Original subtitles

A Warner Brothers television production.

Cards? Two and three for the dealer.

You're under arrest.

All right, Sheriff, you're throwing me out of town. All right, no argument.

But would you mind telling me why?

Because you're a card shop, Mr. Maverick.

Hey, don't call me that when I lose.

Card shops cause trouble.

My job is to keep things tranquil like here in Medicine Forks.

No trouble when I came through town last year?

A fellow by the name of Gunther was sheriff then.

Why don't you ask him about me?

Let me explain you something, Mr. Maverick.

Two kinds of lawmen.

One's like me.

Use their heads. No one's like Gunther, that their guns do the thinking for

them. That's why he's on that hill up there waiting for Gabriel's trumpet.

Why, I'm down here putting you out of town.

I still think you're being unreasonable.

Sure you do.

You're used to stupid lawmen like Gunther.

Finally, you run into a sheriff who's a real thinker.

I beg your pardon?

It's Sam.

Right on time.

On time?

He's seven hours late.

Sam Overman, that's right on time.

Afternoon, Sam.

What do you call this sick town, Sheriff?

You planning on staying over?

Here?

Not even though I was dead.

In that case, why ask?

Well, it seems to me you lean kind of heavy on that star, Sheriff.

Well, the Sheriff is something of a thinker.

Who asked you to mix in, Tin Horn?

You have to be a thinker to call me Tin Horn.

All aboard.

We're pulling out.

Last stop, Oblivion.

Now, if you don't mind...

Now, you may ask yourself, why does the name of Baskin Sunday rank so high in

the undertaking profession?

Well, I'll let you in on the secret, Mr. Maverick. It's because I live my

profession. You know, a dedicated undertaker must bury himself in every

of his work.

That sounds hard to do.

It's just a matter of pride, sir. A man's pride in his work.

In time to come, I want people to declare the work of Baskin Sunday lives

him. Why don't you shut your mouth, fat man?

Your tongue bounces around like the backseat of a buckboard.

Well, I certainly didn't intend to... All that noise.

How do you expect a little lady here to know what she's reading?

Ain't that right, miss?

No, it isn't.

As a matter of fact, Mr.

Sunday's conversation doesn't bother me at all.

You're just being polite to old fatty.

But I like that. Shows you were brought up right.

As long as we're going to be riding together for a spell, I reckon we ought

get acquainted, like.

My name's Tate McKenna.

What's yours?

If you don't mind my asking.

Laura Nelson.

Laura Nelson.

Well, say now, that's a right pretty name.

For a right pretty gal, if you don't mind my saying so.

I don't see why me and you can't get to be right good friends now.

Why don't I just sort of switch places with old Patty here?

Who did that on purpose?

That was terribly clumsy of me, Mr. McKenna. I do apologize.

Looks like you're getting a little big for your britches, gentlemen.

Not at all, Mr. McKenna.

They just shrunk since the last time I had them washed.

That's very funny, Mr.

Maverick.

Beautiful morning, Mr. Maverick.

It certainly is.

Yes, it's just perfect for a funeral.

But you know, these days, folks don't seem to want to get up this early for a

burying.

You are a dedicated man, Mr. Sunday.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Not many people understand that.

down there kind of got the idea I hit the old man over the head and took his

money.

Now, just by looking at me, you can tell I wouldn't do a thing like that.

But that sheriff, he wasn't what you call a real judge of character, so I

figured the best thing for me to do was find another pasture to graze in.

Mr. Overman?

Excuse me, please.

Mr. Overman, I...

I've been wanting to ask you something.

Glad to oblige, ma 'am.

Do you remember a young man by the name of Frank Gorman? He passed this way

about seven months ago, on his way to San Francisco.

Can't rightly say I recollect the name.

Well, he spent the night at the hotel in Medicine Forks, and the clerk seems to

think he left the next day with you.

Well?

He's, uh, 27, and he's... He's tall, and he's slender,

and he has very dark brown hair, and...

and dark eyes.

Oh, he has such a wonderful smile and a very soft way of speaking.

Well, Mr. Overman, he never did get to San Francisco, and I've just got to find

him. Kind of comes back to me, I did hold a young fellow like that.

I'm not sure.

If you'd be staying overnight and oblivion before catching the Denver

your young man would have had to stay there. So you talk to Mrs. Lyne. Her and

her family run the place.

She might not recollect either.

But you take a look at her register book.

It'll tell you quicker now.

Thank you very much, Mr. Overman.

Have a drink, Tin Horn.

No, thanks, Mr. McKenna.

I never drink on a Wednesday. It's an old family custom.

Wednesday? This ain't no Wednesday.

This here's a Friday.

Don't say.

Time certainly moves fast, doesn't it?

Watch your next stop, driver.

Place called Oblivion. About 12 miles straight ahead.

Transfer station.

I'll be riding with you. My horse broke his leg, had to shoot him.

Climb aboard.

Now!

Get down, sir.

This is Miss Nelson.

Sunday. There's Mr. McKenna here on your right.

My name is Bart Maverick.

Pardon me, but your face looks familiar, Mr., uh... Smith. Smith.

Bascom Sunday's my name.

So you wouldn't by any chance be from around Lawrence, Kansas?

That's right. I wouldn't.

Oh, that's too bad. I was leading Undertaker there, sir.

32 glorious years.

And to tell you the truth, I wouldn't have left the town except that about a

year ago my beloved wife passed away.

After that, I just couldn't stand the place.

Too many memories, you might say.

So I said to myself, I said, Bascom, I said, you've got to pull yourself

together. You've got to start all over again.

Of course, that ain't going to be easy at my age, but I believe that... Why

don't you close your face, fatty?

Your gab makes me sick.

What's the matter, bride? I had something bothering you?

Want to know what your problem is, bright eyes? I'll tell you what your

is.

You need some warming up to make you a real woman.

So we're going to fix that right now.

Go on.

Dream.

My old pappy always taught me that there's only two times in a man's life

he should be noble.

When he's caught dealing seconds and somebody slaps a lady.

That young fella, what happened to him?

Oh, you mean McKenna? Yeah.

Well, he got off about ten miles back. He said something about wanting to take

walk before supper.

Hope you folks had enough to eat.

I know it's early yet, but any time you feel like turning in, just say the word.

We're a little short on entertainment out here, but you gentlemen like a

friendly game of cards. I might even sit in myself if I was asked.

Well, I think it's only fair to warn you, gentlemen. I was considered one of

best card players in Lawrence, Kansas.

Well, I'd be the last one to spoil the fun, Mr. Lyme.

Let's play cards.

I've got a table set right up for you.

I almost forgot something, Nero.

A man named McCloud said he'd be riding the medicine forks with me this trip on

his way back from Denver.

McCloud?

Sure, he came in on last night's stage.

He sure was in a powerful hurry. He bought one of my mares and lit out of

like a posse was after him.

That's too bad.

Kind of figured I wouldn't have any of his company on the way back.

Well, hanging around here won't make the trip any shorter.

Hey, that fellow Smith.

You recollect ever seeing him before?

He looks familiar, Sam, but I can't place him.

Why?

Same here.

I know him from somewhere, but I can't think where.

Well, I'd better get rolling, I guess.

Thanks for the supper.

Have a safe trip, Sam.

Thank you.

Excuse me, Mrs. Lyme.

I was wondering if you could help me.

Well, now, I'll do anything I can, Miss Nelson.

Well, now, I've been trying to locate a young man by the name of Frank Gorman.

He passed this way about seven months ago on his way to San Francisco, and,

well, he just never made it.

That'll do it. I guess I'll have to rob the bank to stay in this game.

me like you did rob a bank oh nothing that desperate mr smith i'm a frugal man

and i sold a thriving business at a very healthy profit not many men your age

can afford to retire mr sunday retire no sir i'm going right back in the

undertaking profession just as soon as i get to montana i always say if a man

doesn't work he dies don't you agree with me mr maverick oh zip me

More than that, Mr. Maverick.

Would you care to examine it?

It looks like a lock of hair.

It's much more than that, sir.

It's a memento of the most wonderful little woman to ever draw breath.

And I hope you'll understand when I say that it means more to me than anything

else in the world, sir.

Well, it'll take more of a woman than hair to pleasure me.

I could take that Miss Nelson upstairs.

I could take her without hair.

About the only way you'd ever get her.

And what's that supposed to mean?

Gentlemen, please, we're here to play cards.

I'll open for 20.

stand up, Tin Horn.

Oh, Mr. McKenna.

Well, now, you're interrupting a card game, and I happen to be holding a

particularly good hand, so why don't you just simmer down?

All right.

You've walked ten miles, and I've been slapped in the face.

Now, maybe we can get on with the game.

Let's game.

I guess I'll have to change my opinion of you, Maverick.

I was beginning to think you had a yellow streak.

As my old pap used to say, what good's a yellow streak if you can't depend on

it?

With only four rooms and five guests, I'm afraid Ms. Lyme will have to make up

bed for one of you here in the parlor.

We just cut high card for one of the bedrooms.

Not you, Tin Horn.

You let him handle them cards, and I guarantee you, he won't be bunking in no

parlor. He'll end up with the best room in the... Why don't you shut up?

Maybe you figure on shutting me up.

What you need is another fist in your face, punk.

Gentlemen, please.

All right, Maverick, mix them up.

And just to keep laughing boy here happy, I'll cut him.

You watch what I tell you. This tin horn will end up with the best room in the

house.

your excuse.

And don't tell me you walk in your sleep.

Mr. Maverick, will you help me?

To do what?

Rob the place?

I'm not going to steal anything.

Well, as you were saying.

The young man I'm engaged to, Frank Gorman, disappeared on his way to San

Francisco.

Now, he passed through.

Medicine Forks, last October, around the 27th.

And his naked op would have been here in oblivion.

So?

So, Mrs. Lyman says that he was never here. She even looked it up in the

register. That ought to be proof enough.

No, Mr. Maverick.

No, I just can't believe that. You see, Frank was on his way to San Francisco to

establish a business.

And he had every penny we both had, over $8 ,000.

Now, when he got established, he was going to send for me.

How much of that $8 ,000 did you put up?

$6 ,200, all that my father left me.

Well, I really don't see what that has to do with it.

Maybe you don't want to see Miss Nelson.

Oh, now, just a minute. Are you...

Mr. Maverick, I'd hate to have your kind of a mind.

Sometimes I'm not very fond of it myself.

You sneak down here to look at the register, huh?

Didn't Mrs. Lime show it to you?

No, she didn't. She just glanced through it and said Frank's name wasn't there.

I built the 27th.

Well, now, he would have been here the 28th.

Smith, Freeburg, Williams, Davis.

No Gorman.

There's got to be.

Take a look yourself.

No, Mr. Maverick, I don't understand this. You see, the hotel man in Medicine

Forks was positive Frank was on that stage.

Miss Nelson, why don't you go on back upstairs and try and get some sleep?

We'll talk about it tomorrow.

Thank you for being so kind, Mr. Maverick.

like to spend a few hours in a real bed, Mr. Maverick?

You can have Mr.

Sunday's room. He just left on the morning stage for Butte.

That's the best offer I've had yet this morning, Mr. Lyme.

Thank you.

Hope you don't mind the bed not being made up, Mr. Maverick. As long as it has

mattress.

Boy, now you sleep as late as you like.

Breakfast will be ready when you come down.

Thanks, Mr. Lyme.

That looks fine. Once we tamp it down and level it off, no one's ever going to

know the difference.

Dave, this don't bother you none at all, does it? Maybe it does. Maybe it don't.

Whatever.

Well, he was a nice old man. He probably never did anything bad in his whole

life. Well, he made two mistakes.

He ain't got no family to start looking for him.

He carried a lot of money.

You know what's gonna happen, don't you?

One of these days, somebody's gonna figure out what's been going on around

and we're gonna get strung up by the neck, all of us.

Look, Dirk, sure, we're taking a chance, but we gotta.

It's the only way to get out of this stinking country and go back east and

like swells.

Now, Paul's too old to start over again, you know that.

You want more to live nice, don't you?

Live nice?

On what? On blood money?

Oh, can't anybody around here ever think straight?

We can't turn back now, Dirk.

All we need is one or two more like old man Sunday and we're all set.

Come on, give me a hand, will you? I ain't fixing to do it all by myself.

Good morning, folks. I trust you all slept well. The boys will have a fire

for you right away.

What time is that Denver stage supposed to get here?

Far morning at dawn, usually an hour or two late.

What do we do till then? Sit around and count our thumbs?

You could always pick another fight with Maverick.

I just might make that you.

You know, McKenna, you're one of those big boys with a big mouth, carries two

big guns.

Figures he's a real hard case, can push people around.

Why don't we go outside and see, can you push me around?

Who is it?

Bart Maverick.

I'd like to talk to you.

Thank you.

Is, uh, is anything wrong?

It's about your fiancé.

Are you sure he was carrying that $8 ,000 on him? He didn't send it ahead by

Wells Fargo, maybe?

No, Frank was carrying it. He was carrying all of it.

You remember our stagecoach driver asking Mr. Lime about a passenger he was

supposed to pick up here, a fellow by the name of McCloud?

Well, he was the man that bought the horse for Mr. Lime instead of waiting

the stage.

That's right.

Laura, there's something I've got to tell you.

You're frightening me, Mr. Maverick. I wish you'd just say what you had to say.

Well, after you went back upstairs last night, I took a closer look at the page

in that ledger.

There was a name on it that somebody scratched out.

Frank's name?

Could have been.

Why? Why would anybody do anything like that?

Because he was carrying $8 ,000.

But he's just a part of it, Laura.

That business about McCloud not waiting here for the stagecoach.

That doesn't make sense either. And one more.

Bascom Sunday.

Well, yes, but he left for Montana on the stage.

Did you see him leave?

No. No, I was asleep.

Nobody else did either.

Except Nero Lime.

This meant more to Bascom Sunday than anything else in the world.

I found it in his room this morning.

He never would have left you without it.

Not alive.

And Mr. Sunday was carrying a great deal of cash.

They killed him.

Oh, they killed him.

They killed him.

Come in, come in.

Well, now, good afternoon, Mr.

Smith. Good afternoon, Mr. Lyme, Mr. Lyme.

I just thought I'd stop by and settle up my bill.

No hurry, no hurry at all. Stage won't be until morning.

Well, I kind of hate to let things go to the last minute.

Say, that's the right nice gun you got there, Mr. Lyme.

That's the right nice gun.

I just bet you my last bottom dollar that this here's the gun that you killed

Mr. Sunday with.

Yes, sir.

Bet it is.

I hope you'll explain that remark, Mr. Smith.

Well, how do you explain anything so simple?

You just went into his room last night, stuck a gun on him, took him outside and

killed him dead.

That's not true.

Mr. Sunday got on the morning stage.

How can you come in here and... Well, there's a nice quiet little spot about a

mile north of here. It's got trees all around it.

Why don't we go up there and do a little digging?

Don't have to bring any shovels, because...

There's a couple of them in the trunk of a hollow tree about 20 feet north of

where your boy's buried, old man Sandy.

What is it you want?

Well, now, you're a right sensible lady there, Miss Lyme.

Yes, sir, right sensible.

You done figured out I want something.

I want the money you took off of Sunday.

All of it.

Give him the money, Nero.

I said give him the money.

Yeah, this is the way I like to do business.

No fussing and no arguing.

Just to show you how much I appreciate this, I'm not going to ask you for the

money you took off the rest of them folks killed.

Oh, don't try to sneak into my room tonight.

Because if I just happen to think I hear my doorknob turn, I'm going to start

shooting.

I blame

myself for this.

Five of them here at the same time, the risk was too big.

Could have been worse.

We'll get the money back from the next one.

There won't be a next one.

If the stage picks up these people, we're getting out.

Why do that?

Smith won't turn us in.

The minute he took that money, he was in as deep as we are.

Can't risk it.

A man like that's bound to get into trouble.

When that happens, he's going to try to make a deal with the law.

They'll let him off free. He'll tell them about us.

Yeah, I never thought of that, Verna.

He's just kind of a crook who would do it, too.

I've seen him before.

And that's why I think all three of them, Frank Gorman, this fellow McCloud,

Bascom Sunday are dead.

And there may be more.

I don't know, Maverick.

Maybe you're right, but you're pretty short on proof.

I'm seeing you're out of your head.

You find the locket under a bed, and right away it's a massacre.

What you want us to do is to grab the whole bunch, tie them up, and take them

the nearest marshal.

My old pappy never did raise any heroes, Mr. Smith. I simply suggest that we sit

tight and keep our eyes open for possible trouble.

Then what if there is trouble?

Well, let's hope that one of us gets a way to head off that morning stage.

What good is that going to do?

Some of the passengers are sure to be armed.

Maybe they can get here quick enough to save those of us who couldn't get away.

That makes sense.

But unless there is trouble, we keep our mouths shut. That is, until we get to

Denver. You got that straight, boy?

Maybe we ought to crawl under a bed.

You do as you're told, and that's all you do.

What about the Nelson girl? How's she taking it?

Taking it the way she'd be expected to take it.

She was supposed to marry that Frank Gorman.

She stayed in the room, keeping the door locked until that stage gets here.

I'm sure that poor girl must be starving, Mr. Maverick. Maybe if I take

some tea and toast.

I don't think so, Mrs. Lyme.

She needs a rest.

I think she needs sleep more than food.

Well, I thought she looked a mite peaked at getting off of that stage yesterday.

She's probably coming down with a cold.

Terrible, a young thing like that, traveling by herself.

I tell you, she gets to Denver, she ought to have a good rest in a nice

That's an excellent idea.

I'll tell her.

Come on, deal the cards.

Eddie.

Bet five.

On a miserable seven?

This is my lucky night, boy.

Put up or shut up.

You're bluffing. I'll just up that to ten.

I'll make it. Why?

Well, like I say, this is my lucky night.

gentlemen, but don't be alarmed.

After I've explained... You can explain that.

Have a look at that, Mr. Maverick.

Smith's real name was Woody Durst.

Escaped prison while awaiting execution for the murder of a Missouri bank teller

six months ago.

He still didn't have to kill him. It would have been just as easy to put a

on him and tie him up and keep him here.

Durst had nothing to lose.

He'd have gone for his gun.

I had the safety of all you to think of.

Stop it!

Stop it!

You animal!

You animal!

I'm going to kill you.

I'm going to kill you like you killed Mr. Sunday.

And Frank.

Get that gun.

No, no.

Hold it, Dave.

Now put your gun away, Dave.

Put it away.

Move over by Pa.

What are you going to do with them, Pa?

That's what I thought.

She's right, Ma. You know that? She's right.

You know that, Pa? We're just animals. Just animals, all of us. That's enough.

Hold it, Dave.

Dirk, listen to me.

You can't go against your own blood.

My own blood.

I hate my own blood.

Don't you understand, Ma? I've got to kill him or I've got to kill myself.

No, Dirk, don't!

That kind

of boy

you just don't need, mister.

Suppose and I just kind of take his place on everything, including all that

money.

Kill us too, won't they, Mr. Maverick?

I'm not much of a mind reader.

Well, I know they'll kill us, but I... I just can't figure out why they haven't

done it already.

I've got a couple of bodies to get rid of before they get to us.

If we could just do something.

If you've got any ideas, ma 'am, this is no time to hold them back.

What are you doing?

If I knew myself, I'd be the first one to tell you.

Can you see those bottles up there on the shelf?

Yes.

What are they doing?

Each time you do that, they move.

They move.

Just what I wanted to hear you say.

No, not very well.

But you're about to improve. This one's yours.

Paul, be reasonable.

You can't expect us to track him down at night. We don't even know which way he

went. Don't you see what we're up against?

We don't find him in quick every lawman in the territory. Nero, be quiet.

Now, Medicine Forks is the nearest town. He's sure to go there.

You boys will just have to catch up with him before he gets there. Hold on a

minute.

When this tin horn was telling me and Smith about you folks, he said, in case

trouble, to try heading off the Denver stage.

And by warning the passengers on it, we get all the help we need.

Of course.

And you've got to get to that stage ahead of him.

You've learned there's going to be a holdup, and you've ridden out to warn

That way, Mr. Maverick will be shot on sight.

In fact, you make sure of it.

Not me, Miss Lyon.

Don't fancy them big guns. I reckon these babies will do me just fine.

You get up.

Come with me.

Dave Lyme, ain't it?

That's right, Joe.

What are you doing out here?

Trying to keep you from maybe getting killed.

What? Got wind of a plan to hold up the stage. A fellow named Maverick ought to

be showing up any minute.

One man?

All by himself?

Well, he ain't what you call too bright.

How many passengers you carrying, Joe?

Just the Reverend here and his daughter.

I reckon we better ride in the coach.

Kind of surprise that fellow Maverick when he shows up. Maybe one of you ought

to ride up here.

That might scare him off.

We wouldn't want that to happen now, would we?

No fan of him.

Then he said it's for medicine forks.

Who'll tell you more to start packing?

Nobody move.

All right, now you and the coach, please come out.

And the rest of you, hurry up. There ain't any more, mister.

All right, now listen to me.

These three men are killers.

You'll get the rest of the story later.

Driver, you hop down and get their guns.

All right, drop it, both of you.

You too, cowboy. Drop that spare.

Get over there by the stage.

Come on, move.

Drop your gun.

You just can't seem to keep out of trouble.

This trouble I didn't make, Sheriff.

It's a long story, but if you've got the time, I'd be only too happy to...

Clark!

All I know, we come out here to pick up a killer Sam Overman told us about.

A man named Durst.

Passing himself off as Smith.

Durst is dead, Sheriff.

But I can give you four others to take his place.

I figured McKenna would remember what I said about the stage.

So my best chance was to double back here, sneak that rifle off the wall, and

wait for the stage to show up.

hoping to get some help from the passengers.

You what I call a thinker, Mr. Maverick?

Well, that's the nicest thing anybody's ever said about me, Sheriff.

Well, almost 30 ,000.

Be a while, I reckon, before we find out how many folks the Limes killed for it.

You want to claim your 8 ,000, Miss Nelson, you'll have to ride back to

Forks with us.

Of course.

Sheriff, do you mind if I ride back with you?

What for?

You ain't figuring on no reward, are you?

No, nothing like that.

If it's all the same to you, I'd like to get back to the four aces you took away

from me.

Smooth as a handle on a gun, Maverick is the name.

Wild as a wind in Oregon, blowing up a canyon, easier to tame.

Riverboat, ring your bell, fare thee well Annabelle.

Luck is a lady that he loves the best.

Next to New Orleans,

living on Jackson Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.

Rebel, I'll ring your bell.

Farewell, Annabelle. Luck is a lady that he loves the best.

Passage to New Orleans.

Living on Jackson, Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.