Original subtitles

OLD RANGER: And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Hi-yah!

Yah!

Yah!

Yah!

Howdy, folks.

I'’m the Old Ranger,

and I have another interesting true story for you

about the historic Death Valley country.

My story tonight is the age-old story

of Romeo and Juliet--

a pair of star-crossed lovers

caught in the web of a family feud.

Now, the families in this case

were neighboring ranchers in Owens Valley, California,

back around the turn of the century.

Midway between the two ranches

was a tree where the young couple met,

which gives the story it'’s name of...

Jenny, my darling.

Oh, Gordon, I love you so.

If my father were to find out where I was, he'’d--

He'’d what?

Well, I hate to think.

Jenny, you'’re not a child anymore. You'’re over 21.

You have a right to do as you please.

We'’ve been through this so many times.

All right.

Let'’s put an end to it.

Run away together, now, today.

Find a preacher who'’ll marry us and start--

You know that'’s impossible.

Your father would disown you.

All right. Let him.

What about the ranch?

It'’s been his life's work.

What would happen to it?

I don'’t care.

You'’re all he has, Gordon,

just as I'’m all my father has.

We'’re caught.

Just because they hate each other is no reason why our lives should be ruined.

I don'’t even know what their feud is all about.

Neither do I.

I asked my father once a long time ago,

but he gave me such a terrible look

that I never dared ask him again.

A coward-- that'’s what I've been.

I'’m going back to the ranch and face him now.

Tell him my love for you means more than anything else in the world.

Oh, Gordon!

I want all of you, all the time.

Darling, when you talk like that, you give me courage too.

I'’ll go back and face my father, too.

Tell him we can'’t be separated.

He'’ll have to consent.

If not, we'’ll elope. Tonight.

Good-bye, sweetheart.For now.

Meet me back here tonight.

Yes, Gordon. Tonight.

Thank the Lord you'’re here. Your father.What'’s happened?

He was breaking a new bronc, and the cinch must'’ve broke.

Darn critter kicked him right here.

I'’m hightailing it for the doctor.

Where is Pop? Up in the corral.

We was scared to move him.

Pop!

[ chuckles weakly ] Gordy.

[ labored breathing ]

Jake'’s goin' to fetch the doctor.

It'’s no use.

Takes hours.

You'’re not gonna die, Pop. Doc'’ll fix you up.

I know better.

One thing before I go, though.

Promise me you'’ll never have anything to do

with George Clewett or his tribe.

You take it easy, Pop, and don'’t try to talk.

I-Is it true you'’ve met that girl of his?

Eh, I suspicioned so.

But don'’t you dare marry her, you hear?

Why?

Her father'’s a murderer.Murderer?

He killed my son--

your oldest brother, Joe--

before you were born.

Promise me no son of mine will ever marry a Clewett.

I promise.

Pop!

Pop!

Father?Oh, hello, Jenny.

Just filling out the entries for the county fair on the 17th.

And I'’ve got your name down as the owner of Keno.

Father, I--Oh, now, now.

After all, you raised him from a bottle since birth,

and you certainly are entitled to whatever he brings.

Father, there'’s something I wish you'’d tell me.

Why do you hate the McLeans?

Don'’t mention their name in this house ever again, Jenny.

Do you understand?No, I don'’t.

And I want to know.

All right. I will tell you.

That'’s the reason.

Your older brother, Sandy, whom you never knew.

Joe McLean murdered him.

Murdered?

When he was only three years old.

A small child?

I can'’t believe it.

It'’s true.

We'’d been down visiting at the J Bar M Ranch.

His mother and him and I used to visit back and forth in those days.

Shortly afterward, he came down with typhoid.

Typhoid? But--

We traced it to the milk from one of McLean'’s cows.

Oh, there was no doubt about it.

That'’s not the same as murder.

Sandy died.

McLean was responsible.

I consider it criminal negligence.

He must have felt terrible.

What about your mother and me?

How do you suppose we felt,

losing the only son we ever had?

That'’s no reason for carrying on a lifelong feud.

Accidents happen. Mistakes are made.

I hate Joe McLean,

and I'’ll continue to hate him until my dying day.

Well, you'’re not going to ruin my happiness with your hatred.

I love Gordon McLean, and I'’m going to marry him.

Jenny, I forbid it!You can'’t stop me.

Nothing in this world can stop me.

Jenny!

[ door slams ]

[ horse neighs ]

I'’ve been so worried.

I was afraid something had happened.

Something has happened,Jenny.

My father'’s dead.

Gordon!

Thrown and kicked by a bronc

just a few minutes before I got home today.

Oh, no!

Well, then, it had nothing to do with--

with what you were going to tell him about us?

No.

Glad of that.

It'’s bad enough to have to marry against the wishes of one parent.

Jenny--

I had it out with my father, Gordon.

I found out the reason for the feud.So did I.

I tried to reason with him, but it just wasn'’t any use.

He'’s convinced that your father was a murderer.

The other way around. You mean it was your father who was the murderer.

My father?

Yes. He killed my older brother, Joe.

Who told you that?

Dad did, before he died.

He was out of his head.

What happened was that my brother, Sandy,

contracted typhoid from one of your father'’s cows... and died.

Well, that would be no reason for my father harboring such hate.

It'’s no reason for either of them, and I told Father so.

I told him I was going to marry you in spite of it,

and here I am.

Jenny--

Darling, I know this isn'’t the time you would have chosen,

with your father just gone,

but I can'’t go back now.

Oh, Jenny.

Take me with you, darling.

We'’ll find someone who will marry us tonight.

Darling, I don'’t know how to tell you this,

but my father, as he lay dying, said--

What is it, Gordon?

He begged me.

They were his last words.

"Promise me no son of mine will ever marry a Clewett."

Gordon, you didn'’t.

He was dying.

Gordon, how could you?

You can'’t be bound by such a promise.

It'’s ridiculous.

Darling, please, try to understand.

What about your promise to me? Doesn'’t that mean anything?

Honey--

All those wonderful speeches about loving me

more than anything else in the world,

being willing to face the devil himself.

Well, that'’s just where you can go!

So Joe McLean is dead.

Well, maybe now he knows how wrong he'’s been after all these years

about me and that kid of his.

What do you mean?

I only told you the first half of the story this afternoon, Jenny.

There was a sequel to it.

After Sandy died, I sort of lost my head a bit.

Swore to McLean that I'’d get even with him.

Made all kinds of threats.

A few months later, they found his only son, little Joey,

lying face down in the creek that runs through the J Bar M Ranch.

Drowned?Yes.

He was just a little tyke that had wandered off

and fallen in,

but Joe McLean vowed that I'’d done it.

No wonder you never spoke to him again.

I wouldn'’t have either.

I'’m on your side, Father.

From now on, I'’m all Clewett.

That'’s the way to talk.

It'’s all happened so suddenly, I--

I hardly know where to begin.

Well, I can tell you one thing you can do

that your pa was countin'’ on.

Go up to the county fair

and see what they got to offer.

That'’s next week, isn'’t it?

17th.

All right. I'’ll do that.

You come along, too. I'’ll want company.

Sure... boss.

♪♪ [ calliope ]

[ barker shouting ]

All right. $2,000 high bid

for this magnificent stallion from the Rancho Seco herd.

$2,000. [ gavel bangs ]

Come on. Let me hear your bids now.

This is the buy of a lifetime-- this gorgeous stallion.

$2,000 high bid. Come on. Speak up.

2,500.

The gentleman bids $2,500. Do I hear a raise?

26.2,600.

3,000.

AUCTIONEER: $3,000 is the bid.

4,000. AUCTIONEER: $4,000.

4,100.

Are you crazy?Maybe.

AUCTIONEER: Do I hear 45? 44?

44.

Let it ride.

5,000.

AUCTIONEER: $5,000 has been bid!

Do I hear any more?

Going at 5,000 once. [ gavel bangs ]

Going at 5,000 twice.

Just a minute.

I'’ve changed my mind, Auctioneer.

The horse is not for sale.

It'’s too late. You can'’t withdraw after the bidding'’s started.

Then I bid 5,500.

You can'’t do that either.

An owner can'’t bid for his own animal.

[ laughter ]

He'’s right, Miss Clewett.

All right. The bid is $5,000.

Going once. Going twice. [ gavel banging ]

Third and last time. Is that all?

Sold to Mr. Gordon McLean for $5,000.

[ chattering ]

♪♪ [ continues ]

I'’ll write you outa check.

What were you trying to do,

make me the laughingstock of the whole county?

Nope.

I just wanted that horse.

I would'’ve gone higher if necessary.

But why?

Maybe I just want to put my brand

on something that once belonged to you.

[ whinnying ]

[ whinnying continues ]

Keno!

Hey, come back here!

We'’ve got to go get him.No.

No. Let him go.

Jenny! Oh, Jenny, come here!

You old son-of-a-gun, you.

Keno!

Well, how did he get here?

Under his own steam, he just came tearin'’ in here a few minutes ago.

Back in your own corral.

Looks like he didn'’t like his new owner.

Can'’t say as I blame him.

Then McLean'’ll be fit to be tied,

losing the critter he just paid $5,000 for.

Serves him right.Maybe we best send word by one of the boys.

[ hoofbeats approaching ]That won'’t be necessary.

I thought this is where I'’d find him.

Naturally. The homing instinct.

How'’d you ever let him get loose?

He broke out of his corral, thanks to you.

Me?

Yes, for making such a pet out of him.

You knew he'’d break loose when you sold him to me.

I did not.

Besides, you'’re the last man in the world I wanted to see buy him.

So you say.

Are you accusing my daughter of trying to trick you?

I wouldn'’t put it past her.

Why-- Why--Clear out of here!

Get off this property and never set foot on it again!

I'’ll leave as soon as I get my property.

I'’ll give till I count three.

I'’ll sue you for this, Clewett--

One....and I'’ll collect--

Two....every last penny.

You'’ve got to do one of two things, Jenny.

Either return the animal, or--

Keno'’d only break loose again.

Besides, I don'’t like the idea of having the McLean brand on him.

Then return the money. Never let it be said

that the Clewetts weren'’t honorable in their dealings,

even with the likings of the McLeans.

Very well.

I'’ll see that he gets his money back.

Every last penny of it.

Letter for you, Gordy. From her.

From Jenny?Her name'’s on the envelope.

[ no audible dialogue ]

Good readin'’, huh?

She'’s returning the money tomorrow morning.

Here?At the halfway tree.

Hello, Jenny.

Hello, Gordon.

I'’m glad you suggested our meeting here at the halfway tree.

It makes everything seem all right again, somehow.

Everything is all right.

I'’m squaring my debt with you.

What'’s that?

What I owe you.

Pennies?

That'’s right.

What kind of a trick is this?

No trick at all.

I'’m keeping Keno and giving you back what you paid for him.

In legal tender. Every last penny.

A half a million pennies, all total.

They must weigh a ton.

3,400 pounds... on our ranch scale.

How do you expect me to get these back with me?

Oh, that'’s your problem. I got them here...

...with the help of four men and a wagon.

You think you'’re pretty funny, don'’t you?

If you'’ll sign this receipt, I'’ll be on my way.

Oh, no, I'’m not signing that.

But I paid you in full.

How do I know? I haven'’t counted them yet.

And you'’re gonna sit here with me till I do.

Every blessed one of these half-million pennies.

But that'’ll take all day.

That'’s just fine.

Possibly all night.

You'’ve been here at night before.

Come on. Sit down.

Here. Make yourself comfortable.

[ pennies clinking ]

115,001.

115,002.

115,003. 115,004.

115,005. [ penny clinks ]

115,006. [ penny clinks ]

115,007. [ penny clinks ]

115,008.

115,009.

115,010. [ penny clinks ]

499,997,

998, 999.

500,000. [ sighs ]

[ sighs ]

Oh, is it morning already?

"Already"?

Longest night I ever sat through.

Or counted through.

Did you finish?

Yes. Here'’s your receipt.

Paid in full.

Good-bye, Jenny.

Good-bye, Gordon.

[ door opens, closes ]

Good morning, Mr. Hendricks.How are you, Gordon?

I'’ve been waiting for you. I'’ve got some coin I'’d like to deposit.

Why, Peters could have taken care of it for you.

This is a little unusual.

Pennies!

That'’s right.

Well, I'’ve seen a lot of piggy banks in my day,

but I think that'’s about the granddaddy of them all.

How long you been saving up, Gordon?

There'’s $5,000 worth in all, if I can have a deposit slip.

Oh, the cashier will have to count it first.

I already have. Every blasted one of them.

Sorry. Bank rules.

Oh, no.[ laughs ]

Take care of these, will you, Peters?

Come on. You might as well sit down, make yourself comfortable.

Thanks.

This wasn'’t part of your father'’s estate?

No. No, just a debt someone was paying off.

Oh.

Say, speaking of your father,

you knew that he had a safe-deposit box here, didn'’t you?

No, I didn'’t.

Most of his papers are kept in a strongbox at the ranch.

This goes way back, 30 years or more.

I'’ll get it out for you.

You might like to look through it while you'’re waiting.

Thanks.

These do go way back.

What'’s this all about?

Who'’s Jedediah Smith?

I don'’t know.

"Being of sound mind, do hereby willingly give over

"to Joseph and Martha McLean

"my infant son for adoption,

his own mother having died in childbirth on the wagon journey"--

Go on.

"And furthermore, agree to relinquish all claims

"upon the boy now and forever.

Signed this 12th day of March, 1877."

My birthday.

What does it mean?

Only one thing it can mean.

I'’m that boy?

Without a doubt.

But why didn'’t they tell me?

Could be that they didn'’t want George Clewett to know.

You see, George wasn'’t lucky enough to have another son.

He only had a daughter.Daughter?

Daughter!

Hey, wait a minute. What about those pennies?

Oh, to heck with them!

Hello, Jenny.I got your message.

What are you up to?Not a thing.

You said there was something wrong with the receipt.

I can'’t see any mistake.

The date, the amount...The signature.

That'’s what's wrong with it. It should be "Gordon Smith."

Smith?

My name'’s not Gordon McLean.

My parents adopted me when I was a baby.

I found the papers today at the bank

when I went to deposit those pennies.

Oh, Jenny, if you hadn'’t given me those pennies,

I might never have known the truth.

You might have married someone else.

Gordon, are you trying to tell me that--

We can be married, darling, yes.

In spite of your promise?

Do you remember the wording of that promise--

"No son of mine will ever marry a Clewett"?

Well, I'’m not his son.

Oh, Gordon. Gordon!

There are no more McLeans for your folks to hate.

Just a guy named Smith.

And there'’s no more halfway girl.

Just a girl named Mrs. Smith.

Well, there it is-- the old Romeo and Julietstory,

but this time with a happy ending.

And you know something?

I'’ll bet their kids saved pennies.