's your cut.

Now ride out of town.

Take the east fork at the bridge and keep going.

Where to? Where'll I wait for you.

You won't.

You see, this is the end of our association, my friend.

Al.

Now don't make jokes, not at a time like this.

You know how-- how upset I am, I'm so shaky.

I-- I haven't had--

Well, I'm not complaining, mind you.

Got to have a clear head when you go against a bank.

Mr. Heron, I suggest you'd better get started.

You mean you're serious?

Al, what's gonna become of me?

Go to work on your own.

It's been over 2 years since I turned off a bank.

Now you go find one for yourself for a change.

I can't work alone, you know that.

You can't do this to me.

We've been together too long.

Yes, far too long, my friend.

If you're blaming me for losing our bankroll in that last town--

I'm blaming you for not staying sober enough to do your job.

Now get out!

- What about you? - I'm staying.

But the whole town will know tomorrow morning, there'll be a posse out.

I have no doubt.

I expect to be the first to volunteer, Mr. Heron.

In fact I might even insist on joining it.

You-- You know which way I'll be going.

If you was to lead them to me, if I was to be gunned down--

I'd be entirely in the clear, that's right.

You-- You planned it this way!

Well, let's just say I'm afraid

you'll have to take your chances.

Oh, no, I won't.

Not with you. I'd rather end it here.

[ gunshot ]

[ people clamoring ]

[ knocking on door ]

Everybody, go back to their rooms.

This is Marshal Tate.

Everything's under control.

It's about time he got back.

Certainly is.

We'll organize a posse, but I can't hold out much hope.

Well, we just won't accept that, marshal.

Everything I had was in that bank.

You've got to do something.

You're quick enough with your shotgun during the daytime.

Maybe it's too much to expect a little protection after dark.

Like I said, ma'am, I'm sorry.

Sherman and I followed all the trails

leading out of town till there wasn't anything left to follow.

Seems like the marshal's always sorry about something these days.

Only this time it's my bank that has to take the loss.

I'll take that.

What are you doing?

I'm taking that stage.

I did something for you last night, Nora.

I don't want to hear about it.

- I stole for you. - I'm leaving.

- $10,000, Nora. - Let go of me.

$10,000.

The bank money?

That's right.

Now we can go anywhere we want to.

We can get married, open up a little business,

and go to a town with sidewalks and paved streets.

- And get caught. - No chance.

McKeever is the only one who knows that money was left behind.

He's running for his life now.

Oh, Tate, did you do that for me?

Uh-huh.

You know, I'd love a house in San Francisco,

overlooking the bay.

Well, I was about to send a wanted poster out on you.

What's that supposed to mean?

Just a bad attempt at humor.

While you've been gone most of the day,

a lot of people have been asking for you.

Probably complaining

because I didn't prevent that robbery last night.

Yep.

Let them take their complaints to the banker.

I warned him about that skylight,

I told him it wasn't safe and he knows it.

Now take it easy, Tate.

I'm on your side, remember?

Yeah, sure, Slim. I'm sorry, I --

Oh, forget it.

You know, Slim, maybe they're right complaining.

I mean, at my age, still wearing a badge,

doing one or two things with it,

either hiding behind it

or using it to satisfy an appetite for power.

I guess I've been hiding behind it all right.

Afraid I'd fail if I ever tried anything else.

It's pretty hard to believe that about you.

Oh, but it's true.

You know, this tin star has been

getting smaller and smaller every year.

And after what happened last night...

I made a decision, I'm quitting.

It sounds pretty final.

It is.

I'm only sorry I didn't make up my mind a long time ago.

I've got a good job opportunity staring me right in the face.

That's right.

I've been offered a job in San Francisco, I'm taking it.

Now that Nora and I are gonna get married,

we're pulling out tomorrow.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

She gave me quite a chase.

Say, what's gonna happen here?

Well, the city council will appoint somebody

in a couple of days, maybe a week.

Yeah, but up to that time?

Oh, well, that depends on you,

and how bad you want McKeever.

Now you know I want him,

but there's no sense in sticking around here.

He's probably halfway out of the territory.

Sure, that's what everybody thinks.

But a man who hasn't robbed a bank in a long time

is gonna play it safe and not waste his time running around in the open.

Then you think he's holed up close by?

Well, we covered all the trails leading out of town, didn't we?

You know, Slim, he's the only blot on my record

for the last 20 years.

And I'd count it as a real personal favor to me

if you'd get him before you leave.

There's nothing I'd like better.

Good. And you'll be able to get him in less than a week.

Where am I supposed to start looking?

I got a map drawn up here.

You start north, work your way south,

cover all the line shacks.

Why do we have to wait? Why can't we leave tonight?

Because if we did, people will get to wondering

why we're running.

You better give me the tickets.

You might lose them.

There's nothing wrong, is there?

I mean, Sherman doesn't suspect anything, does he?

I don't think so. Not yet anyway.

For a man who's gonna lose the dust of this town

and be richer than you've ever been before,

well, you're sure not enjoying it much.

I don't know, Nora.

I've just got sort of a bad feeling about this whole thing.

Oh, I got a sure cure for that.

Wait.

I'll finish packing first, I'll meet you later.

Mercy.

Nobody seen or heard a thing, Mr. Sherman.

Mrs. Adams, down the hall, she's deaf.

And all my other boarders was either out someplace

or downstairs having supper.

Yeah, well, whoever it is,

they picked the right time to get the job done.

You wasn't keeping any valuables here in this room, was you?

'Cause there must be a reason for this.

Well, I didn't think I kept anything

that anybody would want to steal.

What's that?

It's a gold watch fob, souvenir from Kansas City.

Well, that's worth something.

They must have overlooked it.

My guess is the person who did this

didn't overlook anything.

That's what makes it hard to understand.

Sure does.

I don't even know what you mean.

There's enough gold in here to bring an easy $20 anytime.

And yet they didn't even bother with it.

Was there anything worth more than that here?

Nope.

They must've had different ideas.

Well, you'd better see Marshal Tate about this.

He'll know what to do.

Somebody sure has got to pay for these here damages.

Here.

That oughta cover most of it,

and I'll tell you what Marshal Tate says.

Hello.

Howdy.

- I'm looking for Marshal Tate. - He's not here.

Well, how about Nora, that girl he's gonna marry, is she around?

No.

She and the marshal went for a drive about an hour ago.

Did they say when they'd be back?

Not that I remember.

Well, would you try?

They were just going out to his place, is all.

Thanks.

Say...

what's your name?

Sherman.

Nice to have met you.

Same here.

Tate!

Tate.

It's me, Sherman.

[ gunshot ]

[ horse neighing ]

[ metal shattering ]

[ groans ]

The truth, McKeever, what were you looking for?

It hurts when I talk.

I think you must have caved in a couple of my ribs.

You're lucky I didn't have a bullet for you.

I got nothing to say.

You've got plenty to say.

You took my room apart, now Tate's place.

What were you looking for?

Look, either you or the marshal

have got to have that bank money I stole,

'cause I sure don't have it.

You don't have it?

You think I'd still be hanging around here if I did?

- You're lying. - Oh, no.

- McKeever? - [ wagon approaching ]

Nora.

Wait a minute. You're gonna show me the money, hmm?

It'll keep.

Oh, and you told me that half hour ago.

Honey, I want to see it.

Nora, I can't help myself.

Oh, there's plenty of time for that

now after we're married.

Did you hide it in there?

Yes, it's inside.

Honey, I want to see it.

I didn't leave no light burning.

Tate?

Nora, it's all here.

Who-- Who did this?

Probably McKeever.

I didn't think he'd have the nerve.

I've got to find him.

He's outside.

All tied up and ready for jail.

Slim.

What are you doing here?

I didn't realize until he jumped me,

but I've been on McKeever's trail.

He ransacked my room at the boarding house.

He was looking for that money here when I rode up.

That's a good way to get yourself killed.

I've been thinking of that myself.

Pretty clever trick of yours,

holding on to that money to lure him back.

Oh.

I'm glad you think so.

Well, what else would anyone think?

Riverton's gonna make a Sunday hero out of you,

nailing him like that.

There's bound to be a reward, too.

I wish it could be that easy.

It can be.

It's got to be.

Slim, you remember me telling you

how I was raised in the sod house?

Once a man puts up a wall, that's it.

You can't change it once it's done.

That's just it-- it's not done.

Well, you can walk out of this door and be in the clear.

I know you're trying to help me and I appreciate it.

But all we want is a head start till daybreak.

You're not getting a head start to this door,

not with that money.

Maybe you ought to think that over.

After 20 years of winning gunfights,

I wouldn't want to close out the list with you, Slim.

What about the people who trusted you? Believed in you?

The only thing I'm thinking about now is you being in my way.

I'm saying please.

Just wasting time.

You see how it is?

Sorry it has to be this way.

I'm not gonna make it easy for you.

Whatever happens now,

you're gonna have to draw first.

Now don't ever give an edge to a man my age.

You're liable to take it, Slim.

Take it easy, Tate. Don't move.

I'm not going anyplace.

You had the drop on me. Why didn't you shoot?

I guess the badge got in the way.

A man could never shoot a friend.

Slim...

Slim...

[ hens clucking ]

Slim, a letter came for you this morning.

Well, you don't say.

It's from Riverton, looks important.

Shall I get it for you?

Well, if you think it can't wait.

He can't stand an unopened letter.

Yeah, well, I'm kind of partial to a mystery myself, Daisy.

What do you figure it is?

Maybe some pretty little gal Slim's been deceiving.

It's from a bank.

Bank?

What does it say?

Mike, that is a private matter.

Well, it seems that Marshal Tate didn't have any kin.

So the reward money that would go to him comes to me.

Wowie, how much?

Mike, it isn't polite to pry.

Well, I was only prying a little.

My goodness!

Daisy, would you see that the Patton family gets that?

You'll know how to do it so it doesn't hurt their pride.

That ought to see them through till next fall.

That's very generous of you, Slim.

You're kind of liberal about giving your money away,

aren't you, pard?

No, a gift from the heart has a way of coming back.

Maybe so, Daisy--

I'll prove it to you, pard.

You know, before I left, I bet you five dollars

that that new corral fencing wouldn't be up.

Forgot about it, huh?

Forgot it? I was too blamed busy.

Just the same, it's not up.

Look at that face, Daisy.

Mm-hmm.

Thank you.

Come on, dinner's getting cold.