All language subtitles for Boom.Town.1940.1080p.WEBRip.DD1.0.x264-SbR.En

[instrumental music]

[cheerful music]

[music continues]

[cheerful music]

There you are.

One dollar.

Big oil strike in California.
Read all about it.

Read all about it for two bits.

Big oil strike in California.

There's a plenty big one
here, bub.

(male #1)
If I only get a string
of tools and equipment

I got a piece of ground
that's a honey.

You got ground?
You got ground.

Here, take a look at the core
from my lease.

Smell it. Down 800 feet
and run out of pipe.

If it's pipe and tools you need,
there's Luther Aldrich now.

A-ah, that tightwad.

Luther Aldrich? Where?
Where is he? Wh..

Hey, six bits please.
Thanks.

[whistles]

Get around the side
of me fella, will you?

- Come on, I'm getting out here.
- Get outta here.

Come on.

[whistles]

Hello, Luther, old boy.
Well, I haven't seen you

since the Kansas boom.

I don't think I--

We made lot of money there,
didn't we?

Sand. John Sand?
You remember me?

Sand? I don't think I--

I'm spudding in my
first well down here.

I'm going down about 1700 feet

so I'll need quite a lot
of equipment.

Oh, equipment? Ha ha.

Yes! Mr. Sand, of course.

Well, come right
over here. Heh.

What section are you
thinking of drilling?

My lease is in a new section
about 30 miles south of here.

Oh. Thirty miles.
A wildcat, heh?

Some fellas
might call it that but..

Eh, casing tools and lumber will
cost you about $7000 in cash.

That's fine.
That's fine, fine.

We'll carry that in an
open account against my name.

When the well comes in--

I thought so, another deadbeat.

These boomtowns
reek with larceny.

I may be left with little money.

Do you think I'd have sunk
everything I got

if I didn't think there was oil?

You're an oil man.
All oil men are crazy.

I've been swindled,
hoodwinked and hijacked

and I'm practically naked.
I've been--

Mr. Aldrich, there's
a million dollars in this.

Now, you know me--

I don't know you.
I don't know why I said I did.

What do people think I am,
a good fairy?

[chattering]

Brother.
Four bits if you want to cross.

Or take it the hard way.

That's the way
I take everything else.

Shorty, do you mind backing up
and letting me by?

Yeah, I do mind.
Suppose you back up.

And don't call me Shorty.

Shorty or sonny,
what difference does it make?

You're liable to get all muddy
if you don't put it in reverse.

Move over, bud.

I'm wearing Justin Boots
with 4-inch heels.

They'll sure make big dents
in that little frame of yours.

[gunshots]

Stop, or I'll shoot.

[gunshots continue]

Put that six-shooter down.

[indistinct shouting]

I'm John McMasters.

I never heard of you,
and I got no time to start now.

(male #2)
Nice shooting, Harmony.

Right above the nose.

Sorry his nose was
so close to you.

What did he do to you?
Talk back?

No, no, nothing personal.
Just, he's been around

hijacking tools and equipment.

Hijacking?
Yeah, that's bad business.

Ain't it awful?
I was just trying to arrest him.

Why can't folks
be more law abiding?

I'll go home and won't sleep
good again tonight.

I guess he will.

["After You've Gone"
by Ella Fitzgerald]

* Can't you see my tears *

* Listen while I sing *

* After you've gone *

Hey, what do you th..

John.

Hi, Evie. How's my barrel
of sweet Spanish crude, huh?

Where you been hiding, honey?

Hey, what happened?
You jump out a window?

You know I wouldn't
turn my back on ladies.

- Hi, Larry.
- Hi, John.

* Dearest pal you've ever had *

* There'll come a time *

- You been holding out on me.
- You ain't been around.

She just come over
from New Orleans.

Lots of laughs.
Never been away from home.

* When you'll grow lonely *

* You're heart will break
like mine *

* And you want me only *

* After you've gone *

Hey, 50 bucks?
You'll spoil the kid.

You can't spoil baby lamb.
Besides, I got 800 in my poke.

Just running a gusher
for old man Wilson.

I'm here for laughs.
Leaving in the morning train.

You darn prairie jack.
Where you hopping to now?

I hear they brought in
a big wildcat in California.

Wildcats. Wildcats!
Always looking for wildcats.

When you gonna
settle down, darling?

What the heck, Evie? Travel
and brag. Brag and travel.

Maybe I'll hit oil
where there ain't.

Throw a steak on the fire.
With all the fixes.

I'm gonna wash up.

* There'll come a time *

* When you'll regret it *

* Some day when you'll
grow lonely *

* Your heart will break
like mine *

* And you'll want me only *

* After you've gone *

* After you've gone away *

[crowd applauds]

Hey, Whitey. I'll be back down
like a spring breeze.

Don't let those apes steal
all your peanuts.

They say that with diamonds
where I come from.

Yes, sir, Whitey.

A brass band in a bathtub.

[all laughing]

- 'Oh!'
- Oh, excuse me.

Whip those mules, brother,
there's a run on the bank.

Hey, listen fella.

Well, well, it's Shorty again.

A man can get pretty sick
of running into a guy like you.

Yeah, you don't wanna
get sick, though.

I might have to hold
your head, Shorty.

Guess you didn't hear me before?

- Don't call me Shorty.
- Why not, Shorty?

Ha ha ha.
Okay.

Why should we have an argument?

- One of us might get hurt.
- Yeah, that's right.

One of us might.

You wanna use the bowl now?

Wait a minute,
I'll fix it up for ya.

- Well, thanks, Shorty.
- There you are.

Put a little gin in it.
Cut right through that oil.

- Cheaper than water, anyway.
- Yeah.

Yeah. Not bad.

Quite a roll of scratch
you got there.

How much is it?
Six or seven grand?

Supposing it is.

You think you're gonna pull
a gun outta your rudder?

Ah, ha ha. No, no.
I just thought you might be

interested in spudding
in a well.

- 'Run it up to a million.'
- Oh, no. Nothing doing, Shorty.

I'm heading west. California.
I like them wild.

I hear guys do alright
for themselves out there.

You don't want them
any wilder than this.

Look at this.
All unproven, virgin lease.

Thirty miles south of here.

So you think
there's oil there, huh?

Put up money
for the rig and tools

and you'll get half.

And there's oil as sure as gin.

How do you know, Shorty?

You don't get that
dealing cards.

Oh, the old bunion, huh?

- You're a driller, too?
- That's it.

What do you say, fifty-fifty?

Nope. I've been planted here
too long, anyway.

Me for over the Rockies.

Stick around, though, and I'll
buy you a drink just for luck.

Okay, Whitey.
Diamonds or doughnuts?

Hey, wait a minute.
Where you going?

Let go of me.
I pick my own posies, jughead.

Eat your steak, John,
while it's hot.

Come on, Whitey, honey.

Throw your little jelly cup
right here and happy days.

Who's your
cheerful friend, John?

Him? That's Shorty.

- Name is Sand. John Sand.
- Well, John. Two Johns.

Oh, we gotta do something
about that. Get all mixed up.

First, let's find
you a nice girl for you.

No thanks,
I'll stick to whiskey.

- I'll bet he's got a girl.
- Maybe, he's married.

You got an Oregon Boot
back home?

Who, me? No.
No, not exactly.

You mean you got a girl,
eh, Shorty?

Sure. And he's on the square,
and I like him.

That's your name.
Square John.

Square John, Big John.
That fixes everything.

Well, blood on the moon.

Whitey, if I was to tell you
that I was the Mississippi river

at high tide,
what would you think, huh?

Hey. We thought this over.
You was with us first.

- She was?
- Yeah.

Well, I didn't..

Looks like
we got company, Shorty.

You got company.

That's what I thought.

[crowd shouting]

I beat you by four feet, Shorty.

Oh-oh.

Wait a minute.
I got another chance.

I give you a tie.

(female #1)
Ed, break it up!

Say, John, stop it! You're
giving the place a bad name.

Shorty, you sure can go.

Here I am thinking
you are all gab.

Yeah, he pulled a cutting knife
on me. Makes you mad.

Hey, where'd you say
that lease of yours was?

- Thirty miles south of here.
- Well, okay, okay.

We'll drive out
and take a look at her..

...in the morning.

So you think you got
a field here, huh?

I know it.
Take a look.

[water bubbling]

The big-headed geologists in
town say it's only surface gas

but I say it's oil.

Shorty, I think
we got something.

I know we have.

And we're plumb center
on the structure, here.

Now, wait a minute.
Wait a minute!

I think moreover
by that old steer skull

will hit the peak of the dome.

Don't be fooled
by any false jogs.

If there's pay structure,
It's right under here.

Listen, you're gonna fool
yourself down to salt water--

Hey, look, I'm an oil man too
you know.

I haven't been drilling
all my life for gophers.

I was pulling oil out of the
ground when your mom

was giving it to you
for your health. If you think--

Alright, alright, take it easy.

Somebody's gotta be the boss.

You got a hard dollar on you?

Kinda light, ain't it?

Yeah, it's counterfeit,
my pocket piece.

It's the only kind
I can hold on to.

- Call it!
- Heads.

Okay, you are the boss.
We'll spud in by the skull.

Now listen, Shorty.

My betting on you is just as
good as betting on that skull.

- We'll spud it here.
- Okay, boss.

Hey, now, how-how
about that dough?

How-how much is in that
bankroll of yours anyway?

Well, let's see, I had 800 when
I went in the joint last night.

That Whitey she's alright,
isn't she?

Well, you told me
you had 7 grand.

No.

You told me, Shorty.

Well, that'll only
put up the derrick.

I'm the boss. Getting
the equipment is up to me.

Just put yourself in my hand.

(male #3)
Hey, wait a minute, John.

You better keep them eyes
peeled for hijackers.

I lost two loads last week.

You hired me
when I was broke, Mr. Aldrich.

'I won't let you down.'

I'll look after your merchandise
like it was my very own.

Yeah, well, I think we better
not take any chances.

Come on. Get on
out there, Eddie.

Hey, Harmony.

'Come away from that
cookbook. Come on!'

Comin' a-runnin'.

Now look, Mr.Aldrich, I
don't need any--

Oh, no, no. If any hijackers
start anything

Harmony will take care
of them. Go ahead.

Come on. Yay!

[whistles]

Well, it's the big feller.
I didn't recognize you at first.

Nice day for the race, ain't it?

- What race?
- The human race.

[chuckling]

[shouting]

You add a pinch of salt to taste
and serve piping hot

to the delight of your
family and friends.

Eh, don't that sound pretty?

If you're so interested
in cooking

why do you wanna
go around killing people?

I hate shooting folks.
I had a fine job one time

cooking over at Parson's ranch.

A bunch of horse rustlers popped
in and when the sheriff come

he kind of liked the way
they was laid out

and he deputized me
for this here business.

Say, here's a reskipe
for lemon meringoo pie.

That's just plain old lemon pie
for foreigners, don't you..

[gunshot]

Danged if I like them big hawks.

All the time killing
little turtledoves.

(male #4)
'Put them up.
Come on, pull up there.'

No monkey business, now.
Climb down!

Climb down in front of me, son.

But don't worry. I'll plug him
right between the eyes.

No, no, no. I-I can't.
I'm shaking all over.

Come on, you guys.
Quit stallin'.

No, no. Don't shoot.
Maybe he'll shoot back.

Alright, keep walking now
and keep reaching.

Yes, sir.

Get up there.

Please don't say anything
to anybody, will you?

I'm not used to guns.

My knees just turned to water.

I nearly passed out I guess.

Just simmer down, big fella.
Think of something else.

[engine chugging]

* Fare thee well
fare thee well *

* Fare thee well *
fare thee well my fairy fey *

* For I'm going to Louisiana
For to see my Susyanna *

* Singing polly wolly doodle
all the day *

* Fare thee well
fare thee well *

* Fare thee well my fairy fey *

* For I'm going to Louisiana
for to see my Susyanna *

* Signing polly wolly doodle
all the day.. *

Hey, we're getting close.
Try that last stuff.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

Who wanted to spud
by that steer skull?

We'll be reaching
for her tail in a few feet.

We sure had a break with Luther.

I thought he'd have spotted us.

No. We'll pay
Luther back double.

Come on, you wild kitty. Spit.

Begins to get to you
about now, don't it?

Yeah, like sparking
around some dame.

Oh, I forgot about
the gal of yours, Shorty.

Well, don't worry.
She'll bewalking around

in platinum garters over..

Hey, listen.

Get back, she's coming in now.

Come on, honey.
Come to us, baby.

- Let's cap her in.
- No. Let her flow.

Let her open up
her mouth and holler.

Look out!

[water gushing]

Salt water.

The Gulf of Mexico.

Well, at least we can smoke now.

Take it easy, Shorty.

They say you get rich
if you drill enough holes.

Would have been alright if we'd
spudded in by that skull.

Must be the water
from the side structure.

Well, I guess that's that.

You're thinking
about that dame, huh?

Hey, what's her name?
What's she like?

She's nuts about you, huh?

I wish I could be sure.
She likes me I guess.

We've known each other
quite a piece.

You know it ain't
exactly set yet

but I figured
if this well came in

why, she'd come out here
and we could..

Ah, forget it.

Aah, pick up your chin.

We'll spud in over there
someday. Somehow.

Who's that comin'?

That's Luther's car.
We'd better travel.

(both)
Travel or jail.

They're getting away.
They're getting away.

[gunshot]

Hey, hold it.

Okay.

Take it easy,
I'm gonna get me a pigeon.

[gunshot]

[air whooshing]

For heaven's sake,
they're escaping.

Come on, you're the sheriff.
Do something.

I wonder what they done with my
Barbara Fritchie cookbook.

Oh, shut up,
you blithering seagull.

Thousands of dollars worth
of equipment lost

and in a dry hole.

If they ever come back here,
I'll have them boiled in oil.

In their own oil.

They didn't strike any.

[water gushing]

[cheerful music]

[music continues]

Once more won't hurt them.
Seven, dice.

There she is.

Seven out of the field
and pay the line.

Oh, six-one, babies.
Right back at them.

- That's it, babies.
- Eleven. Pay the line.

'Ten passes.'

I can't lose.
I'm knee-deep in clover.

Just for luck, Shorty.

Come on, babies,
once more. Oh, yeah.

'Pay the line.'

There you are, sir.

Two thousand, Shorty.
Watch me double it.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

That's enough.

Those dice got
snake eyes, you know.

Okay, Shorty. Shorty here,
he's the warden.

That's right,
you tell him, Shorty.

Make him take..

Don't call me Shorty.

But Holy Moses,
he called you Shorty.

That's alright.
That's him, not you.

Here, buy him
seven or eight drinks.

Come on, Shorty, let's go.

Hey, where are we going with all
this fancy scratch, little man?

Right back to Burkburnett.

We're gonna spud in that well
right by the old steer skull

where a fella tried to get me
to do it before. Remember?

Ho ho.
Wahoo!

Hey, wait a minute, chump.

Do you think Luther
is foolish enough

to take $2000
for all we owe him?

You just act like I said.
Do as the boss tells you.

Just check over that balance.
It was wrong again yesterday.

Hi, Luther. Long time no see.

Ha ha. Well, gentlemen,
what can I..

It's them.
It's them.

Oh, do something, quick.
Get Harmony.

Wait a minute.
Take it easy.

We're just here
on a little business.

Don't stand there trembling
like a pen-wiper. What business?

We just wanna pay our bill.
If you don't want the money.

You wanna pay me?
Well, why didn't you say..

Come in, gentlemen.
Sit down.

I was only saying yesterday

I wonder what happened
to Mr. Sand

and let go of Mr. McMasters,
you idiot.

- Well, it's the big feller.
- Hi, Harmony.

It's alright, Harmony,
there's no need--

- Here you are, Luther.
- Well.

- Two thousand on account.
- Two thousand?

- But you owe me $7000.
- That's for good faith.

We still got our lease.

We'll pay the rest
when our new well comes in.

- Your new well?
- Yeah, sure.

You're gonna give us
tools and equipment.

I give you what?
Harmony, get the sheriff.

- I'll give you jail sentences--
- Wait a minute, take it easy.

Alright, he's got us
where it hurts.

We gotta give him
a sixteenth of the well.

What? We'll do no such thing.

Certainly not. I-I..
What's that?

A sixteenth?

Well, I-I.. No, I run
a strictly cash business here.

Alright, alright.
Then we'll give you an eighth.

Why give an eighth
of a million dollars away?

A million dollars? Are you..
You mean, ten million dollars.

(Sand)
'We can afford a measly eighth.'

- Come on, Luther. What--
- No, no, no. Over my dead body.

Where do you get off mooching
your way for an eighth?

You old cow thief. I'm going
to the bank on my own.

Wait a minute. Wait.

I don't know what to say.

You said enough, trying to let
this crook in on a sure thing.

I worked my hands raw
to earn that money.

Now, wait a minute.
I might consider an eighth.

But an eighth of what?

What makes you maniacs think
you're gonna find oil this time?

Say, do you think we'd be
sticking our necks in a noose

if we didn't know
there was oil? Come on..

No, no, I still think
an eighth is--

Well, alright. Alright.
I'll do it.

But it's got to be an eighth.

And we'll sign the papers
right now.

Harmony goes out with you to see
there's no monkey business.

If you two don't bring in a well
this time you, you go to jail.

Both of you. I'm not gonna..
I'm..

For heaven..
I'm stuck again.

* Fare thee well *

* Fare thee well *

* Fare thee well my fairy fey *

* For I'm going to Louisiana
For to see my Susyanna *

Hot groceries.

Hey, Big John, come and get it.

Okay. I'm ready for it.

Here she is, boys. Another
Barbara Fritchie special.

Hey, what's that for?

We gotta have a name
for the well.

You mind if we call it that?

"Beautiful Darling Betsy."

Well, I'll be doggoned.

Okay, Shorty. Say, when are we
gonna get a load of this gal?

Maybe you'll see her some day
if the well comes in.

We're due, alright.

Take a look at the sand
from that last bailing.

What's that?
Rabbit again?

Rabbit stew a la mode.

Shot two nice fat ones
this morning.

Couldn't go out and shoot a can
of beans for a change?

Let's drive to Eva's
for a steak.

We got 13 or a dozen bucks left.

No. Rabbit's okay by me.

We're due for a bust. Five weeks
of this ain't natural.

I got the jumps.

You and Harmony go in. I can
make a few more feet of hole.

Besides, I got some letters
to write.

Oh, okay, okay.
Me for town.

'You work out your nightlife
with water on the side.'

But that gal may stand you up.

So just don't turn out
to be Henry the Hermit.

I'll pick up the groceries
and meet you over at Eva's.

Hey.

Careful, my dear.
Let the deacon help you.

Thank you.

Looks like Aunt Molly's
got a new visitor.

Yeah. Kind of looks
that way

but I'm not sure.

You'll like the other place
better, my dear.

Not a hotel, more like
a boarding house.

More homelike for a girl
like you, dearie.

We have evening get-togethers,
and the nicest Southern cooking.

You're very kind, but I..

Ma'am, I'm about
to speak a piece.

You're new here, so you don't
know Aunt Molly and the deacon.

Molly's done a little time.

And the deacon...well,
he can squirm

under a water moccasin
with a high hat on.

And you, Auntie,
keep that knife in your corset.

Might not look nice if I'd have
to kick you in the stomach.

Now, get.

Well, thank you very much.

You see, where they wanted
to take you..

Well, a girl like you
might not have liked it.

You mean I'd wake up
in a gilded palace

- and be afraid to go home?
- Oh, you were wise, huh?

Well, he looked pretty obvious.
You know the first time I voted

my mother broke down and told me
all about the big bad world.

- Thanks anyway.
- You know, uh..

I still think you need
somebody to keep an eye on you.

- This is a pretty rough town.
- Oh, dear.

- What?
- I thought it was Galahad.

Galahad in boots and a Stetson

come to rescue the fair Elaine
from the dragons.

But underneath you're
just Modred, aren't you?

What do you mean, Modred?

Sir Modred. Of all the knights,
he was the wicked one.

I'm very sorry.

She kind of rustled
her bustle, didn't she?

Modred! Say, what do you
know about those guys

Modred and Galahad?

Let me see. I know Pete Galahad.
Sheriff over in Whizbang.

No, no.
Two different guys.

Could you tell me where
I might find Mr. Jonathan Sand?

Jonathan Sand, he's drilling
out in the south section

about a 30 mile ride.

I could get you a jitney, ma'am.

Oh, no, not tonight.
Thank you.

I'll have supper,
go in the morning.

Yes, ma'am.

- Well, I take your order now?
- Let's see. How's the chicken?

Don't order fried chicken,
it's three-year-old jackrabbit.

Well, saved again from a fate
worse than death.

Come on, Lena.
Tell her, John McMasters

'is just a babe in the woods.'

I bring your soup
but don't go in no woods.

Lena's dizzy from dollar tips.

- Are you Big John McMasters?
- Yeah.

Oh, you've heard about me, huh?

Well, I certainly have.

Doesn't that surprise you?

Well, I'm pretty well known
around these parts.

I heard about you
long before I arrived here.

Oh, on the bus, huh?

Yes. That's right.
They were saying

"Big John McMasters, there's
a fellow to be heard from."

Really?

Come on, now, stop kidding me
into a bear trap.

[carnival music]
A lot's going on tonight.

What, ah, what am I
going to call you

for the rest of the evening?

Ah, the rest of the evening?

Yeah. All I know now
is Elaine.

What am I going to call you
when I take you to that rodeo?

Maybe I just better be
the Lady Elaine for a while.

I don't want to give you
sudden surprises.

You look too delicate.

Lady Elaine, nothing you could
tell me would surprise me.

Wait and see, Sir Modred.

You want to order?

Sure. What are you
doing here at that?

Are you one of those
lady drummers?

No, I'm much more
important than that.

If I like it here,
I might open a shop.

- What kind of a shop?
- Lingerie.

- Come again?
- Underwear. Ladies underwear.

Oh, ladies underwear?
Well, I don't know. Now, you see

the girls in this town..

'Well, what I mean is
there's not much call for--'

- You'd better order.
- Yeah.

'Now, Lena, my love,
I want a steak, 32 ounce, rare''

Same racket. Hasn't changed
since I was a kid.

Knock down the milk bottles,
and they give you St. Vitus.

Stop it, you'll wear him out.

Mr. Summers, just a minute.
I want you to meet Lady Elaine.

- And Mrs. Summers.
- How do you do?

Mr. Summers runs the Emporium,
the biggest store in town.

Lady Elaine is down here
selling women's underwear.

I want you to buy till it hurts.

Don't pay any attention to him,
Mr. Summers. He's crazy.

Yes, I'm Sir Modred,
the wicked knight.

Wicked knight?
You're a drunk.

[both laughing]

Oh, look, it started.

[music]

Wa-hoo, ride him, Henry.

Sit still and sing to him.

I guess Henry can't sing.

Why, that's just like sitting
in a rocking chair.

Alright, folks. Who else will
ride the Missouri Angel?

That's a cinch. All you have to
do is wrap your legs around him.

Alright, go ahead.

Who, me?

Here's your next rider,
Big John McMasters.

Hey, wait a minute.
I was just..

Big John McMasters
is our next rider.

You see how happy
you've made them?

Yes, yes.
Sir Modred is stuck.

Here, take the colors
of the fair Elaine

and wear them bravely
in the joust, Sir Modred.

I don't know what she's talking
about, St. Vitus

but look after her.

She's something pretty special.

- Whoa, mule.
- He's just looking you over.

(McMasters)
Yeah.

Sir Modred is up.

[music]

Hey, what do you got
the balloon for, Big John?

Going up in the air?

Everybody likes Big John,
don't they?

Yeah. He's
high test, ma'am.

Hey, Big John!

[music continues]

Sir Modred is still up.

Wa-hoo.

[whistling and cheering]

[crowd laughing]

Modred is down.

You know, I've never had
so much fun all my life.

What do we do now?

I guess there's not much more
you can do in this town.

- Hiya, Big John.
- Oh, hi, Tom. Hi, Ed.

Well, we'll be seeing you
next summer.

Yeah? Hey, where are you headed?

To Arizona
for a little wildcatting.

Yes, sir.

When we come back,
we'll be driving a Rolls Royce.

Attaboy. I hope you bring
in a cat that'll really howl.

- Happy days. Wa-hoo.
- Wa-hoo.

Tom and Ed Murphy. I hope
they get lucky and strike it.

They've been knocking
at the gate a long time.

Say, this sounds very gay.
What's in here?

Don't go in there.
That's just a dancehall.

A bad dance hall?

Well, no, but it's a place
where fellas go on payday.

- Have you been in there?
- Sure, but--

Well, then, you can take me.

No, no, it's liable
to be kind of rough.

Now, look, I'm not really
Little Red Riding Hood.

I came down here
because I wanted to see if..

Well, I want to see
all the sights.

Now, please.

Well, I'm agin it. So holler
when you've had enough.

Hello, Big John. Whitey was
just asking me where..

I beg your pardon.

Hi, Hank.
Good old Hank.

Well, look at all the
pretty girls. Do you know them?

Yes. That is, I mean,
not all of them, but..

There's the dance floor.
Do you dance?

Look-look, here's
roulette over here.

- Well, I'd rather--
- Did you ever play roulette?

Say, which one is Spanish Eva?

She's home, taking care
of the kids.

Hi, Ike.
Five bucks on 17.

Me, too. A quarter.
Two bits on 17.

Sorry, ma'am, but
the limit here is--

Just this once, Ike.

Hey, where you been,
you big bag of sugar?

I've been cooling
my lily-white heels

for three hours waiting for you.

(McMasters)
'Seventeen odd.'

That means we won, doesn't it?

- Yeah.
- Who's that?

- Why..
- You new here?

Yes, I arrived this evening.

She with you?

Whitey, this is the fair
Elaine, Lady Elaine.

How are you?

Oh, yeah? And I'm
Lady Astorbilt.

(female #1)
'Ah, she's just a sister, kid.'

- Give it to her, blondie.
- Come on.

[cheering]

Holler when you've had enough.

Come on.

After that it was
just bumming around.

Logging a bit up in Alberta.

A few years mining here
and there, then France.

Now, I'm in the oil game
for good I guess.

A woman always gets a chump to
blow his own horn, doesn't she?

Not unless she wants to hear it.

I've never been very
close-hitched to people.

That is, until I met my partner.
Right down the street there--

Say, isn't that
a wonderful moon?

Yeah. That's moon enough
for everybody.

- Say, what's this?
- That?

That's just oil being pulled up
out of the ground.

Here? But it
looks like a church.

Sure, used to be. Look.

When the boom came, the
congregation all got excited

and spudded in a wildcat
right under the pulpit.

Now, there are churches
all over the state

spreading happy days and
hallelujah out of these holes.

And ye shall rise
out of the earth.

(male #5)
'Well, why, who's there?'

- Why, glory be, it's Big John.
- Hello, Springtime.

You're out late. I was
just finishing my supper.

- How are they pumping?
- Deep and sure, John.

They'll be pumping
long after I'm spudded in

and part of the flow.

- Well, goodnight to you.
- Goodnight.

You know, funny guy, Springtime.

Two times a millionaire.

Once in the Pennsylvania field
and once in Louisiana.

Hired the whole top deck of an
ocean liner just to go to Paris.

Now, he's here in Texas, broke.

But he might hit it
again tomorrow.

- He seems happy, though.
- Yeah. It's a funny business.

You get away from it
for a while, go on a bust.

'Then one night,
you try to sleep.'

Those darn pumps
start pounding in your ears.

I don't know.

Like a heartbeat.

Yeah. Sounds kind of silly,
doesn't it?

Nothing is silly in church.

You sure can talk straight
to a fella

and ball him up
at the same time.

I'll have to sic you
on my partner.

You'll like Shorty.
Everybody calls him Square John

and he's as square
as the Constitution.

But, you know, Elaine, he's been
mooning around about some dame.

Keeps writing her letters,
won't talk about her

like it was a 20 to 1 shot.

If I thought that much
about a girl, I'd..

But it'd have to be
a girl like you.

I'd want her right where I could
take ahold of her and tell her.

Right here, for instance.

I'd like to go back
to the hotel.

What's the matter?
What's wrong?

If you don't mind, please,
it's getting a little chilly.

Yes, it is a little
at that I guess.

Alright, come on.

- Well, good morning.
- Good morning.

Well. Thank you.
It's been awfully nice.

I'll see you tomorrow, won't I?

No, um, I'm afraid not.

I-I just realized I had to take
the bus in the morning.

Hey, wait a minute.

Is there another guy?

Yes.

You love him, huh?

No, not this..

Not that way. But..

Then what are you leaving for?

Because..
Goodbye.

Hey.

Come down here.

I make up my mind quick.

I made it up when I first
saw you, I guess.

You aren't ever gonna leave.

[deep rumbling]

[whooshing]

[oil gushing]

Wa-hoo! She drilled herself in.

Yeah!

You're rich, mister.
There's yeast in the buckwheat.

[gushing continues]

Boy, ain't that
a beautiful black cloud.

[gushing continues]

Let's cap her, or she'll run
all over the state.

Boy, listen to her. She's just
a-puffin' and a-blowin'.

[gushing continues]

Hey, wait!

[hen clucking]

[crowd screaming]

Hey, alright, go and dig up
Big John and then find Luther.

(McMasters)
'Hey, Shorty!'

- What's up? Did she--
- She blew herself in.

Five thousand barrels
is a cinch.

Wa-hoo!
Come on up here.

I'll be right back. I gotta
go down and send a telegram.

Honey, did you hear that?
That was Shorty.

You married a millionaire.

John...please sit down.

What? What is it?
What's the matter?

Please.

I was going to tell you later,
before we went out to the well.

I can't put it off any longer.

What is it?

I'm the girl he's been
writing to, John.

What?

Betsy.

The beautiful Betsy.

Elizabeth Bartlet, sure.

'This is no good.'

Why didn't you tell me?

Oh, darling. When you came
to that table last night

you were so fresh
and sure of yourself.

I-I thought it would be
a surprise..

A big joke when you found out.

You see, later,
it wasn't a joke anymore.

I tried to leave knowing what
you two meant to each other.

I would have gone to him
and explained.

No, you wouldn't have, John.

Oh, darling, I was so afraid.

I-I was afraid
I'd lose you.

But you told him you were
going to marry him.

No, I didn't. Oh, no.
I haven't been that unfair.

Listen, I've known
Jonathan a long time.

I-I knew that he wanted
to marry me

but that he felt that he should
have more to offer and..

Oh, John.

You see, back home,
life was piling up on me.

I...teaching poetry
to a lot of high school kids

that didn't like it
and didn't like me

because I made them learn it.

Furnished rooms, cafeterias

and men you wouldn't shake
a stick at.

Don't you see,
like any other girl

I-I wanted a new life
and a home of my own, too

so...when Jonathan wrote me
about the life out here

and the excitement,
I-I just packed up

and took the first train.

I like Jonathan.
I admire him.

I came out to see if perhaps
we could find a life together.

It's still no good.

Well, I've knifed him
in the back.

Oh, no, John.
Please believe me.

If I'd left you last night

I never would have
married Jonathan.

I'd have gone away
without seeing him

because I knew I'd love
only one man forever.

[knocking on door]

(male #6)
'Hey! Open up.'

'It's Cornelius Vanderfeller.
Come on, open up.'

I love you, John.

And I love you.

[knocking on door]

'Come on, hurry up.
Open up. Open up.'

Boy, did you miss it.
We were pounding the only..

...Bet.

Jonathan.

We were married
last night, Shorty.

Wait a minute.
I don't get this.

He never knew about us.
I just told him.

She wanted to leave,
but I couldn't let her go.

I couldn't let her go,
see, Shorty.

It happened just that way,
so I dug up Judge Martin.

Well, say something, Shorty.
Take a sock at me or something.

You sure this is the way
you want it.

Yes, Jonathan. You see when I
came out here last night..

Okay, Betsy.

Thank you, Jonathan.

Well, I guess that's
the way it is.

I gotta get out to the well.
I got a lot of things to do.

No need you comin' out. I'll see
you both out there later.

Honey, that's a guy.

[dramatic music]

[cheerful music]

Wa-hoo!
[laughing]

Okay, everybody.
Come on in, have a drink

with the Murphy boys
from Arizona.

A Rolls Royce.
You must be in the money.

- We are.
- Welcome home.

- Lucky, Ed.
- Hey, Big John.

Big John! Pull over
with that horse.

Come on over,
we are settin' 'em up.

Tom, Ed, you long lost
Comanches. I heard you hit it.

Yeah, we hit it.
And we're spending it.

Tom, Ed. Oh, am I glad
to see you.

Well, I see
you brought a stranger.

- Hi, honey.
- Stay away from him, baby.

He's an old married man now.

I never hurt you, did I?

How's the fireplace
and slippers?

Fine, everything's fine.
How you been?

- Just dandy.
- That's swell.

Hey, two wildcats, they tell me.

How deep did you have to go?

Wouldn't mean nothin'
to a big producer like you.

I should've been with you.

- Is there any good looking--
- Million acres of it.

Come on, let's all have a drink.

I can't. My wife called
and wants me home early, but--

We heard you got lassoed.

Yeah, for life.

She wants me home,
something about the new house.

Don't go away.
I'll be right back.

- We'll be waiting for you.
- Not for long, brother.

[dog barking]

Hey, honey.

[scatting
"Here Comes The Bride"]

Behold the bridegroom.

Here, congratulations,
my boy. Have a drink.

One year married, and he can't
believe it himself.

Used 14 eggs.
Angel grub, they call it.

Honey, I forgot.
[chuckles]

Well, that proves I really
got a husband.

But I ought to have
a present or something.

I got my present right here,
all around me.

(Harmony)
'Darn it, we ain't got much time
for that sparkin'.'

We'll be ready, Harmony.

Hey, hey, come on,
everybody. To Betsy.

Yes, to Beautiful
Darling Betsy number 1.

Hey, who do you thinks
in town? Tom and Ed Murphy.

Just brought in two wildcats
up in Arizona.

Let's all go down
and meet 'em after dinner

and talk to them
at the hotel, huh?

(Betsy)
'Sure we can go.'

If you think they'll
be interested

in a couple
of old married people.

Honey, I'm sorry.
To heck with 'em.

Say, I gotta wash up.
[snapping fingers]

That must've been something
though, right outta nothing.

A new wildcat and the big moose
goes right into high gear.

- Doesn't he?
- Yeah.

I am set to carry on
our cutthroat heart game

after dinner. Boy, will I
give you the black queen.

Oh, no, you won't.

There's gonna be
no heart game tonight.

You two boys are eating
and then running.

But I ain't got anything to do.
I thought we were--

Well, Luther, you see, uh,
it's this way, uh..

Why-why don't you just stop
thinking and go pour me a drink?

(Luther)
I'm always mixing drinks
or something.

Oh, they're such lovely flowers,
Jonathan. Thank you.

Place sure looks high toned.

I guess that's
the woman's hands does that.

Well, it's not exactly
the way I planned it

but he took such
an interest in it.

The horns from your well over
the mantel and...the guns.

Oh, and that armor over there,
he calls it his Sir Modred suit.

Well, that's the way it is.

That's the way I want it to be.

It's where I want to live
forever and ever

and never move away.

- That was a good dinner, Betsy.
- Thanks.

See you in the morning.

Shorty, why don't you stop by
and see Tom and Ed?

Maybe we might--

I better run to the field.

I wanna take a last look
at number 5.

- She's close. Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

It's an invitation
every year for you two.

- Ah, thanks.
- Goodnight. Bye.

I still don't see why
we couldn't have had

one hour's heart game.

Now, I know you're over 60.

Aah well, you do want to hear
all about it, don't you?

- What?
- Those Arizona wildcats.

No, no honey, really.

You're about as convincing as a
boy refusing a chocolate soda.

Alright, come on.

I've got some things
to do around here anyway.

Only, it'll take about an hour
for your information.

- Sure you don't mind?
- No.

You go see the Murphy boys,
and you all sit around

and lie a little bit to each
other and have a good time.

Only, just remember,
you've got another wildcat

waiting for you at home.

Oh, will I.

- I won't be more than a hour.
- Right.

- John. John. Betsy.
- What's happened?

Number five came in,
then caught fire. Where's John?

Well, he went into town. You
wake Harmony, I'll get a coat.

Harmony, go over
to the firehouse.

Get Wilson and his nitro truck.
Tell him to bring 100 quarts.

(McMasters)
'Swing that wildcat.'

Everybody's a wildcat
in Arizona, huh, Ed?

Wa-hoo!

Betsy, honey.

Get out, Betsy.
You don't belong in here.

- The Murphy boys.
- Do you hear what I say?

- You don't belong.
- Wait a minute.

- Why did you bring her here?
- I'm not spying on you.

You're free to go on with it.

We just came to tell you
that number five is on fire.

- Number five on fire?
- Yeah, you coming?

Harmony, take the missus home,
then come right out.

- How did it start?
- Who cares? It started.

[indistinct shouting]

[explosion]

You get a hose on that tank.

If it goes,
the whole field will go.

'Everybody get back.'

Hurry up with that shield.

[explosion]

- Where's that nitro truck?
- Listen, boss.

This is too dangerous
for you two fellas.

Two or three cans of nitro will
blow her like a birthday cake.

But that's wild oil and gas.

Let's wait for them
firedogs from Ranger.

We haven't got time
to wait for them.

This baby's way ahead of us.

[car honking]

She's too hot.

You can't get the nitro in
close enough to blow her out.

You just unload it.

We'll get her close enough.
We're taking a shield in first.

'We'll take in the nitro
on the next trip.'

Alright, hit the water.

[explosion]

The top casing's split.

You can't tell
where she'll shoot now.

[explosion]

Put more pressure
on those lines.

If it was my well,
I'd let her burn herself out.

Stop yapping.

Tell Jim to put another
hose on that tank.

- Hot work, huh, Shorty?
- Lay off the Shorty.

Oh, behave. What did I do?

I just met Tom and Ed,
got a little high, that's all.

I saw enough and heard enough
I didn't like.

Okay.

If you see anything or hear
anything you don't like

don't go running
to Betsy with it.

Just keep your nose--

What's the matter
with you two fellas?

Never mind about this.
Get that battery ready.

Boys. Who's responsible
for this catastrophe?

Watch where you're going, buddy.

You kick that can of nitro,
and you'll blow us to Alaska.

We'll touch it off after this
trip. Get the truck out of here.

Hang that wire on me.

Somebody must have
fallen asleep on the job.

Get the water!

They're using too much nitro.

They'll blow up the whole field.
I'll lose a fortune.

Give me the wire!

If that oil gets there first,
the two Johns will blow back

on us like fried hamburger.

- Hug the ground back there.
- Get back.

[explosion]

She's out!

Wonderful, boys. Marvelous!

I knew we'd do it.
Look at her.

Here, come on, fellas.
Do something, will you?

We're wasting a lot of oil!

It's the biggest gusher yet.

Isn't big enough.

Call it. For the works.

- Okay, the whole outfit.
- Call it.

Tails.

You're on my land.

- Now, listen, Big John..
- Come on, everyone.

Look, big feller.

I'll fix you some
nice fresh coffee.

Forget it. All I need
is some sleep.

Did you put out the fire?

So you're calling it quits, huh?

No, I'm afraid you did that.

You've always been
straightforward

and direct about things,
and this like everything else.

Oh, don't worry.
There isn't going to be a scene.

I'm just no good
at picking wildcats, I guess.

The land was attractive,
but the structure fooled me.

Now, I'm down to clay
and saltwater.

Not that I blame
the clay and saltwater.

Some people might like it,
but I don't.

You sure got in way over
your head, didn't you?

I'll be out of here in a minute.

Harmony can take me to the early
train if you don't mind.

Unless, of course,
there's some explanation.

No.

You got it all figured out.

You do it the way you want to.

Harmony, will you come
and get my bags, please?

My God. God, did old Square John
sure give him what he deserved.

He broke him flatter
than a can on a railroad track.

You mean they had a fight?

Fight? They flipped
for the whole field, Miss Betsy.

And now, that big, dumb
pit dog you're leaving

ain't worth much more
than that lead dollar

that they tossed with.

Yes, sir.

Long as you're gonna go, uh..

...you sure picked
a nice morning for it.

[whistling]

[dog barking]

Oh, my darling. You and Jonathan
mustn't fight about this.

- You've been such good friends.
- He and I have our own fight.

That's my business.

You and me, well,
that's your business and mine.

So what about it?

I don't want to leave you.

All the time I was in here
packing like an idiot.

I was wanting you to come
and put your arms around me

and tell me nothing happened.

Nothing did.

Oh, I'm such a fool.

Oh, you're my gal.

But we're broke.
Gotta start in all over again.

- We'll go wildcatting, huh?
- It means selling this house.

Oh, who cares about this house?

You know, I was
just thinking this afternoon

here we are, tied down to it.

It's a millstone.

We're just buried under a lot
of plaster and two by fours.

- Honest? Do you feel that way?
- Sure I do.

Oh, you are my gal.

Well, wildcatting it is.

Our house will be
wherever we are.

If there's oil at the North
Pole, we'll live in an igloo.

And you won't freeze
to death either.

[humming]

Harmony, Harmony.
Come on.

There's a big ruckus
over at Eva's.

Alright. Come on,
come on, come on.

Does anybody else wanna say
anything about McMasters?

Oh. Disturbing the peace, huh?

Let's go to the calaboose.

Two agin one, it ain't manly.

Look, sonny boy. Two weeks
of this bust is about enough.

You're getting to be
Huckleberry Finn.

You don't understand.

Big Moose's no good, but I'm the
only one's got a right to say.

Why don't you start traveling
and hunt him up?

- No good.
- Oh, I thought so.

Here again. Now,
look here, my boy.

You've got to sober up
and get back to the field.

I've got my business. I can't
handle your work and mine too.

- I've got a--
- Do you wanna buy me out?

I couldn't. I'd..

- For what price?
- Wait a minute, honey.

Any price you say.

Well, now, that might
be arranged, John.

That's a good idea.

'I'll have the papers
in my office in half an hour.'

Alright. I'll be there.

You can't go into a deal
with this vulture when---

I'm through.
I'm gonna go away.

I never wanna see another oil
derrick as long as I live.

Evie, you're a good kid
but keep all your teeth.

Oh, Square John.

I'll see you on the slab, Evie.

Listen, Square John, I've been
trying to tell you all the--

Why, I..

Yeah.

It wasn't your fault, was it?
You were just doing your job.

You're probably stuck
on him, too.

[cheerful music]

Alright, here's your
percentage for this month.

Good American dollars. Business
is getting a little better, see

but look..

[knocking on door]
What is it?

That new batch off the boat
are signing up now.

Alright, I'll be right out.

General, tell your boss I gotta
have a little cooperation.

These lollipop guards of yours
are drunk half the time.

What happens if that other crowd
decides to throw you out?

Ah, cockroaches.

Mr. Sand, everything is
in the bag.

Good day, my friend.

What's good about it?

Sign there, Fadden.

Sign there, McMasters.
That's at 50 bucks a day.

Hello, big man.
Long time no see.

- He run this outfit?
- He's the owner, pal.

Mr. Sand.

Well, tell Mr. Sand, he can ram
his 50 bucks a day up his nose.

I don't need the work.

Hey, you..

Why don't you let me
bust him, boss?

I'd rather have you
keep your health.

Come here.
Hello. Hello.

- Why, Jonathan.
- Hello, Betsy.

I kind of thought you'd be here.

Oh, come on in, Jonathan.

I guess you heard about
me being here too, huh?

Yes. John's down
at the wharf seeing about..

He's getting the tickets,
you know, we're going on south.

- How's everything, Betsy?
- Oh, fine.

You'll have to excuse
the way we look, you know.

What with repacking
and everything.

Oh, you look well, Jonathan.

Oh, yeah, sure. I'll last till
the rains come, I guess.

[baby crying]

- No.
- What?

You mean you didn't know?

Well, of course you didn't.
Come and look.

- Look.
- Holy suffering water lilies.

- When did this happen?
- Ten months ago in Oklahoma.

We just made it
to the hospital. Little Jack.

[babbling]

Don't you think
he looks like his pop?

'He does around here.'

Oh. I don't know.

We'd better leave him.
He wants to be picked up.

He has to be asleep
when we start for the boat.

So long, partner.

Well, I've got to get on with my
packing, Jonathan. Sit down.

You must be doing
big things down here.

Oh, okay, I guess.

I could use somebody to smoosh
these candy politicians though.

Can't you get that
ornery, no-good--

I'd give anything if I could,
he won't even talk about it.

You know, you're
still up, and he's..

Well, it's pride I guess.

This place you're going to
is worse than this layout.

It's double wages though.

He's got his eye on a
wildcat in Oklahoma.

We're saving every nickel.

It's no good dragging you
around. You having to--

But, Jonathan,
I'm the happiest woman there is.

Don't you see?
He needs me.

But now, with Little Jackie
and all..

...we really need each other for
the first time. It's a struggle.

Happiness comes out of struggle,
Jonathan. I found that out.

Still no reason why you
and the kid should.

I never would have taken you
on a merry-go-round like that.

You aren't taking her anywhere.

John.

John, we've got to stop this.
We aren't children.

Get out.

- Good luck, Betsy.
- Goodbye, Jonathan.

You haven't finished
your packing yet, have you?

I'll see what the guy
in the back room will have.

[whistles]

Here, here, here.

Shh! Shh!
Hold it, pal, hold it.

Here, here, here.
Take it easy.

Yeah, yeah.
There.

Everything's gonna be alright.

[explosions]

The Indian I leased
the land from

gave a pow wow dance last night.
They all took a bath in it.

You know, McMasters. We've been
talking about you in New York.

With the other fields
falling off fast

we can give you quite
a nice deal for next year.

Mr. Compton, I'm not ready
to sign for next year yet.

- No?
- No.

The refining and distributing
end sounds like quite a game.

I was thinking maybe that I, uh,
might move into New York myself.

- What?
- Sure, why not?

But...but you have
a perfect setup here.

What do you want to step
into our end for?

Oh, I don't know.

From where I'm standing, your
end looks like the big leagues.

- Daddy.
- Hi.

Daddy, I steered it
all the way myself.

You did, huh?

- Hi, honey.
- Hello.

Mr. Compton,
meet the president.

- How do you do?
- How do you do, Mr. Compton?

I'm sorry to interrupt, darling.

But Mr. Smith and I want you
to look over the plans.

Our new house. You know those
last minute mix-ups.

When you've planned for so long,
you want to be sure.

A new house,
Mrs. McMasters?

Your husband was just saying you
were moving to New York.

New York? What?

Oh, pipe dreams, honey.
Pay no attention.

Now, let's see. It's this end
of the living room.

I want to stop off
at the car first.

Expecting a long-distance call.

See you at the convention.
Goodbye, Mrs. McMasters.

- Goodbye, Mr. Compton.
- Wait. I'll be right with you.

All you've got to do
is to bring the study wall

right out to here,
and you've got it.

Honey, I gotta beat it.

- See you tonight.
- Yes.

So long. So long, speedy.

- No, no. No hurry.
- Well, here we are.

Look. Your name plastered
over every other tank.

What more do you want?

It'd look just as good
on a pipeline.

Well, well, well. So you build
your own pipeline. Come in.

Well, where would your pipelines
go? To whose refineries?

I guess I'll have to put up
my own refineries.

'Your own refineries?
Sit down.'

But then, how would you
sell your gasoline?

Where's your distribution?

Looks like I'll have to put up
my own filling stations.

'All over the East, eh? Right
kitty-corner from mine, maybe?'

'Maybe.'

Why, that almost sounds
like competition.

Yeah, it does, if I did it.

New York office calling,
Mr. Compton.

I'll take it in there.
Karen.

Come here, old man.

Karen. I want you to meet
McMasters. Miss Vanmeer.

- How do you do?
- Big John McMasters.

You may have heard me
speak of him.

Thinking of moving
into New York.

Get him a drink or something.
He's a big oil man out here.

Don't mind Harry. He likes
to insult people he respects.

What kind of a drink will it be?

No. Nothing, thanks. Little too
early in the day for me.

You know, you're much younger
than I thought you'd be.

What'd you expect, stranger?
A bald head and a breadbasket?

Well, stranger, they told me
you were an oil baron.

Is that the way
they grow them back east?

In spite of all
their steam baths.

Say, this is quite a caboose
he's got here.

- 'This one of his nags?'
- Yes.

Interested in horses?

Oh, sure. Everybody goes
for a good horse.

Harry's just bringing back
a string from Tijuana.

They're in the next car.
Would you like to see them?

- Sure, fine.
- Alright.

And this is Green Devil
by Blue Star.

You've heard of him,
haven't you?

Oh, yeah, yeah, sure.

Yeah, yeah. Where did you go
all of a sudden?

- Sorry.
- Wasn't New York, was it?

Yeah, I'm afraid you got me.

You look happy right here. Why
do you want to go to New York?

Oh, I don't know.

I remember when I was
in short pants

a big redheaded kid
had two apples

and dared me to take one
away from him.

- Did you do it?
- Yeah. It was fun.

Harry's not a redheaded kid.

He's grown up.

In New York, you'd be running
right into his backyard.

Sounds good.

I don't like to stay
in one place too long anyhow.

Well, partner?

New York's
a rough town, partner.

I guess you've never been
in Burkburnett

or Whizbang or Ranger.

Oh, no, I mean quietly rough.
No shooting from the hip.

Just stab in the back
with white kid gloves.

Take it from one
who knows oil, Big John.

What does a girl like you
know about oil?

I know the men that control it.

I hear things
at dinner parties, nightclubs.

Anywhere where men
are off guard, and wives talk.

Hm. You're sort of Harry's
private-detective agency, huh?

- Sort of.
- Well, thanks for the tip.

But I still think that
Harry's my redheaded boy.

Alright, don't start crying when
they put you against the wall.

Without even a blindfold.

Well, at least they'd know
they'd been in a scrap.

I guess they would at that.

- What's the matter?
- You in New York.

Did you buy that yourself?

Sure, 5000 bucks worth. Why?

I thought it might have been
your mother's or something

and you were wearing it
for sentimental reasons.

I don't get you.

That's alright.

Well, Big John,
I may be a little crazy.

But if you move to New York,
I'll be cheering for you.

'Will you save me
a ringside seat?'

Well, come along, man. We'd
better go up to the meeting.

How did he like
my gee-gees, Karen?

I hope he thought
they were nice.

- Goodbye.
- So long.

Be back this afternoon, Karen.

Clever girl, isn't she?

Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah, sure.

I met her in the Dutch West
Indies, the Maracaibo field.

She was married
to a young geologist.

She didn't like it down there.

Hey.
Hey.

- Going to town?
- Sure. Hop on in.

Nice car you got here.

You bet, chum. Got three more,
same kind, red, yellow, green.

Sometime one run out of gas.

You know this fella,
John McMasters?

Yeah. Him fine man.

We shoot crap together.
Him like me very much.

- Yes, sir?
- Corner room.

Yes, sir.

(McMasters)
'Well. So long, Mr. Compton.
Glad to have had you.'

Fine. A very informative
meeting, gentlemen.

I've to pull out this afternoon.

If I were you, I'd forget
that New York idea.

Yeah? Well, who can tell?

Well, so long, Big John.

Yeah, so long.

Your, uh, your luggage,
Mr. Sand?

Oh, no, no luggage.
I came in my private car.

I won't go up right now, son.

But have the chef fix up
a nice dinner for six tonight.

- Yes, sir, Mr. Sand.
- Hey, Shorty.

Didn't you forget the wine?

Well, well, well, how are you?

Oh, fine, fine.

I was sorry to hear they took
you to the cleaners down there.

Oh, well, the other side took
over, but you know me.

I came out with twice
what I put in.

Oh, well, that's fine.
I might have known it.

Oh, sure. I was way ahead
of 'em all the time.

If that's so, I got
a big proposition for you.

Lotta dough in it for us.
What do you say?

- I don't know.
- You don't have to invest cash.

For a long time,
I've been looking for a guy--

Oh, no, no, I don't think so.

I got too many things
in the fire right now.

Ah, well, how are things
around the convention?

- Anything interesting?
- No, no, nothing much.

Harry Compton and the crowd
just dropped in from the East.

- Oh, is Harry in town?
- Yeah.

Like to see the old boy.
Might have a big deal on.

Well, there he is.
Right over there.

The guy on the phone.

Oh, yes. I didn't see him.

- Well, I'll be seeing you.
- Yeah, so long.

Yes, that sounds alright to me.

Only one Corona Perfecto,
darling. Darn that doctor.

(Sand)
'There you are.
The four bits is yours.'

- 'Hiya, John Sand.'
- John Sand, you old maverick.

- Well, Tom and Ed.
- How are you, John?

(Sand)
'Well, how goes it, boys?'

We're lucky we run into you.

Real oil men in this town
are scarcer than poor Indians.

You and us have gotta
have a deal right off, John.

Look, we got us a cinch
wildcat lease here.

It ain't near any proven stuff
but, uh, sit down here a minute.

(Tom)
'The anticline runs
right through here.'

'Now, we know there's
oil five miles over here.'

And we know there's oil five
miles in this other direction.

Now, John if you'll just take us
to the tools and equipment

you'll be in it for half.
Now, don't that sound good?

Sure does. All you need is some
tools and a string of pipe, huh?

We've been over
to see Luther Aldrich.

- But the guy just sat there--
- Luther Aldrich in town?

(Tom)
'Yeah, moved his
main office up here.'

'He's got the money
in the world.'

But you couldn't blast a cent
outta him with nitro.

I got so many things
in the fire, but, uh..

Tell you what, give me
24 hours to think it over.

- Oh, well, my boy, my boy.
- Luther, old boy.

Good to see you again.
You haven't changed a bit.

Ah, thanks, it's like old times.

I've been following
your sensational career

with great interest.

Well, Luther, I came in
to get me a string of tools.

Of course. Well, here it is.
Take your pick.

The trouble is, it'd be
a couple of months..

My money's tied up
in the foreign banks.

You know, politics--

Don't give it a thought. All you
want and all the time to pay.

Sky's the limit, up to 50,000,
if you want it.

Wait a minute.
I'll get my order blank.

I take it all back, Luther.
You have changed.

Oh, well, you know,
a fella mellows with age.

Why, even back in Burkburnett,
I wasn't really sore.

Remember when you two fellas
stole that pipe?

No, no, you and Harmony
and the sheriff

were just out hunting
quail that day.

Yeah, quail. Yes.

Well, Big John's
doing fine now, huh?

- Yeah. I'm glad to hear it.
- Yeah, you are?

Why don't you two fellas
bury the hatchet.

Oh, we'll bump into one
another one of these days.

No time like the present.
He's in my office right now.

Why, we were just talking
about you. He isn't sore.

- He said that he--
- Oh, I get it. I..

No wonder I thought
you'd gone nuts.

How would you like to
take that pipe and eat it?

- You slaphappy windbag.
- 'What?'

Okay, Shorty,
I was trying to stake you.

But stop being like a mule
ready to kick himself when--

I don't need any
handouts from you.

Here, now, wait a minute.
Wait a minute, my boy.

To err is human,
to forgive, divine.

- Ow, that's sharp.
- Now, just a minute, Shorty.

Simmer down, will you, Shorty.
You always did better with me.

- Besides--
- Oh, so that's it.

Who was smart enough
to grab off that first lease?

Who was smart
enough to get the tools?

What happened when I left? You
turned up your toes, went loco.

You let those tin soldiers
take you for everything

but your drawers.
Come on back in with me, Shorty.

Let's make it happy days again.

Don't need you, never did. Don't
hold your breath until I do.

- Don't call me Shorty.
- Okay, okay, little man.

If you wanna play hard to get,
just don't change your mind.

I'm moving East. I'm walking in
on New York, on a real show.

When you whistle for me, I'll
whistle back with a blowpipe.

[orchestral music]

[whistling]

Boy, who said the big city
is no place in the spring?

[sniffs]
Mm.

Isn't it great?
Smell that fresh air.

Hm-m, carbon monoxide.
I'd rather smell fresh oil.

Why? You're in the consumers end
of the business now.

Oh, jokes, huh?

Feeling pretty chipper for a man

who got home at three o'clock
in the morning.

That's the way they do business
in this town, 24 hours a day.

Looks like you're
taking the town by storm.

Compton and his gang
know I'm here, I guess.

Honey, you're happy, aren't you?

Yes, if you are.

- Hey, of course I am.
- Are you sure?

- Hey, what's the matter?
- Oh, nothing.

I'm just kidding.
Well, go on up and slave.

Only let's have dinner together
tonight for a change, hm?

I'll try, honey.

Oh, look, I thought I'd have
a few people in Sunday night

and I need an extra girl.
Whom do you suggest?

Oh, search me.
I don't know.

Well, I thought, perhaps,
what about Karen Vanmeer?

We haven't seen her for ages

and she was so nice to us
when we first came here.

- Still works for you right?
- Oh, sure, sure.

But she changes
from one crowd to another.

You better get somebody else.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- Good morning.
- Good morning, Mr. McMasters.

- Good morning, JM.
- Morning.

- Morning, Mr. McMasters.
- Morning.

(female #2)
'Girls, I want
you to understand--'

Girls, the boss is here.

Good morning, Mr. McMasters.
That will be all.

- 'Yes?'
- He's here, Mr. McCreery.

- You can come in now.
- What's that?

'Uh, Mr. Felton
with Mr. McCreery'

'and Mr. Ward about
the Lynbrook refinery.'

Great day for the race,
isn't it, Miss Barnes?

- What race?
- The human race.

- Oh, yes, of course.
- Good morning, JM.

- Morning.
- Hi, fellas.

We took the plans and went
through the entire plant

with both Mr. Laughlin
and their engineers.

What did you find? Everything
come up to specifications?

(McCreery)
'Yes, we think it's
a great buy, JM.'

Get me Miss Vanmeer.

Here are the final
purchase contracts.

What's the hole in that?

Refinery and cracking plant
together about 500,000--

[intercom buzzes]

Hello? Oh, hello,
Miss Vanmeer. How are you?

Oh, I'm fine and
half asleep and wonderful.

And just hoping you'd call.

Oh, so formal.

Why don't you call
when you're not in a crowd?

I'll bet McCreery's
peering at you

over his glasses like an owl.

(McMasters)
'Yes, you're very right
about that.'

And I can see from here
that you have got your coat off

and your vest unbuttoned
and shame on you.

Okay, okay.

Say, we've got a chance to buy
Henderson's Lynbrook plant

for 500,000. Wanted to know
if you've heard anything?

Careful, now.

I had Willie Henderson
at the Bromley's the other night

through about two quarts
of champagne.

Halfway through the second,
he dropped a hint.

Those Lynbrook gentlemen
are facing bankruptcy.

Thanks, Miss Vanmeer.
I thought as much.

Say, on second thought
I think you better meet

that gentleman
for dinner tonight.

Uh, is this gentleman
tall and dark

and with a Texas accent?

Oh, he is.

Well, then startallover again
and ask me nicer than that.

I'm sorry, but that's an order.

Darling, you give
the nicest orders.

Goodbye, Miss Vanmeer.

Well, boys, I..

- Shorty's in town.
- Shorty?

Yeah, yeah.
My old partner, John Sand.

Oh, yes? He certainly struck
it big in Oklahoma, didn't he?

What did Miss Vanmeer say, JM?

Huh? Oh, yes, yes.

Well, we'll wait. We'll be able
to pick it up a lot cheaper.

Wait a minute, JM,
Miss Vanmeer may be right.

But there's a possibility
of losing this. I think--

No, her tips are right
from the barn, Mac.

She's never failed yet.

Alright. After all,
it's your money.

You've quite a lot
of mail to answer.

I haven't had a phone call
this morning from a Mr. Sand

you know, John Sand
from Oklahoma, have I?

No, you haven't.

Get him for me, will you?
He's at the Waldorf.

A Mr. Sand is registered here

but he won't be back
until this evening.

What? Why, he said he
was going to the races.

[bugle call]

(male announcer)
'A huge crowd is out here today'

'to view another running of this
classic under ideal conditions.'

'As I look over this line
of some of the nation's..'

Say, I like that number three.

- Three?
- Yes.

He's got a little age on him.

Nine years.

- Well, well. Hiya.
- Well, how are you?

- Fine.
- John!

- What do you know about that.
- Luther, old man.

Well, we were just saying
on the train yesterday

we'd probably run into
the big moose in New York.

- Weren't we?
- Yeah.

I heard about you stumbling
onto that big field out there.

I was pretty lucky, I guess.
Biggest field in Oklahoma now.

- I bought out the Murphys.
- Oh, yeah?

I guess I was always
supposed to play the lone wolf.

One head is better
than two I always say.

Yeah. You know,
I find it that way here.

'Sun Helmet's going
to the front.'

Well, I made the bets.
Moonray to win, number nine.

Why, if it isn't
my old friend McMasters.

'Moonray is moving up fast
between horses.'

'It's Moonray and Sun Helmet,
neck and neck.'

'Moonray is going away.
It's gonna be Moonray..'

Well, gentlemen, that's us.
Come on, come on.

So, you're going
in with Compton, huh?

Hey, he's liable to
make you a big guy.

I've been doing pretty well on
my own if anybody should ask ya.

Just because you and I are going
in with Harry against him--

What? Hey, is he in with you?

Well, I'm interested
in a small way.

Luther finally broke down

and staked me to the first
string of tools.

'I only had to give him
ten percent of the field.'

What? He staked you?
Why, you dirty double-cro--

Now, wait a minute.
Don't fly off half-cocked.

I'll fly a kite down
your windpipe.

- Well--
- Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Did you guarantee
that equipment for me?

Well, he didn't have to put up
any money. Our oil well came in.

- Everything's perfectly--
- Sure, sure.

If it hadn't you'd be inside my
checkbook like a pressed pansy.

Are you insinuating
that I'm an unethical character?

No. You're just
a crooked old jerk.

Jerk? Why, back in Burkburnett
you two fellas stole half--

[bugle call]

- Scotch.
- Hey, Shorty.

Back in my office, I got me
two quarts of red liquor.

- Bourbon. What do you say?
- Let's go.

Well, that's fine. I'll wait
for Harry and he'll--

- No, no, no, no.
- What? Why?

Here, now, wait a minute.
What are you doing?

You can't rustle me around
like those horses.

I didn't come here
to be insulted.

Get back, or I'll
have the warden

take away your candy allowance.

I'm gonna have this settled,
once and for all.

When I first met you two thugs,
you were over here--

I'm sorry, Mr. McMasters,
but Mr. Compton is on the phone

again for Mr. Sand
and Mr. Aldrich.

Oh, tell--

Tell him Aldrich's
having a baby.

(Luther)
'Oh, but this is outrageous.'

I've got a huge office next door
waiting for your name on it.

I knew that when we
left the racetrack.

But wait a minute.
We told Compton that..

- Where's my office?
- Right underneath the warden's.

Mr. McMasters,
your tailor is here.

Oh, tell him to go away.
Come back next year when I..

No, wait a minute. Bring him in.
We got work to do.

When you sober up you can
call me at my hotel.

- Go to jail.
- Go to jail.

- 'Go to jail.'
- 'Go to jail.'

You better fit
them both for straitjackets.

Ah, Bonjour, Monsieur McMasters.

Hi, Ferdie, never mind my stuff

you got a new customer,
Mr. Sand.

- Au chaunte, Monsieur.
- What goes on here?

You're buying yourself
a couple dozen suits.

- I got two suits.
- Two suits?

This is New York. You look like
a Houston house detective.

You got anything there, Ferdie,
that you think he might like?

[speaking French]

That wonderful, new, striking
Harris tweed you ordered.

Oh, yes, yes. Say, that ought
to look alright on you, Shorty.

Ah, don't you think so, Ferdie?

Mm-hm, let me see...yes.

The buff brings out the
ruddiness in his complexion, ah?

Wait a minute.
Is this guy on the level?

That's imported stuff.

Old women weave it
in cottages over in Scotland.

Ah, let Mr. Sand
smell it, Ferdie.

Get that intriguing aroma
from the peat fires?

- Smells a little gamy.
- Oh, you fellows kill me.

Yeah, get a load
of those shoulders, Ferdie.

Don't you think you could
do something with them?

Let me see.

What a nice modeling?
We should get a perfect drape.

Would you mind stepping
over here?

You know, I'm gonna
let this guy--

Yes, yes.

Alright, alright.
Just a moment.

Just a moment, please.

Tape.

- Forty-four.
- 'Forty-four.'

Am I interrupting?
Or are ladies allowed?

Oh, hello, hello, Karen.

Come in, come in, ah, Shorty,
this is Karen Vanmeer.

John Sand, Karen.

- Pleased to know you, I'm sure.
- Oh, so you're Square John.

I've heard a lot about you.

Yeah? Running me
down again, huh, pal?

I was just passing by and took
a chance my boss might be in.

Can you talk to me for a moment?

Oh, sure. Ah, excuse us,
will you, Shorty?

Sure.

(Ferdie)
'Eighteen. Hold out your arm.
Bend it, please.'

- 'Thirty-one.'
- 'Thirty-one.'

(Ferdie)
'Turn around, please.'

Looks as if I'm going to be
a very lonely girl tonight.

Shorty and I have got
a lot to talk over.

Oh, but you mustn't forget
there are new times too.

Look, you've got
to learn to take

nofor an answer once in a while.

I wouldn't let you
give me that answer.

- 'Thirty-two.'
- 'Thirty-two.'

Turn around, please.
Now we take the trouser length.

I'll be running along. Nice
to have met you, Square John.

And I'm happy to hear we're
going to see more of you.

- Sure. Thanks.
- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.
- You like them snug?

Yes, come on,
get on with it, buddy.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

[door closes]

Get me Mrs. McMasters.

Hey, who is this Vanmeer dame?

She'd stop a stampede,
if you ask me.

Yeah, smart girl.
She works for me.

- Here in the office?
- No, no.

She knows everybody
here in New York.

Gets around and hears
everything worth hearing.

That's the way you
work in this town.

- Ah, Ah.
- Shh, Betsy.

Hello? Yeah, hello, honey.
Yeah, I'll be home for dinner.

Yeah, yeah, and I'm
bringing a guy with me.

Yeah. Oh, yes, yes, business.

Yes, John, alright.

Goodbye, dear.

(Harmony)
'Now, Jack, play like
this is an Apache Indian'

'and he's sneaking up on you.'

[glass chatters]

Uh-uh, you done broke one
of your pappy's thingamabobs.

Another vase.

Mr. McMasters
will hear about this.

Mr. McMasters.
Mr. McMasters.

This sort of thing
goes on all the time.

It'll toughen you up, Parker.

Cans of catfish
and dang my tired eyes.

Harmony, Harmony,
how are you? How are..

What are you doing
with your pajama top on?

Oh, I don't know.
It's his idea.

- 'Daddy.'
- Jackie.

Pal, this is
your uncle Square John.

- Hello, sport.
- Hello, Uncle Square John.

Do you wanna play
Shooting Indians with me?

You and your old uncle are gonna
play plenty from now on.

I'm sorry, dear.
I didn't expect you so..

Well, well, well.
Just as I knew her.

Still much too pretty
to walk and talk.

Jonathan.

Betsy.

Oh, Jonathan.

Well, if I cry now,
don't blame me.

Oh, you two idiots.
All this time.

Yeah, yeah, we buried it
in a bottle of bourbon.

(female #3)
'Pardon me, Mrs. McMasters.'

It's time
for Jackie's supper now.

- Oh, mom.
- No, no, now, darling.

- You can come down later.
- Yeah, yeah. Come on, son.

He looks exactly like you.

Think I'll buy him
a football helmet.

He's much too young
for a football helmet.

Oh, I don't mean to play in,
I mean to sleep in.

Okay, okay.

[laughs]

Oh, Jonathan.

Oh, come on in.

Jackie's a great kid.
They're both great kids.

And this is a swell layout,
it's you all over, Betsy.

Class.

You and the big moose
must really be happy here, hm?

Yes, of course we are, Jonathan.

Betsy, everything is going
great guns, isn't it?

Oh, Jonathan.

Betsy, something's the matter.
Wha-what is it?

Oh, nothing. It's..

It's just now that I'm so happy
to see you two together again.

I'm so happy that you're here.

Well, I-I'm sorry, I warned
you I might cry though.

Please let me a little.

See, this bank of blowers
first heats the crude oil

in those coils to about
600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dante's Inferno
has nothing on this.

No. From here it's carried
up to that fractionating tower

where it's heated
to about 900 degrees.

(McMasters)
'That's what we mean
by cracking.'

That's where the crude
is condensed and evaporated

into gasoline, kerosene,
naphtha and paving asphalt

'medicinal oils.
Oh, hundreds of byproducts.

'And all points west.'

All that? Hey, Jonathan,
I'll bet you're glad

that I talked you out
of going with Compton.

If we buy a couple more of
these, we'll run Compton ragged.

That reminds me, you haven't
signed that contract yet.

It's been on your desk
since yesterday.

- I'll get around to it.
- Make it snappy.

Over there is our crude oil
storage tank farm.

These, um, these ball-shaped
pressure tanks are for butane

and casing-head gas.

- Well, if it isn't the man I--
- Oh, hello, Karen.

Hello there.

Uh, how do you do?

- It's nice to see you again.
- Thanks. Hello, you two.

- Hi.
- How do you do?

Where have you been
hiding all this time?

Here and there.
You're looking well.

I feel fine, thank you.

I just heard something
frightfully important.

'I couldn't get you at the
office, so I dropped by.'

(McMasters)
'What's up?'

(Karen)
'The Independent Operators
Convention in Washington'

begins tomorrow. I heard there's
something about price-cutting.

I thought you might
want to be there.

Those independent operators
might come in handy, Shorty.

Do you wanna jump down there
see if we're kicked around?

No, you go alone. You know how
to smoosh those get-togethers.

Luther and I can get Betsy to
show us some of the hot spots.

Okay.

- You'd like that, won't you?
- You bet.

- Fine.
- I have to hurry back.

- So long, everybody.
- Goodbye, Karen.

- Don't be such a stranger.
- Oh, thanks.

Couple of things I wanna
talk to you about.

I'll be right back.

You know, it is interesting,
all that superstructure.

Yeah, yeah. Say, I got
an appointment downtown.

I better grab a cab, I'll see
you later. Tell him, will you?

Yes. It is, it's interesting.

I know a couple of bootleggers
back in Oklahoma

who'd like to have this.

You know, Betsy, bathtub gin?

Children make a lot of
difference, don't they, Luther?

Now, listen, Betsy.
Don't jump to conclusions.

I wouldn't have stood
for this back in Burkburnett.

Darling, I'm a kind
of an old fool now and then.

But I love you and John so much

and I've watched fellas
like him in my time.

- Don't worry. They'll always--
- You're very sweet, Luther.

Come on, show me around
some more, hm?

[doorbell buzzing]

- Is your boss in?
- Who will I say is--

That's alright.
She knows me.

[door closes]

- Hello, Karen.
- Well, for heaven's sake.

I just left you on Long Island.

You're the prettiest gal east
of Frisco in that little rig?

Get me a drink
of whiskey, will ya?

Why, of course.

Scram, you. I'll buy you
a diamond daybed for Christmas.

- Where's John?
- I ducked him.

Oh.

Actually, I didn't want him
around when I talked to you.

Certainly is a nifty little
joint you got here.

Thank you.
I'm glad you like it.

- Bourbon, straight.
- Thank you.

You know, I always wondered

why John never
brought you up here before?

Karen, you're
a pretty smart little gal.

I say, you're
a smart little gal.

You know, this income-tax
thing is really getting

to be a heck of a note.

'Would you believe that
I'll pay 220,000 this year?'

Well, I'd say you're very lucky.

You know, Karen, I may not
look much like a lady's man

but many a gal
has cried when I left.

If I were a man, I'd consider
that a great compliment

but why tell me?

Well, I'll get
to the real point.

I'll skip my better ones,
like my not snoring.

And knowing exactly,
when a dame needs a walloping

to be sure that
I'm in love with her.

All that and the fact that I've
got all the money in the world.

I've got an idea,
I'm asking you to marry me.

I don't get it.

I simply don't get it. You don't
want to marry me, of course

but you meant what you said.

I'll tell you
what I'll do with you.

I'll sign a paper stating
I'm in my right mind.

So, you're bound to get
most of my dough

if the thing don't work out.

Oh, I see.

Greater love hath no man
than to lay down

his life for his..

Why, it's even more than that.

It's Betsy. You're in love
with John McMasters wife.

Come on, what do you say?

Let's go down to the Hall
of Records and make it legal.

- You obviously dislike me.
- Ain't it the truth.

I don't like poachers,
male or female.

You know, I rang a little buzzer
when I came in here

but as far as I'm concerned,
it's still an old-fashioned

brass bell and all these lovely
flowered curtains around here

are red plush, for my money.

Besides that you can't
horn in on the setup

that the world thinks
is a good family.

My, my, all of that.

Yes and a little more, but you
get my drift. What do you say?

Would be intriguing, trying
to make you change your mind.

The offer still goes.

What's she got to deserve
two such men?

What's she got that I..

Square John, she'll be free
to marry you soon

because I'm going to marry
John McMasters.

- Oh, no, you're not.
- 'Has he told you so?'

Has he told you he loves you?

Not in so many words,
but there are certain times

being a woman, that I might
easily believe he was.

What's more, I'm gonna
get him because he needs me.

Must be awfully boring
listening to a woman

who knows what she wants.

Well, looks like
I brought in a duster.

- Thanks for the drink, anyway.
- Not at all.

I'm going down to
Washington this evening

and all this will make a very
amusing topic of conversation

in case I meet anybody
on the train.

I wouldn't say anything
to him, Karen.

Well, I certainly--

I wouldn't do that
if I were you, Karen.

I wouldn't say a word.

Big John gets back to town
on Tuesday, doesn't he?

Mm-hmm.

He should have left Washington
before that was taken.

[phone ringing]

Hello. It's Harmony, for you.

[clears throat]

Yes, Harmony?

What?

I'll be right over.

- She gonna be alright?
- Yes, I arrived in time.

I can't imagine where
she got the prescription

for such a sleeping potion.

- Can I..
- Oh, certainly, Mr. Sand.

But not too long, please.

Trying to get funny, huh?

I feel just like a Swiss tunnel.

Did you ever have to
swallow a stomach pump?

Not like our Betsy.

You weren't thinking very much
of little Jack, were you?

Yes, the minute after I did it.
That's why I changed my mind.

It's a heck of a fuss
to make over a Dutch daffodil.

I've lost my pride, I guess.

Why not? I've lost
everything else.

John, you don't know how it is
to love someone so much.

'When being in love
like that is stopped..'

'...it's worse than your
breathing being stopped.'

Take it easy, honey.

But it's true because...if you
stop breathing you're dead

and you don't
have to feel anymore

but...when they stop
your love...you're alive

and you keep on feeling.

Oh, Jonathan, it's horrible
being in love like that.

Yeah, I guess it is.

But as you say,
I wouldn't know about that.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I've never been so sorry.

We gotta do something about
you and the moose, huh?

No, I don't think he
needs me anymore, Jonathan.

You see, when we
left Burkburnett

he needed me then and all those
years working and planning.

Here in New York,
he's doing it all by himself.

'It's his world
and I'm no part of it.'

But I wanna be.

You and him and little Jackie,
you're all part of each other.

I don't care if he owns
all the oil in Hades.

I got an idea.

Maybe a little rough, but you
just leave everything to me

and things will be alright.

I'll leave everything to you.

But don't you peep.

You just go on like
nothing had happened, will you?

Whatever you say, Jonathan.

Think she'll be alright by
tomorrow?

Oh, yes, I think so.

I don't want anybody
to know about this.

Oh, no. Mr. McMasters
will pay my bill.

And I assure you,
there'll be no gossip.

Mr. McMasters won't pay the bill
and there won't be no gossip

and that two grand
gives me the right

to break your neck if there is.

But..

I..

Listen, Square John,
this ain't no good for us here.

We ought to go back down
to Oklahoma or Texas.

You're going back. You and him
and her and little Jackie.

- How we gonna pry him loose?
- I'll pry him.

I'll bring him back
where she can love him

without any complications.

He's gonna suffer like a bull
with his legs broke.

He won't have any dough left,
he'll be back where he belongs.

I called the Compton offices

Mr. Sand's secretary says
he's in conference.

Try him again.

Have some pride, my friend, it's
obvious you're being snubbed.

- That double-crossing sump rat.
- I don't quite get it all.

But there is one thing certain,
he's out to break you.

So he and Compton think they can
stretch me over a barrel, huh?

Get my car hooked onto the
first train leaving for Tulsa.

They're hanging
the wrong boy up to dry.

You probably know what
you're doing, but be careful.

They must have been
planning this--

This is an old time
barroom fight.

The man that hits first wins
and that's me.

I'm gonna beat them to
every independent operator

left in the West.
I got a brand-new idea.

When I'm through telling them,
Compton and Sand won't be able

to buy enough oil
to lubricate a kiddy car.

I tell you, Frank,
it's the only thing.

I'll maintain the price, your
well will produce twice as long

and in the end,
you'll make more dough.

- Sounds kinda good alright.
- It is good.

And here's another reason
why you should..

The joker in their setup
is this, you sign with them

they'll make you overproduce,
then drop the price on you.

Never thought of it that way.

It's time you guys
thought about it.

If you sell to Compton and Sand
or anybody else

under the old setup,
they'll have you

right behind the eight ball
and I'll tell you why.

They'll get you to force-pump
your wells for quick money

and then you'll lose
your gas pressure

and then suddenly one day,
you'll find half your oil

still underground,
right down there.

And no way on this man's
Earth to get it out.

Look what happened
to Burkburnett.

Whizbang. Desdemona.
Dead holes before their time.

Gentlemen, as a geologist,
I agree with Mr. McMasters.

The compound ratio
of substrata--

That's high-forehead stuff.

The main thing is, boys,
if you stick with me

I'll contract and guarantee
you the present price

and you'll make more money
in the long run.

Boys, Big John is right.

Oh, you did?

But I understood you were
all set to sign with us.

Oh.

McMasters, huh?

Evans has signed with him.

That means the entire
Elk Creek crowd will follow.

- What's the matter with us?
- Him.

He's got a great line of smoosh,
he knows the oil business.

Well, I'm heading for a drink.

I don't know why you got us
into this? I'll be ruined.

You can always say
you were a big man once.

Big once? That's a bit..

McMasters is likely to sink us,
at the rate he's going.

Say, he doesn't know it

but maybe Uncle Sam will be
interested in what he's doing.

Get me Senator Grayson
in Washington.

What? That's terrible.

Well, unload all my
Compton-United.

I'm, I'm-I'm closing out.

- Yes?
- 'Mr. Aldrich calling.'

Tell him I'm out of town.

Trying to put me
against the wall, huh?

Now, who's asking
for a blindfold?

It's nice to see you
so happy about it.

Sure, I'm happy.
On top of the world.

See what happens when a guy
falls in with Compton?

Turned him into a crook.

Everything said, it's a little
odd making excuses for Mr. Sand.

What do you mean excuses?

He was a burglar, and
I licked him down to his size.

Expensive victory. Selling oil
for half what you paid for it.

- Cost you about $5 million.
- Ah, we'll make that back.

I'm sorry to interrupt,
but Mr. John Sand to see you.

Sand, here?

You fellas clear out.

- Send him in.
- Yes, sir.

You think this is wise?

I'd like to
see him alone, Karen.

Of course.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Well, I see you took a bath.
Anything more I can do for you?

Yeah.

You can give
your wife a divorce.

- What?
- You can give Betsy a divorce.

You almost cleaned me out, but
I saved enough to start over.

Oh, yeah, and she wants
the boy too.

Have you gone daffy?

That's the best way. That'll
leave you free to marry Karen.

Still poking your nose
into other people's business?

- She's smart, good-looking--
- 'Wait a minute.'

Do you mean to say that...
that Betsy's in love with you?

Well, what do you think
I'm doing here?

What do you think happens
to a woman, anyway?

She's a little
human too, you know.

Prettier than the day
you married her.

I've noticed that
even if you haven't.

And you don't have to worry
about little Jack, you know.

You can drop around and see him
once in a while if you get time.

- You got it all fixed, right?
- Sure I have.

Back-dooring me,
that's what you're doing.

- Sneaking through my back door.
- So what?

You're not gonna
get away with it.

You and I started a fight
once and never finished.

Now, I'm gonna beat
your brains out.

Boy, am I gonna enjoy this.

What are you backing away for?

(Barnes)
Oh, my goodness. There must be
something we can do.

- Can't we do anything?
- Call the police.

I wouldn't do that.
They might get mad.

Get your hand out
of that birdcage.

What is all this?
What's going on here?

Are they in conference?

Oh, well, we'd better...
they'll-they'll, huh?

Kind of soft,
ain't you, big boy?

I'll talk to them.
I started them in business.

I thought you looked
like a fight promoter.

That door is locked too.

Come on, come on.

- Hey.
- Gentlemen, please.

- 'Take it easy.'
- 'What are you doing?'

Come on, get out.

Boys, this is disgraceful.

Come on, get out.
The bunch of you.

Honey, buy me a ticket for
Europe on the first boat.

Yes, Mr. Sand.

What are you laughing at?
We've lost a fortune.

Luther, I've just done the best
afternoon's work of my life.

If you hadn't pulled this, we
might've talked ourselves back.

I wouldn't go back
with that bull snake ever.

I wants to eat.

Send the tickets over
to the hotel, will you?

- I want to see Mr. McMasters.
- He's busy right now.

So are we.
I'm Stebbins.

United States Marshal, Federal
District Attorney's office.

Feeling clean again?

Yeah. Yeah, I guess I'll live.

A man always worries about his
tie when he's in love, right?

Karen, there's something
I want to tell you.

You don't have to.
I'm a high-class eavesdropper.

Don't you know
that's my business?

You never got much
outta this, did you?

I got plenty.
All I asked for.

Except the frosting.

And I knew in my heart
I'll never get that.

A man told me so once.

Yeah, you said it.
You're a high-class.

This may not be, but I'm going
to do it because I want to.

High-class or not,
I'm going out the back way.

Just to begin to see
how it feels.

Goodbye, stranger.

Okay, stranger.

Are you John McMasters?

- Yes, but I'm sorry, I got--
- I've got an arrest warrant.

- Arrest? I don't get you.
- Federal indictment.

Heard of the Sherman Anti-trust
Law, haven't you?

I don't know what this is about
but first I have to see my wife.

Why not. A wife's swell
when you're in a jam.

That's not the idea.

- Daddy.
- Hiya, son.

- How's my boy?
- Hey, you got hurt.

Hello, dear--

Look, son, you go upstairs
and play, will you?

- I want to talk to mother.
- Okay.

- He's a great kid.
- Yeah.

Come here, dear.

- You're hurt. Who's that man?
- Never mind that.

You're not getting away from me.
You know that, don't you?

- What?
- I'm not blaming you, maybe.

But you aren't walking with him
or anybody else. Understand?

- Him? What are you--
- Sand.

'He told me all about it.'

I had to give him a licking
to show him that's out.

You're my girl, see?
And you always will be.

Even if I have to
lick you to prove it.

I'm your girl.

You can lick me if it'll help.

I'll save it
for when you need it.

You mentioned that you got the
money to drill the second well

by shooting craps
in a Arkansas honky-tonk.

- Right?
- I said part of the money.

- And the rest?
- It was a deal.

How did you get the money to
drill your first well? Wasn't--

- I object on the--
- Naturally he objects.

What is the government's
object in this questioning?

'Your Honor, we are trying to
prove, and I believe we have'

'that this man was
a lawbreaker from the start.'

'That Big John McMasters,
in full knowledge'

'willfully conspired to break
the laws of the United States.'

That he is typical
of the economic royalists

'and bourbon industrialists
who, for self-indulgence'

'seek to ride over the laws
and commonplace securities'

'of the citizens
of this country.'

The people of the US will
demand for John McMasters

the maximum penalty of ten years
in a federal penitentiary.

For the last time.
Spectators will preserve order.

The statement of the attorney
is stricken from the record.

Now, Mr. McMasters. Isn't it
true that for this first well

you stole $7000 worth of tools
from a Mr. Luther Aldrich?

- I took them, but he was paid.
- Then you did steal the tools.

You can call it that
in your language.

But I borrowed them in mine.
Borrowed them like people did.

- We wanted to find oil.
- Now, Mr. McMasters.

You have admitted that you set
out to break Compton and Sand.

- I did.
- What was your reason?

They were trying to break me.

(attorney)
'I see. Self-protection.'

- Wasn't Compton a friend?
- Not exactly.

- John Sand was your friend?
- He was.

'Isn't it true that Mr. Sand
helped you in the oil business?'

It was his lease that started
you on to your first fortune?

Right.

You want the jury to believe
that a friend and benefactor

tried to break you.

- He did.
- Why?

Why did he try to break you?

- I can't answer that.
- 'You mean can't or won't?'

'Take your pick.'

'You don't understand
my language?'

That's right. I don't understand
this man's language at all.

He calls me a bourbon.
What's that?

I always thought it was whiskey.

- Then you refuse to answer?
- That's right.

- And I'm getting tired of you.
- Sit down.

If you refuse to answer, I'll
hold you in contempt of court.

I wouldn't want that to happen
to Mr. McMasters, Your Honor.

I withdraw my question.
That is all.

I have witnesses
in rebuttal, Your Honor.

Very well.

Mrs. McMasters,
take the stand, please.

(Judge)
'Any objections?'

We waive any objections,
Your Honor.

'Do you swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth and nothing but'

'the truth, so help you God?'

'I do.'

Now, Mrs. McMasters,
I won't keep you long.

I only want to ask you
a few questions.

How long have you
been married to Mr. McMasters?

Seven and a half years.

Are you acquainted with a woman
named Karen Vanmeer?

- Yes, I am.
- She works for your husband?

- She did.
- In what capacity?

- I'm on trial, not my wife.
- I object to this.

- What possible connection--
- I'm only trying to prove--

Objection sustained.

They went to Washington, D.C.,
on May 14th last year.

Do you know whom they visited,
and what the purpose was?

Whether I do or I don't,
that doesn't matter.

You're trying to blacken my
husband's character by trying to

prove there was something
between him and Miss Vanmeer.

What I know about that
doesn't matter either.

I know I am, and I always will
be, in love with my husband.

'That is all, Mrs. McMasters.
Thank you.'

Court will adjourn until
10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

- Yeah, Mac?
- Stock's down to seven.

We don't have to worry about
that now. What about the notes?

I just left the bank. The board
took all your collateral.

- I'm terribly sorry, JM.
- That's okay, Mac.

Put a wanted ad in the paper.
You will be alright.

- Thanks for everything.
- Thanks, JM.

Well, honey, we're broke again.

What do we care?
We can always go back to..

Forget it, honey.
We're not down yet.

- That's a lie.
- Order, order. Proceed.

No cross-examination,
Your Honor.

- I have one more witness.
- Very well. Call your witness.

John Sand.

'Raise your right hand.'

Do you solemnly swear to tell
the truth, the whole truth and

nothing but the truth,
so help you God?

Mr. Sand, you used to be bosom
friends with Mr. McMasters?

We were pals,
if that's what you mean.

Are you pals now?

- No, we don't get on at all.
- Why?

I don't know.
I just don't like him, I guess.

'You and Mr. Compton were
competitors of Mr. McMasters?'

Not for very long.

You were wiped out because this
man turned into an octopus..

- 'I object.'
- Sustained.

Prosecution will
confine itself to the issues.

You failed in your business
because Mr. McMasters formed

a monopoly in defiance of the
antitrust laws. Isn't that true?

(attorney)
'Your Honor, please.'

Now, you haven't got
that straight either.

- Answer yes or no.
- Wait a minute. Take it easy.

You subpoenaed me, but I'm just
here to try to straighten out--

Mr. Witness, you're here
to answer questions.

Judge, I'm getting as mixed up
as anybody in this hot seat.

And he's all balled up,
asking a lot of questions.

Would it be alright
if I stood up and relaxed?

Maybe I can straighten
things out here.

- 'I object to allowing this--'
- The court wants the truth.

I'll admit it, subject to
a motion to strike.

Proceed, Mr. Sand.

Well, as I get it

McMasters is on the hook 'cause
he broke the anti-trust laws.

He signed up a few oil operators
and formed a monopoly.

I know that he signed
them to make more money.

I know he not original with
that, a lotta us know that.

But what he was doing,
although he didn't know it

in a way, he was working
for United States, too.

- Am I out of line yet, Judge?
- 'Proceed, Mr. Sand.'

He wanted these guys
to produce less oil.

So that their wells would flow
longer and not ruin the fields.

That way they'd get
all the oil from the wells.

Don't you get the idea?
He was for conservation.

How can he be breaking laws when
he's trying to save resources?

He didn't know that he was doing
anything noble but being among

the best oil men there is, he's
got the right hunch about oil.

He knows that it took billions
of years to put it here.

And if we keep taking
it at this rate

before long, there won't be any
left in the good old U.S.A.

Won't be any left for him
or men like him

to break up into lube
and fuel and gasoline

so that people can get their
stuff moved around in trucks

that you can light furnaces
and homes and schoolhouses.

If that time comes, what'll be
the good of schoolhouses?

What'll be the good
of your two oceans?

What are you gonna run airplanes
and battleships on? Tomato soup?

- 'I only got a few more words.'
- 'Proceed, Mr. Sand.'

He's got a lot of ham
in him, hasn't he?

Well, just this,
McMasters is a wildcatter.

If it wasn't for automobiles,
he'd be driving a covered wagon.

It's always been his breed
that has opened up the country

'and made it what it is.'

So, now I'm wondering...
is it out of line here

for a man to make a million
with his brains and hands?

If that's true, we'll rewrite
this land-of-opportunity stuff.

I admit that he's ornery
and he's mean.

But he's an oil man with the
right idea for all our oil.

He's always met the payroll, you
can put his word in the bank.

Now, that's all I got to say.
Now, you talk.

- I move to strike this answer.
- Motion denied.

Court adjourned until tomorrow.

We may beat this yet.

Hey.

- Hi.
- Hi.

That was quite a speech.

Well, I got kind of
wound up, I guess.

Say, I was thinking,
if I beat this

I got a section of wildcat stuff
left out in California.

I don't know much about it.

But how'd you like to take
a whirl at it with me?

No, no, I guess not. I'm through
with the oil game for good.

It's too tough.
Well, I'll be seeing you.

Yeah.

* Fare thee well
Fare thee well *

* Fare thee well my fairy fey *

* For I'm going to Louisiana
for to see my Susyanna *

* Singing polly wolly
doodle all the day *

Wa-hoo!

Wa-hoo!

[dogs barking]

Welcome to McMasters' camp.
Come in here.

I'm sure glad to see you,
Miss Betsy. Yes, sir.

- Hi, old boy.
- Hi, big fella.

Well, here it is, honey.

This'll be where we'll live.
Well, for a while, anyway.

It's beautiful here, darling.
I love it.

Luther, you're crazy to sell
this. This is great stuff.

There's Jonathan.

I'm gonna spud in right down--

Jonathan.

- Well, my goodness.
- Hello.

Fancy meeting you here.

- Hello, uncle.
- Hello, sport. How are you?

- Hi, Shorty.
- What are you doing here?

This is the half-section
I talked about in New York.

You told me
you had a whole sec--

I see why you sold me this half
for $100. It's a handout, huh?

Now, listen. I thought
we could put down one test well

and prove both properties.

What do you say?

Where do you figure on drilling?

Well, I figure the main
structure is up here.

No, down by the hollow
is the main structure.

- I've been over this--
- So what? If you don't know..

Come and get it.
Rabbit a la mode.

Rabbit a la mode, Shorty.

Let's get this straight. I'll
give the pipe and equipment.

But I want cash in 90 days.

How about giving Luther an
eighth interest instead of cash?

Oh, no, you fellas go broke
on your own this time.

There's a dry hole in
every foot of this stuff.

What's the name
of this sucker's paradise?

- From a guy named Kettleman.
- They call it Kettleman Hills.

Kettleman Hills?
Doesn't even sound like oil.

[music]