Original subtitles

(dramatic music)

- [Narrator] It was the discovery of gold

that really opened up the West.

The hope of finding a fortune in the ground

brought thousands of people to California.

They endured the grinding trek from east to west

through frequently hostile country,

or dared the hazardous voyage around Cape Horn.

And though only a handful ever had anything

to show for their efforts

the dream of striking it rich remained alive.

It was their stubborn belief in this dream that made them

easy marks for the swindlers and bunco artists.

- [Troy] Just one moment sir, what's the meaning of this?

- Get down off there.

- What do you mean get down off of here?

- Your name is Troy Selby isn't it?

- It is. - Well come on along.

You can talk later.

(Troy blusters) Go ahead.

I'll take these.

- Just one moment sir! I...

(dramatic music)

* California, California

- [Narrator] The Californians.

* California

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

* In the golden west

* I'm going to strike it rich in California *

* California

(gentle music)

- Afternoon Jeremy.

- Afternoon Marshall.

Mrs. Selby informed me of your high-handed treatment

of her husband this morning.

You had no grounds for an arrest.

I demand his immediate release.

- You represent the Selbys?

- I think that's clear.

- It isn't clear at all.

Do you know these people are swindlers?

- How dare you! Mr. Pitt-

- Matt, if you had bothered to question Mr. Selby

before pulling him in like a common thief

you would have learned that he had the authority

from the attorney general of California to sell that stock.

- Why didn't he tell me this?

- Did you give him a chance to tell you anything?

Just because there've been a few

stock swindlers in the past.

- A few?

- Yes. It doesn't mean that every promoter is dishonest.

Now release my client.

- Really, the indignity of it- - Now calm down Mrs. Selby.

Everything is all right now.

- Are you all right, dear. - Ravinia my dear.

Pitt, I appreciate what you've done.

- No trouble. I'm your lawyer.

Oh, by the way, you know you may have a case

against the Marshall for false arrest.

Do you want me to start an action?

- No, I don't think so.

I'm sure the Marshall believed he was only doing his duty.

- Mr. Selby if your mine is such a sure thing.

- Oh, I didn't say that Mr. Wayne.

The indications are that it can become a very

profitable investment, but I am neither so naive

nor deceitful as to go around telling people

that it's a sure thing, as you call it.

- All right. But you think it is.

And if all it takes is money to develop it

you don't have to sell stock.

There are plenty of wealthy men right here in San Francisco

who'd grab a chance to finance the whole operation.

- Yes, wind up in control. Oh no.

Several such gentlemen have already approached me

but I have no desire to end up

with the bankers owning my mine.

- Sound, business reasoning.

- I think I'll attend your meeting tonight?

- Good. Very good.

Ravinia.

(pensive music)

- Take over.

Matt, I've been waiting for you.

- You look as though you broke your own bank.

- No, but just as good. Come on, sit down.

Remember last year when I bet Johnson and Lyman

in that silver mine.

- I remember you risked $25,000

to make a profit of about five.

- It was four.

Anyway, I met Troy Selby and his wife

and they have a fabulous gold mine.

- Who? - The Selbys.

Really the nicest people that you can meet.

And they're letting me in on the whole thing.

- Letting you in huh?

- Now, get that superior look off your face.

This is a chance to really strike it rich, Matt.

And this time I'm going all the way.

- Good luck.

It's your money.

- I've mortgaged the Eldorado Club.

- What? Mortgaged?

For stock in a gold mine?

- $38,000 worth.

And just as soon as they raise another $112,000

they're going to start mining operations.

Oh, Matt, you ought to get in on this.

- Now just a minute.

When I sold you this club for $1, I had faint hopes

that in my old age, you might sell it back for two.

And now you have sunk it all in stock

for a gold mine that isn't even in operation.

- But it will be as soon as they sell the rest of the stock.

- How much is the rest?

- I told you, $112,000.

Oh Matt, this is a sure thing.

- Yeah, sure thing.

With only $112,000 to raise.

- And I assure you we will use the most up-to-date

mining equipment money can buy.

Now are there any questions you'd care to ask?

- If it's such a good mine

why was it abandoned three years ago?

- Well, the Four-leaf Clover Mine

was abandoned by its former owner,

simply because he failed to recognize certain features.

I did.

And the present tunnel was extended only a few feet further

to reveal the richness of the ore samples

I have shown you here this evening.

- Could have bought that stuff

from a rock dealer, an assay office.

- You don't even believe what you see, do you?

- Mr. Selby. - Yes, sir.

- A few of us been wondering if you got any objection

to, well, a sort of committee

making a personal inspection of this here mine.

- I would welcome it sir. Please do.

And then you can come back

and make your own reports to these people.

Anyone is free to investigate the Four-leaf Clover Mine.

- Have you seen it?

- I've seen those ore samples.

That's good enough for me.

- Richest I ever saw.

- Probably the most expensive you ever paid to see too.

- He's so stubborn!

- And now Mrs. Selby will tell you

how you may share in our good fortune.

As with most husbands, I leave business matters to my wife.

(audience laughs)

- As you know, the attorney general of this state

has authorized us to sell stock at $10 per share.

Now you may buy only one share if you choose.

And for those of you who wish to purchase stock tonight

I'll be at this table to serve you.

Thank you. - Thank you, my dear.

- There's your chance to make some money, Matt.

- Don't tell me you have some of this.

- Oh, I took a fair amount as a fee for representing them.

- You must enjoy working for nothing.

- You must enjoy letting opportunity

slip through your fingers.

Are you against getting rich?

- No.

- Then why don't you go up there

and buy some of that stock?

- I'm the suspicious type.

But since he extended a general invitation

I'm going to take a look at his gold mine.

(pensive music)

Hello!

(voice echoes)

Anybody in there?

(voice echoes)

(bell ringing)

- Come in.

- Good evening Mr. Pitt. - Oh, hi Matt.

What's the book for? Directions on how to use a shotgun?

- Where's your client?

- Well, the law business is not exactly booming

but I do have more than one client.

- Troy Selby.

- Oh, he's at the ward hall tonight.

Most of the stock has been sold.

So I imagine this is the last of the regular meetings.

- I guarantee that.

Would you like to come along and see me show him up

for the fraud he really is?

- Matt, I'm warning you.

- I've got proof.

- You better have, in spades.

- I have. In gold spades.

(dramatic music)

- So, like I said, the five of us that went out

and seen the mine are more than satisfied

there's gold to be had there.

Them nuggets we showed you

that we dug from that tunnel, prove that.

- Thank you, Luke. Thank you very much.

And now-

- I too had a look at that mine.

Any objection to my reporting what I found?

- Why, of course not Mr. Wayne.

- All right, Mr. Selby, I wonder if I could borrow

that geologists report you quote from so frequently.

- Certainly.

- Thank you.

Now, Mr. Pitt, will you compare paragraph two, page 92

of the book with this report.

- The book and the report match word for word.

What about this, Mr. Selby?

- May I see the book please?

- The geologist I engaged to examine the mine

might well have referred to this textbook

when preparing his report to me.

- Maybe.

Well that's a whale of a coincidence don't you think?

- Oh I don't know.

The geologist I engaged is a Mr. EW Green,

who is also the author of this book.

Now I think it's highly logical

that he might've referred to his own work

when choosing the words for his report to me.

- Do you people know how a mine is salted

to make it appear rich?

- I've seen a few salted claims

with dust and nuggets sprinkled around,

but let me tell you something, Marshall.

We had to dig them sample nuggets out of the tunnel wall

at the Four Leaf Clover Mine.

Pry 'em out.

- I know that Luke, but if you people will be patient

with me, I think I've got the answer to that.

(crowd murmuring)

- What's Mr. Wayne up to?

- Mr. Pitt, you're our lawyer,

why do you let him persecute us this way?

- I'm against anyone being persecuted, Mrs Selby

and against anyone being swindled too.

- Right in this chair'd be good.

Thanks.

Now ladies and gentlemen, these nuggets were cut

from $5 gold pieces and then melted.

Now, could I have that shotgun?

The next step is, thank you, the nuggets are dropped

down the barrel of this loaded shotgun, like that.

And then when fired into a rock or the wall of a mine tunnel

you have nice rich ore to show the suckers.

Stand back man.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is soft rock, but watch yourself.

(gunshot bangs) (crowd murmurs)

Now, these nuggets will have to be dug out too Luke.

And unless I miss my guess, ladies and gentlemen,

this is exactly how Mr Selby salted his mine.

- That's a very serious charge Marshall.

You will all please be witnesses to his remarks.

- When I dug this nugget out of the Four Leaf Clover tunnel

I knew exactly where it had to come from.

I wouldn't have known if Mr. Selby had been a little more

careful how he melted down his coins,

because this nugget still has the date stamped on it, 1854.

- What about it Selby?

- The Marshall says he took that nugget from my mine.

Was anyone with you at the time Marshall?

Do you have any witnesses who saw you

dig that nugget out of there?

But there were five of you who took nuggets

out of the mine, five of you together,

each able to testify as to what you found,

either confirm or deny the richness of the ore.

- That's right.

- Just a minute, Mr. Selby.

One thing I do know about Matt Wayne, he isn't a liar.

- There's one thing we both know about Mr. Wayne.

He's been doing his very best to discredit me.

- Because I'm convinced that you're taking

these people's life savings and giving nothing in return

but stock certificates that aren't worth

the paper they're printed on.

- Ladies and gentlemen, if the Marshall's

cheap demonstration here tonight has caused any one of you

to doubt the honesty of this project or the wisdom

of investing in it then please, I beg of you,

step forward and surrender your stock.

And I'll refund every dollar you've invested.

- Marshall, I don't know or care

why you've got such a grudge against this man.

But far as I'm concerned, I am buying more shares.

That's how I stand.

(crowd murmuring)

- When am I gonna learn that the law man

hasn't been born yet who can defend people

against their own stupidity.

(somber music)

(knocking on door)

- Well, well Mr. Pitt.

- Going somewhere?

- Well, the shares are all sold,

due mainly to the Marshall's efforts last evening.

- Where are you planning to go?

- Oh, just a little vacation, you know, just until we can go

up to the mine and get things started up there.

- Well, Mr. Selby, I think you better get started

at the mine first before you start

to think of taking a vacation.

- Oh, we've worked very hard.

We're entitled to a little rest.

- Well just sleep a few extra hours

in the morning at the mine.

- That sounds like an order Mr. Pitt.

- I'm your attorney, Mr. Selby, it's advice.

Good day.

- Nobody! Nobody, not Pitt nor Wayne

nor anybody tells me what to do.

Get on with your packing. We're gonna get out of here.

- Troy, the Marshall's across the street.

I'd say they're making sure

we don't go anywhere but to the mine.

- All right. They want us to go to the mine.

That's exactly where we'll go.

- What?

- Isn't it worth $10,000 to keep

out of the California prison?

- What do you mean?

- I never said how much work I'd do up there.

So I'll spend 10,000, maybe less.

We'll go through the motions of trying to develop that mine.

Then when it doesn't pay off, nobody can blame us.

- Now that's not going to fool Wayne or Pitt.

- I'll invite them up to the mine to pay us a little visit.

Just to see how things are going,

you know, in a week or two.

Ravinia, I'm going to arrange it so Marshall Matt Wayne

never bothers anybody again.

I'm going to get rid of him for good.

(dramatic music)

Come on finish your packing.

(foreboding music)

- Salem.

Where are you going?

- Gotta get some more spikes ma'am.

- I'll get them for you, where are they?

- They're over by the toolbox, I'll-

- I said I'll get them.

Now you stay and help Mr. Weaver inside there.

Did you get it done?

- All ready to light.

- It took you long enough.

These workmen must think I'm a fool

not letting them run their own errands.

I'm sure Salem suspects something.

- He hasn't got enough sense to suspect anything.

- They want some more spikes.

(foreboding music continues)

- It looks like things are really underway.

Better than when you saw it huh?

- A little.

- Hello, Mr. Pitt. - Well hello.

- Marshall Wayne.

- Where's Mr. Selby, Ma'am?

- Troy!

- Well, well, well, delighted to see you, Mr. Pitt.

- How do? - And even you Marshall Wayne.

Thank you for coming up.

- Got any ore out of that mine yet?

- Not yet. Not yet.

We have to brace up the shorings in there first

so it'll be safe to work.

How about some lunch? I expect you could eat.

- Well, it was a long ride.

I think we could manage.

- Good. We'll show you around after lunch,

you can wash up right over there.

- All right.

- I'll just help Ravinia.

(ominous music)

- How many men have you got working here Selby?

I counted only one.

- Oh, you mean old Salem

busting out those sluice bottoms.

I have one other.

- A total of two?

- Well, Marshall, labor is rather difficult to find up here.

And aside from that, until we get this tunnel braced

there's no work for more than two, plus myself.

- Say what's that hammering in there?

- Oh, that's Weaver, the other working man.

He's putting in those shoring timbers.

Well, Mr. Pitt, you want to see what you own stock in?

- I sure do. I've never been in a mine before.

- Gentlemen.

Well Weaver. This is Mr. Pitt and Marshall Wayne.

- Hi. - Hello.

Any gold here?

- There might be a few flakes

but I think the stock holders committee

and you Marshall Wayne dug out all of what's in view.

Weaver those nails don't look very strong.

- They're spikes. Same as I've been a using.

- Well I brought back some much heavier ones

the last time I was in town, I'll go get them for you.

Excuse me, gentlemen.

- Say Weaver, worked many mines?

- On and off. Yeah.

- Well what do you think of this one?

Think she'll pay off.

- No.

- Why do you say that?

- I know two different fellows tried to make her pay

but she just ain't got good enough ore

in her to bother with.

Whatever she did have was took out a long time ago.

- Take these spikes into Weaver.

- He used up the other keg already?

- Just take them in there, will ya.

- Yeah.

- Are they still in the mine?

- Another two minutes and all four of them will be in there.

- Troy!

- We can't afford any witnesses.

Now you know the plan.

After the accident you ride for help to dig 'em out.

Now there's not a thing to worry about it, it's foolproof.

- But what about the nuggets

that people found in here a few weeks ago?

Dug them right out of these walls.

- Properly salted in with a shotgun.

- If you're thinking of saying "I told you so."

- I am thinking of Wilma and how much money I stand to lose.

- Selby told me to bring you these here spikes.

- He's plumb loco. That's the same kind as I've been using.

- Selby's got an awful lot of explaining to do.

Maybe he didn't lie,

but he didn't tell us the whole truth about this mine.

And that's just as bad as lying.

- Has Selby tried to hire any more men to work here?

- Don't think so. He hired us together.

Said he only needed us for about two or three weeks.

- Only two or three weeks.

(ominous music)

- Hey Selby, I want to talk to you.

(explosion booms)

(tense music)

- Get my rifle.

- What happened?

Drop it. - Shoot from there.

- Drop it before I blow your husband's head off.

All right over there Selby.

- It was Salem did it.

He's been trying to get rid of us all along.

- Both of you grab some shovels and start clearing that out.

Come on!

Start clearing those rocks away. Matt!

Matt!

(suspenseful music)

(Matt groans)

(man groans)

- Hang on. Somebody'll dig us out.

- Matt can you hear me? - Hurry up.

- Come on. Clear it out.

Hang on Matt. We'll get you out of here.

(dramatic music)

- Go get our horses. I'll finish him off.

- [Ravinia] Troy!

(suspenseful music continues)

- We heard a big explosion a while back.

What happened?

(Ravinia sobs)

Hey this looks like that lawyer fellow Mr. Pitt.

You keep an eye on them until we find out

just what's going on around here.

- Did they get away, the Selbys?

- Nope. What happened Mr. Pitt?

(Pitt groans)

(rocks crashing)

(mysterious music)

(Matt laughing)

- What's so funny, Mister.

- Look at that gold vein.

That's a load if I ever saw one.

The man who could have had all of it, will get none of it.

If get out of here. He's gonna hang.

(dramatic music)

- $2 cigars, all the champagne I want.

I'm telling you this gold strike

is really changing my world.

- And it's going to add a few inches to your bay window too.

(Matt laughs)

Cheers.

You know it's your fault that I didn't even buy

more shares in the Four Leaf Clover mine than I did.

- Oh yes, well have you consider that if Selby hadn't tried

to kill me and you got me out of that mine in time,

neither of you would know

how much that mine is really worth.

- Well, that's true. So what?

- So why don't your consciences bother you enough

to cut me into a little of that swag.

- Well Matt, the way I see it you're not now enjoying

the profits that are coming to Wilma and me,

because you have a suspicious nature.

- And I'm terribly fond of you, Matt,

but when it comes to money...

- Couple of real friends.

- Cheers Marshall Wayne,

next time don't have a suspicious nature.

Just be a little naive. It pays.

* 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 that I just can't abhor *

* Is being broke and being poor *

* So I come west and stay secure *

* 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 fair *

* In the golden where

* I'm going to strike it rich in California *

* California

* California

* There's gold in them there hills *

* In California

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