Original subtitles

A Warner Bros. television production.

What's your pleasure, mister?

Well, generally it's poker. But right now, I'm thirsty.

Nice little town you got here.

It's a friendly place.

Little too friendly, if you ask me.

Ain't had a good fist fight here in over a week.

I thought I saw a little ruckus outside.

A gun fight ain't no good for watchin'.

It's over too soon.

Well, I'm a peaceful man myself.

I get all the action I want at the poker table.

You can find all of that you want right here.

You're new in town?

Yeah, just got in.

In that case, drinks on the house.

Why, I call that real friendly.

Like I say, it's a friendly town.

Welcome to Medicine Bow, Mr..

Maverick, Bret Maverick.

All I did was say my name was Bret Maverick.

What's wrong with that?

I don't call that very friendly.

Look, you better tell me what's goin' on here?

If you don't know, mister, there ain't nothin' I can tell ya.

Now move over.

Sorry..

Alright, what is it you want?

A rope around your neck for one thing, Maverick.

Tell me what is it that I've done?

Stop bluffing, Maverick.

You know the answer to that one better.

Let's get him!

I'm tryin' to keep the law in this town.

You've already had a shootin'.

And now you want a necktie party.

But you ain't gonna have it.

Do you know who you're protecting, sheriff?

I'm protecting the law.

That's what I'm protecting.

And lynching's outside the law.

So is Bret Maverick outside the law.

And that's him, right here.

So, you're Bret Maverick?

I'm beginning to wish I wasn't.

You'll wish you wasn't when the law gets through with you.

I'll have your gun.

Been holdin' a cell for you for quite a while, Maverick.

Well, that beats danglin' from a limb of a tree.

But not much.

Jail is too good for him, and you know it.

Of course, I know it.

But the law says he goes to jail.

And the law is the law.

And that's that!

Sheriff, now that I'm safely locked in jail.

Do you mind tellin' me why?

You know why.

That's what everybody tells me.

But it's not the answer I want.

Cheatin' people out of their money is bad enough.

Murdering the mayor is what they wanna lynch you for.

Murdering the mayor?

Sheriff, I've never been in Medicine Bow before.

I know that.

You know it?

Doesn't make any sense.

It will, in the courtroom.

What am I supposed to do?

Sit here and rot?

You won't be there long.

Your trial's gonna be a short one.

Then what?

Then, they'll hang you.

But you, you stopped the lynch mob from doing it outside.

They was tryin' to lynch you.

A legal hangin' is different.

Not to the hangee!

Sheriff, if they are gonna try me for somethin'

I don't know anything about.

At least get me a lawyer.

Well, law says you are entitled to one.

Uh, if I could find one.

Oh, I got $4000 in that safe.

I want the best lawyer.

Best lawyer in town was the mayor.

You shot him.

You can name any city in the world including this one

and I did not murder the mayor of it.

Save that talk to the court.

Still the law does entitle you to one.

Let me see.

The other good one in town is Jim Davenport.

Alright, I'll take him.

You can't, he's handlin' the prosecution.

Oh, fine!

Then there's Judge Bishop.

Alright, get him.

Can't, he's trying the case.

Well, that's three down.

New fellow in town, name, uh, Luke Abigor.

Just turned out he's shingled by a week ago.

Still lookin' for his first client.

Well, I guess he found him.

Ah, don't be sure of it.

He may figure it would be bad luck to take you for his first.

Does it look that bad for me?

Let me put it this way, you get a fair trial

but it's an open and shut case.

Mainly shut!

I'll go call on Luke Abigor.

See if he'll take you on.

Oh, sheriff, don't tell him I got $4000

I may be needing some of it.

Don't know what for.

Town will give you a decent burial.

Hay!

Thank you!

Oh!

Oh!

Thank you!

Yes, ma'am. A room for one?

Yes, please. I'm travelling alone.

What a pity!

I mean, yes, a room for one.

Sign here, ma'am.

Is Mr. Bret Maverick stopping here?

Mr. Maverick is stopping in jail.

Again!

For heavens sakes, what for?

It's a long story, ma'am.

And not a very pretty one.

This is Luke Abigor, your lawyer.

Attorney at law.

He'll handle your case.

You have my sympathy, sir.

We haven't lost the case, yet.

Yes, but I have the feeling that the signs are not satisfactory.

Mr. Maverick, what is your birth date?

May the 11th, if it makes any difference.

It certainly does.

May the 11th?

I'm afraid your moon is in the house of Taurus.

- It is? - Very definitely.

- And that's bad? - Very definitely.

That's astrology or somethin', isn't it?

- Do you believe in that? - I run my life by it.

Well, let's not run mine by it, ha.

And your numerology reading isn't too hopeful either.

My numerology reading?

When did you have time for that? You just got here.

I did it in the office from the letters in your name.

I have a little black book that I'd like to show you.

Well, it doesn't matter. You probably won't understand.

You're so right.

Hey, would you mind discussing the case for a minute?

Oh, that will be impossible today.

You see, the signs are wrong, both astrologically

and numerologically.

Well, just doesn't seem to be my day.

Well, I'll look in on you again tomorrow

we'll discuss the case fully.

That's fine, I seem to be the only man

in town doesn't know anything about it.

Sheriff.

Oh, Mr. Maverick.

I forgot one thing.

Let me see your hand.

Over.

Palmistry.

Yes, just as I thought.

Your life line seems to come to a sudden end.

Goodnight!

Sorry, Maverick. We don't know much about him.

Best I could do.

And the best is none too good.

Boys are gathering around again.

Jud, take a look out there, will you?

You keep sayin' you don't know anything about all this.

I will tell you that till they slip the noose around my neck.

Sheriff... somebody's got to believe me.

I wish it could be you.

Oh, something's fishy about this whole thing, I'll admit.

I'm a man that goes by the book.

And the book says I'm guilty without any proof?

Your name's Bret Maverick, that's proof enough.

Somebody could've been using the name.

You'll have to turn up evidence.

I'm not gonna turn up much evidence scooped up in here.

The law says you belong there, and that's where you gonna stay.

Pardon.

Excuse me.

Pardon me.

Excuse me.

Precious.

Thank you, boys.

Sheriff?

Oh, so young!

And so tall!

Good evening, sheriff. I'm Melanie Blake.

Miss Melanie Blake.

We don't generally get ladies calling the jail house.

Do you have business here, ma'am.

Indeed, I do.

I'm head of the Wyoming Women For Prison Reform.

'I'm here to inspect your facilities.'

Prisoner reform?

A sweet little lady like you?

Oh, well, here they are, inspect away.

Ah, excuse me, ma'am.

Jud, I got business to attend to.

Bret, darling.

Melanie, what are you doing here?

I thought I left you in Maverick Springs.

I've been looking for you.

Oh, you're so clever.

I'm behind bars. Now, what's clever about that?

Oh, silly.

I'm talking about the wonderful scheme you pulled of here.

I just heard about it.

What a brilliant scheme!

We'll do the same in New Orleans or any other place.

Where we can make a fortune...

I do not know anything about any scheme.

All I know is I'm in jail for murder.

Unless they lynch me first.

This shows how much you need the woman's touch.

With me around, you'll stop murdering people.

Soon I'll get you out of jail.

I didn't murder anyone.

I have never murdered anyone, I don't intend to murder anyone.

It's sweet of you.

But as soon as I get you out of jail, we'll start making plans.

Oh! About plans. How do you plan to get me out of this jail?

Oh, I'll think of something.

Huh!

I've thought of it.

Bye, Bret. I'll be back.

I'll be here.

There's places for gatherings.

Like your saloon, Grady.

And you like us here better.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

Anybody care to make an issue of it?

Alright, boys.

Come on, Roscoe.

I'll report to the ladies that your prison's just lovely.

- You do that, ma'am. - Except for one thing.

And what's that?

Your prisoner has a complaint.

He's been complaining since the minute I threw him in the cell.

But this is my complaint too.

And the complaint of the Wyoming Women For Prison Reform.

Well, just name it, ma'am.

Well, it's past supper time, and he hasn't had a meal.

Come to think of it, neither have I.

There's a place down the street.

It ain't fancy. But it's where I eat.

Take care of things, Jud.

Well, we'll bring him back a tray.

You'll bring him back a tray, ma'am.

The jailer'll be there when you get back.

Me... I'm taking an hour off from everything.

Oh, good.

Oh, goodness.

Your servant, ma'am. Most willing.

Here, let me help.

I'm sorry.

Let's go.

We gotta get out of here.

Not yet. They'll find out about this soon enough.

Posse will head out

and we'll just take off in the opposite direction.

Bret, you're positively brilliant.

I can't wait till we get in partnership together.

Look, Melanie. I don't know what this scheme was

I'm supposed to have had.

I've never seen the mayor, I supposedly killed.

Now will you believe me?

You really mean someone has framed you?

Yes. I wanna find out whoever it was and put the frame

right where it belongs.

Around his neck.

If I help you find him, and we get him to jail

then there is nothing to stop us from the scheme.

You tell me what the scheme was? Talk about our plans later.

Well, it all started a few months back.

The mayor of Medicine Bow got a letter from the Town of Kyle

about 30 miles up the river.

It told about a plan to gather cattle from the eastern part

of the state at Kyle, and ship them by river barges

to the railhead at Medicine Bow.

Go on.

Idea was the boat ride would bring the cattle

into Medicine Bow as fat as when they left the range

and bring higher prices.

Isn't that the greatest idea you ever heard?

It's great.

But what's it got to do with me?

Well, the letter was from the... River Developing Company.

And it was signed by... Bret Maverick.

Alright... but where is the rest of the swindle come here?

Oh, this is the part you'll like.

Now the plan meant, dredging the river here in Medicine Bow

and setting up wharves, which of course would cost

a lot of money.

Now, the mayor liked the idea, so he went to Kyle

to see the man named Maverick

and when he came back, he sold the idea to a lot of people.

They raised about $15,000 and sent it to the man

whoever he was in Kyle.

I know the rest of it.

- They never heard of him right? - Mm-hmm.

So, the mayor then went to Kyle to see what was wrong.

And got killed for his trouble.

I don't like the killing part. That wasn't necessary.

Oh... but whoever he was, you must admit he had a good idea.

Nobody in Medicine Bow saw the killer, right?

Right.

But... plenty of people in Kyle did.

I don't care where the posse is going. We're going to Kyle.

We've been looking all over for you.

That fellow Maverick made a break.

And he took that nice Prison Reform woman with him.

You say you go by the book, sheriff.

Just what does the book say about jailbreaks?

Says the sheriff goes after his man.

We should've hung him good and proper in the first place.

We'll line up a posse.

- That won't be necessary. - Why not?

You let Maverick get away, we'll get him back.

Well, I need a posse, I'll organize one.

Maverick got away from me.

It's my job to get him back.

You're tired. Why don't you put up at a hotel.

And I'll see what I can find out.

I chased you all the way to Medicine Bow.

I'm not gonna lose you here in Kyle.

Melanie, do you think I'd run away?

Do you want me to answer that?

Well, anyway, I'm not runnin'.

I'm staying here until I find out who this other Bret is.

Bret, do you suppose it could be your brother Bart?

Brother Bart doesn't go in for murder.

And for that matter, he only swindles swindlers.

River Development Company.

Howdy?

Howdy?

You ever hear of a River Development Company?

Yup. I've heard of her.

- Sir. - Yes, ma'am.

We were wondering if perhaps you could direct us to that place.

Well, I certainly can.

It's way down at the end of the street there.

There's a sign on it.

Alright, thank you so much.

Any other information you'd like to have?

- Uh... no. Think not. Thank you. - Yes, ma'am.

It's a woman's touch alright.

My friend Maverick wasn't very tidy.

Your friend Maverick probably was in a hurry.

There's another office.

Looks like we'll have to add kidnapping and jailbreak

to your other charges, Maverick.

That's ridiculous, sheriff.

The jailbreak was my idea, and as far as

the kidnapping is concerned, I practically kidnapped him.

Didn't I, Bret?

Well, she's a very strong-willed little lady.

Well, I gotta admit. Don't look like nobody dragged you here.

Sheriff, put yourself in my place.

Thrown in jail on charges you didn't know anything about.

You found what you were supposed to have done was done in Kyle.

'What would you do?'

Come up and find out what I could find out.

And that's just exactly what I would've done.

That's exactly what we did.

I'm not a murderer. I'm a gambler.

I took the biggest gamble breaking jail and coming here.

Well, let's say I half believe you, Maverick

that you didn't kill the mayor.

And that maybe, somebody was using your name.

Well, try this for the other half.

If I did kill the mayor

wouldn't it be pretty stupid of me to walk into Medicine Bow

and introduce myself?

Well, man have to be a little loco for that for sure.

Yeah. Doesn't that give you the other half?

Not according to my book.

You say somebody's using your name.

You got no evidence.

That's why we came.

To find some.

And-and we need time.

You're an escaped prisoner, Maverick.

It's my duty to take you back to stand trial.

Still, I don't like railroading a man.

Tell you what I'll do.

I'll give you 24 hours.

If you can't dig up anything in time to prove you're innocent

we're heading back for Medicine Bow.

Well, thanks is a small word, sheriff.

It's the best one I know.

I'll put this thing away, Abigor, before you faint.

My chart told me I shouldn't have come here.

His chart?

Oh, I'd like you to meet my attorney, Mr. Abigor.

Miss Melanie Blake.

Miss Blake.

What is your birth date?

How come you showed up here, Luke?

Well, I... heard about the jailbreak

and I also heard that a criminal always returns

to the scene of the crime.

Criminal? And you say he's your attorney?

Well, that's the luck of the Mavericks.

You ask for a lawyer, and you get a fortune teller.

I'm giving your client 24 hours to get evidence

that he's innocent, Abigor.

After that, we're heading back to Medicine Bow.

I'll do all I can to help, naturally

but I don't think it'll do good.

Maverick, you and I go downtown to ask some questions.

Luke, you and Miss Blake search the office.

See if you can find anything.

Well... Miss Blake, what is your birth date?

It's January the eighth. Now let's start the search.

Oh, January the eighth?

That means we're both Capricorn.

You know, the stars must've brought us here.

Maybe the stars brought you here. But I came in a buggy.

With Bret Maverick.

Oh, no, no, no. You start in there, huh?

And I'll look around in here. Look in the files.

Bret Maverick?

No, can't say have ever heard the name before.

Ever seen this man before?

No. Can't says I've ever seen him either.

Say, Jake, do you ever see that fellow before?

Anything else I can do for you gents?

Not a thing.

Thanks.

I meet all the men in town one time or another, but..

Never met a Bret Maverick.

Ever see this man before?

No, I haven't. But I'm willing to correct the situation.

Well, that's the best offer I've had all day.

Let's go.

What will it be, gents?

- Nothing. - I'll have the same.

We're here on business.

Ever heard of a man in town named Bret Maverick?

Maverick?

You mean the fellow that runs that place

The River Development Company, or something like that?

That's the one. Do you ever see him?

I saw him a few times coming out of his office.

What does he look like? You remember?

Say... you're not playing a trick, are you, sheriff?

What do you mean?

Well, unless I'm awfully mistaken, he looks exactly like

'the fellow standing right there next to you.'

Oh, he's lying, sheriff. Come on, tell him you're lyin'.

What reason would I have to lie?

The sheriff here asked me a question and I answered him.

Are you sure this is the man you saw comin' out of that office?

I can't be sure, but if he's not

these eyes of mine are sure givin' me trouble.

Sorry, Maverick. Looks like your 24 hours are bought up.

We'll be pullin' out in the mornin'.

I see a rosy future.

A tall dark man will come into your life and perhaps change it.

Will this tall, dark man have money?

Perhaps more than you think.

If you're very wise, you'll go away with him.

Just where do you expect to get this money, Mr. Abigor?

Why, Miss Blake, you don't think that I'm the..

If that's the way you feel, then...

We'll be going back in the morning, Miss Blake.

Better find a hotel for the night.

I've got a room at the Trailhouse. Seems comfortable.

If you're through holding the lady's hand... we'll take off.

I'm sorry.

After we wash up, we'll have supper.

Bret, it isn't morning yet. You may still have a chance.

I'll think of something.

Oh, sheriff, you just have a talk with that bartender.

You already had your talk.

I never saw him before in my life. He never saw me either.

It's his word against yours in court.

Yours isn't worth much in Medicine Bow.

Hand me the towel, will you?

Here it is.

Goodnight, sheriff.

'I'm back.'

I thought we'll have our little talk in the back room.

Is that it?

Yeah.

Let's go back there.

That's quite a swindle you pulled off over at Medicine Bow.

I don't know what you're talkin' about, mister.

I'm talkin' about you using my name for your phony

River Development Company.

You been hitting the Red Eye or something?

And you're wasting your time and mine.

Start talking and we'll have a little call on the sheriff.

Well, I ain't..

'Let's have our little talk, huh?'

I told you you had your talk, Maverick.

'Drop it.'

I took your gun, huh. Where did you get that?

The book says always carry a spare.

I'm sorry, I had to slog you

but my book says I had to.

Can't say I blame you.

I'd have done the same thing myself.

What do you know about the stargazer?

Luke Abigor?

About as much as anyone, nothing. Why?

There's something peculiar about him, that's all.

And I wish that fortune teller wasn't handling Bret's case.

Amen. It's like having the Undertaker on your side.

But I'm stuck with him.

Sheriff, why don't you believe Bret?

I know he didn't have anything to do with the swindle.

Why, the only time that I caught him in one was..

Thanks for trying, Melanie.

I almost believed you, Maverick.

Until we ran into that bartender.

Well, that doesn't prove anything.

He said he wasn't sure.

It won't take much proof to convince the jury, I'm afraid.

Maverick, I wish I could do something for you.

All I can do is bring you back.

We'll get an early start tomorrow. About six o'clock.

Six o'clock?

Why, that's impossible.

How come?

Well, it's just indecent for a lady to be out at that hour.

Are you comin' back with us?

Well, I'm certainly not gonna desert Bret now.

And besides, I've never been up before ten in my life.

I need my beauty sleep.

Well, don't look like you need too much of that, ma'am.

There's not much point arguing with Melanie, sheriff.

Alright, at 10 o'clock tomorrow.

- A deal, Maverick. - Cut.

Your share, Charlie. $5000.

It still don't seem fair that you should be getting 10,000.

You Aries people have poor memories.

You seem to forget the whole scheme was mine from beginning.

Outside of one unfortunate incident.

The mayor was getting rambunctious. I had to kill him.

You know how I detest violence. You could've found another way.

Well, I got on edge when he began yelling.

And I'm still on edge with Maverick hanging around town.

Just leave everything to me. Nothing's happened. Has it?

No. But I won't get much rest until they're in Medicine Bow.

I better go call on them, make certain

they haven't changed their plans.

You go to bed. Nothing will happen.

All the stars are in favor of us.

Stars or no stars, I'm hanging around this hotel

until I see them leave with my own two eyes.

Just a minute. Do your hanging outside this room.

Come in.

Any new developments, sheriff?

Afraid not. Don't suppose you found out anything.

Not a thing. Sorry, Mr. Maverick.

I know how you feel.

Just how I feel.

Sit in for me, Mr. Abigor.

I've gotta get some sleep.

Ten o'clock does come early in the morning.

Well, just one hand perhaps. I don't do much gambling.

I'm afraid, I'm not gonna be doing too much myself.

Maybe your luck will change, Bret.

That ain't nice going through a man's pockets.

I... I must've gotten the wrong room.

Don't tell me, lady.

We wait here together, and you can explain to Luke Abigor.

Now sit down.

Thank you.

Well, to what do we owe this unexpected visit?

I caught her going through your coat.

Is this what you were looking for?

Go ahead, pick it up.

Don't let her see that, Luke.

Oh, why not? I'm very proud of it.

Besides, she can do us no harm... now.

Here, take it.

You're a very clever man, Mr. Abigor.

You hear that, Charlie?

She said I'm a very clever man. I've been telling you for years.

I said this afternoon that a tall, dark man

might have more money than you think.

Ah... goodness.

It's nothing really. It's really a matter of working things out..

Astrologically.

Oh, I adore astrology.

I knew it when I first saw you.

You and I, and... this gentleman too could do well together.

That's not a bad idea.

A beautiful woman could be handy in many a situations.

And don't forget, we're both Capricorn.

You know what I think?

We'll have to take her with us, now that she's seen the book.

We can talk about this partnership later.

Good thinking, Charlie. You're improving.

We'll leave right now.

Right now?

The sheriff and Mr. Maverick might stop in my room later on.

Don't you think it'd be a good idea for me to stop by

and say goodnight right now?

I don't trust her, Luke.

But she has a good point there.

But just to make sure we can trust her, let me have the gun.

Now you can say goodnight.

We'll be right back.

Oh, thank you.

Come in.

I just stopped by to say goodnight.

Well, I'll see you at 5:30 in the lobby.

But I still think it's too late if you wanna get an early start.

Does she change her mind often?

Not Melanie.

She squawked like a jay bird about not getting beauty sleep.

Let's say something's wrong.

"Astrological diary, property of Luke Abigor."

Let me see that.

"Bad day today. Mars in the house of Gemini.

Charlie shot the mayor."

Melanie.

The stable.

Come on out, Abigor. Or we're comin' in.

That arrangement suits me.

Come ahead.

As far as I can tell, they have only one gun.

Where's your spare?

Left in the room.

Sort of evened things up, doesn't it?

I'll try for the back way.

When you hear me yell, you come and shoot them.

Ah!

Ah!

Now, sheriff!

I wouldn't, if I were you, sheriff.

Oh!

Oh!

- Ah! - Oh!

Ah!

He he. Ha ha ha!

Ah!

Where's Melanie?

Mr. Abigor..

According to the book..

That's that.

Woah!

Well, just where were you going?

I was, um, going for help.

And I know just who you were gonna help.

Little ol' Miss Melanie Blake.

Hyah!

4000, care to count it?

Oh, you're an honest man, sheriff. You go by the book.

Ah, thank you, Mr. Maverick.

Well, the people of Medicine Bow want me to thank you

for getting back their money.

And they asked me to tell you that

they'd be willing to part with some of it

that most any poker table in town

if you'd care to hang around for a while.

Well, no thanks.

When you mention that word "Hang", I get itchy feet.

'I wonder if I could have a word with the prisoner?'

Why did you happen to pick my name for your scheme?

Numerology.

The name Bret Maverick seemed the luckiest one I could find.

Well, it might be luckier if you happen to be the original owner.

Oh, there's another thing.

How come you decided to settle down in Medicine Bow?

I had a hunch this'll be the last place they'd look for me.

Well, never trust hunches, the stars are safe.

So long, sheriff. I enjoyed your hospitality.

Goodbye, Maverick. Thanks again.

I just wanted to thank you for being such a willing servant.

- Bret, darling. - Hmm?

Look what I borrowed from the sheriff's office.

We can start working our scheme right away

as soon as we find another town, with a river.

Melanie... no!

Now, I know where there's another town with a river.

- Um, Laramie. - No!

Absolutely no!

But do you know what I went through to get this book?

- I don't care. - This is a brilliant scheme!

♪ Who is the tall dark stranger there ♪

♪ Maverick is the name ♪

♪ Ridin' the trail to who knows where ♪

♪ Luck is his companion ♪

♪ Gamblin' is his game ♪

♪ Smooth as an handle on a gun ♪

♪ Maverick is the name ♪

♪ Wild as the wind in Oregon ♪

♪ Blowin' up a canyon ♪

♪ Easier to tame ♪

♪ Riverboat ring your bell ♪

♪ Fare thee well, Annabel ♪

♪ Luck is the lady that he loves the best ♪

♪ Natchez to New Orleans ♪

♪ Livin' on jacks and queens ♪

♪ Maverick is the legend of the West ♪

♪ Riverboat ring your bell ♪

♪ Fare thee well, Annabel ♪

♪ Luck is the lady that he loves the best ♪

♪ Natchez to New Orleans ♪

♪ Livin' on jacks and queens ♪

♪ Maverick is the legend of the West ♪

♪ Maverick is the legend of the West ♪♪