All language subtitles for S17E11.The Worlds Greatest Swimming Horse.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.H264.AAC-jenkins_track3_[eng]

** [ trumpet ]

If ever a period
in American History blossomed

with colorful characters,
it was the days
of the Old West.

The new land,
with its patch quilt make-up,

seemed to welcome those cut

from the gaudiest
pieces of cloth.

Of these,
none was more unique

than Frank Ball,
who suddenly arrived

in Los Angeles one day
with...

Hey there!

You wouldn't be, uh,
Pete Rohrer, would you?

That's me.
Well, I'm told that you run
the best livery stable in town.

You understand right.

I'm Frank Ball.

And uh, I got
this stallion that, uh--

that I'd like to stable
with you a couple of weeks.

Well, no problem there.

Well, now, there might be.

This is no ordinary animal.

Well, come on in
and tell me about it.

Now, what's so special
about this critter of yours?

Well, for the time being,
you'll just have to

take my word for it.

But he is different.

If you say so.

[ horse snorts ]

There is, um--
There's one other thing.

The animal has got to
have complete privacy.

Is that so?

Well, son, you're in
the wrong pew.

You better take that
fancy critter of yours

over to the hotel
and get it a room.

Now, if you don't mind,
I'm busy. I--

Now, uh, about expenses.

I realize that special
accommodations cost extra.

Would uh, $20 in advance
be satisfactory?

Well, uh, what kind of
privacy you got in mind

for this pet of yours?

[ sighs ]

[ water running ]

Well, if we could
have a partition up,
about this high.

Canvas all right?

Fine.

Just as long as no one
can see in the stall.

[ chuckles ]

That sure must be
some horse you got.

He sure is.

Well, come on.
I'll get you a receipt.

Oh, hello, honey.
I didn't hear you come in.

Say, did it go
any better today?

It's like pulling teeth
to get a contribution
from most of them.

Really, dad, it's so--

[ softly ]
Dad?

Oh!
[ chuckles ]

Anne, this here's Mr. Bell.

Uh, "Ball."
Frank Ball.

Yes, that's right.

Howdy! Going to be
in town long?

Well, I'm not sure.

This money, what are
you collecting it for?

An orphanage. Would you
believe a town this large
doesn't have an orphanage?

Well, uh--
It's true!

The gospel truth.
I know, it's hard to believe.

But people don't care!

I mean it.
They really don't care!

You don't really
believe that, do you?

It never fails!

You start Anne talking
about the donations,

and right off, she's in
a horn-tossin' mood.
[ cackles ]

Well, now, maybe this
will help her a little.

Oh, thank you!
Thank you very much!

It-It looks like a dollar!
No, it's--

Uh, it's only five dollars.

[ horse snorting ]
Five dollars!

Why, folks around here
wouldn't know that kind
of generosity

if they fell over it!

Thank you!

Well, maybe you just
don't know the first thing
about fundraising.

And I suppose you do?

Well, I know better than
to go around waving a pickle
jar under people's noses

if I wanted them
to contribute.

And what makes you think
I go around wavin' it?

Well, the fact
that I can see it.

You put pickles
in a pickle jar,

not money.

You gotta give people
something for their money.

You have to arouse
their interest

and tickle their curiosity.

You do that first,
and you have them

bringing their
contributions to you,

and you won't have to
go waltzing around town

with your pickle jar.

Oh, what conceit!

What towering conceit!

My, she does
get riled up.

[ Mr. Rohrer ]
She was born
with her bristles up.

Uh, as long as I'm in town,
I'd be glad to give you

the benefit of my experience
in these matters.

No thank you, Mr. Ball.
I am quite capable

of handling the contributions
without your help.

[ laughs ]
I just love that girl's fire!

Well, here's your receipt.
Now, when do you figure
on bringing the animal in?

Mm, sometime this evening.
After dark.

Would you tell me when?
You know, I don't make
this livery stable my home.

Well, is 8:00 all right?
Well...

I guess it'll have to be.

Oh, by the way,
would you have some, uh,

some fresh straw
in the stall before evenin'?

Pete. Pete!
Open up!

[ soft neighing ]

You're late. Get in.

I hope you won't mind.
After all Dad told me,

I just had to see what
all the fuss was about.

So, this is the animal
you been talking about?

It is.

I think the canvas is gonna
work out all right.

You must have
misunderstood him, Dad.

Couldn't have meant
this horse.

Well I did.

A broken-down stallion?

And an ancient one, at that.

[ clicks tongue ]
[ slaps ]

Well, now,
looks are deceptive.

In that stall is...

beyond a doubt, one
of the most remarkable

pieces of horseflesh
in the world today.

It's hard to believe.

You mean impossible.

Why, Mr. Ball?

Why such arrangements
for that horse?

Well, you weren't paying
attention this afternoon.

The idea is to first
tickle the curiosity.

Good evening, folks.

Will that about do it?
Yeah, I think so.

Read it back to me.
You know, I've had
a lot of odd advertisements

in this paper,
but this one takes the cake.

It is a little unusual.

Uh, would you mind
reading it back to me?

"World's Greatest
Swimming Horse
now in Los Angeles."

Now, that's to be in
large type across the top.

Right?

[ sighs ]
"On June 15,

the world-famous horse,
Hippopotamus--"

You did say "hippopotamus"?

Uh, yes. Yes.

"Hippopotamus will swim
from San Pedro

"to Santa Catalina Island
and back.

"The public is invited
to attend this great

"aquatic event
free of charge.

Prior to this performance,
the famed animal--"

Uh, would you make that,
"the famed seahorse"?

"...famed seahorse."
[ sighs ]

"...the famed seahorse
will be on exhibition

"at Peter Rohrer's
Livery Stable.

"One and all are invited
to see and examine

"this extraordinary animal.

"Satisfy yourself that
in appearance, Hippopotamus

is no different
than any other horse."

You need a bracket
there, son.

Let's see. Oh, yeah.

"There will be
a small admission charge

"of 50 cents; tickets
on sale at the livery,

or at most of
your local merchants."

Yeah. That oughta do it.

You really got
such a horse?

Why, the one and only.

Well, this one
I got to see myself.

Well, I think it's customary
for the press to get
a couple of free tickets.

Much obliged.
My pleasure.

And uh, if you have a mind
to write a little news article

about the event, well, I--
I won't be annoyed.

I'll see what I can do.

Now, uh, make it
a full-page ad,

and run it all
till the end of the week.

Yes, sir. Now,
that's gonna run you...

uh-- yes, sir, that's
going to cost you $18.

Oh, yeah.

By the way, you wouldn't
mind taking your pay
in tickets, would you?

Oh, I don't feel
that they--

Now, uh, here's
$20 worth of tickets.

That's uh, $18 for the ad,
and a nice profit of $2.

What do you say?
Well, I don't know--

All right, then.
It's a pleasure
to do business with you.

A pleasure, sir!

Now why did I do that?

Mr. Blackwood.
Excuse my bad manners.

But I just couldn't
let you get away.

[ chuckles ]
It isn't often you and
that jar let me escape!

[ laughs ]
You're one of
the few people

I can count on
for a little something.

Well, not today,
I'm afraid.

Spent the last of
my pocket money for a ticket

to see that Wonder Horse.

Oh.

Yes, I guess it don't hurt
your dad's business none,

having a celebrity like that
in his stables?

Celebrity?
What are you talking about?

The swimming horse.
You know, "The World's
Greatest Swimming Horse!"

Oh, no!

Fifty centavos.
One half a dollar

buys you a look
at the swimmingest horse
in the world.

Come on, folks,
and see the horse that
thinks he's a fish.

Thank you, Charlie.
Now you go over and
stand there with the others.

And tell them as soon
as I've sold another ticket,

I'll take 'em and
show 'em the seahorse.

Now, come on, neighbors--
the chance of a lifetime

to see Hippopotamus,
the horse that swims
like he had fins!

Ah, thank you, sir.
There you are.
Join the others.

All right, folks.
Now this is what
you paid to see!

Dad, Dad!
Wait a minute!

Folks, just go
straight in back.

It's the stall with
the canvas around it,

and I'll be
right with you.

Now, what do
you want, daughter?
What's going on?

And where did you learn
to talk like that?

Oh, you mean that
sale talk I gave 'em?

Say, that wasn't bad
for an old livery man,
if I do say so myself.

Dad, I just
don't understand.

What are you doing?

I'm selling 'em tickets
to see Mr. Ball's seahorse.

And I'm making
more money than I could
in a week of Sundays

at the livery stable!
But we don't know anything
about him, or his horse.

I know all
that needs knowin'.
Now I've got people waiting.

Mr. Ball.
You're usin' my father,
and I want it to stop!

My, that sun is relaxin'.

Did you hear what I said?

Stop using my father
to dupe the townsfolk.

"Using your father"?
And "dupe the townsfolk"?

My, that does sound serious.
I mean it.

You want me to tell you
the real reason that you're
in such a snorty mood?

It's because
my ticket-selling activity

has probably cut into
your fundraising, and--

You know there's only so much
pocket money to be had.

And your horse is
taking it all up!

Well, now, maybe
you've just had an off day.

Now, why don't you go
wash off that war paint,

and uh-- and
we'll take a buggy ride.

[ door opens ]

For the orphans?

For the orphanage?

Excuse me.
For the orphanage?

Is she always
that persistent?

Hardly a night she
doesn't worry at least
one or two customers

out of here
with that jar.

I'll bet if she was a man,
she'd take on anyone
that didn't donate.

[ chuckles ]

I suppose you find this
all very amusing.

What's that, Anne?

Mr. Ball finds it funny
that his horse show

is taking up
every free dime in town.

[ chuckles ]
I uh, I hear they
really been turning out

to look at that critter.

Tell him how you feel about it,
Harlan. Go on, Harlan.

Not now, Anne.
Go on. It's all right.

Tell him straight out,
like you told me.

Pay attention, Mr. Ball.

It's time you heard what
the honest folks think

about this sort of thing.

Oh, I'm all ears.

Well, speak up!
You're among friends.

Better give me a couple
more tickets, Harlan.

My boys are after me
to take 'em.

And what tickets
might those be?

To see the swimming horse!

I bet you sold a whole slug
of 'em, ain't ya?

Much obliged.
Oh, evening, folks.

Now, uh, about that
honest opinion?

Anne, I can explain.

You don't have
to explain anything.

Oh, go on, let him.

I know how you feel, Anne,
but he offered such a good deal

on ticket sales, I--

Well, you understand.

I couldn't pass it up.

Mr. Ball has a way
of offering good deals.

No, I'm--
I'm really not the villain
that you make me out.

You'll have
to prove it to me.

All right. Now you pack
a lunch tomorrow,

and I'll take you
picnicking.

My fiancé might have
something to say about that.

Fiancé?
Well, congratulations.

And felicitations!

What Anne means is that
we've been going together

so long that, uh--
[ coughs ]

folks take it for granted
that we're going to, uh...

we're gonna marry.

Well, uh, I'm glad
to hear that.

And I'll have something
to say about that, too.

I'll never understand you.
Never.

Well, with the big event
tomorrow, I just want

Hippopotamus
to look his best.

Be serious
for once in your life.

You know
that horse can't swim!

Well, what are you gonna do
when the folks find out?

You're a worrier, Anne.
Everything's gonna be
all right.

Everything is not...
going to be all right.

Will you stop that?

I'm-I'm sorry, Anne,
I-I never knew it mattered
that much to you.

It does.

What's going to happen
to you when that horse
sinks in San Pedro Harbor?

Aw, he's not gonna sink.

He's not even gonna get wet.

What does that mean?

[ sighs ]
Please! Tell me, Frank!

I've been sick with worry!

All right.
But I know I shouldn't.

There'll be an announcement
tomorrow that--

that the big event's
been called off.

You see, tonight, uh...

my horse
is gonna be stolen.

What?
I've made arrangements
to have the horse stolen

later tonight--

Oh, I'll make
a big fuss about it,

maybe even offer
a reward for his return.

I knew it.
I knew it all along.

That horse can't
swim a stroke.

Well, in a few days
everyone will have forgotten

there ever was
a swimming horse.

What about the people
you hoodwinked?

What about them?
What about 'em?

Nobody got hurt.
Not for 50 cents,
they didn't.

Frank, it's dishonest--
Anne!

Let's drop it. It's done,
and there's no changing it.

[ angry sigh ]

You know I got to
take care of the customers.

You know this
is more important!

I told ya,
I'll take care of it!

I know, but it has
to be done without
exposing Mr. Ball.

I don't want him
to get in trouble
on my account!

It's as good as done!
Now go on home
and forget about it.

Thanks.

[ crickets ]

Who are those men?
And what are they doing
with rifles?

We're gonna do this
my way, Anne.

They're gonna be on guard.
Guard against what?

Anyone stealing
Mr. Ball's horse.

No, no! That's no good!

He has to pretend
to have the horse stolen.

If he doesn't, he's bound
to be found out!

Figure he has it coming.

I see. Now, you do know
what'll happen.

I told you! Your big
chance to be the town hero.

Why not? Besides,

I didn't like
his way with you.

Then tell him so,
but don't go getting
him arrested!

I'm sorry, Anne, but I'm
not taking the guards off.

[ exasperated sigh ]

[ whispering ]
Frank, you're gonna hate me.

[ whispering ]
I just heard!
Believe me, I'm sorry.

I had no idea
this was gonna happen!

All right, I believe you.
You're sorry.

What am I gonna do?
[ sighs ]

Best bring him out, Frank!

What's happening?
Why all these people?

I guess we're all here
for the same reason.

Waiting for Mr. Ball
to come out with
his Wonder Horse.

This is
the big day, girl.

I know.
[ Harlan ]
We're waitin', Mr. Ball!

Time for your horse
to do his stuff!

Are you satisfied?
I only did
what I thought right.

And what's going to happen
to him

when they find out
they've been hoodwinked?

It's time we found out.

Hey, in there!

You bringin' that horse out,
or do we come in and help ya?

[ crowd ]
Yeah.

Hello, folks! I got
a little announcement to make.

No speeches! We came here
to watch that horse swim!

Well, now, that's what
I want to tell you.

This horse couldn't swim
the length of a water trough.

[ crowd ] What?
You sayin' we been cheated?

Well-- Now, now,
please hear me out.

Go on, Frank. Say your piece.

Well, now, uh--

Now you all know
your town's need
for an orphanage.

And you all know
the shameful way

that you've contributed to
Anne's efforts to change this.

What's that got to do
with you cheatin' these folks
out of their money?

Well, if you shut up, Harlan,
maybe he'll tell us!

Well, now, uh,
I may be wrong, but...

I figured you folks
wouldn't mind a laugh
on yourselves

if it was
for a good cause.

Now, here's the money
taken in from the ticket sales.

I was hoping to give it
to Anne for the orphanage.

But...

we don't want to have
any hard feelings,

so, if anybody wants
their money back,

just... step up.

Thank you, Mr. Ball.

I had no idea you were
so civic-minded.

Or that you could talk
your way out of this.

It was my pleasure.

Oh, Mr. Ball?

Why don't you stay
in town a while longer?

It's our schools.
They're terribly inadequate.

And I could use
the services of a...

talented fund-raiser.

Frank Ball did not
change his ways,

nor did he marry
the liveryman's daughter.

He left
the City of the Angels
a few weeks later,

and for almost
two decades,

we find numerous accounts
of his unique enterprises

in the pages
of California history.

Next week, another true story
from our Western past.