Original subtitles

Do you think you're any better than your aunt?

Do you? Huh?

Sit down, Maverick. This is a private conversation.

It was.

It still is.

Sit down.

Put it down.

Drop it.

All right, Maverick. We've got a deal. Go up and take care of Whitehead.

What does he mean, a deal?

Doesn't affect you.

Maverick's my new partner, that's all.

Don't try it, Maverick.

When the time comes, Gambler, I'm going to take care of you personally. Imagine

you'll have to draw straws for me.

A Warner Brothers television production.

I'll say goodbye now.

Yonder's the cutoff to Denver.

I can't make it out yet, Judge.

A self -respecting gopher wouldn't try that. I'm afraid you'll have to put up

with me for a little while longer.

Won't be much easier getting up to the hotel.

Anything's better than staying and becoming a permanent part of this

Well, you won't be overwhelmed with hospitality.

Mrs. Flood hasn't had any visitors since the place closed up ten years ago.

Better a cold reception than a cold grave.

I know why they call this place Vlad's Folly. He considers it a monument to her

dead husband.

That's why she's putting off selling it.

Any buyer would have to be a rich hermit or a peculiar millionaire.

Anyway, we won't have any trouble reserving a room.

Who's this?

Mr. Maverick was on his way to Denver.

The pass is blocked.

You know we can't have company up here.

Want him to stay outside and freeze?

No, of course not.

There's just myself and my niece here.

We don't encourage visitors.

I already explained that to him, Arthur.

I'd appreciate it if you can leave as soon as possible.

You made your point outside, ma 'am.

The moment the pass is open, I'll be on my way. That's my room. I'll be happy to

pay the going rate.

This is no longer a hotel.

Must have been quite a place once.

A guest book had names from every part of the world.

This resort was her husband's hobby.

Pretty expensive one.

That was not a consideration.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll find you a clean room.

There's coffee and sandwiches on the table.

Sounds like Mr. Flood was a pretty rich man.

He owned half the copper mines in the state.

Well, why build a hotel that's more accessible to modern goats and guests?

It was built around a hot sulfur spring.

Big attraction.

Unfortunately, the spring dried up.

Help yourself, Maverick.

Thanks.

What are you handling for Mrs. Flood?

I never discuss a case before it's tried.

Oh?

What's she being tried for?

Your curiosity is showing, my friend.

Hello, Sally.

Judge?

This is Mr. Maverick, an old friend of mine.

Hello, Sally.

Allow me.

You're the first visitor outside of the judge.

Aunt Martha never allowed any visitors before.

Then I would say it was about time.

Sally, I brought a little present for you.

I guess you know what this is, my dear.

A new puzzle?

Well, thank you very much.

Well, I guess I'll turn in now.

Martha will be down in just a minute to show you to your room.

No hurry.

I'll take my coat.

I think I'd better go.

Why don't you stay a while?

My aunt wouldn't like my being alone with you.

Did she say so?

Not just you, anybody. She doesn't like strangers.

The judge told you I was a friend of his.

So I'm not really a stranger at all, am I?

Have you been up here long?

Ten years.

Since Uncle Edward died.

How about your father and mother?

They were killed in an avalanche on this mountain when I was a child.

I'm sorry.

Well, it was so long ago.

I had a brother, too.

Had?

Well, he was sent to live with friends, but I lost track of him. He's somewhere

in San Francisco now.

Haven't you ever tried to find him?

How can I?

But you want to.

Someday I'll get away from here.

She'll see.

Someday I'll be gone.

Couldn't a resourceful man find some excuse not to bring a stranger up here

time like this?

You mean like shoving him into a snowbank?

Please. No, it's just that you told me that you'd have news for me this trip.

I didn't want to rush things.

In two weeks I can get a closed session without a jury.

Oh?

How about acting as though you're glad to see me?

You sound as though the verdict's been decided already.

Presiding judge is in my debt for quite a few favors.

Just the same, I'd feel a lot better if your friend wasn't in the house.

Sally's taking care of them.

You left them alone downstairs?

Where's the harm?

Do you realize what it's like to live up here alone?

Not seeing anybody but you year after year. Well, I've done just that to keep

Sally from talking to strangers. Then you not only bring one up, you just hand

her over to one as well.

Suppose they do talk.

What about her brother?

You can't bring back the dead, my dear.

What's going on with you? There's something wrong here, and I don't like

there's nothing wrong. It's just that I can't be myself as long as your friend's

in this house.

What do you find to do to pass the time here, Sally?

I put puzzles together once the judge brings me.

Wait here. I'll show you.

I've put this one together a hundred times.

It's a lovely picture and my favorite.

There's a man and a woman wall thing, and she has a beautiful white gown on.

Here's where the lady begins.

Mr. Maverick, your room is ready.

Thank you.

Sally, if the snow keeps up, we can work on the puzzle tomorrow.

There's wood for a fire, basin, water, and towel.

Hotel or not, Mrs. Flood, this looks like luxury to me.

Not luxuries, Mr. Maverick.

Necessities.

I've been wondering, Mrs. Flood, if you don't mind my saying so, why an

attractive woman like you would do without luxuries and live like a hermit?

That's my concern, Mr. Maverick. I'm sorry.

Well, how about Sally?

Doesn't she mind the loneliness?

As long as you're a guest in my house, Mr. Maverick, I hope you won't take

advantage of the hospitality.

Meaning, Sally?

You've answered your own question.

Mrs. Flood, your hospitality is one thing, and your niece is another. I

intend to take advantage of either.

Thank you very much.

But I have promised the next dance to Mr. Evans.

Perhaps the last dance?

Since Mr. Evans was regretfully delayed, may I have the pleasure of the next

dance?

I'd be delighted, Mr. Maverick.

Another waltz?

Mind if I talk?

Do you do this often?

Does your aunt know?

Is there really a Mr. Evans?

It's been a pleasure, Miss Blood. You danced very well.

You told me you spent all your time doing picture puzzles.

I was talking about the present, not the past.

The past?

Yes. When I was a little child, I used to watch people dance in this room from

behind that curtain.

Beautiful women, elegantly dressed, and the most handsome gentleman, Mr. Evans,

was one of them.

All the ladies wanted to dance with him.

You mean you pretend you are at one of those dances?

When I'm in this room, I am at one of those dances.

You certainly didn't wear that dress when you were a little girl.

It belonged to my mother.

She wore it in this very room the night before she was killed.

She must have looked as lovely as you do now.

Good night, Sally. It's been the nicest dance I've ever been to. Please don't

go.

I'm a guest in your aunt's house. She doesn't want me to see you.

I know, but I'm afraid to be alone now.

You've been alone before.

I know, but... Well, please don't laugh at what I'm going to say.

I won't, Sally.

Those people I was telling you about actually exist.

I heard their voices again tonight.

Sally, pretending is one thing.

But hearing voices, that's something else again.

I do hear them.

They're far away, but I do hear them.

You mean right now?

No, but once in my own room and then again last week.

That's why I am afraid.

Sally, go to your room.

Now you can understand what I didn't want to talk about before.

A child lives in a world all her own.

She couldn't possibly face reality.

Sooner or later, if we left here, authorities would force me to place her

institution.

I went along with her until she told me about hearing voices.

In this old hotel, her dreams will harm no one, and no one will harm her.

She told me you didn't know about it.

Oh, I let her think that.

I couldn't intrude in her world, but since you discovered it, I had to do

something about it.

When did all this start?

Well, I guess it was the shock of seeing her parents buried in an avalanche, and

then there was her brother's death.

She told me it was in San Francisco.

Is this more fantasy?

Come with me, Mr. Maverick.

Read that.

Robert M. Flood.

Drowned, San Francisco Bay.

21st of June, 1870.

That death certificate was obtained by the judge.

Will there be any more questions, Mr. Maverick?

I'm sorry.

Good night, then.

Good night.

I have a plan, Mr. Maverick, but I need your help.

What sort of plan?

Well, I told you earlier this evening that I want to leave here to find my

brother.

Now, if I manage to get away, will you meet me when you go and take me with

Sally, I'd be delighted to have your company.

But this storm's made the country too dangerous to travel in.

Is that the real reason, Mr. Maverick?

Or do you think I am what my aunt says I am?

I don't know what you mean.

Then take me with you, please.

Sorry, Sally, I can't do it.

You don't believe a word I've said.

When we danced, I thought that I could trust you.

But now I know that you're just like Aunt Martha and the judge.

Sally, don't excite yourself. I am your friend.

Excite myself?

Oh, I see.

Well, don't worry, Mr. Maverick.

I'm not violent or dangerous.

I'm just determined.

And if you want to help me, then I'll find some way out.

Well, now, he must be the one your lady friend told us about.

The gambler that judge brought in.

It doesn't matter who he is.

He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, we won't have to worry about him until the storm lets up.

Hey there, gambler man.

Might as well go back to sleep.

You're going to be with us for a spell.

So I gathered.

You mind letting me in on it?

We're guests here, like you are.

Except we demand privacy.

We don't want our presence known to everyone.

Like Sally?

Yeah.

You know, that's a crying shame.

Because I'd sure like to let my presence be known to her. Don't mention young

ladies in that tone of voice.

Whitey, I didn't say anything bad.

Whitey.

Recognize me, huh?

No, I, uh...

Can't say I do.

Sure you do.

Smart gambling man. Gets around a lot.

You've seen me on those reward posters.

Chet Whitehead.

And if you're themmering on that, it's Elkins.

Now, come on.

You knew us the minute you laid eyes on us, didn't you?

You play it any way you want to lay it out.

All right.

Now you know we're hiding.

Satisfying. Not quite.

Mrs. Flood, she hides you out, she brings you food. Why?

If you had a lady friend, what would you expect her to do?

Turn you in?

I'd be now bluffed by some of the best poker players in the country.

But they couldn't even sit at the same table with our lovely landlady.

Maverick, we're going to keep you around with us for a while.

How long depends on how much trouble you give me.

You'll find me very easy to get along with.

I thought I'd have a look at some of the cheaper rooms.

But I must say, I like it better upstairs.

The company, too.

We caught him snooping.

Oh, I was afraid of this.

Well, what'll I tell the judge?

Just tell him enough real early in the morning before anybody got up.

And this blizzard?

I don't want to impose on anyone. I'd just as soon take my chances out there.

This isn't a game of cards, Gambler.

This is more like for life or death.

Chet, no.

He recognized us.

Now, don't you worry, Nan.

It won't do a thing till it's absolutely necessary.

I'm very sorry, Mr. Maverick. I tried to avoid this.

Don't you know these three are wanted for murder?

They've never hit a town or a bank or a payroll without leaving a bereaved

relative or two. That kind of thing is long gone.

Over and done with.

Buried in the past, you might say.

Yes, but what about them?

They'll leave when it's safe.

Say, they might even take him with them.

That way it'll look like Maverick froze to death out there.

Sally is going to wonder what happened to me.

That's a fact, mister.

She will.

But even if she says something, who's going to believe a girl who hears

huh?

She's a lot saner than some of the present company.

You stay put, Maverick.

Just trying to keep warm?

Do that for a little while longer.

I'm going upstairs before I'm missed.

Oh, Chet.

Chet, this isn't going to work out.

Oh, it's got to.

It's ten years too late, but this is it, baby. This is the chance.

Oh, if only I'd married you then.

Ah, you can't go back.

Thanks to your niece, we can go ahead.

We can travel first class.

Are you going to be happy here, alone with me?

With you and a fortune, I'd be happy on the moon.

Well, it won't be all the fortune, because I have to give the judge half.

Half of it?

You made a bad deal.

It was the best I could do.

Like you said, you can't go back. And I also said it was a bad deal.

Sometimes I wonder about you, Chet.

What is it you want most?

Me? The money?

Just a place to hide.

Ah.

Let's say I'm greedy, huh?

I want all three.

Chet, no.

You said you'd wait.

I didn't say anything about waiting.

There's going to be a couple of more bereaved relatives.

All right, folks, come on in.

Admission's free.

Aunt Martha, who are these men?

I owe you an apology, Sally.

These are the voices you heard.

They're guests of your aunt.

Chet Whitehead.

I sentenced you for bank robbery six years ago.

That's right.

I broke out a year later.

Now we're both kind of on the same side of the fence, aren't we, Your Honor?

The fence is a little too high for you to climb over, Whitehead. There's only

one difference between us.

I use the gun and you use your law books.

When I steal, it's out in the open.

What are you talking about?

Her. I know all about the will and how you're fixing to have her declared

so that Martha can be appointed a permanent guardian.

You larcenous old goat.

Is that why you've been keeping me locked up like a prisoner?

Of course not, Sally. How can you believe such a thing? Martha, get down

your high horse, will you? She's bound to find out about it sooner or later.

Now, listen, Judge, I got nothing against your scheme.

It's just that I can't stand barefaced hypocrisy.

What is your interest in all this?

That's the kind of private business.

The picture is clearing up.

No wonder you didn't want me to bring Maverick here.

It wasn't Sally you were concerned about. You were concerned about him.

and you let me to believe you'd marry me.

Is that true, Martha?

Of course it isn't true.

It's all in his mind. I gave him no reason.

Well, it's not going to work.

You know, I might have a few thoughts on that subject myself, but we'll talk

about them upstairs.

Now, there's no reason to stay down here any longer.

All right, you two, get going. Move up.

All right, get going.

talk to you please I haven't the time put it down

doesn't

it occur to you at all that lying to me might be dangerous but I didn't lie to

you John I've never told you I've loved you and I've

never promised you anything why didn't you tell me about him when I came here

last night

I was afraid.

Afraid I'd back out of the deal?

Afraid your plan to use me might not work out?

But, John, it isn't the way you think.

There is no plan.

John, when he showed up here last week, it was the first time I'd seen him in

ten years.

And suddenly it was yesterday, and there was nothing I could do about it.

How very touching.

I have to take him his breakfast.

Incidentally, I haven't had mine yet. Yes, but this... This will do quite

nicely, thank you.

You can get some more for him.

Now, listen to this, Martha.

I don't like being gulled, whether it's the result of an accident, a plot, or

love's old sweet song.

Right now, you need me more than I need you.

Without me, you won't get your hands on any of that money.

Wasn't that will they were talking about downstairs?

I didn't know there was a will.

There's another piece of the white card.

Tell me, you know this puzzle backwards.

Why don't we start another one?

No. You haven't even opened the one the judge brought you last night.

I know, but this is the important one.

How do you mean, important?

Very important.

To you.

How can you sit there so calmly?

My stomach's just about as steady as your hands.

That doesn't mean I haven't given up hope.

But they're going to do something to you as soon as the storm lets up.

I know.

That's why I'm praying for bad weather.

Is that your idea of hope?

No, at the moment I'm putting my hope in the judge.

But they're all sticking together.

I have an idea I can make the judge come unstuck.

You were right, Judge.

I would have been better off trying to get to Denver.

Getting worried, Maverick?

No, I wouldn't say that.

Only one thing worries me, that's uncertainty. And at least I know what

have in mind for me.

You, you're in a different boat.

I just finished reminding our hostess that they need me more than I need them.

Right now, maybe.

But what about after she gets the money?

Do you think they'll still give you half?

or even leave you around to tell about it?

I confess the question has occurred to me.

Did you come up with an answer?

Do you have one?

Yes.

Take me in as a partner. Then we can team up and take care of them.

You may have to split your share with me, but at least you'll be around to

it.

A little out of your line, isn't it?

No qualms of conscience?

and be very broad -minded where my life is concerned.

I'll think it over.

Don't think too long, Judge.

There's blue sky out there. That means black crape down here.

Chet, I'm worried about the judge.

I can handle him.

Not after he leaves here.

Maybe he won't leave.

Well, he has to go. court to settle the estate.

More than one way to skin a cat.

What are you talking about?

That niece of yours, you know, she's got sense.

She knows we can't keep her here forever.

I can always lock her up and sell her.

Now, is that a bit downright crudely?

There's an easier way.

More profitable, too.

There's only so much in the estate.

You made a bad deal with the judge.

But if we do what I've got in mind... We don't have to share the money with him.

What have you got in mind?

Something practical.

Now, listen, as long as your niece is around, we're never going to have an

inside night's sleep.

If something happens to her and she's out of the way, we don't need the judge

either. And if we don't need him,

there's just no point in giving him anything.

Don't you dare think of such a thing.

What makes you so feisty?

You worried about Sally or the judge?

You know better.

Seems to me he takes a lot for granted.

Almost like there was a contract that both of you signed.

Chet, I can't help what he thinks.

Now, listen, if he ain't fixing to move in here, all that money ain't gonna be

much company for you, along with your niece.

I'll have you.

Yeah.

You will.

If we do things my way.

Check, please.

Now, listen, like I said, as long as your niece is around, we'll never be

Check, please. I'm begging you, don't ruin everything.

I reckon I'll make tracks as soon as the storm lets in.

You don't fool me, you wouldn't walk out on all that money.

It's the best one I ever saw. It's a real painting, too. Yes, it is.

Well, what do you notice about it?

She's wearing a dress like the one you wore last night.

It is the dress, and that's the room we were in last night.

Did you paint it?

No.

My brother painted it.

Your aunt showed me a death certificate. He died five years ago.

Well, no death certificate can change this.

Did the judge bring you this puzzle?

He bought it in San Francisco. It's one of several.

He thought they would help me pass the time and that it would keep me from

thinking about how lonely I was.

One hand, he shows me a death certificate, and the other, he shows me

my brother's alive.

Only he didn't know it.

Did your brother know this place?

Well, he lived here as a child. He must have painted this for memory.

Now do you know why I had to put this together to prove to you that he is

I think the time has come to apply a little more pressure where it will do

most good.

Reached a decision, Your Honor?

I'll let you know when I do.

Oh, I have one little doubt myself about throwing him with you on me.

Indeed? Well, one thing you did strikes me as being rather clumsy.

What are you talking about?

The death certificate of her brothers really wasn't worthy of you. I mean, it

was such an obvious fake.

It looked quite legal enough, my dear fellow, to get the boy written out of

will.

What was his share?

He and his sister were to have shared equally.

How did you stop him from looking for his sister?

Showed him a death certificate stating that his sister died of natural causes

New Orleans.

There's an empty grave there with our marker on it.

He sends flowers to it once a year.

No, I can't decide, Your Honor, whether you shine more brilliantly as a criminal

lawyer or a criminal.

I don't see you turning up your nose at a share.

My reasons are strictly self -preservation.

How about it?

Are you dealing me in?

You're in.

Only don't get too involved with her.

There'll be no room for sentiment when you make your move.

One more thing, Judge.

What's the brother doing now?

Wasting his time trying to be an artist.

You never know.

His work might be recognized someday.

Come on, honey. I'll help you put the puzzle together again.

I'm tired of it.

Well, now, I figured you might like a little company being cooped up here so

long, huh?

There's lots worse things than being cooped up here.

Do you think you're any better than your aunt?

Do you? Huh?

Sit down, Maverick. This is a private conversation.

It was.

It still is.

Sit down.

Put it down.

If we've got a deal, go up and take care of Whitehead. What does he mean, a

deal? Doesn't affect you.

Maverick's my new partner, that's all.

Don't try it, Maverick.

When the time comes, Gambler, I'm going to take care of you personally. I

imagine you'll have to draw straws for me.

So you're the judge's partner.

What do you share, Mr. Maverick? What difference does it make? He'll never

to see it.

Now, you saw what he was aiming to do.

Now, maybe you realize we have to do it my way.

Any more trouble from you two, we won't win.

Martha, you're not using your head.

If you let him kill me, you will never get a penny.

Look at it this way, Judge.

We're just cutting down on legal fees.

There's only one way you can do it without me, and that's...

Martha, you can't let him do that. Not you.

Stay out of this.

What we were doing is one thing, but a cold -blooded killing.

Shut up.

Martha, can you see yourself as a murderess?

Whitehead, leave the girl alone.

I'll go through with my end, and you can have my share. Take everything.

Your feelings sure do do you credit, Judge.

Yes, sir.

And I know Miss Flood here sure appreciates what you're trying to do.

But I just never know when your conscience might get the best of you.

And you might decide you wanted your share back.

I'll give you my oath.

I'll sign a document. You're wasting your time, Judge.

You're a butcher.

Now, that ain't nice, Judge.

I never killed anyone without a reason. If they got shot, it was because they

were in my way.

Now, I got nothing personal against any of you.

But Maverick here knows too much, and so do you.

Now, her case is different, but just as necessary.

And being a practical man, I'm sure you'll see my side of it.

You're not as practical as you think.

If I've overlooked anything, I'll be glad to hear about it.

You overlooked Mrs. Flood.

She might go along with you now, but what happens later?

When you two are alone and she can't look at you without thinking of Sally?

Martha's made us turn her stuff. We got an understanding. She knows what has to

be done.

Do you, Aunt Martha?

Do you know what has to be done?

Do you hate me that much?

Chet, there has to be another way.

Nice if there was, but this is the only way we can be sure.

The world's clear. Something happens to her, the money reverts to you,

Permanent. There's another little item you overlooked that only concerns you.

What's the point of having all that money when you won't be able to spend

You were right.

It only concerns me.

But then again, it might remotely concern Mrs. Flood.

Knowing all that money is in the bank is quite a temptation.

Suppose she gets bored with you and decides to leave and spend it.

After all, there's a price on your head.

You'd be taking a chance every time you left this little paradise.

But Mrs. Flood is free to go wherever...

And whenever she wants to.

There's another possibility, Whitehead.

When your two friends leave here, they might start thinking about all that

just sitting in the bank, collecting dust and interest.

They might start thinking they're entitled to their share.

Come on, Whitey, you know such a thought never entered my mind.

And it better not.

Now, I've heard enough out of you two.

The next one who tries to stir up any trouble gets more than he can handle.

I thought I told you to get some more wood.

We got more important things to do, boss. The storm's over.

All right, Emory, get going.

I don't care how you do it, just so long as it looks like they froze to death

out there.

Leave it to me, boss.

I will get the horses ready.

We're one horse shy.

Maverick, you and the girl get on the in -horse.

Judge, you take the one next to that.

All right, move them out.

All right, get going.

Let's go!

What's the matter with right here?

The horses slip on the ice and over they go.

Yeah.

Come spring, they find them and no bullet marks.

If they find you at all, Maverick, pull the horse up, fall off.

As I say, it's our only chance.

Just make one false move.

Just one.

Take him, Judge!

Sorry, Maverick. I'm out.

Oh, damned spot.

As another murderess once said.

John, where's Sally?

Dead, probably.

How did they kill her?

It's a long story, Martha.

I'm afraid you're not going to have time to hear it all.

John, what are you going to do?

You jilted me. You cheated me.

tried to get me killed. No, John, you don't understand. He made me. You saw

he was like.

I saw what you were like, and I should have seen it long ago. No, John, please.

I learned long ago, Jess, that when you want to kill somebody, you just pull the

trigger right then.

You don't talk about it, because talking's the mark of an amateur.

Jet, I was so frightened I didn't know what I was saying. Lady, you're a

chameleon who can change colors at the drop of a gun.

Jet, that's not true. How can I convince you? How?

in the honors.

What?

Now, come on. What are you stalling for?

We know you're capable of murder. So go ahead.

Come on. Prove you don't mean a thing to Yana.

Prove you love me.

Now, you remember what I told the judge?

You don't talk. You just do it. It's less painful for both parties.

Now, come on. Do it!

I have to do it.

But it's you.

I'm sorry.

Chad, what are you trying to come back into my life? You dropped that gun,

Mother.

Why? No, I put that gun down, Mother.

Thanks, memory.

You probably saved my life.

It's more than I deserve.

Judge, don't waste your appeals on me.

You'll need a briefcase full of them to get out of this.

Well, it's all yours, Aunt Martha, what you've always wanted.

I won't be back.

You can have Flood's folly and all the memories that go with it.

Sully, can't I leave with you?

You can leave any time you want to.

But here, I'll have no money, nothing.

I'll arrange for supplies to be sent up.

Don't you think these trails are might dangerous to be traveling at night?

Not as dangerous as spending another night in this place with you.

Anyway, you'll get plenty of time for sleep in the Denver jail.

We'd better leave while the moonlight holds. We'll take the valley trail.

Sonic.

Sonic, please. Please take me with you.

No, of course not. How could you?

We'll find the man who painted your puzzle.

All right.

Who is the tall, dark stranger there?

Maverick is the name.

Riding the trail to who knows where. Luck is his companion.

Camperman is his game.

Smooth as a handle on a gun.

Maverick is the name.

Wild as the wind in Oregon.

Blowing up a canyon.

Easier to tame.

Riverboat, ring your bell.

Fare thee well, Annabelle.

Luck is the name.

that he loves the best.

Nice 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.

Maverick is a legend of the West.