Original subtitles

And now, "Colt .45"

A Warner Bros. television production.

- Mr. Thompson ? - That's the name.

I'm Colt. Sam Colt Jr.

Oh, yes. Come on in.

I've been expecting you.

I got word from the postmaster general

to give you every cooperation.

But he didn't tell me what it was all about.

You know there's something familiar about you.

I don't know whether it's the face or the name.

Well, the name probably.

I'm a cousin of Chris Colt.

Oh, yeah.

I saw him put on a fancy shooting act

a couple of months ago.

Well, that's Chris alright.

Yeah. Now, what is this cooperation you want ?

Help me turn up an outlaw named Woodie Keene.

He robbed a mail-car and murdered the clerk.

'We got a description of him before the clerk died.'

You know, there ain't no justice the way some things happen.

Well, there's gonna be plenty of justice

for Mr. Keene when we catch up with him.

This letter address to Keene here at Waverly

was spotted in the St. Louis post office.

We figured there's a chance he might come by and pick it up.

Alright, we'll just put it right over here in general delivery

and we'll see if he comes calling.

You know, it was pretty clever you catching up with him

by that envelope addressed to him.

Thanks.

Ever hear anyone speak of Keene in these parts ?

No, not that I can remember.

Well, all we can do is wait.

Say, how are you at checkers ?

- Little rusty. - Well, I'll sharpen you up.

You're looking at the checker champion of this whole county.

Come on.

Alright, Mr. Colt, it's your move.

Whoa !

Well, I'll be hornswoggled.

Jesse James. Dirt farmer.

I thought I'd seen it all.

Now, I'm looking at the eight wonder of the world.

You know, a man oughtn't to pussyfoot around like that

that could've been your last look.

You're crazy. How are you, Woodie ?

My hide's covered with weak saddle sores

stomach's grumbling so I can hardly hear.

Outside of that fine.

But what's Jesse James doing behind a plough ?

Well, the name's Howard now.

Well, at least that what it says in our mortgage.

Well, the way I figure it's gonna take an awful lot

of spring plant and Sunday church going before it's paid.

You ain't serious.

Well, I got a three month old son who's depending on it.

- What do you think ? - Things so have changed.

- Yeah. - How..

How's Zee ?

Oh, she's alright. She hasn't changed.

I don't think she's gonna be too glad to see you.

No, I don't think she's gonna deny a tired old family friend

a hot meal and a place to put his head.

Well, no. Not if it's just for one day.

- It's for one day. - When did you get..

Well, there abouts.

Yeah. Well, where's your horse, Woodie.

- Yonder. - Well.

You go and get him.

Woodie, better let me do the talking to Zee.

Yeah.

Come on. Gid up, boy.

Jesse, you promised to give up your old ways.

And you quit causing trouble.

- Now.. Now, Zee, honey. - Don't you honey me.

You can't even afford to be seen with him.

You've got your duty to your son and me.

A man's also got a duty to an old friend.

Why, I'd show more hospitality to a stranger.

If it riles you so [, I'll be on my way.

Nothing personal.

I'd feel the same towards any of Jesse's old friends.

No more, no less.

Now, Zee, honey.

We could put him up in the barn.

I promise you, nobody will know I'm around.

Except maybe the horses.

You running from the law ?

Of course not.

Alright, I haven't got time to argue.

I'll be back from town shortly.

As long as you're going in, I'd be obliged

if you'd check general devilry.

I'm expecting an important letter.

You better tend to your son.

Yeah.

Giddy.

I've got to show you the loudest, fight-nest

12 pounds of wildcat in all creation. Come on.

Well, that makes 14 in a row.

One more and we'll stop for chow.

Go ahead.

I don't think I can do much worse.

- Excuse me. - Sure.

- Howdy, Mrs Howard. - Good morning, Mr. Thompson.

- Any mail for me. - Oh, we'll take a look and see.

How's Mrs. Thompson's lumbago ?

Oh, as good as could be expected.

- Well, you give her my best. - I'll do that.

- Oh, by the way.. - Yes, ma'am.

Do you have anything in general delivery

for a Mr. Woodson Keene ?

Woodson Keene ?

Yeah, I think so.

- Thank you. Goodbye now. - Bye.

Now, how you gonna figure that one out ?

- Who is she ? - Oh.

Her husband has a farm

about a mile north of town.

- Name's Howard. - And living here long ?

About two years.

But how would they know a killer like Woodie Keene ?

What's this Howard like ?

Oh, he's..

Hardworking, honest, active in the church.

He's a real nice fellow.

You wouldn't expect in meeting

any nicer folks than the Howard's.

Well, I think I'll just take a ride out there.

- Thank you. - Sure.

- Army intelligence ? - That's right, Mrs. Howard.

Well, I, I dunno what I can tell you about Woodie.

He is a distant relative.

But not one very proud of.

Always getting himself in some kinda trouble.

- And he's not here now ? - No.

Oh, this is my husband, Mr. Colt.

- Mr. Howard. - How do.

He's from the law.

- Looking for Woodie. - Yeah.

Well, afraid we can't be of much help.

We did get a letter from him, saying he might show up.

And he did ask us to hold his mail.

But you never can tell when he'll come around.

What did he do ?

Robbed a train. Killed the mail clerk.

Well, never was much good.

Look, I'm sorry to have to bring you this news.

No, it's alright, it's alright. That's your job.

Now, you better look after the baby.

I understand this, Keene is a distant relative.

Yeah.

Not distant enough, I'm afraid.

I'll be spending the next couple of days in town

on the chance he might be passing through.

Tell you one thing.

'He better not show his face in this farm'

'or I'll turn him over to the law.'

Hey.

You need two guns for your job ?

Well, sometimes one isn't enough.

Them the new Colts ?

Yeah.

Best made. Take a look.

Yeah. Yeah, nice and easy.

All set for action.

- Mind if I try it out ? - No, go ahead.

Now, you didn't learn to shoot like that, being a farmer.

No, I was, I was with Quantrill's Raiders.

I was their stock and trade.

What in blazes are you two doing ?

Well, I, just...

You scared me half to death.

Just, just showing Mr. Colt here some fancy shooting.

Will you get in here and help me clean this mess up.

I dropped half the dinner on the kitchen floor.

Well..

I'm coming, honey.

I'm sorry, honey.

Never mind that.

Just get rid of that man.

When I heard those shot I didn't know

whether he killed you, or you him.

I was just having a little fun, that's all.

Well, I don't think that's very smart

playing around with a gun.

Now, you get that man off this place.

Alright, alright.

'Mr. Howard.'

You, you walked off with my gun.

[, I clean forgot.

Oh, you didn't have to bother, Mrs. Howard.

Why, of course you'll stay for dinner.

Why, sure.

We don't get much of a chance to socialize

Do we, honey ?

You sit down right over there, Mr. Colt.

Dinner is ready in just a minute.

Well, that's mighty kind.

Woodie ?

Woodie !

What's that for ?

How'd I know it was you.

The law is inside my kitchen looking for you.

I saw.

I thought you said you were free of the law.

Switched if I know how they got on my trail.

You lied to me.

Now, if anything happens to my family...

There ain't gonna be no trouble.

I'll stop it before it starts.

They'll be no killing on my farm.

What do you want me to do ?

You just sit tight.

I got a baby napping in there.

And I'm not gonna stand for your itchy trigger finger

do you understand ?

Alright, Zee. Alright.

What's Jesse doing ?

That man..

He's sitting across the table from the law

just pleased as punch with himself.

Spouting Bible versus.

"For everything there is a season."

"And a time to every purpose under the heavens."

"Time to be born and a time to die."

"A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted."

"A time to kill... and a time to heal."

Well acquainted with the Bible.

Yeah. My pa was a preacher.

That was his favorite quotation, "Lamentations Chapter 3."

I thought it was Ecclesiastes.

No. Lamentations.

- I think you're wrong. - Can't be.

Heard it half my born days.

Seems to me, I heard it was Ecclesiastes.

- No need to go to the Bible. - I'll prove it.

It's Lamentations, take my word for it.

We'll see.

'That's right, Mr. Colt.'

Surname's James, the first one's Jesse.

If it makes you feel any better, Mr. Colt

you were right, it was Ecclesiastes.

You know, I sure hate to do this.

It's your own fault.

Can't leave it well enough alone.

Always have to have a taste of danger.

Now, Zee, Zee

how was I supposed to know he'd be so up in the Bible.

Oh, Jesse, will you please be serious.

What are we going to do ?

Well, that's a good question.

We have got a problem.

Problem ? Your life is on the block.

Your family's threatened.

"Jesse, you spent two hard years'

'scratching the soil and towing the mark.'

'Now, everything we built is gonna crumble down'

around our ears and you stand there joking.

Poor baby.

Mister, you sure have complicated my life.

'Let's uncomplicate it.'

I can straighten things out for you and Zee

with one pull of the finger.

And it'll end my own troubles too.

That would only be a temporary solution, Keene.

There'll be someone else after me.

You won't be around to know if that's so, right ?

Am I right ?

Leave him alone, Woodie. That ain't gonna help.

Then tell me what is.

I don't know.

Jesse, I don't understand you.

You talk like a man with a choice.

You ain't got one.

I think farming has made you soft.

No, it ain't farming.

You afraid ?

Then what ?

It's worry.

It's worry in the night.

Boy screams out.

Out sweating in the fields.

Just worrying about what he's gonna be when he grows up.

What you're gonna leave him

if your time comes quick.

Well, I don't think you'd understand, Woodie

not if you ain't father to a son.

Now, I got me another worry

sitting right here in my own kitchen.

I came here looking for Keene, not for you.

You expect Jesse to sell out and old friend.

Mister, you've got about as much a chance

as a prime steer in a slaughter house.

Well, let's stop this shilly-shallying.

There's only one way out for all of us.

Jesse.

This is still your house.

Are you going to standby while another man makes decisions ?

Now, I want you to order him off this place.

There'll be no peace here while he's around.

Well, she's right, Woodie.

You better go on and saddle up.

And leave him to come gunning for me, not on your life.

I'll keep him in tow

least ways until you've got a good start.

Best start is with him gone.

Woodie.

Fine state of affairs.

When a man can't tell who his friends are.

You'll have to go too.

- What for ? - Got a better idea ?

There's nothing left for us here now.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

I'll keep him tied overnight.

I'll catch up with you in a day or two.

I'll know where to find you.

And, Jesse, we'll start again.

Somewhere, somehow.

I'll say goodbye to the boy.

It's the truth, I'm only interested in getting Keene.

Not your husband.

I'd rather not have to take your word for it.

We kinda planned on what we'd do

if something like this ever happened.

By tomorrow Jesse'll be where you can't get him.

Then you can start after Keene.

I could charge you with aiding and abetting a wanted criminal.

Mr. Colt, you can charge me with anything you please.

I didn't ask Keene here.

I was thinking of my family, that's all.

I feel sorry for you, Mrs. James.

I feel sorry for myself.

It's never been but one man for me.

And Jesse's it.

We could start again.

You'll always be running.

Well, if running's the only way.

That's how it'll be.

Leave it.

Jesse told you to go.

Jesse ain't here now.

I've been changing my plans today

as often as Zee's been changing diapers.

You sure caused a pack of trouble.

It'll go right on.

Until we get a rope around your neck.

That's mighty big talk for a man in your position.

You can't kill a government man.

Why not ?

A bullet will fix him as well as anyone else.

But they'll never stop looking for you.

They won't be looking for me.

They'll be after Jesse.

- This is his house, ain't it ? - You wouldn't.

Zee, a man's got one skin.

Pays him to look after it.

You would turn against Jesse.

One crime more or less ain't gonna matter to him.

Oh, but it does, Jesse's done with killing.

Zee, I ain't gonna stand here arguing.

Go in there if you're squeamish.

No. Not in my house.

Alright. We'll go outside.

Cut him loose.

I'm sorry, Mr. Colt.

He won't feel a thing, Zee.

My aim's real good.

On your feet.

Thanks for trying.

Go ahead. Inside the barn.

Planning to shoot me in the back ?

It's more humane, you'll never know what hit you.

Go ahead.

Woodie.

- Hold it. - Woodie, wait a minute.

A man oughtn't to die without the word of God in his hands.

Just like Jesse, always spouting religion.

Let me give him this book to hold.

What good will that do ?

Please, Woodie, do me this favor.

Go ahead.

Here.

Open it, Mr. Colt, and start to read.

'Go ahead and open it.'

Start walking.

Sometimes book learning can be a mighty powerful thing.

- Is that all you want ? - That's all I have time for.

And thank you, Mr. Colt. Thank you.

Don't mention it, Mrs. Howard.

Good luck.

♪ There was a gun that won the west ♪

♪ There was a man among the best ♪

♪ The fastest gun or man alive ♪

♪ A lightning bolt when he drew that Colt .45 ♪

♪ He carried the message of law and of order ♪

♪ Into a wicked land ♪

♪ With a Colt single action army revolver ♪

♪ Blazing from either hand ♪

♪ There was the right, there was the wrong ♪

♪ The gun was quick, the man was strong ♪

♪ And peace was made when they'd arrived ♪

♪ A lightning bolt when he drew that Colt .45 ♪

♪ Colt .45 ♪

♪ Colt .45 ♪