Original subtitles

Swede, hold that net tighter on your side.

Watch those sidelines.

Drag it deep.

Keep that net tighter, Swede.

♪ Oh, I wish I was a willow on the river bank ♪

♪ 'Cause I wouldn't have to make a living then ♪

♪ I'm just one of Mother Nature's little men ♪

♪ And up the stream again, bom-bom ♪

Hey, Tyler, look.

Jim's boat's tied a salmon trap.

Jim.

Hey, Tom, come up here and take the wheel.

Hey, Lefty, come here.

Jim.

Tyler.

Glad to see you, boy.

You look swell. You look great.

Boy, it's good to see you.

- Me, too. - Glad to be back.

Good to see you. Look at Lefty.

- Hiya, left. - Hi, Tyler.

- Glad to see you. - Have I missed you.

I've been looking for you all winter.

Did you get frozen in?

Oh, I got so much to tell you

that I wouldn't know where to begin. But first...

Till you get something to eat.

Canned peaches.

Yeah, with a lot of juice.

You know, I've been living on dried fish and blubber

ever since I left Sitka.

Come on.

Watch that line, Ollie.

Hiya, Ollie.

Hello, Tyler. Glad to see you.

Sit down, Tyler.

You got a piece of pie with that?

You're not so dumb.

You come back on the day Lefty bakes.

You think not?

Take it easy, will you?

Talk about fisherman's luck.

Say, Jim, you know how the salmon fill up the creek

when they spawn so thick that you can't see the water?

Yeah.

Well, that's the way the seal were.

So thick that you couldn't see the ice.

I took enough out up there all by myself

to put a first payment down on a big steam schooner.

Schooner? What's the matter with your boat?

Aw, it's a can.

Why, Jim, this schooner is as pretty as a picture.

It's fast and it's tough.

When we hit those icebergs,

we'll have all the power in the world.

- We? - Why, sure.

What do you think I come back for?

Listen, how soon can you quit this job?

Look, Tyler, I'm

- I know, sure. - You're all signed up.

Who's your boss? I'll talk to him.

After all, the salmon won't quit running

if you stop fishing.

Tyler, I haven't got a boss.

I'm working for myself.

I started a fish cannery.

- A cannery? - Yeah.

Since you went North, my father died.

Oh.

He left me his fur warehouse

and my grandfather's old whaling ship.

What could I do? They're no good.

The best thing I could think of

was to turn them into a fish cannery.

It's just a one-lung affair.

I made it out of the old boiler on the ship

and some bailing wire and a little credit.

I thought it'd please the old man.

That old whale-hawk?

Why, he'd turn right over his grave,

and your grandad, too. Fish.

- Fish are sure, like crops. - Better.

Crops get bugs, freeze,

but the salmon, they come back every year.

But, Jim, you never did see the Arctic.

I don't know what it is. It's something different.

You feel it.

It's a whole lot bigger than fish.

Look, I'll tell you what you do.

You get all the money you can out of this mess,

and come in with me on that schooner.

I gotta make another payment in three months,

and we'll split 50-50.

North for seal.

I had to borrow money to get this thing started.

Now's the time while there's still room.

I can come up with the country.

Say, this town's gonna be like Seattle.

Seattle? That's the trouble.

There's too many people here already.

That's what I've been trying to tell you.

Hey, Jim, Red Skain's boat's coming.

Oh, that dirty Russian fish pirate.

Oh, what's the matter with you?

He ain't such a bad guy.

Hello, boys. How are you?

- Hiya, Red. - When did you leave Sitka?

About two weeks ago.

Hi, Jim. Make fast.

Shove off, Red.

Hey, Red, these fish ain't free.

Shove off, I said.

You think you own the ocean?

I own this fish trap,

and I won't have you tying up to it now or ever.

Fish are fish wherever I find them.

I often wonder just how good a friend you are to Jim.

I hope you never have to find out.

The trouble with you, Tyler,

you never know when a fellow is fooling. Yeah.

Same to you, Jim.

If you want to throw an axe

at anything belonging to that guy,

why don't you throw it at his head?

Don't make him mad by just whacking up a good line.

I never did like him and he knows it.

Maybe he'll learn to stay off my traps.

Come on. I gotta go back to the brailer.

Looks like you're pretty well tied up in this thing.

I can understand.

- Yeah, I really can't. - I can't do it, Tyler.

Oh, have you seen Nicky lately?

Yeah, she's fine.

- How's Slicker? - Great.

Oh, swell.

Well, I guess I'd better be shoving off, huh?

Hey, Tom.

Well, so long, Jim.

So long, Tyler.

Oh, uh

I brought you a little something.

I thought you might like it.

Gee, thanks, Tyler.

- Look it has a safety on it. - See? Right here.

That's it.

Don't you think you ought to give me something

so it won't cut our friendship?

Yeah, to keep away bad luck.

Yeah, that's it.

Hey, that's a $10 gold piece.

- Well, well. - I thought it was a quarter.

Same old Tyler.

Tom, take the wheel.

Slicker.

Looks who's back, you old bald-headed papoose.

Hey!

Give me a kiss. Atta baby.

Look what I brought you,

from the only square blonde in the Arctic Circle, huh?

Hey.

Nicky.

I'll Nicky you!

I'll teach you to run out on me.

Yeah, I heard all about that gal in Sitka

chasing you around.

Aw, you can't fool me.

I didn't hit you hard enough to crack an egg.

Hey, Tyler?

Tyler!

Hey, Slicker, get him.

Tyler!

Oh, Tyler, I didn't mean it.

Slicker. Get him, Slicker.

Nicky.

Now have a good cry.

Turn me loose, do you hear?

Turn me loose.

Put me down, do you hear?

You can go back to that girl in Sitka.

Aw, honey, that was just a little clam bake.

Jackson, take another personal.

We pause to observe once more

the lush beauty of our Alaskan summer,

to rejoice in the return of fish, flies,

fowl and flowers,

and to welcome home our truant Tyler.

Read that back to me.

Tyler Dawson returned to town today. Period.

How powerful is the tide of life

that crosses through our northern world.

A stimulus in the air that awakens old memories,

renews old friendships.

As usual, Tyler Dawson will make his headquarters

at Nicky Duval's Checaco Hotel.

Period.

- Hmm, a Seattle boat. - I'll cover it.

You may compose my yearly spirited editorial

on the opening of the salmon run.

Now, state plainly

that the fish pirates are getting bolder.

Our fisherman are getting tired of it.

And remind Deputy Wilson that one fish in the can

is worth two Votes in the fall.

Fish pirates must go. Period.

Hello, Windy.

What's the good word?

Welcome, sir.

Tell me, who are the misguided optimists

who have adventured hither in your impressive caravan?

- Huh? - Who have you got on board?

Oh, hello, Jackson. 200 hunkies for the canneries.

I am referring to passengers of distinction.

Tourists or can salesmen?

One first-class passenger.

- Brace yourself. - Huh?

Dad.

Dian.

Who's with you? Where's your aunt?

- She wouldn't come. - Huh?

Jack.

Here.

My daughter, let me look at you.

Eight years.

Eight lonely years for me,

burdened with toil, lightened by...

He's glad you're back.

You bet your life I'm glad she's back.

Nicky? Nicky!

I want you to meet my daughter.

I'm glad to know you.

And I'm glad to know you, too.

I feel like I know you already.

I've read so much about you in his newspaper.

Hey, why didn't you tell me she was coming?

I could have at least fixed the window shade.

My dear Nicky, if you think that for one moment

in the fading figment of my brain...

He didn't know she was coming.

- Come on, darling. - We'll go to my room.

I'll show you where it is.

- Dad? - Hmm?

How about a slight libation?

Flesh of my flesh.

Delinquent hostess, idle cup bearer,

how long must we stand here by empty ships?

Fill 'em up.

♪ Hustling up the stream and down the stream ♪

♪ And up the stream ♪

♪ Oh, I wish I was a willow on the river bank ♪

Oh, I hope they've got their clothes on.

♪ 'Cause I'd never have to make a living then ♪

♪ Hustling up the stream and down the stream ♪

♪ And up the stream... ♪

Jim and Tyler.

- Fish head! - Dian!

Dian.

What's the matter? You kissed me goodbye.

No, I didn't. You wouldn't.

But Jim did. Just like this.

- Oh, I'm sorry. - Hey!

- Are you hurt? - All you all right?

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.

- It's gone. - What?

That curl that was right up there.

Yeah.

Where is it?

Well, it's still there.

I comb it out now. It makes me look silly.

That's the way they get

the minute they start wearing shoes.

Well, I'm sorry if I disappoint you boys.

Now, daughter, you can't blame the boys.

Blame them?

On the contrary, I find their naive solicitude

for the vanished girl

in the bare feet of my childhood very touching.

- Huh? - Huh?

College. Papa went, too.

Well, would you gentlemen join me

in something to drown the memory of those callow days?

All our work shot to pieces.

And we made a real kid out of her once.

We'll have to start in all over again.

I'll have a beer.

Mr. Dawson?

- No, thanks, Di. - I never touch it.

- Never touch it? - Hey.

Not during business hours.

Business hours?

Isn't tonight the night of the Indian salmon dance,

and doesn't Nicky always give a dance,

and I don't I always help her at the bar?

Hey, that's an idea.

We'll make our dance in honor of Dian.

Sorry. I'm rather tired,

not quite up to one of your local affairs.

Ts the crowd as mixy as it used to be?

Mixy?

My friends, I give you the spell of Alaska,

the goal of finny argosies.

Yeah, here's to the salmon.

She lays two million eggs

and nobody ever calls her mother.

Where's my beer?

Would you like to see your room, lady?

Please, if it's not too much trouble.

Trouble?

Why, it's no trouble at all, Di.

♪ Oh, I wish I was a willow on the river bank ♪

- ♪ Then I'd... ♪ - Hey, wait a minute.

I've been around here for a long time,

and it's the first time you ever tried to help me.

Here, Jim.

Mr. Jackson, remind me to make a heartrending story

of the first accident of the run.

It's in type.

Hmm.

Mixy. Ha.

And you loved it.

"I never touch it, Di."

"I don't drink, Di. No trouble at all, Di."

- I ought to... - Aw, Nicky, look.

I used to help her with her arithmetic.

Yeah? Well, school's out, teacher.

Oh, now, Nicky...

Ooh, I oughta...

This is the room General Grant did not sleep in.

Mr. Jackson.

Find out the time and place of that Siwash funeral.

Our Indian readers will expect to be entertained.

They haven't got time for the funeral now.

They salted the lady down in a barrel until the run is over.

I must discontinue accepting salted salmon

in lieu of subscriptions.

Di, I wish you'd change your mind about coming to the dance.

The crowd isn't the same as it used to be.

We bounce the drunks and the hunkies now.

Oh, I'm sure you'll have a delightful time.

Good afternoon.

Same to you.

Those boys haven't changed a bit.

They're just as no account as ever,

Worse, if anything.

That's all in the way you look at it.

Jim's certainly changed.

He owns a cannery now.

He does?

Well, he certainly doesn't act like it.

No, he doesn't put on airs with his old friends.

That's right, take his part.

You always did.

Does Tyler own a cannery, too?

Come here a minute.

You know, I wish Tyler did own a cannery.

If he doesn't get a hold of something for himself,

there's breakers ahead for their friendship.

There'll never be any trouble between those two boys.

I don't know.

They were hand in glove in the old days.

They didn't like apples unless they belonged to somebody else.

Anything, beaver, seal, fish,

all plunder to a schoolboy.

Now Jim owns an apple tree himself.

What are you getting at?

Jim's on the side of law and order now.

Tyler isn't.

You know, there's no one more stubborn

in the defense of morality than a reformed sinner.

Take Nicky, for instance.

From the sure way

that she throws out certain doubtful characters,

I don't doubt but that she's been hither and yon herself.

Why, Father.

All right, take me.

I came up here just one jump ahead of the sheriff,

but once I owned a newspaper,

I found myself editing all my old friends out of Alaska.

I'm afraid Jim isn't gonna be any exception.

Don't you believe it.

Jim and Tyler will never fight over a few fish.

Good friends went to war over a few pounds of tea.

It's the tragedy of every frontier.

It happened in the old west.

The only difference is we run fish here instead of cattle.

Sounds like one of your editorials.

You know, I really read those things, too.

Came in kind of handy.

I used to copy 'em for my themes.

Don't squirm.

What'll we have for dinner, old fish eater?

Steak.

Traitor.

I'll pick you up at the shop before dark.

Hmm. Better make it a little earlier than that.

This time of year it isn't dark before 11:00.

- Oh, I forgot. - Land of the midnight dusk.

Hey, Slicker, you haven't forgotten your stuff, have you?

Well, come on.

We'll take Miss Mixy down a peg.

Go on.

- Don't worry. - I'll be there early enough.

Aah!

It's all right, Dian.

It's all right. I got him.

It's all right. Don't worry.

Well, what was it?

- I got him. Don't worry. - It's all right.

Tyler.

Look out. It might still be alive.

Oh, it's Slicker.

Why, he wouldn't hurt a flea.

Would you, Slicker?

Come on, kiss Papa.

Go to bed. Go on.

Atta boy.

Slicker.

I remember reading something about Slicker.

Looks like I dropped in at the wrong time.

No, you didn't.

I wouldn't have you miss it for the world.

You should have seen her jump. Aah!

She thought it was a walrus.

Who are you gonna take to the dance?

I'm going to take her.

I think I've got something to say about that.

Listen, you two, I've been to college,

and I don't want to be treated like a Siwash squaw.

Well, if you don't want to be treated like a squaw,

you'd better put some shoes on.

What do you bet I don't take her to the dance?

The 10 bucks you took off me.

You're on.

Wait a minute. Don't you think you'd better give me odds?

You know, I've got Nicky on my hands.

10 to 8.

It's a bet.

You know, if I'm gonna win that bet,

I'd better go take a bath.

I got a new blue serge suit since you've been away.

It isn't gonna be so easy. Wait'll she sees me.

You won't have a chance.

Here we go. Whoo!

How about my back?

75 cents.

Slicker, I'm gonna make a fur coat out of you yet.

3.50 out of 5.

Hello, Slicker.

What am I going to do, dance with the cash register?

Wait'll you fill it up.

It'll sound better than that orchestra.

Here's your change.

We could all make money

if we had the gumption to clean out those fish pirates.

Well, maybe we'll have to have our own law.

Okay. Same bet goes

- on who takes her home. - Sure.

- You coming in with us, Jim? - Huh?

Listen, Jim, we mean business.

- Sure. - We all got to get together.

All right, everybody chip in two bucks.

What for?

We're gonna have Jackson print up some handbills for us.

And put 'em on the traps

and give those fish pirates one last warning.

I thought you said you were gonna do something about it.

I told you I'd never...

Now don't try and fool yourself for me either.

We both know just why you came here.

Come on, now.

Mr. Kimmerlee, my daughter insists

upon apologizing for her behavior this afternoon.

We've never danced together.

You can fix anything, can't you?

My middle name is Machiavelli.

When you were a kid,

you'd be mad at me for a week, remember?

You'd get madder and madder,

and then all of a sudden you'd have to smile a little.

It began in your eyes with a twinkle.

You eyes are...

They were like stormy, deep-sea water,

black when you were mad.

They're black now.

Don't you believe it.

They're brown underneath that twinkle.

Gold like sunlight on the water when you'd laugh and laugh,

and that little curl that's gone

would bob up and down like the tip of a wave.

It's back.

You haven't changed a bit, only more so.

Hey, Lefty, get over there and kick it up a bit.

It's getting slow.

Sure.

♪ Oh, I like humped-back salmon ♪

♪ Good old humped-back salmon ♪

♪ Caught by a Norskie fisherman ♪

♪ Way up stream swam a great big whale ♪

♪ Far from the salty ocean ♪

♪ I said to him, that's the place to swim ♪

♪ He said, promise me on your life ♪

♪ You won't tell my wife, huh? ♪

♪ I like humped-back salmon ♪

♪ Good old humped-back salmon ♪

♪ Caught by a Norskie fisherman ♪

Come on, let's dance.

Who me?

Yeah, you. Come on.

All right.

Oh, boy.

♪ Caught by a Norskie fisherman ♪

♪ I don't care who's the President ♪

♪ Still gotta pay the taxes ♪

♪ I don't mix into politics ♪

♪ But the coming election day, you will hear me say ♪

♪ I liked humped-back salmon ♪

♪ Good old humped-back salmon ♪

♪ Caught by a Norskie fisherman ♪

♪ My wife just had a baby boy ♪

♪ Can't feed him on the bottle ♪

♪ It ain't no use with his new papoose ♪

♪ 'Cause his mother and I've tried ♪

♪ But the boy replied ♪

♪ I like swayed-back salmon ♪

♪ Good old swayed-back salmon ♪

♪ Caught by a Norskie fisherman ♪

- Hey, the Indian dance. - Come on.

Come on.

I remember.

They're calling the fog woman.

Sure. They're asking for fish.

Oh, fog woman,

call your north-born children home.

Send the supernatural ones, the swimmers.

Oh, life giver, let not their coming be bad,

for without them we perish.

It's a lovely... superstition.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Don't be sacrilegious.

You know it isn't the same.

We pray for our bread, but we grow our own wheat.

We're not like these Indians calling for fish.

They expect a miracle.

The miracle of the loaves and fishes.

Don't be simple, either.

Oh, I think it is simple.

We grown our own grain, sure, but we need rain.

Maybe we pray for it.

The Indians needs salmon, they pray, too.

Look.

North-born children.

Sure.

Home.

The woods and the water.

The sea that makes music.

You haven't forgotten, have you?

No, I haven't.

Hey, Tyler.

See you a minute?

I'll see you later.

And keep quiet, will you?

The people want to hear the Indians.

Well, well, gentlemen.

Tending bar suits you, huh?

Just as easy as stealing fish.

Yeah, it takes one to catch one.

What'll you have?

Vodka.

What'll you have?

I just had one.

You know, there's only one thing lower

than a man who robs fish traps.

Yes, sir, and that's the man who won't drink with him.

- It's all right, Windy. - It's all right.

Jackson, do you know what I consider

the best liquor in the world?

No, but I've often wondered.

Somebody else's.

Sure.

Just the way I feel about fish,

and everybody treats me like small pox.

The handwriting on the wall.

- It's a warning. - They're wise to you.

And if they catch you with the goods,

my Russian friend, it's your funeral.

Funeral.

Say, these trap owners,

they don't own the ocean, do they?

Who said they did?

All right. The fish come out of the ocean, don't they?

Who said they didn't?

Well, then nobody owns the fish.

They got their own law.

They come and go when they want to.

They don't belong to Alaska.

That's the one thing you Yankees couldn't steal from my country.

You got everything else, yeah,

but you don't get all the fish.

Oh, hello.

Come on, Red.

How's Nicky going to make any money

with you hanging out here at the bar?

Money. Always joking.

What did you want to see me about?

Heard you paid down on a steam schooner.

Maybe I have.

Jim going in with you?

No.

Well, if you need real money,

I could use you and that seine boat of yours.

Fish run's just started.

We'll split fair when it's over.

What do you say, huh?

It only takes a few good nights.

Look, Red, I don't need you or Jim either.

I'll get along.

Oh, sure.

Sure you'll get along.

If you get stuck, let me know.

Dimitri.

- Tyler. - Yes?

Can I borrow your boat?

What for?

The moon's coming up.

Well, you can look at it from here.

Looks more like a moon from a boat, we think.

You and who?

Dian.

I'm taking her home.

Since when?

Now.

Shall we dance?

Yeah, Jim. Jim, go ahead and dance with her.

Well, uh...

Would you like to dance, Tyler?

No. I don't think I can right now.

Oh.

I'll stake you to a crawl, Dian.

I'm a bright Indian, letting Jim take my boat.

I forgot I'd have to walk home.

You forgot I'd have to walk home, too.

Well, it's Jim's big night.

Let him have the ride.

But I'll admit, I didn't exactly plan it that way.

I had another idea.

That's you in a nutshell.

You and your big ideas.

They never work.

They're like fireworks.

They look awful pretty up in the sky,

but when they fizzle out, where are you?

Walking home.

Yeah. Well, that's why I'm not gonna sell my hotel

and buy a half interest in that schooner.

You'd have fireworks for six months,

and then we'd both walk home for life.

Oh, all right, all right.

- Forget about it, will you? - Yeah.

Yeah.

Anna, you can go home.

You got a pencil?

You'd better go to bed.

We might as well find out how we stand.

I know why you like this place.

It's built and it's paid for. It's yours.

It says so out in front.

But what do you got when you've got it?

A hotel.

Why, if you'd give me one good year on the sealing grounds...

And they'd give you 10 good years in jail.

They'd better get faster boats than the ones they got now.

Well, if they need 'em, they'll get 'em.

Oh, Tyler, it ain't the hotel, it's you.

I'm not gonna let 'em put you in jail

for all the seals in the Arctic Circle,

or for any fur coat for me, either.

All right. Forget about it.

Put it back.

Don't start that.

Do you hear me? Put it back.

I know you, Tyler.

Tomorrow you'll be sorry all over again.

Listen, Nicky, what I need is less people against me

and somebody with me.

Do I have to stick it in fire to show you I'm with you?

Close your eyes.

Uh, dogwood.

Right.

- Elderberry. - Right.

Wait a minute.

- Close 'em tight. - All right.

You won't remember this one.

Think.

Closer.

Forget-me-not.

There she is, Jim.

That big berg's still up there.

Oh, boy.

♪ Mi, mi, mi, mi ♪

I'll knock down the whole glacier maybe.

Save enough to ice the fish.

The fish? Say, when the fish hear my high notes,

they won't need no ice.

I'll knock 'em stiff.

♪ You ♪

Oh, boy, I can hardly wait.

Holy smoke.

Look who's working over there.

- Tyler. - Yeah.

Hey, don't blow that whistle.

You want to knock down that big berg?

Hey, Red. Jim Kimmerlee.

Hey, Lefty, look.

We're saving the big one for you.

Try knocking that off.

What do you think it'll take?

"Mighty Like A Rose."

"Mother Macree."

Hey, Lefty. Pagliacchi.

"I Love You Truly."

"Sweet Adeline."

- "Mr. Dooley." - "School Days."

- "Mighty Like A Rose." - "Mother Macree."

She's a Mother Macree if I ever saw one.

- All right. - The Macrees have it.

Turn it on.

Hey, Dimitri.

Cut away from that berg.

She'll turn over on you and wreck my boat.

She's all right.

No berg she never turned over on Dimitri.

You dumbhead.

She'll only have to turn over once on Dimitri.

Shh.

♪ Mi, mi, mi ♪

♪ Sure I love the dear silver ♪

♪ That shines in your hair ♪

♪ And the brow that's all furrowed ♪

♪ And wrinkled with care ♪

♪ I kiss the finger ♪

♪ So toil-worn for me ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ God bless you ♪

♪ And keep you ♪

♪ Mother ♪

♪ Macree ♪

Hey!

Hey!

Hey, Jim, get ready to jump.

Jump ship. Ready?

Jump ship.

Jump ship!

Grab that bird and get ready to jump.

- Jim, Jim, thank you. - Thank you, Jim.

Thank you, Tyler.

It's all right, it's all right.

- You need a drink. - You better go below.

Oh, yes. Thank you, sir.

Thank you. Thank you, Tyler.

Thank you, Jim.

There are no net marks on those fish.

They came out of somebody's trap.

I was hoping they were your fish.

Go ahead and preach.

I want that schooner.

I gotta buy it before I lose my option.

All they buy up here is fish.

Look, Tyler, anything you do is all right with me.

Anything.

Always will be.

But this is what's worrying me.

Have you seen that?

Oh, they're all over town.

I've got a couple myself.

Last year they said it, this year they print it,

but it's still a lot of talk.

- Not this year. - They're going through with it.

They've got to,

and I can't sit on the fence.

Look, nobody's gonna touch your traps.

That ain't the point.

I gotta be on their side.

Oh, I see what you're driving at.

You're afraid you might have to take a shot at me.

Listen, if you hit me, you get a good five cent cigar.

How is that?

Tyler, I could wring your neck.

Hey, Jim, better be careful.

Looks like Red's boat.

Cast off.

Hey, Red, Red, what you do?

Get out of sight.

I'll come back for you.

Hey, Skaggs.

Here's a couple of 'em down here.

Hey, Jim, over here.

We got a couple.

What are you doing on my trap?

I, uh... I lose my way

going over to cove.

I just hole up here till daylight.

It's Dimitri.

Red, strange boat coming.

Keep on playing.

I'll do the talking.

Well, well, well.

Come in. Come in, boys.

Get some clean glasses.

Nice to see you boys.

We don't have many visitors.

Have a drink?

Aw, come on, come on, have a drink.

We found two of your boys on my trap tonight.

You what?

We thought we ought to bring them back here.

Maybe you'll know what to do about it.

All right, Lefty.

This is the last place in the world

I wanted to see you.

♪ Oh, the starlight is dancing on the ripples ♪

♪ And the soft evening breeze will soon begin ♪

♪ Oh, I wish I had the time to watch the ripples ♪

Hello, Jim.

Hello, Tyler.

♪ Caught by a Norskie fisherman ♪

Hello, Dad.

Hello, fresh face.

- Hmm, birthday cake, eh? - Uh-huh.

A milestone to the tomb,

a headstone above the wasted years.

A childish symbol of greed, demanding gifts and such.

- Yes, Dad. - What are you giving him?

It used to belong to his old man.

I won it in a turkey shoot.

Ah. Now, Dad, don't be greedy, and such.

Will you stop looking at me?

You're giving me the jimmies.

What's the matter with you?

What's the matter with you?

With me?

What makes you think anything's the matter?

Oh, Tyler, this is Nicky talking.

Nicky. Really?

This is Jim's birthday.

You're not celebrating together

for the first time since the two of you

were the size of seal pups,

and you're asking me what's the matter.

Oh, come on.

Let's get out of here, will you?

You're driving me crazy. Let's get something to eat.

I'm so hungry I could eat fish.

Come in.

Hello, Tyler.

Hello, Nicky.

It ain't so smart you coming here to see me.

Oh, I ain't staying.

Can we talk?

Wait a minute.

I'm moving out tonight for good.

The fish will miss you, Red.

Well, I'm taking plenty of fish with me,

and you too, hmm?

- Me? - Sure, why not?

With a stake big enough to buy that schooner.

How would you like that?

There ain't time tonight.

- Plenty, if we work fast. - One trap ain't enough,

but three good ones will do if they're all full.

You're crazy, Red.

They're watching every trap on the bay.

Ah, all we gotta do is be smart, see?

We pick three traps, get the guards off,

you know, and get away up north with a big haul

before they know what's going on.

Like rolling off a log, you know, nobody hurt.

Sure. Custer thought it all out, too.

- Now, listen. - Yes, these Siwashes

will try to figure out what we're doing,

and they'd be right, too,

if we weren't doing something else.

You know those six Big Green bear traps?

All right, we pick three of them.

Jim, let's always keep this old ship.

It's yours.

- Don't live on it. - It's haunted.

He loves it.

They used to call my grandfather.

Old Wind and Weather.

He sailed this ship around the Horn, never touched the water.

Our fathers before us.

A ship and a rifle.

Our country's story.

Around the horn, across the plains,

drowning in the seas and bones in the mountains.

You know, I look at you tonight, my children.

The heirs of hope and labor,

and, behold, I am well pleased.

To your happiness and your homeland.

Happy birthday.

Sun Leaf. Thanks.

No, I made it.

Dian, you did?

I don't believe it. Chocolate inside?

Cut it open and find out.

- Blow out the candles. - Make a wish.

Sure.

Oh, you missed one.

Never mind. You'll get your wish anyway.

Women, women.

They think men wish for nothing else.

Hey, Jim.

Looks like a celebration.

I'll be right back.

Never missed a celebration yet.

- Dad? - Huh?

Jim's worried.

It's about Tyler, isn't it?

I know Tyler's never missed one of Jim's birthdays before.

I told you once, my dear.

Jim's got to stick to the men who own apple trees.

What's wrong?

Somebody cut loose three Green Bear traps

and let them drift out to sea.

- Red Skain? - We think so.

Better get your rifle.

We're going over to Red's cove and wipe him out.

Three Green Bear traps, huh?

Then there's three left.

If I know Red, he won't be at the cove.

He'll figure out you'll go there,

or you'll follow those drifting traps.

Either way, he'll have time to clear out the other three.

He'll be gone for good by morning.

That makes sense.

If I was Red, that's what I'd do.

We ought to get over to those other traps.

Come on, Jim.

What's the matter?

- I'm shorthanded. - They took Lefty.

Lefty's on one of those traps that drifted out to sea.

Lefty?

Did you find those loose traps?

One's on the rocks at Siwash Point.

What about Lefty?

Got him aboard.

Ts he all right?

- Deader than a herring. - His head's stove in.

Where will I put him?

Inside.

Jim, you go with Erickson,

and we'll all meet at my place in an hour.

- Where's Dad? - Outside.

- Well, what's the matter? - I have to go.

Jim, where?

Dian, run back and tell Nicky

not to let Tyler go out tonight.

Tell her to do anything, but not to let him go out.

Why? What's the rifle for?

I'll tell you when I come back.

Run and find Nicky.

It's so quiet around here, it gives me the shivers.

Yeah, earthquake weather.

"It seems evident Dimitri's boat

'"ad capsized during a squall,

"throwing the two men under the icy water.

"The bodies were recovered and brought back to town

by their friend Red Skain."

Accidents will happen.

They caught 'em stealing fish and drowned them.

That's what happened.

First I've heard.

Do people think that Tyler's in with Red?

Tyler? Our Tyler?

You know, Red isn't gonna take this lying down.

What if he's up to something?

There'll be another lynching.

What lynching?

Down in Texas.

Jackson, don't lie to me.

- That's right. - I just got it over the wire.

I see. That's why those men with guns came for Dad and Jim.

Guns?

Nicky, Jim sent me.

You're not to let Tyler go anywhere tonight,

no matter what you have to do.

- Tyler's no fool. - He won't go out now.

Duck, Slicker. Fireworks.

Hello, Nicky.

- What are you... - Take it easy.

Take it easy.

I'm just pulling out tonight, that's all.

Oh, no, you're not.

Aw, come on now, Nicky.

You be a good little girl and balance your books, huh?

And I'll send for you no more than I get my feet planted.

It's a treat to be kissed, even goodbye,

but you're not going anywhere tonight except in the hay.

Hey, what got into you?

It's too late, sonny,

thanks to a friend you've overlooked.

Is Jim downstairs?

No, but he kept you out of the headlines tomorrow.

Found drowned.

Who's been feeding you all this?

Jim.

He sent Dian over.

He's out with the crowd now to wipe out Red.

Jim sent word to me?

The old Siwash.

You'd do the same for him.

Would I.

You thought I wouldn't remember him, didn't you?

Well, I did.

I got a little something here for him,

and I want you to give it to him from me,

but after I'm gone.

Gone?

Gee, I'm going to miss the old Sockeye.

So you're going through with it, after he's all done?

Not in a million years.

They went over to Red's place just like we figured.

Jim sent word to me, see?

He doesn't want to find me at Red's,

and don't worry, he won't.

I'm heading north.

So you're paying Jim back like that?

Will you shut up?

Nobody's touching his traps.

Oh, you're not heading north?

You've got a little more thieving to do first.

Thieving?

Well, what do you call it?

Well, looks who's talking.

Of all people.

And who's got a better right?

Oh, you've got nothing to be ashamed of, huh?

What was you doing in that joint in Skagway?

You just happened to be there by accident, I suppose,

doing a little missionary work.

Only you didn't carry a tambourine.

No, just a cute little blackjack.

And still you've got the right

to nail me down with a few sardines.

I came here on the level.

- You had your stake. - That made it easy.

You got that on the level, huh?

That's none of your business.

Who said it was?

I never made it my business until you made mine yours.

Everybody's gotta start somewhere.

Jim did. Windy did. You did.

How about giving me a chance?

- It's no good, Tyler. - It won't work.

It ain't worth it.

Ask Windy. Ask Jim.

Ask yourself. Something always goes wrong.

Look at me.

I gotta stand here and let the one man in the world

throw it right back into my face.

The one man that I want to keep.

Oh, you haven't got a chance.

I'm sorry, Nicky.

Maybe I'm a skunk, but I gotta go.

Don't ask me why. I don't know.

But I gotta get that schooner or bust.

You stubborn, crazy fool.

You're gonna get yourself shot.

Please, Tyler.

Leave me alone, will you, Nicky?

Please leave me alone.

You're just wasting your time.

I've got the magneto plug.

Peter, take this.

Hey, where's your boat?

Nicky sunk it.

Nicky?

She's not gonna say anything.

- You know Nicky. - Yeah.

Gregory, get ready to cast off.

Where are you going?

Huh? Over to the other traps.

Hey, I'm glad you're here.

The net fouled.

Get over to the scow and fix it or we'll lose time.

When you get loaded up here,

pull over to the cove and wait for us.

We'll meet you there.

Harp guns, huh?

Getting smart.

Fight 'em back with their own medicine.

- What's the matter? - Drop the mud hook.

You said you were going over to the other traps.

I'm going to stay here for a while, see what happens.

Drop the mud hook.

All right, Erickson, light 'em.

Put out those torches.

Cut the nets loose!

I'll hold 'em off with the harp gun!

Let's get out of here.

Pull up the hook.

The dirty rats.

This boat's done for. I'm out of it.

They'll get away again if you don't stop that harp gunner.

If I could over to the trap, I'd stop him.

Get on the other boat and see if they can get in.

I'll keep this searchlight on him till I sink.

Get on the other boat.

Everybody get on the other boat.

Get that harp gunner!

Aah!

Get that harp gunner!

He got him!

He got the harp gunner!

Amen.

Pull up the hook.

Where are you going?

I'm staying here.

Don't you think we'd better go north?

Go ahead.

You'd better duck, too.

Duck? Why should I duck?

They've got nothing on me.

They can't prove nothing.

All I've got to do is get rid of Tyler.

Jim Kimmerlee's looking for you.

Jim?

Well, that's fine. That's fine.

I'd like to meet him, too.

I've stayed out of his way long enough.

One of us got to get out of here sure,

and it isn't going to be me.

What are you going to do with Tyler?

Drop him at the Cove, then look for Jim Kimmerlee.

Pull up the mud hook.

Jim.

You scared me half to...

What's the matter with you?

- Have you heard from Tyler? - It's too soon.

He couldn't even be in Sitka yet.

Boy, will he pull a face when I walk in on him.

- Sitka? - Sure.

Red Skain got away,

and Tyler said they were heading for Sitka.

You don't know anybody going up that way, do you?

They say Red's still around.

Who said?

His boat was seen at Pike's Inlet.

I went over there, but he was gone.

That's why I came in. I thought maybe...

You been over to Red's cove?

Last night. Nobody there.

You don't think Tyler

I don't know, Nicky.

I've got to find him, that's all I know.

Now, look, Tyler can take care of himself, don't worry.

He got away, Red or no Red.

And I'm going to Sitka, hotel or no hotel.

Here's your birthday present.

He left it for you.

Tyler?

Present.

Yeah. Go on and take it,

because nothing pleased him more

than when you sent that word by Dian.

He said, "The old Indian.

Good old Jim.

I'm gonna miss the old Siwash.

Now, you be sure and give him this after I've gone."

Go on and open it.

You lug, it's your birthday present from Tyler.

Well, if you don't want it, give it to me.

Nicky, Tyler ain't headed for Sitka.

I shot him.

You... shot Tyler?

I saw him plain as day.

The lights played on him,

and I shot him.

I had to.

Tyler.

Tyler.

Hello, Nicky.

I'll Nicky you.

I told you not to hang around with Red.

I knew what would happen.

But, oh, no.

You're too smart. You wouldn't listen to me.

You wouldn't even believe Jim.

Well, I'm glad he shot you.

Jim... shot me?

Hello, Doc.

That's funny.

I thought we were up in Sitka together

getting hitched on that schooner

just before we...

Tyler.

He's gone off again.

It's just as well.

Jim

it isn't your fault.

You did everything you could to keep him out of it.

He'd never been in it if Red had let him alone.

I know Tyler.

He'd forget that schooner in no time.

There's not a mean bone in his body.

Don't, Jim.

But after seeing Tyler like that...

It isn't just Tyler anymore or you.

It's you and me.

I love you, Jim.

You've got to let the law punish Red.

- Red's too smart. - The law can't do anything.

Maybe, but in the long run whatever happens

is better than anything like this again.

Oh, please, Jim.

Please don't go.

I don't know.

I'm all mixed up.

I try to do what's right and I have to shoot him.

I try to make that right, I have to go against you.

Maybe you're right.

Who knows? I don't.

Drink.

Nicky. Vodka.

Hey, give us a drink.

I heard Jim was looking for me.

He was, till he allowed my daughter's conscience

to be his guide.

- What's that? - Now, say that again.

Maybe I don't hear so good.

We don't want any trouble here.

There's a mighty sick man upstairs.

I know. I know all about that.

It ain't Red's fault if Jim holes up in here, is it?

Yeah. I look for Jim.

I walk all over town.

Nobody has seen him.

Can't you follow a smell?

Sure, I smell something.

But where?

I look under the sidewalks.

Nothing but a smell.

Maybe Jim changes his mind.

Maybe he will.

He thinks I got out of here, so he says he's looking for me.

He walks around big with his rifle.

Jim Kimmerlee.

All the time I been here, he wants to kick me out,

but I say nothing because I don't want to fight with him.

I think he's tough like his father,

so all the time, you know, I take it easy.

Ah, talk, talk, talk.

You been dodging me long enough, you white-livered skunk.

Red, I'm trying not to have any trouble with you just now.

This bay, she's too small for both of us.

If I catch you out there, I look for you with harp gun.

Too bad you had to say that.

Keep off. Keep off the bay

or I'll kill you on sight.

How is he?

He's resting easy.

Do you think I could talk to him for a minute?

Why? What's the matter?

Red Skain told Jim if he caught him on the bay,

he'd shoot him.

You want Tyler to tell Jim to run away?

Yes, if that's what you call it.

Jim stays here now, it'll be cold murder.

Murder?

For Jim to try and protect himself?

But he doesn't have to.

If the law won't do anything,

he can go away, and I'll go with him anywhere.

But it's all wrong for Jim to stay here now.

And if Jim does, it's finished for us.

You'd quit Jim now?

Yes, I would.

I guess I ought to walk out on Tyler, too,

because he's wrong.

You think I'm worried what's right or wrong?

If you were half a woman, you'd see that right now

is the time he needs you most.

You don't belong here.

You're not the kind of a woman he needs.

Go on back home.

Take it soft and easy.

Stay there till he makes this country safe and pretty

and comfortable for you.

Go on home and good riddance.

It's all very simple to you, isn't it?

But I know there's one thing you can't build on blood,

and that's love.

Well, I guess it's better not to understand that much.

Well, maybe I ought to make it clear to you then.

I don't want to be cruel,

but the man you love is in there dying.

I love Jim in my own way,

but I don't want him to kill or be killed.

Hello, sourpuss.

How you feeling?

Tough like a grizzly.

You want anything?

Get Red Skain for me.

Red Skain?

What about Jim? I promised him...

Get Red Skain for me.

Oh...

The minute I turn my back.

Give me that.

Aw, just a drag.

Just one, huh?

Why are you acting like that about Jim?

Look, you put your hand right here

and watch me make the smoke come out of my ears.

Come on.

- All right. - But if you burn me, Tyler...

Watch closely now.

This is a brand new one.

Ain't that a pip? Look.

You give me that, Tyler.

How do you feel?

Fine.

Sit down.

Nicky, go and get Red a drink.

And take your time.

Well, what do you want with me?

Oh, I thought we ought to get together.

I got shot and I gotta tell them some kind of a story.

Oh, sure.

You make it up and I'll swear to it.

Well, old law and order himself.

Hello, Tyler.

Hear that?

He took a shot at me,

and all he can say is hello, Tyler.

He shot you?

Yeah.

That's him, my old friend, Jim,

the one guy in this world.

I tried my best.

You sure did.

Nobody could have done a better job.

I heard you called him, Red.

That's another reason why I wanted to see you.

And I'm glad you had the gall

to stick your nose in here.

It gives me a chance to tell you right to your face

that if I had the push left

to crawl on my hands and knees to Red's boat,

I'd help him give you just what you gave me.

Now take that yellow-bellied, stinking fish head out of here.

Tyler.

And keep the skunk out of this hotel

as long as I'm alive.

I can't stand his stink around.

I'd much rather crawl and lay down in the muck

that the tide throws in.

Jim, come on.

I'd like one good harp shot at that.

Jim.

Jim, he didn't mean it.

He's out of his head.

It's the shot that Doc gave him.

No, it isn't.

I know Tyler.

He knows what he's saying.

Yeah. Sure, sure.

I'll do that for you. Goodbye.

Hello, Nicky.

You and Jim,

what's come over you,

turning on him like that?

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I...

Don't ride me, kid.

I ain't up to it.

Honest I ain't.

I didn't mean to.

I was just trying to figure out why...

You should have seen him.

His face was like a little kid's laid open with a blacksnake.

I ain't mad at Jim,

and I'm gonna prove it to him the only way I can.

What are you gonna do?

First thing, I'm gonna leave him

- leave him... - What?

Everything I owe him.

Sure.

And if there's anything left,

save it for Slicker.

Slicker.

Slicker?

If you start any of you old tricks

by coming home here with a lot of old fish heads

and putting them on the pillows,

I'm gonna come back and haunt you. Savvy?

I'll take care of him.

You take care of yourself.

A lot you care.

Now go to sleep.

Maybe you had to guess a lot about

you and me,

but I...

What?

Please say it.

Oh, get out of here!

Then you're going?

- I'm sorry, Dian. - I did my best.

I let him say things to me that no man has ever said.

If I hadn't promised you, I'd have killed him then.

I gave him a chance to back down.

I guess he was afraid in front of everybody.

I've got to go through with it.

I know it like something deep down inside me.

I think I understand now.

Oh, Jim.

Hey, got a match?

Go to it.

- How's the gas? - She's full up.

Thanks.

- Where's Jim? - What's the matter?

- Tyler. He's gone. - Gone?

Yeah. He sent me to the drugstore,

and the scrub woman said

that Red Skain came in right after I left.

When I got back, Tyler was gone.

Red took him away?

He must have.

- Bear over on it. - Huh?

It's a half a point off now.

It's a little trick of mine.

I can take a shot at him before I'm head on.

Oh, yeah, that's good

if he don't know you can get the first shot.

Hey, Red, you got a longer lanyard?

Wait.

All right, now.

Maybe he won't come out today.

Don't worry.

He'll be out as usual.

That's him.

Let's go.

Wait. Take it easy.

Wait for what?

We'll get speed on him and hit that skunk head on.

Tyler, come on.

Come on.

Jim!

Tyler's on that boat with Red.

Get out of the way.

- Red. - Hmm?

I'm getting weak on my pins.

Will you get me a drink, quick?

Yeah. I have one here.

Here.

I don't want to cave in before I do this.

Oh, you're all right.

You're all right.

When you hit him, I'll ram him.

Supposing I miss him?

You got your gun with you?

Gun? Yeah.

Take the wheel.

Aw, shoot.

Slicker, kiss papa.

Now get out of here.

Get out of here.

Go on! Get out of here!

Hey, Tyler!

Tyler! What are you doing?

Hey, Tyler. Tyler!

Tyler!

Tyler! Tyler, let me out!

Tyler!

Tyler! Tyler!

Tyler!

Aah!

In a changing world,

Tyler Dawson lost his soul,

but he redeemed it.

He redeemed it.

He made secure our last frontier,

our land of clear waters and shining mountains.

He remained a true friend.

His death ennobled his life.

Alaska.

Your children are the sons of adventure

who build outposts into a nation.

Endure forever, Republic,

whose greatness is paid for in the lives of your heroes.

Read that back to me.

Tyler Dawson, native of Ketchikan, died yesterday.

He was one of the men who helped to build Alaska.

Period.