Original subtitles

Love drives man to desperate lengths

and desperate deeds.

In most cases, love of a woman.

This story, though, records 19 hectic hours of courtship

by a colorful adventurer in behalf of his great love,

San Francisco.

An adventurer so colorful, I couldn't resist playing him.

The man, William Chapman Ralston,

was head of the city's leading bank.

Late in 1869, a national depression

threatened the bank and the city he adored.

To save them, he improvised a wild, incredible scheme,

risking his fortune, his freedom, and his future,

with a raid on the San Francisco Mint.

[Crowd murmuring]

[Woman] Hey! Hey!

We want back our money!

We want our money!

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

This is San Francisco.

We don't shut doors in people's faces.

Open it up. Would you get me a chair, please?

Come on. Go on, open it up.

Those people out there are my friends.

Thank you.

[Crowd yelling]

When I heard all the noise out here,

I thought maybe somebody changed our sign to read

"free whiskey."

[Crowd murmuring]

I figured if they had,

I wanted to be sure I got my share.

[Crowd murmuring]

Now, to the few of you who don't know who I am,

I'm Billy Ralston.

I work here.

[Man] Where's our money?

Hello, George.

George, you've got every right to be here.

You have money on deposit, so has your store.

Billy, I don't care about my money,

but the store can't afford to lose anything in this.

I care about your money.

[Crowd murmuring]

And yours...

And yours.

And I got a little secret for you.

I care about my own money, too.

[Crowd murmuring]

[Man] Yeah, you can get yours!

Not now I can't.

Those gates closed because it's closing time,

not because we're out of money.

It's 3:00. [Man] We want to get in there.

We'll be open again at 10:00 in the morning,

and we'll be prepared

to pay off each and every depositor

in gold coins.

[Crowd murmuring]

You have Billy Ralston's word on that.

[Crowd murmuring]

[Sighs]

Maurice...

You're Chief Cashier, not a pallbearer.

But Mr. Ralston, this--

this is all the cash we have.

There's nothing left in the vault.

Just those bars of gold bullion.

Well, Mr. Dory...

There's nothing to worry about as long as we have the bullion.

Right up California street is the Mint,

with millions of dollars in gold coins.

Now, all we have to do is persuade General Bradley

to make the exchange.

But suppose President Grant refuses again.

Suppose he never got that telegram you sent him this morning.

Suppose-- Maurice.

I've told you a hundred times,

there are always ways of getting things done.

Providing you think fast enough.

Mr. Ralston,

Mr. Harpending's here, and he's frantic.

Well, Stephen, don't fret. Mr. Harpending was born frantic.

Asbury rejoice!

Well, the Lord arranged for you to be born

in San Francisco, didn't he?

Wh-- what a city.

What other place on earth could a banker be sitting

on a million dollars in gold bullion

and have even his own stockholders

afraid he's bankrupt?

Have a cigar.

You know I don't smoke.

Well, try one anyway. It'll make you look prosperous.

Maybe I'll lend you a fortune.

You've lent too many fortunes already.

That's why the bank's in trouble.

Oh, no one can be in trouble when the wine is chilled.

Billy... Please, Billy, listen to me.

Go ahead.

For your information,

shares in all comstock mines hit new lows on the exchange today.

[Cork pops] And the crews building the Central Pacific

had to quit because of a blizzard.

Everything you put the bank's money into,

is turning sour!

Asbury, don't you think it's a little late for me

to learn to cry?

If I could, I'd be doing it now.

The white house just turned us down again.

Try this. It's a delightful wine.

But Billy...

Washington still plans

on sending the gold coins around the country

to give people confidence in paper money.

But that mob--

you promised you'd open in the morning.

We will.

We've got to.

If we don't, every bank in the city will go under.

Of course, but-but--

maybe New York.

Philadelphia, Chicago...

Maybe they're old enough to survive such a panic.

San Francisco isn't.

And I won't let San Francisco die.

Well, may that be the last time today

that I feel important enough to utter a noble sentiment.

I disagreed with General Bradley

when he said the president wouldn't approve.

I suppose now I should serve steak for him tonight,

and crow for me.

[Laughs]

And with his inflated vanity,

he's going to keep reminding you that he was right.

Wait a minute.

Those may be just the two breaks we need.

What may?

General Bradley's vanity

and your having a dinner date with him tonight.

Now, if we can get just one more break.

You're cooking up one of your crazy schemes,

I know!

That's the only time you ever get excited.

Of course, I'm excited. Just one more break.

If the President didn't send General Bradley

a copy of his wire to me,

we've still got a chance.

I'm sure you wouldn't care to explain.

I can't.

I've got to work this out as I go along.

Don't you make any plans for tonight.

I may need you.

Afternoon, General.

Oh-ho-ho, Ralston.

Well, is this a new picture?

Oh, yes. Some of my friends persuaded me to have it taken.

[Chuckles] Oh, of course,

I didn't want to wear all those medals,

but the, uh-- [chuckles] The photographer insisted.

Well, it's hard for some people

to understand how a hero can still be a modest man.

Exactly. Pull up a chair.

Uh, no, that's all right. I just came by to...

See if you'd heard anything from the President.

We must get our bullion exchange.

Now, now, now, now.

I'm nothing but a humble soldier under my Commander In Chief.

You get him to say "yes," and I'll do it.

Fine. But you'd better get permission first.

Once I leave this office at 5:00,

no one else is authorized to make the exchange.

Yes, I know.

Well, thank you, General Bradley.

I'll, um, see you at the office.

Office?

What office?

Good Lord.

Don't tell me they didn't manage

to keep it a secret.

Oh, General, please forget that I said anything.

They've worked so hard, I wouldn't want to spoil it.

Ralston, spoil what?

Well, I can understand how you got information

from captured enemy soldiers.

When you start interrogating, no secret is safe.

Well...

A General does acquire a knack for it.

Well, they'll, uh, hate me for telling you.

Yes?

Well, you're not having dinner

with asbury harpending alone tonight.

I'm not?

No, there'll be a group of us.

Oh, well, I've gone this far.

I might as well tell you the whole thing.

It's a surprise dinner in your honor.

[Laughs]

Oh, you shouldn't be doing all this!

Asbury's coming by at 5:00 to Shanghai you.

Huh?

Well, we're having a drink at my office first.

Oh. Well, I'm glad you all understand and appreciate

the, uh-- the contributions I've tried to make

to our fair city.

Yeah, we do, and, uh...

Well, now that I've blurted out everything I know,

I'd better be leaving.

Good evening, sir.

Stephen, I've never been able to blow a smoke ring.

[Chuckles]

I'll be going to supper now.

All right. I think the battlefield's prepared for the General.

The telegram from the President.

Shall I file it before I go?

Oh, no, no, no. No, not yet.

I'll take that.

I want to show it to the General later on.

But Mr. Ralston, the President refused.

I'm counting on the General being so vain,

he'll overlook that minor detail.

The guards and the clerks in the vault,

weren't too happy about coming back to work after supper,

but they will.

Fine, and the police?

[Chuckles]

The chief really whistled when he read your note,

but he said he'd keep the street closed tonight,

between here and the Mint.

Good. [Men laughing]

[Harpending] General, that is a good one.

The enemy approaches. See you later.

Well, here we are, Billy.

Welcome. I heard you coming so I started to get ready.

Oh, none for me now. I'll go tell the others that the General's here.

You know where they are? Yes, of course.

How many are coming?

Oh, now, General, don't force me to tell you

all our secrets.

Oh. Thank you.

You know, I'd like to exchange that bullion for you,

but without President Grant's permission--

please, General. It's after working hours.

A toast.

To our Commander In Chief.

To the President.

Bottoms up.

[Wheezes]

Go down the wrong pipe?

There.

Now, we'll drink a toast.

The Commander In Chief under whose service

you so ably won those glorious medals.

To Abraham Lincoln.

Bottoms up.

[Coughs] No. No, I don't think I'd better.

Now, General, don't tell me you're going to be modest

about your drinking, too.

I've been told that during the war,

you were a better two-fisted drinking man

than the President himself.

Oh, well, I did have a few,

on occasion.

Besides, it wouldn't be fair. We drank to General Grant.

Now we have to drink to his courageous opponent.

To Robert E. Lee.

Bottoms up.

[Sighs] I don't think I'd better.

To your mother.

Bottoms up.

To my Mother.

Bottoms up.

To San Francisco.

Bottoms up.

Billy, we'll--

we'll go to jail for this.

For getting a man drunk?

If that was a crime in San Francisco,

we'd all need bail money.

He'll be quiet till midnight. That's all we need.

I don't mean to be over-curious,

but would you please tell me what you're planning to do now?

There they are.

The key to my entire scheme. We'll get our million dollars.

That is, unless he's got another pair.

[Footsteps approaching]

[Gasps]

Take all I've got and spare my life.

Mr. Harpending, it's me, Maurice Dory.

Does Ralston insist that everybody at this bank

frighten the stockholders?

I'm sorry, sir.

By any ridiculous coincidence, do you know why we're here?

Mr. Ralston said be at the side entrance

at midnight in old clothes.

Bah! Insane!

Absolutely insane. I have half a mind to--

[doorknob turning]

Asbury! Maurice!

Imagine running into you at this hour. I must say--

b-b-Billy, what is this?

Didn't you tell us to meet you?

Thanks for showing up.

Follow me.

Billy?

I'm not walking another step.

I don't know why I'm here, where we're going,

or what you're up to.

There isn't time for all the answers.

Are you willing to go on?

With you? Sure.

Asbury, I've known you for a long time.

I asked for your help tonight because I trust you.

Thank you.

I want you to do the same thing for me.

Trust me.

Asbury, forget your fears.

You're going to have one of the wildest adventures

of your life.

Good Lord. I must be as mad as he is.

Well, here we are.

Billy!

It's all perfectly logical, Asbury.

If I want bread, I go to a bakery.

When I want gold coins, I come here.

But you don't think I'm going to help raid

the United States Mint!

Oh, certainly not. I'm going in alone.

In heaven's name, why'd you bring us?

A million dollars in gold coins weighs about five tons.

I'd have to make too many trips alone

without your help.

Sir, the men on duty can't do any business

without General Bradley.

Yes, well, I--

I think General Bradley's inside and sleeping like a baby.

An alcoholic baby.

[Loudly] This is the most brazen--

shh.

[Quietly] Robbery I ever heard.

Asbury, up till now,

I haven't stolen anything

except a pair of General Bradley's glasses.

I never saw him wear any glasses.

No one else did. They're a sign of age,

like those gray hairs he keeps covering up with boot Polish.

I'm sorry, sir, but I just don't understand

what General Bradley's glasses have to do with getting coins.

Well, I'm gambling everything

that he can't even read a telegram without them,

and is too vain to admit it.

We'll know in a few minutes.

[Groans]

[Winces]

And when you didn't make it, we just called the dinner off.

Oh, nobody saw you.

Harpending explained to them that you had to remain here

on official business.

Thank you.

It's happened to all of us.

[Groans]

This help?

[Inhales, gags]

I guess not.

Well, I'm certainly glad that I knew where to find you

at this late hour,

because we finally got the telegram

from President Grant.

You did? Yeah. See for yourself.

[Groans]

Looking for something?

Oh, no, no, no.

You can't get much more official than that.

A telegram right from the white house

and signed by the President himself.

It's good enough for me.

Wonderful!

Now, you just bring your wagonload of bullion

around in the morning.

In the morning? General, I can't wait!

Everybody will see us moving the gold.

They'll know that we're short of gold coins,

and they won't take paper money, you know that!

Yes, but there's only a handful of men on night duty.

I...

I'll haul it myself

in small bags, cartons, anything,

[banging table] But I've got to have that million dollars!

Please!

No tum-tums.

I'm sorry.

I guess I just get naturally excited

watching a hero in action.

By getting those gold coins for me tonight,

you'll be the biggest hero you've ever been.

General Thomas Bradley single-handed,

saving San Francisco from panic!

They'll put your picture in all the school books!

To the vault! March!

Here he comes.

Y-Y-You did it!

Did you think I wouldn't?

Is that all, sir?

It's a 150 pounds of gold coins.

With each of us carrying 50, it'll only take 65 trips.

[Grunts]

[Whispering] Can't see them yet. Bring it out.

Careful.

Mr. Ralston, I wrapped the bullion,

and I got this cart for you.

Oh, that's wonderful!

Thank you, Stephen.

We'll carry it, Stephen.

But that doesn't make sense.

If I wanted wheels, I'd get a horse and wagon.

[Gasps] I know where I can get you one.

So do I, but any noise

on California street at this hour,

would bring every thug in the barbary coast.

[Grunts]

Cheer up, asbury.

We only have to move five tons.

[Sighing] Oh.

Sun's coming up.

That's what I love about being a banker.

You can't beat the hours.

Are we really finished?

Don't ask him.

He'll think of something else to do.

Well, as a matter of fact, there is one more thing.

[Both] Oh, no.

Champagne breakfast...

For three.

We're all set, Mr. Ralston.

Good.

[Crowd murmuring in distance]

I think I'll come out and watch the stampede myself.

I just hope that money holds up.

Maurice, that was gold we were hauling all last night.

I know, sir, but-- a million dollars worth.

Well, I worked in a bank once, where they had to run.

And you know what? Those big commercial depositors

began closing out their accounts of $50,000-$100,000 apiece.

That million dollars isn't going to last very long.

One night with Asbury Harpending,

you've learned to worry.

I know, sir, but-- [sighs]

There are commercial depositors outside in that mob,

and they get just as frightened about their money

as anyone else,

but they're people,

so our little show will work on them, too.

I hope.

[Crowd yelling]

Open the gates! Open up!

It's 10:00! Open up!

[Yelling continues]

Open up the gates!

Well, I'd better get back, out of danger.

Don't forget. Wait for my signal.

Billy, that real money there?

Right from the Mint.

That's good enough for me.

Billy Ralston never lies! Come on, let me through.

[Man] All right! Get out my way!

[Woman] Ow! [Man] Where's that Ralston?

Where is he?

Well, morning, General.

Now, don't tell me you never lie,

because I'm having you arrested for lying.

That telegram you showed me in the office, said no.

But I never told you it said yes.

I told you it came from President Grant,

and that was true.

Why...

Uh, General, I...

I found these in my pocket this morning.

I know you don't need them for reading,

but I thought they might have sentimental value.

General Bradley did have Billy Ralston arrested

for his midnight raid on the United States Mint.

However, President Grant realized

that his brilliantly improvised scheme

had saved the city from economic disaster,

so the white house withdrew all charges.

Freed once again, Billy resumed making

important contributions to San Francisco.

Among other things,

he built the internationally-famous palace hotel,

which still stands as a monument to the memory

of William Chapman Ralston.

Next week, another true story on Death Valley Days.