Original subtitles

the gun down. After I finish off this cattle killer.

But why are you doing it? Is he badly hurt?

No, just exhausted.

He'll be dead in a minute.

Ed, you're on reserve territory.

You've no right to kill any animal. I have every right to protect my cattle

those of my neighbors.

But this is a young cheetah, not fully grown.

How could he bring down any of your stock?

Well, maybe not him. But he's been out in hunts with his mother. She's taught

him how to kill young cattle.

She won't do any more hunting.

I see.

But you're not going to kill him.

I'm taking him to Daktari.

Mr. Caldwell, you're being melodramatic and acting like a fool.

Now put that gun down and help me to make a cage for this poor little fellow.

You may be the law in this reserve, Headley, but I think my rancher's

association has a little more pull with the governor than you and Daktari.

I'm going to use your radio.

calling the girl.

Ed Caldwell calling the girl.

Come in, the girl. Come in.

Ed Caldwell calling the girl.

Ed Caldwell calling the girl. Come in.

Yes, well, all right, I know, but next treatment is tomorrow.

Yeah, you're all fine. You're coming along just fine, so run along.

Yeah, I know. I love you, too. Let's go along. Okay.

Oh, looks like you have another patient.

Judy, I examined Edgar yesterday.

Look, Judy, will you stop playing nurse and stop bringing me healthy patients?

Okay, Edgar, you run along and play now. That's a boy.

Oh, Adley.

Well, this is a pleasant surprise.

Welcome to our marrow, Mr. Caldwell.

I haven't seen you in quite a while. How are you?

Very annoyed.

Oh? I'm sorry to involve you, Dr. Ari, but this animal's mother is a marauder.

She's been poaching on our calves for the last six months.

Yes, I know. I've heard of her.

Well, the ranchers delegated me to hunt her down. I caught up with her. We're

just about to finish off young Junior here when Hedley, the humanitarian,

intervened. Marsh, we radioed the governor, and he's placed the matter in

lap. In my lab? What does he expect me to do?

Marsh, this animal's mother's taught him how to kill young cattle.

By the time he's full grown, he could be the lead hunter for a whole band of

cheetahs. Now, the ranchers want him destroyed.

Marsh, I persuaded the governor to give you the opportunity to cure him of his

cattle -killing instinct.

Well, how do you expect me to do that?

Marsh, I honestly don't know, but I thought perhaps one of your new

approaches.

Apparently, that's a pretty tall order. I don't know.

I told you, Hedley, that you're wasting your time. That cat's incurable.

Well, why don't you put him in a zoo? At least he'd be in a cage and, well, he

wouldn't be able to harm the cattle.

Yes, Paula, I did radio a few, but they only want perfect specimens.

That scar makes the cheetah an undesirable zoo animal.

And I'll tell you what, why don't you leave him with me for a month or so and

I'll see what I can do.

Marsh, you have one week.

One week?

I'm sorry, Marshal, but the ranches were adamant that all the time the governor

would allow.

But, Henry, that's an impossible deadline to meet. I can't work overnight

miracles. Then I'll kill the animal right now.

That cat's a killer, and I'm going to do something about it.

I'll do something about it.

Like what?

Like I'll take that week that you offered.

That isn't enough time.

I'm sure Mr. Caldwell can convince the other ranchers to give you more time.

I'm sorry. One week.

The ranchers feel the same way I do about it.

We have a right to protect our cattle. They're our livelihood.

Besides, you've got the governor to deal with.

He's right, Marsh.

As I said, the governor set a time limit of one week.

Well, maybe I can convince the governor to give me some more time.

I can promise you he won't. You seem pretty sure of that.

I am.

Fall out. The Cattlemen's Association's a very strong organization and wields a

lot of power.

Took a bit of doing to get that one week.

Yes, I see.

Well, then I just want you to know that I do understand.

Well, I'm sorry, Marge.

Pedley, get that cat unloaded and take me back to my car.

I just don't understand that, Mr. Caldwell.

He could talk to the ranchers into leaving the cheetah alone, and he could

easily persuade the governor.

He's probably the most powerful and respected rancher in this territory.

He was.

No, after his wife and two sons were killed in that plane crash, well,

naturally, he became pretty embittered.

Since then, he's been spending all his time hunting in the free area.

Yeah, that was a tragedy.

Must have come as an awful blow to him. Well, it changed him completely. He let

his ranch go to part.

Frankly, I wish there was something I could do for him.

I'm sure he has reasons for being bitter.

But I know he's wrong about that cheetah.

Dad, do you think you'll be able to cure him?

I suppose there's a chance.

But if we can't cure him, perhaps we could set him free.

Oh, now, you know better than that.

Well, they'd put a bounty on his head and hunt him down as a marauder.

We'll let him settle down for today, because tomorrow we're going to have to

if we can change a killer's instincts.

You know, he looks just like the emir's racing cheetah, Kimbia.

Yes, he does at that.

Why don't we call him Kimbia, or Kim for short?

All right, fine. Kim it is.

Well, I guess the first thing we better do is verify his instinctual behavior.

Well, why can't we take Mr. Caldwell's word for it?

Because, Paula, we are supposed to be the investigating scientists.

Now, write this down.

Subject cheetah was placed in an isolated pen at 8 .07.

Unfair. All right, Jack, you can bring in Sam now.

Okay, come on, Sam.

Come on, boy.

and scare Sam half to death.

Okay, Jack, drop it.

Here, Sam, take it easy, boy. Take it easy. We're not going to let that cat

you.

Okay, let's get Sam out of here and bring in Susie, huh? Right. Come on,

back to cow country.

If you're a little grumpy, nobody's going to mind.

Easy, Kim.

Whose side are you on now?

Well, he's a cheetah. He can't help what he is.

Well, then you agree with Ed Caldwell, huh?

I don't know.

But it isn't his fault that his mother's training to be a cattle killer.

Anyway, why can't we just feed him?

Because I want him hungry and alert for natural food on the hoof.

Come on, Susie.

Come on, Susie.

Come on.

That's a girl.

Well, that'll open Zebra, our natural prey for cheetahs, so he should go after

Susie like food is going out of style.

Okay, Jack.

Let's have a try with Susie.

Okay.

Kim isn't going after Susie the way he did Sam.

No, he sure isn't.

Okay, Paula, make a note.

The Sunday cheetah is not aroused by the presence of zebra.

It's obvious that cattle killer instinct still dominates his behavior pattern.

All right, Jack. Lower away.

Oh, and Jack, please thank Susie for being such a willing volunteer.

There, take it easy, Susie.

There, now that wasn't so bad, was it, huh?

And you might give her some extra feed since we scared her half to death.

Yeah, I know that's a tough -looking cheetah, but he's not going to hurt you.

He's got kind of a diet problem.

Come on, girl.

A little extra food.

Here comes Ed.

Ed, we're over here. Come on over.

Well, how are you this morning?

Fine, thanks.

Good. Good morning, Mr. Caldwell.

Good morning. How's the experiment coming?

Well, we're, uh... We're just getting started, so it's a little hard to tell

you. Oh, not for me.

Even from a distance, I could tell that that cat was still a killer. I wanted to

observe you in your natural environment.

A killer cheetah, an animal psychologist at work, uninhibited by visitors.

Well, as long as you're here, why don't you join us for the day?

Sure, why not?

I've given him a name, Mr. Caldwell. We're going to call him Kim.

Kim, huh?

Yeah, I guess he doesn't like me very much.

Can't say that I blame him. After all, I killed his mother.

Yes, I wish you hadn't done that.

What else could I have done? Well, you could have called me and I could have

gone out and tranquilized her. I had every legal and moral right to kill that

marauding animal.

Besides, you've got something more important to do right now.

From where I sit, that cat is still a killer, and he'll be a killer till the

he dies, six days from now.

What's Judy doing?

I guess she must feel sorry for Kim, so she brought him some food.

Oh, thank you, Judy. That was very thoughtful of you.

Well, we'll give him something, huh?

Dad, what's wrong with him? Why won't he eat?

Well, Paula, he's been trained to only eat a fresh kill out in the bush.

I'm afraid he's not adjusting very well to being penned up.

Marsh, I don't think you're going to have to worry about killing that cat.

Looks to me like you'll die of starvation.

Yeah, his eyesight's improving all right.

He blinked.

Or it might have been a fly in his eye.

Okay, Judy, if you please show Clarence the calf.

Hey, Clarence, come on, don't turn

away.

Clarence, it's over here.

Clarence! Judy, listen.

Go shake up Clarence and tell him we need his reaction to a cow. It'll help

March in his experiment with Kim, huh? Go ahead.

Okay, Clarence, that's all for now.

We need you to do a little bloodhound work in the bush.

Come on, boy.

Come on, boy.

We're taking them back to the place where you killed Kim's mother. What do

expect to find there?

Well, Marsh thinks we can find other members of the same family.

Yes, you see, Ed, I was thinking that, well, if this cheetah that you shot

trained Kim to kill cattle, she might have trained Kim's brothers and sisters

well. But Kim was her only cub.

Yes, possibly, but don't forget that in a hunting family, why, you have aunts

and uncles, nephews.

So we're going out to see if Kim has any bloodthirsty cousins racing around.

Well, fine. Destroy them all. You'll be doing the ranchers a big favor.

Ed, if we do find any of them, we have no intention of destroying them. We're

just hoping they'll give us some kind of a clue so that we can help Kim.

Well, here you are, fellas.

Picnic, lunch, and dinner. Compliments of the Wilmero Catering Service.

One day of delicious food, and then you're on your own. Thanks, Paula. Looks

very good. Aha!

You didn't forget Clarence. I'd never forget him.

Brad Gould of Oxford, Paula Tracy.

Just for you, Clarence.

How long do you fellas expect to be out there?

Well, it'll take the rest of the week if we're going to check all the water

holes, which means we'd better get going.

Here, I'll put this up front. Clients might change their diet. Good idea.

Can you get this, ma 'am?

Sure. So long.

Have a good trip.

Okay. Bye -bye. Bye -bye.

I wish you'd drop around more often.

It's kind of nice to see you. You should get out and see some people

occasionally. I might just do that.

Besides, I promised the Ranchers Association a progress report on your

Kim. Before you get involved with the problems of the day, how about a cup of

coffee first?

Fine. That would be a good start.

Good. Come on up.

The memory of my wife and kids bothers me.

I see them at the ranch, the places we visited, wherever I go.

I guess there's just one thing for me to do, and that's to sell out.

Leave here.

Leave Africa.

But if you leave Africa, where will you go?

I don't know.

Travel, I guess. Back to the States.

I really don't have any goals.

I feel like a log in the river.

Well, Ed, take over the Ranchers Association.

You've been their mainstay for years.

That's their headache.

Let's go.

He sure wrecked that make -believe calf.

He's still a cattle killer.

At least that device got him to eat.

Why don't you bring it up?

Frankly, it's as much of a surprise to me as it is to you. It's part of Mike's

and Jack's eye test for clearance.

Sure, they must have done this before they left and forgot to tell us.

Hey, Dad, this solves your feeding problem.

Well, it sure worked. But what does it prove?

Well, it proves that Kim can be trained to eat.

Now we'll just wait until he's good and hungry again, and then we'll substitute

that cardboard zebra.

Oh, I see. You think you can transfer Kim's killing instincts from cattle to

wild game like other cheetahs. Well, we'll find out in the morning.

I hope it'll work. You know, I'm beginning to like the little fellow.

I'll tell you what, why don't you stop by in the morning and see what happens?

Do you think it will work?

I really don't know.

All we can do is try.

That's the name of the game, you know.

Experimentation, trial and error.

But surely you can give me an educated guess.

Yes.

My educated guess is that I doubt if he can change a habit pattern that's been

ingrained in him since birth.

But at least we found a way to make him eat by allowing him to make his own

kill.

Marsh. Just what chance is there of effecting a cure in the short time we

left?

None.

Practically none.

I guess you got a right to hate me.

Come on, bite.

Chew. Get the heat out of your system. Pretend it's me.

harassing the animals?

I wasn't harassing him. I was just trying to find out what makes him tick.

if you're interested in animal psychology, we can always use an extra

around here.

I'm not interested in that kind of monkey shines.

Well, we treat a lot of other animals besides monkeys, you know.

Come on, I'll show you.

What do you mean?

Just follow me.

know what you're doing.

Oh, I think so.

You see, cheetahs have many characteristics similar to a dog.

They can be tamed very, very easily.

Hey, Ed, come on in. He's really quite gentle once you get to know him.

Are you sure it's all right?

Oh, sure it's all right. Well, after all, he's a cattle killer. Well, then he

won't hurt you.

There. You can even lead him around.

What do you mean, like a dog?

No, like a proud cheetah.

The fellas aren't the Cattlemen's Association to think I was drinking

juice. Oh, I don't think so. Here, give it a try.

Go ahead.

Here.

Okay.

Say, Ed, why don't you stay overnight with us? Tomorrow morning I'll be

continuing my experiments with Kim, and you could give me a hand.

No, that's your work. I have a long way to go home, and I want to get some

sleep. Well, sleep here. There's plenty of room.

I'd keep you awake all night walking the floor.

Think about it, Paul, for me.

Yeah, sure.

You know, he is a cute little fella.

Nice work, Kim. Yes, nice work.

You're just doing fine, boy.

Just doing fine.

Said you could wear my hat and not beat it to death.

Sick.

You know,

it's, um, turned out to be quite a beautiful day.

And what are you so cheerful about?

Why, do I seem particularly cheerful?

Well, then optimistic.

Well, you might say that.

You know, it's really quite amazing.

Kim is certainly a remarkably gentle animal.

You think your experiment with Kim will work?

I hope so.

I'm betting that cheetah's life it'll work.

you go to sleep, the fire will keep the predators away.

What's the matter? You have a nightmare?

I guess so.

Something about Clarence's eye exercises.

I hope I never become that dedicated to zoology.

Clarence, can you imagine wasting a dream on eye exercises?

He must be cracking up.

Okay, go ahead and let's see what happens.

Come on, Judy.

Well, Kim, old boy, you should be good and hungry.

Here you go.

Come on.

Oh, come on.

I don't know, Judy.

Maybe I should put the bowl inside the cage.

Now, look.

Judy and I brought this stuff for you.

You've got to eat something.

Let me look.

Negative, Dad. He simply won't eat.

Looked a little tired.

Did you get some sleep last night?

Not very much.

How's the experiment coming?

Just in time to see for yourself.

Come on.

Arch, it isn't going to work.

Believe me, I'm sorry.

I hoped it would.

Well, it looks as if you're right.

You don't suppose you could talk the ranchers into changing their minds, do

Oh, not a chance. In this cage, Kim's almost a pet, but on the outside, that's

something else again.

We're just going to have to face the facts.

Kim is a cattle killer, and I'm afraid I can't cure him.

Dad, you can't give up. Paula, it's not a question of giving up. The governor's

ordered Kim's death, and there's nothing I can do about it. Oh, sure.

Excuse me, Ed.

Paula.

Paula?

How can you be so callous? If that was due to your clearance, you'd do

everything you could to protect them. Now, listen here, young lady. I want you

to understand one thing.

I am doing what I think is right, and I expect you to respect that fact.

Now, is that clear?

Boy, you got to try harder.

Yeah.

That's right.

You do what Judy tells you.

You've got to learn to leave cattle alone. You've got to learn to...

To chase after wild animals like other cheetahs.

Don't you understand?

If you don't do it, I'm going to have to kill you.

Look, boy, God puts you on this good green earth for a purpose.

To live, to be a fine animal, maybe a champion racer.

So you've got to fight.

Come on, don't give up the race.

Good morning,

Mark. Good morning, Ed. Thanks for coming over so quickly.

I'm sorry I was out when you called. We were having a meeting in the Ranchers

Association. Oh, what did they have to say about me this time?

Frankly, they think you're stalling. Well, they're concerned about the

possibility of Kim escaping and leading an attack on their herd.

How's it coming?

Anything new in the experiment?

No, uh, no, not so far.

Ed, I, uh, come up with a new approach, and, um, well, I'd like to have your

help on it.

Well, aren't Mike and Jack back yet? No, no, not yet. The cheetahs are tracking

you. You've moved on, and now the fellows are out of radio range.

Well, Marsh, uh, I know you know your business, but, uh, well...

Wouldn't Paula be a better assistant than me? I'm just an old cowhand. I

know anything about wild animals.

Well, for smaller animals, of course I'd use Paula, but now this involves Kim,

and frankly, he's just a little too rough for her to handle.

What do you have in mind?

Well, Ed, you remember how we failed with the zebra?

Well, a thought occurred to me to just take that one step further.

By putting the scent of calf on the cardboard zebra.

What would that accomplish?

Well, it might stimulate Kim to attack the cardboard zebra. Now, if he does,

then we substitute the real zebra in the adjoining cage and see what his

reactions are to a live prey.

Marsh, do you really think you can make it work?

You haven't any time left.

Yes, I know, Ed.

I must confess, it's a long shot, but, well, it's the only shot I have.

All right.

Give it a whirl.

Good.

Well, that does it.

All adults.

Little Kim doesn't have any brothers, sisters, or cousins out here.

Marsh should have realized that in the first place.

Yeah. Well, we might as well pack up and get home.

Hello, chaps. Have you seen any young cheetahs about? Marsh has been trying to

get in touch with you. Another one, Hedley.

And this is the end of the trail.

How's Marsh's experiment going with Kim?

He's just been on the radio to me about it.

Then he found something?

I'm afraid Marsh couldn't produce any instant miracles this time.

He asked me to have you bring this in.

You'll notice it's not a dart rifle.

Marsh, suppose you put in a personal call to the governor. He might give us a

reprieve. Sure, Marsh.

If they give stays of execution to hardened criminals, why not to an

cheetah? The point is, he's not considered innocent.

I'm afraid that Ed and I have just used up our last resort.

Now, look, the one reason we've been able to get along with our neighbors is

because we've always kept our word. We've been fair.

Oh, Marsh, we're certainly not doubting your motives. Well, I gave my word to

the ranchers that I'd respect their deadline.

But you could ask for an extension.

No, I can't.

I agreed to that deadline, and the time is up.

Kim has to go.

Dad,

I could keep Kim. I'd take good care of him.

Paula, you know the ranchers would never agree to that.

But if we go back on our word now, they'll never trust us again.

Isn't that right?

I'm afraid so.

If Dr. Terry doesn't take care of Kim today, the ranchers will do it

Well, then, shall I go get Kim?

No, Jack.

Ed, would you mind getting Kim for me, please? I'd like to have a little chat

with my sentimental daughter here and my staff.

Now, listen, Paula.

Look, I know what you're all thinking.

But have you ever examined our budget for animal care and feeding?

But, Dad.

Well, the ranchers pay the taxes that support our study center.

Big deal, taxes.

That's right.

As a matter of fact, we have a very deep obligation to Ed and his associates.

Does that also include the obligation to kill for them?

Now, look, Jack.

I am not going to debate the question of capital punishment with you.

Oh.

You know, we're two of a kind, you and me.

We're born losers.

Yeah, it's a cruel world, Kim.

You know, you're a cute little fella.

We could be good friends.

I wish your mother hadn't taught you how to kill young cattle.

Yeah.

Yeah. All right.

Let's take a walk.

What did they call it?

The last mile?

Judy, take it easy now. Come on.

Here, I'll tie them.

I'm afraid I'm not quite up to this.

I think you'd better do it.

I can't go through with it.

What's the

matter,

Ed? I don't think that Tim should die.

But you promised to get rid of him.

Look, the Ranchers Association is my creation.

I took them from nothing and built them up to where they are. They'll listen to

me, and so will the governor.

Yes, but you're overlooking the most important problem.

If you don't kill Kim, what'll happen to him?

I'll take him to live with me.

I'll keep him penned up, and then maybe someday, with your help, we'll be able

to teach him not to kill cattle.

Well, it's possible, isn't it?

Yes, I think it's possible.

I think anything is possible if you want it bad enough.

I thought you were going to leave the country and sell your ranch.

I changed my mind.

You said you were lonely out there.

Well, Kim will take care of all that.

I think he really likes me.

We'll be good for each other.

Come on, Kim.

Let's go home.

Hey, Ed, I'll tell you what.

I'll come over and give you a hand on my days off.

A few and far between, though they may be.

So will I. Together we should work something out.

Mr. Caldwell, thank you.

We'll give you a hand, Ed.

Well, I'm debating whether to kiss you or slug you. Why? What have I done?

Well, all you did was use that psychology of yours. You maneuvered Ed

into reaching out for Kim as his own. Oh, well, no. It was just plain luck.

You planned the whole thing.

Sent the boys out in the bush so that Ed would have to help you with Kim.

Not to mention the stunt with the rifle.

What's with the rifle?

Or the shell, which is obviously empty.

Oh, yes.

That's all right, Dad. It worked.

Yes, it did, by George. It certainly did.

And let's just hope it stays that way.

For Ed's sake as well as Kim's.

But there's one thing no one's ever going to believe, and that's that

calf.

Now, Dad, no smart animal's ever going to believe that that's a real calf.

You know something? I wouldn't be too sure about that.

I don't know.

Toto, what are you doing? And who told you that was a real calf?

All right, Judy, we'll keep your secret if you promise to keep ours. Fair

enough.