Original subtitles

(bucolic music)

- Good friends, the scriptures tell us

that the way to heaven is narrow and straight,

but the path to perdition

is wide and lined with pleasant diversions.

Well, the apostle who made this observation

must have had our San Francisco in mind.

Out there, you'll find the road so narrow

that two buggies can hardly pass without locking wheels.

When it's dry, the dust will blind you.

And when it rains, you will need a boat.

Down below there, in that part of the city

which I call Hell's Canyon, the lights are always bright

and the liquor never ceases to flow.

(jaunty piano music)

(people cheering)

(woman screaming)

The fleshpots of San Francisco

put to shame those of Singapore and Shanghai.

There's a saloon on Montgomery Street

which has the effrontery to boast that any customer

who can name a vice which they cannot gratify

will be rewarded with a champagne supper.

I have kept a daily record

of the charges against the Jewel Bar.

Miners cheated, sailors shanghaied,

young women lured into a life of shame.

How long will decent God-fearing people

permit such wickedness to flourish?

I've been warned not to attack this vile sink,

but I shall attack-- - Look out!

(gunfire booming)

(dramatic music)

(people murmuring)

You all right, reverend?

- Thanks, I'm all right.

♪ California, California ♪

♪ There's gold ♪ - "The Californians."

♪ Hills in California ♪

♪ I've come to live where life is best ♪

♪ In the golden west ♪

♪ I'm gonna strike it rich in California ♪

♪ California ♪

(bucolic music)

- The whole story's there in the "California Star."

I know it's there because I wrote it.

San Francisco was no Sunday school after they found gold.

The gold brought people from all over the world,

some of 'em good, lots of 'em bad,

and the bad soon had the upper hand.

There was no use lookin' to the police,

so a group of decent, honest citizens

organized the vigilantes in 1851.

It's a proof of the first page, Mr. Brennan.

- Oh.

Two full columns on one preacher's sermon, Dion?

(chuckles)

Thought I told you that the essence of good reporting.

Well, well, well.

Spangler's going after Bozeman's heart again, hm?

- That's right.

- Preacher was shot at?

Print it.

- I'd like to see someone about placing an advertisement.

One of a personal nature.

- That's Mr. Patrick's department.

- How do you do Mrs...

- Mrs. Manning.

Maud Manning.

If you will write, I will dictate.

- [Dion] All right, ma'am.

- Wanted, information leading to the whereabouts

of Lucy Manning, 17 years of age, five feet two.

Fair of hair and skin.

She disappeared several days ago,

and it is feared she may be the victim of foul play.

A substantial reward is offered.

- [Dion] This young lady, she's a relative of yours?

- Lucy's my daughter.

She's all I have.

If you could help to find her and bring her back to me.

- [Dion] Well what day was it exactly,

and who was she last seen with--

- I don't know.

All I know, I'm asking you to find her.

Please.

- You know, a story like this belongs

where everybody can read it, right on the first page.

- How can I ever repay you?

- The "California Star" is always pleased

to help a lady in distress.

- Thank you, thank you.

- What was the lady in distress about?

- Well her daughter disappeared, she may be kidnapped.

- You believe her?

- Well I don't know, we'll publish the story and find out.

- A plea for assistance by Dion Patrick.

Men of San Francisco, rouse your chivalry,

summon up your honor.

A heartbroken mother asks your assistance.

17, blues eyes.

- [Dion] It's pretty awful, isn't it?

- Why, I think it's beautiful.

(knocking on door)

- It's a very touching story Dion, yes.

Heartbroken mother, do you mean to tell me

that Sam Brennan let you put your name on this thing?

- He made me put it on.

He said he didn't want anybody to think

he was the author of such hogwash.

- I can see what he means.

If you take my advice, I'd give the newspaper business up.

- Well, if we don't find that girl I might have to.

(Dion sighs deeply)

- It's for you, Dion.

A small boy brought it.

- Dear sir, if you are sincere in your wish to help

a certain young lady, come to the Sailor's Lodging House

on Water Street and ask for Meg.

- Let me see that.

No signature.

- Water Street is in the roughest part of the city.

- Well, that's what I get for writing about chivalry.

(pensive music)

(bell chiming)

- We're full, go away.

- You Meg?

- Who wants Meg?

- I do.

- Who are you?

- Dion Patrick, "California Star."

- Come in.

Wait here.

(knocking on door)

- Mr. Patrick? - Yes?

- Thank you for coming, please sit down.

I'm Lucy Manning.

This is the least likely place

my stepmother would look for me.

- You mean Mrs. Manning is not your real mother?

- Indeed she's not.

She's my guardian, and a mean, scheming woman.

- Is that why you're running away?

- Mr. Patrick, I'm a singer.

My stepmother assured me

that she'd arranged an engagement here with a Mr. Bozeman.

Do you know him?

- Everybody knows Charlie Bozeman.

- She neglected to tell me

that I was expected to do more than sing.

I read your article in the "Star,"

and I thought maybe you'd help me.

- I will if I can.

- I need passage to the east, and a safe place

to hide until the ship's ready to sail.

I have the money for my ticket,

but I don't dare show my face.

- Well the first thing to do is to get you outta here.

- Then you will help me?

I've been hiding here for a week, seeing no one but Meg.

I swore I wouldn't cry and, and now look at me.

- Aw, come on now.

Let's get your things, huh?

In case you didn't hear, Meg,

I'm taking the young lady with me.

- Can they force the child to go back legally?

- Yes, I'm afraid so, since she's still underage.

Martha and I could have kept her at our house,

but that would've been dangerous

since I'm always under attack.

- Well this is obviously a case

involving more than legal rights.

I doubt very much if there's a law in the book

that would compel me to turn over a young girl

to a man like Charles Bozeman.

- Well, excuse me.

I just hope I haven't brought trouble

to all you nice people.

- I don't think you could bring trouble to anyone.

- Bring that woman in.

Charlie, we've got some news.

Lucy's been staying at a lodging house on Water Street.

- Nice place you got here, Mr. Bozeman.

- I'm very grateful to you for bringing news of my daughter.

- Oh I brought it all right,

but I haven't delivered it yet, dearie.

There's a little matter of reward first.

- You don't look like the kind of a woman

that would accept pay for returning wayward girl

to her mother.

- For her, the rate should be doubled.

- I believe the reward mentioned was $100.

Here's half.

You get the other half if your information is correct.

- It's correct, all right.

- Morning Mr. Brennan.

- Morning sheriff. - You know a Charlie Bozeman?

- I sure do.

- Do you have an employee named Dion Patrick?

- I'm Dion Patrick.

- We're looking for a girl named Lucy Manning.

- Why come to me?

- You took her from a lodging house

on Water Street last night.

- [Dion] Me?

- Yes you.

- I'm a newspaper man, Sheriff.

I go many places, see many people.

- Now look young fella,

kidnapping is a very serious offense.

- It's also a serious charge to make.

- We don't want any trouble.

All we want's the girl.

- What's your interest in this case, Charlie?

- Just a friend of the family.

- I can imagine.

- I suggest you take an ad in lost and found, Mr. Bozeman.

- Come on, sheriff.

- Well, the fat's in the fire now, my boy.

- [Dion] How so?

- They know you know where the girl is.

It'd be dangerous for you to see her now.

- Who says I have to?

She's in good hands.

- Who says?

I say, nature says.

Where's some of that gallantry and chivalry

you were writing about?

- Ah, she's only a young girl.

- Young girls have a way of becoming young women, you know.

Now you wouldn't want her to take away the wrong impression

of California men, would you?

You'll see her again

but watch out for those Bozemans.

(strident music)

- A few days ago I thought this was

the worst city in the world.

Now I'm getting to like it, thanks to you,

the McGiverns and the Spanglers.

You've all been so kind to me.

- Well that's good.

Maybe you'll pay us another visit

when you're a famous singer.

- Dion, what if I told you that I didn't want to leave?

That I wanted to stay right here?

- Oh, now wait a minute.

Jack McGivern's arranging with the clipper captain

for your passage right now.

I'll know tonight when you're gonna sail.

- Well I don't see why I have to.

- Are you forgetting that you're hiding from Charlie Bozeman

and that stepmother of yours?

And what about your singing career?

- There are lots more important things

to a woman than a career.

Besides, I'm not frightened of that Manning woman anymore,

or the Bozemans either.

(suspenseful music)

(bell chiming)

Dion?

(ominous music)

(Lucy yelps)

- Well thank you gentlemen for helping me

with this petition.

- Not at all, Reverend.

- [Reverend] And Charlie Wilkimer.

- I'm sorry madam, the office is closed.

- And so it should be at this hour.

- Well if you'll excuse--

- I have an urgent message from the young man

who works here.

- Dion?

- I'm to tell you that the Bozemans have taken Lucy Manning.

- What?

- Where, when?

- And that he's gone to rescue her,

and that you're to give me $20.

- What for?

- Well how would he know where they'd taken the girl

if I hadn't have told him?

- Tell me where and you'll have your 20.

- They've taken her to their place.

- If he's gone to the Bozeman's place,

that's a very dangerous bluff he's trying.

- Dion's a headstrong young man.

- [Maud] You are my ward, and according to the law,

(knocking on door)

you're going to do exactly what I tell you to do

for the next four years until you're 21.

- All right, where is she?

- That's none of your business.

- Mr. Patrick, how nice to see you.

I want to thank you for helping me find my little girl.

- Let him go.

- Why?

- Going in maybe he's got the law with him.

Coming out, if he tries to take the girl,

why that's kidnapping.

When we take him apart,

it's best that we have the law behind us.

- The Spanglers were at church.

I thought it was you.

- I know.

- Young man, you have no authority.

Lucy's my ward.

- Don't waste your breath, he's not taking Lucy anywhere.

- I'm not armed, but I'm taking this girl with me.

If you try to stop me, I'm coming back with the vigilantes.

- I don't think you'll be coming back

with the vigilantes or without them.

As a matter of fact,

I don't think you'll be leaving here at all.

(punch popping) (dramatic music)

- No!

(punch popping)

(punches popping)

(punches popping)

No! (gunfire booming)

(Lucy screams) (dramatic music)

- You know the fight your pastor has waged

to purge this city of the Bozemans and their kind.

Information has reached us that both Charlie and his nephew

are wanted in Boston for crimes committed there.

It took the wanton shooting of Lucy Manning

to rouse this city.

I have in my hands a petition with over 5,000 signatures

of outraged citizens demanding that these men

be returned to Massachusetts for trial.

I will deliver this petition

to our governor in Sacramento personally.

(congregation cheering)

- There now, young lady.

You're coming along fine.

- You hear that, Lucy?

- Thank you, doctor.

- Don't thank me, thank the lord

for giving you such vitality.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Keep her quiet.

She still has a trace of fever.

- I will, doctor.

- How is she?

- About as you'd expect a young lady

who's taken a slug to be.

- Well when can I see her?

- She's been asking about Dion.

- All right, but only for a minute and no more.

- Hello.

- Hello.

The doctor says you're doing fine.

- It was nice of you to give up your room.

- Well I had nothing to do with that.

I was laid up too, remember?

- Where are you staying?

- Over at the Brennans.

They took me there when they brought you here.

- Lying here has given me a lot of time to think.

I owe you so much.

- Not as much as I owe you.

- All right, Dion.

You've overstayed your minute.

- I'm off.

- Dion, if I get well there's something that I--

- If you get well?

Now what kind of talk is that?

In two weeks you'll be up and on your way home.

- Do you believe that proverb

that if you save someone's life

then that life belongs to you?

- Why, I don't know.

(contemplative music)

- Petitions are mighty dangerous, Reverend.

Maybe you'd better wait here and let Dion drive you home.

- Oh that's not necessary.

Thanks for getting these extra 8,000 signatures.

Goodnight.

- [Jack Goodnight.

(suspenseful music)

- I promised to take Reverend Spangler home.

Where is he?

- He just left.

- Alone? - Mhmm.

- Took a whole week to gather those extra petitions.

Which way did he go?

- Shortest way, I guess.

- Maybe I can catch up with him.

- Good evening, sir.

- We've got another signature for you, reverend.

(gunfire booming) (dramatic music)

(gunfire booming)

Come on, let's get a drink.

- No, first you're gonna give yourself up to the sheriff.

That was a clear case of self-defense, nephew.

- [Hector] What's that?

- It's nerves, come on.

(somber music)

- This meeting of the vigilante committee

has been called to deal with the cold-blooded murder

of the Reverend Spangler.

Our investigation has shown that the Reverend Spangler

never owned or carried a gun.

One of our members, Dion Patrick,

was the sole witness to this murder,

but his testimony was rejected because of the darkness.

Now as customary in vigilante matters,

no action will be taken until our courts

have had a chance to fulfill their function.

The case is now in preliminary hearing before Judge Morton,

whom we know to be in the pay of the Bozemans.

This meeting of the vigilante committee

will remain in session until we hear the outcome

of that hearing.

- It is the conclusion of this court

that since there were no eyewitnesses

to dispute the claim that the defendant

fired in self-defense,

there remains insufficient evidence to hold the accused,

Hector Bozeman, for further trial.

Case dismissed.

This court stands adjourned.

- Thatta boy.

I knew you'd make it, come on let's have a drink.

(people clamoring)

(jaunty piano music)

I'd say this is a fine party, huh?

(bell chiming)

- Listen.

(bell chiming)

- [Jack] Vigilantes, halt!

- Bar the doors.

The guns are in the office.

(ominous music)

- We just want Charles and Hector Bozeman.

The rest of you stay where you are.

(dramatic music)

(melancholy music)

There will be no sermon here today.

The lesson that might have been brought to us

has already been told in the life of a man

who died to tell it.

I just want you all to know that he didn't die in vain,

because he gave men the courage to act.

And he made this city of ours, San Francisco,

reexamine its conscience.

Charlie Bozeman will be returned to Massachusetts

to stand trial for the crimes he committed there.

Hector Bozeman will never murder again,

because by the will of the people, you,

last night he paid the penalty for his crime.

Someone will preach in this church again.

I can only hope that he will stand as tall in the pulpit

as the man who made Christian decency

more than just mere words in this city of ours.

(dramatic music)

(pensive music) - Morning Dion.

- [Dion] Morning.

- So Lucy's sailed, huh?

- That's right.

This morning with Mrs. Spangler.

- You let her get away from you.

She was in love with ya.

- Was she?

- Beats me.

Here we need women like a desert needs water

and you let one slip right through your fingers.

If I did my patriotic duty, I'd fire ya.

- Well, before you do would you look at this?

- Vigilante committee votes to disband

having acted firmly and efficiently

in the murder of Reverend Spangler.

Nonsense, we should have hung Charlie Bozeman

right alongside of Hector.

Save Boston a lot of time and expense.

- Time and expense aren't important.

The important thing is the day isn't far off

when that vigilante bell may never toll again.

- Print it, but don't hold your breath.

(dramatic music)

♪ California ♪

♪ Oh I've traveled here I've traveled there ♪

♪ I guess I've been most everywhere ♪

♪ But I like where I am today ♪

♪ And here is where I'll stay ♪

♪ Now one thing I just can't endure ♪

♪ Is being broke and being poor ♪

♪ So I come west to take the cure ♪

♪ And here is where I'll stay ♪

♪ I've come to California ♪

♪ California ♪

♪ There's gold in them there hills in California ♪

♪ I've come to live where life is best ♪

♪ In the golden west ♪

♪ I'm gonna strike it rich in California ♪

♪ California ♪

♪ California ♪

♪ There's gold in them there hills ♪

♪ In California ♪

Repair and Synchronization by Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0