Original subtitles

OLD RANGER: And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Ha.

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.

How is it that one man goes far in this world?

Becomes a big success while another,

with the same opportunities, never seems to get anywhere.

That'’s the situation in our story tonight.

[ man reading ]

"Meet me at Saddle Back tomorrow morning.

Big deal set."

Well, good for Little Charlie.

[ dog barking ]

Charlie will be showing up any minute now.

I left a note for him to meet us here.

I thought you were Charlie.We'’re both Charlies.

He'’s Big Charlie,

I'’m Little Charlie.

Oh.Look at this belt, Poppa.

Isn'’t it stunning? I want it.

Well, I'’m sorry, miss, but that'’s not for sale.

It says Blue Goat, $50.

Well, that'’s the name of the Indian

who pawned it and the amount I loaned him against it.

Oh.

Well, I'’m sure if my father made him an offer...

You will, Poppa?

I'’m out here buying a mine, Daughter.

Not Indian jewelry.

Well, I do think the least you can--

I got your message.I figured you would.

Meet Mr. Gates. Charlie Loomis.

Spencer Gates,

the Gates Mining Syndicate?

That'’s right.

It'’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.

And this is my daughter, Consuelo.

Also a pleasure.

Thank you.

The papers are all drawn up.

All they need is your signature.

Have you pen and ink?Sure.

There you are, Mr. Gates.And here are the checks.

I made them out separately. $25,000 each.

To Charles Loomis and to Charles Porter.

$25,000. Thank you, sir.

Yes, thanks Mr. Gates.

And now what do you say if we ride out to my new mine

and check up on a few things?

Sure, I'’ll be glad to.

First of all, would you please buy this belt for me?

He told you it'’s not for sale, Consuelo.

Well, if the young lady would like

to leave a name and address

and if Blue Goat don'’t claim it

in a couple of years, why--

A couple of years? I want it now.

Does that belong to Blue Goat?

Yeah.Well, it doesn'’t anymore.

It'’s yours, Miss Gates.

Mine?

Blue Goat'’ll go to depart with it if I say so.

He owes me money too.

You'’re wonderful.

Now I know why they call you Big Charlie.

MR. GATES: Shall we go?

Oh, sure.

Thank you.

Don'’t I get a lamp?You wait outside.

But I want to see the mine.

And put a jinx on it? Nothing dern.

Oh, it'’s supposed to be bad luck for a woman

to enter a mine.

You don'’t believe that, do you?

Well, I do believe

that you'’ll get your clothes dirty, ma'’am.

Oh, all right.

It'’s gonna take a pretty good size pump

to get that water out of there.

Yeah, the rain sure filled it up.

And I'’ll have to sink a vertical shaft for ventilation.

Well, I'’d say about 200-- [ rumbling ]

Rock slide!

Consuelo, look out!

Rock slide!

[ screams ]

Consuelo, are you all right, honey?

Boy, I don'’t see how you ever got there so fast.

Me, I couldn'’t move.

No, don'’t put me down yet. I'’m too weak to stand up.

He'’s just the kind of a man you need in your company.

He knows mining, certainly.

And he'’s a go-getter, thinks and acts fast.

Lets nothing stand in his way.

He'’d be invaluable to you.

It couldn'’t be you want him for yourself?

Of course I do. Buy him for me, Poppa?

Please?All right, honey.

Look, Charlie, there'’s something

I got to tell you.

LITTLE Charlie: Yeah?

I had a talk with the old man this afternoon, Mr. Gates.

He made me a proposition.

To represent him out here?

To go back East with him.

Work in New York.You said yes.

Mm, it'’s a chance of a lifetime.

Well, you'’ll be a brain fool if you didn'’t.

[ sighs ] I'’m glad you feel that way, Charlie.

I was afraid-- Well, you know we'’ve been partners

for ten years.

I'’m gonna do something for you, too,

once I'’m set.

Oh, don'’t bother, Charlie.

I'’m-- I'm stayin'’ right here.

You'’re not gonna keep on prospecting?

No, I...I'’m gonna do something

I'’ve always had a hankering for.

I'’m gonna buy out old Si Dodge.

I'’m gonna run Saddle Back.

The Trading Post? What is it in that?

Comfortable living, a home.

People.But it won'’t lead anywhere.

Well, I don'’t want to go anywheres.

Ah, look, Charlie, I know you'’re kind of sore at me

for walking out on you--Oh, not a bit.

I-I-I expected it.

You'’re much too big a guy

to be willing to spend the rest of your life

in the desert.

You'’re darn tootin'.

Well, me, I'’m...I'm Little Charlie.

I belong here.

Haven'’t you got any ambition?

I don'’t want the world, if that'’s what you mean.

Well, I do.

And I'’m out to get my share of it.

I'’m going back East with Spencer Gates.

Learn all there is to know about big business.

Make myself indispensable to him.

Marry his daughter.

If she'’ll have me. She could do a lot worse.

Well, I hope it all works out as you say, Charlie.

It will. Nothing'’s going to stop me.

Spencer Gates-Loomis behaved like an angel, didn'’t he?

I was petrified I'’d drop him.

Whoever invented the idea of a father

holding a baby at a christening?

[ laughs ]

Better take him up to the nursery, Gibbs.

He'’s had enough excitement for one day.

Before he goes, I'’d like to tell you

about my christening present for him.

I set up a trust fund in his name.

5,000 shares in the Gates Mining Enterprises.

Poppa, how sweet of you.5,000 shares?

That'’s a small fortune.

Oh, '’tis never a day that a man has a grandson.

I suppose if it'’d been a girl?

Oh, I'’d have been disappointed, naturally.

I'’ve always wanted a son.Sorry.

Oh, that'’s all right.

You'’ve given me a good son-in-law

to follow in my footsteps.

And now, a grandson to follow after him.

Spencer Gates-Loomis.

We'’ll send him to the School of Mines here at Columbia.

Give him all that engineering background,

and then when he'’s ready to come into the office--

Oh, stop it!

He'’s only eight months old,

and already you'’re talking about making a business machine

out of him.

Well, I won'’t have it.Consuelo.

It'’s bad enough to be married to a man

who thinks of nothing but work.

That isn'’t true, darling.

Oh, isn'’t it?

You never have any time for me

to do the things I want to do.

If you'’re thinking about the horse show...

And the opening night of the opera

and the Esther Ball, the most brilliant party

given in New York.

We'’ve missed them all because you'’ve been

too busy to take me.

Listen, my dear.

Your husband is one of the ablest young men in this country.

Right on the threshold of a tremendous career.

You'’ve got to make a few sacrifices

for his sake, go along with him.

Later, it will be easier, darling.

Right now, these are the years that count.

If you could just bear with me.

Of course, I'’m a selfish little beast.

Forgive me.

How much longer are you going to grubstake

that old bindlestiff?

Who, Caleb? He'’ll strike it someday.

And if he don'’t?At least he'’ll have tried.

Charlie, you'’re a fool,

staking all these guys communing around here.

I was a prospector once myself, Casey.

Yeah, you'’ll be out prospecting again

one of these days if you don'’t watch out.

Charlie!

Charlie, come, come quick. Blue Goat dying.

Got knife in belly.

Well, who stuck him?

Me.You?

Blue Goat eat bad fish. Got pain in belly.

Swell up so, hard like drum.

Me stick him, let gas out.

Where'’d you ever get such a crazy idea.

Me see man stick knife and called it get '’em gas,

swell up, work fine.

Jerusalem.

Some folks think life in the desert is dull.

Wait, are you closing up shop?

You heard what she said. We can'’t let Blue Goat die.

But this is Saturday night, Charlie.

The best spending night.

All the customers will be coming around.

They'’ll just have to wait.

Now, look, you don'’t have to be the great white father.

You'’re a storekeeper and you should stay

at the store and be--

I told the undertaker to send a second carriage

full of flowers to the hospital.

That was very thoughtful of you.

He meant more to me than my own father ever did.

He thought as much of you as if you were his own son.

You realize this makes you

one of the wealthiest heiress in America?

And puts on my shoulders the responsibility

of carrying on the vast financial empire

that he built.

Not just yet.

First we'’re going to take a good, long vacation.

Go to Europe together.Europe?

For at least three months.Consuelo.

The children will be all right.

They'’re eight and ten now, and Miss Rollins will be here.

I'’m not thinking about the children.

I couldn'’t possibly get away at this time.

With all the decisions to be made

and your father'’s estate to settle.

That can wait.

That shows how little you know about business, my dear.

Look, I'’ve been tied down here

ever since Dad was taken sick.

We'’ve both been under a terrible strain.

We need to get away.Later, perhaps.

That'’s what you've been saying for years.

Later, later, later. Well, I want to go now.

I'’m sick and tired of waiting.

Use your head, Consuelo.

I'’m sorry. I didn'’t mean to snap at you.

Oh, Charlie, what makes us quarrel so much?

What'’s happening to us?I guess it'’s my fault.

Perhaps we should be apart for a little while.

Perhaps I should go to Europe anyway.

Why don'’t you?

And I'’ll join you later if I find I can.

I hate to do this to you, Charlie.

But I got no choice.

Your taxes is way in arrears,

and if you don'’t pay up,

I'’ll have to take this place over.

That'’s the law.How much time I got, Sheriff?

Well, under the circumstances,

I'’ll extend it to 30 days.

Thank you, Sheriff.

Going at $1,500. Do I hear anymore bids?

This is just the building, mind you.

The stock will all be auctioned off separately.

Come on, callers. How '’bout you, Josh?

You'’re not gonna let this go

for $1,500?

Come on.

Going once.

Going twice.

Sold, to Mr. Sam Tobin for $1,500.

And what a buy.

You can bet Sam Tobin won'’t extend credit

or close up shop to ten sick Indians.

What are you going to do now, Charlie?

Start prospecting again, just like you said.

Why, Charles.

I thought you were dining at the club

with the board of directors.

It had to be postponed.

Consuelo, what'’s the meaning of this?

I'’ll order dinner for you, Charles.

I'’m going out myself to the opera.

I asked you a question. Who is this fellow?

It gives his name, doesn'’t it?

Henri de Fefrand.A French Count.

Yes.

I'’ve heard rumors you were receiving attention

from some other man.

But I didn'’t believe it.

My wife.

Well, now you know.

I'’m amazed at you, Consuelo.

I'’m planning to marry him, Charles.

What?

Just as soon as you give me a divorce.

Consuelo, have you lost your mind?

I'’ve waited over 20 years

for a husband that would devote himself to me, Charles.

At last I found one.

Now I'’m going to lead the kind of a life I like.

A life of pleasure.Yes.

A home in Paris, a villa in the Riviera.

Swim, dance, have fun.

What does he do for a livelihood?

Nothing, but I have enough for us both.

I'’d be glad to have you keep the house, Charles.

You sound as if it were all settled.

It is, except for the divorce proceedings.

The children get to divide their time between us.

They'’re practically grown up anyway.

And what about me?

[ bell ringing ]

There'’s Henri now.

Aren'’t you giving any thought to me?

You still have your business,

which is what you were wedded to anyway.

I didn'’t know you could be so hard, Consuelo.

What do you think has made me so?

Good-bye, Charles.

Hello, Sheriff.Charlie!

I was hopin'’ I run into some prospector.

Can you give me a hand?Doing what?

A feller dead in a shack up yonder.

I found him on a stop just now for water.

Murdered?No, no guy.

A heat stroke, most likely. Been dead several days.

You want me to help you bury him?

If I can borrow your shovel.

The only one in the shack'’s got a broken handle.

Sure, I'’ll be glad to.

You lead the way, I'’ll follow you.

Oh, that'’s mighty good of you, Charlie.

Oh, I ain'’t no hurry.

I'’m not goin' nowheres in particular.

Why, it'’s Caleb Peters.You know him?

I grubstaked him for years.

I lost track of him after I gave up Saddle Back.

Poor old guy.

Does he got any kin?Not that I know of.

There may be somethin'’ in the way of letters

which will tell us.

Here we are.

Last will and testament. Charlie.

He'’s left everything to you.

All of his debts?

"To Charlie Porter,

my good friend and stakeholder."

Here'’s his bank book.

$150, $425, [ whistles air ].

$190, $100, where did he get it all?

Little extracts here and there.

Okay, but...

I always knew you was honest.

That you'’d pay me back someday.

Too bad it come too late to save Saddle Back for you.

Well, it ain'’t too late to buy it back again.

And that'’s exactly what I aim to do.

Now, if it don'’t fit, you can tell her

to bring it back after Christmas

and get the right size.

Thanks, Charlie.

Oh, you spending Christmas alone?

Yep. Right here.

You know, Charlie, you should get married.

Oh, shucks, I'’m too old.

Eh, every man needs a partner.

I'’ve had the only partner I reckon I'’ll ever have.

Big Charlie?

Yeah.

It'’s been all of 28 years now.

It'’s funny, I still kind of miss

the old son of a gun.

[ clears throat ] Well, Merry Christmas to you.

Yes, Merry Christmas, Casey.

Well.

[ door opens, closes ]

Hello, Dad.Oh, Connie.

[ sighs ]

Good evening, Grandpapa.

I'’ve been racing to get my Christmas shopping done.

Well, you still have a week.

Oh, but I haven'’t.

I'’m leaving the day after tomorrow.

Leaving?

I'’ve had the most wonderful invitation, Father.

You know the Mortimers?

Well, they'’re opening up their house

in Stockbridge for the holidays.

All our crowd is invited for a real old-fashioned Christmas.

And you'’re going?Oh, I can'’t wait.

I-I knew you wouldn'’t mind.

I mean, Christmas doesn'’t mean a thing to you.

You'’re not the sentimental type.

Of course not.

Your brother would be disappointed, though,

to come home and not find you here.

Oh, Gates.

He'’ll be so busy stepping out with all his baby dolls,

he'’ll never even notice.

Pol Roger.

Seems to me you'’re pretty popular yourself.

Just the usual from business friends.

Just. Listen to him. The big tycoon.

Well, I must fly.

I'’m going to dinner at Delmonico'’s.

Oh, [ chuckles ].

By the way, I'’m so terribly broke.

I'’ll have a check made out.Thank you, Dad.

You'’re the most practical parent.

I adore you.

[ door closes ]

[ phone ringing ]

Hello? Yes?

Yes, this is Mr. Charles Loomis.

Yes, of course, put him on.

Hello, Gates. How are you?

You'’re going where? Paris?

I know your mother would like

to have you with her over there.

That'’s a pretty expensive trip for a coup--

Oh, she cabled you the passage money?

Sure. Oh, I understand.

A Merry Christmas to you, too.

And...

give my regards to...Paris.

By George, it'’s exactly what I'll do.

[ train horn ]

[ sighs ]

Best Christmas dinner I ever ate.

Ah, this country never changes, does it?

Same sand, same smell of sagebrush,

same everlasting silence.

Yep.

It'’s only the men that'’s different.

You'’re not different, Charlie.

You'’re just the same fellow you were 28 years ago.

Still no ambition.[ chuckles ]

Now, tell me.

If you could start all over again,

go back to that day we camped here in '’85...

I reckon I'’d live my life the same way.

It suited me. What about you?

Oh, I suppose I'’d do the same.

In spite of everything. I couldn'’t help myself.

It'’s in the stars what we'’re to be.

No, it'’s-- it'’s in ourselves.

You'’re born to be big, or you'’re born to be little.

And when all'’s said and done, who'’s to judge

which is the better life?

Maybe you can answer that question

now you'’ve seen the story.

Big Charlie or Little Charlie?

Which is the better life?

Material success or inner satisfaction?

♪♪ [ trumpet ]