Original subtitles

Here they come.

All set, boys!

Alright, fellas, hustle it up!

I've called this meeting, men,

in the hope that we can find some way

to put a stop to this rustling outrages.

If we don't, we'll all be ruined!

I've lost most of my herd already.

Perhaps Sheriff Wood here has some suggestions.

I'm afraid not, Mr. Hartley.

All I can say is the situation's got me stumped.

These aren't ordinary rustlers.

The cattle just disappear.

It's up to you to find out just who's in back of this.

Excuses don't help none.

We elected you to enforce the law.

Just a minute, boys.

The sheriff's done his best,

but job is too big for any one man.

I suggest that we appeal to the governor for help.

I think you've got it.

You're right, Mason. Now you're talking sense!

Well, then if it's agreed,

I'll get in touch with the governor,

and we'll see that an investigator is sent down here immediately.

I reckon the folks in Red River are gonna be surprised

with getting three investigators,

when they only asked for one.

They're only getting one.

- And two assistants. - And I suppose you're the one.

Sure!

It's awfully nice of you to take us along for the ride.

When do you think we'll get to Red River?

I'm hungry.

We oughta get there by sundown.

Looks like one of those rustlers we were sent after.

Yeah.

He's fooled them.

He's not foolin' us.

- Tex Reilly! - Stony!

- Tex! - Hello, boys!

- Well, this sure is a surprise! - What are you doing here?

Undercover work for the Retail Butchers' Association.

Beef prices have hit rock bottom.

They think these cattle raids have something to do with it.

Looks like we're in on the same deal.

The governor sent us here.

- What'd you find out? - Not much.

I ran into a bunch running some cattle.

Evidently, they didn't want any visitors, and started chasing me.

You saw what happened.

There's one thing I'd like to know.

When do we eat?

Got any idea who's behind all this?

Right now I'm checking on a fellow named Payne.

He's got a prison record.

What's he doing up here?

Runner's Dude Ranch.

It's none too profitable, but he's surely throwing money around.

- That sounds interesting... - Yeah.

I was going up to the ranch as a guest, to see what I could find out.

If those fellows chasing you were part of the gang,

they'd spot you in a minute.

It's a chance I have to take.

Wait a minute.

How about me going instead?

You're expected at Red River.

No, the "three musketeers" are expected.

Nobody there knows what we look like.

You could go as Stony Brook, and...

I could be...

Alias "Killer Madigan".

- Sounds like a nice guy. - He is.

You'll be safe in using his name.

He's serving a life term at Leavenworth.

He'll do.

A little more to the front, please.

That's all.

- What are you gonna put in the newspapers? - Oh, just the routine history.

Prison break and my picture as "Killer" Madigan.

- Just one newspaper? - That's enough.

And thanks, Marshall, for your help.

Well, that's all right, that's what I'm here for.

But I don't understand how you're gonna get away with this split-up.

Are they expecting The Three Mesquiteers?

That's right.

And three is what they'll get.

What's the matter, ain't you never seen one of those before?

Yes, sir, but they wear them on their hip side here.

Anything else, boss?

Yeah, get those pants pressed.

You'll forget what you saw.

Yes, sir, I forget is awful easy, sir.

You better if you know what's good for you.

Thank you, sir. Yes, sir.

- Mr. Payne! - Yes?

He's here.

He told me not to tell you.

He gave me ten dollars to keep my mouth shut.

- Who? - The new guest.

- You mean Jack Benson? - Only he isn't Jack Benson.

He's Madigan, "Killer" Madigan!

He's just broke out of jail!

You sure you haven't seen too many movies?

Oh, no, sir, he's in the paper.

I seen his picture!

He told you to keep your mouth closed?

Yes, sir.

- Well, I'd follow his advice. - Yes, sir.

Think we oughta look into this?

He'll probably mind his own business.

We've heard a lot about you, Mesquiteers.

And we're sure glad the government sends you, fellas.

Thanks, we'll do everything we can.

Where do you think you gonna stay?

Well, we haven't given it much thought,

but I figure we'll spend most of our time in the saddle.

You're more than welcome to bunk out at my place.

I'm sure Pop will make you very comfortable.

Well, so long, boys, see you later!

So long!

Well, I'd feel a lot easier with you boys around

to sorta see after my little girl.

Well...

Thanks, Mr. Mason,

but I reckon we better stick around town for the present.

Just as you say,

but latch string's out if you change your mind.

Oh, Janey, here I am!

Here's my little girl.

Honey, these are The Three Mesquiteers.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

I invited them to stay at the ranch, but...

they've got other plans.

Oh, that's too bad!

- Now... well, Mr. Mason...

I'm sorry, Ms. Mason, but we really oughta stay in town.

Of course.

We better be going, dad. Supper won't cook itself, you know...

Don't forget what I said about the latch string.

- We won't. - Good bye.

- Good bye. - Good bye.

Well, well, look who's here!

You're just in time for chow.

That's fine, but I don't mean to butt in...

Oh, you ain't buttin' in at all.

- Now, come this way. - Thanks.

- Hey, we got another customer! - Howdy, stranger.

- How do you do, Mr. Smith? - How do you... how...

Fine thing, sneaking off behind my back!

What's the matter, that pony of yours got flat feet?

Won't you sit here next to Mr. Joslin, Mr. Smith?

Thank you.

But if you don't mind, cout out the "mister" business and just call me Tucson.

Why not? All the rest of the gals do.

Hell, I'm sure glad you boys changed your mind about staying here.

No, we didn't exactly figure on staying,

after all, we can't leave Stony in the lurch.

- Speak of the devil! - Relief, my friend, you're just in time for dessert.

- Allez hop! - Thanks, pal.

Hello, boss.

- What's up? - I got more than I bargained for.

Those investigators the Governor sent down here's The Three Mesquiteers.

- They are dynamite. - Yeah, I heard about them.

- What're you gonna do about it? - That's your job.

They're staying over at the Mason place,

send over a couple of boys and take care of them right away.

- What about the Jones job? - We're getting on ahead with it.

Well, that sure is nice.

Just one big happy family.

You take care of Jane.

- Are you hurt bad, Tex? - No, I'm all right.

- Where'd they get you? - Why don't you go-

I'm gettin' outa' here right now.

You're gonna obbey the doctor's orders and stay where you are.

But, Tucson, we can't.

With us around, Jane, Pop and the kid'll be in danger all the time.

Now look, nothing's gonna happen tonight.

You just take it easy, and we'll figure something out.

- Boy, swell eat! - Yes, but not for you.

Looks like they shot the wrong fella.

- Where are the rest of the boys? - Steve got shot.

Slim's looking after him.

- Did you take care of the Mesquiteers? - Got one of 'em!

One of 'em?!

That's great!

You realize, with another two running around, we're in a swell spot?

- That's a mighty good-looking herd. - Yeah, I wonder who they belong to.

I don't know, but whoever he is,

he's kinda careless leaving them unguarded.

Yeah.

They won't have any trouble getting top prices for that beef.

But they ain't gonna get it!

Reach for the sky!

Now get going you, rustlers!

Say, you ain't rustlers after all!

You are The Mesquiteers, aren't you?

Saw you in town this morning.

Say, where is your partner?

He got hurt.

Shot by rustlers.

Gosh, that's too bad!

Did you get any clues?

No, that's what we're looking for.

Have you seen anything suspicious going on around here?

No, them rustlers wouldn't dare to tangle with me and my pop.

I reckon they're too smart to tangle with a tough hombre like you.

Pop isn't too bad either.

He's a dead shot!

Well, I guess I better be going,

I promised pop I'd take his lunch out to him from the hut.

So long, Mesquiteers, I'll be seein' you!

So long.

So long.

Do you think them trucks had anything to do with that rustling?

I don't see how, Lullaby.

Just seems that you can't get over twelve or fifteen head of cattle in 'em.

Let's go.

Dad!

Dad! Rustlers!

- Where's Cats? - Way down with the reds, with the trucks.

That's Jones and the kid!

Tell the boys to keep going.

- Dad! - Go get help.

- But dad... - Go on, I say, go on.

I stopped the old man, but the kid got away!

Now work it out here before help can arrive.

Hey Slick!

You and Red go back to the ridge and keep your eyes open!

I just stopped by to find out how Stony was doing.

I reckon he's OK,

doc says he'll be all right in a couple of weeks.

That's fine!

You just tell him I was asking for him.

Sure.

Oh, Mr. Mason!

Mr. Mason!

Mr. Mason!

- Mr. Mason, quick! - What's the matter, Tommy?

It's dad, he's been shot by rustlers!

- Where is the? - Over to our place down the southern pastures.

Come on!

Alright, fellas, snap it a bit,

make it snappy, fellas!

- Miles, you run up and get Slick and Red. - OK!

He's gone.

You look after him, pop.

We'll see if we can get a line on them rustlers.

I reckon we'd better get in touch with Stone

and tell him what's happened.

We might gum things up if we go to the Dude Ranch.

Hey Lullaby, look!

Fresh hide.

Tire tracks.

That explains the trucks.

They slaughter all the cattle on the spot and and they haul away the dressed beef.

No wonder they couldn't trace the herds.

- Very lovely. -The lady or the music?

- To play beautifully, it is. - Thank you.

Have you heard "I'll kiss you in the moonlight"?

Is that a song or a promise?

Oh, Evelyn!

We were on a rustling party, and I lost five whole pounds.

This is my mother, Mrs. Maxwell.

Hi...

- This is Mr.... - Benson. Jack Benson.

How do you do?

- Good looking, isn't he? - Mother, please!

- You'll frighten him away! - Oh, nonsense!

Are you a rustler too?

A what?

Well, I mean if you've ever been on a rustling party.

- No, I can't say that I have. - Oh, you should, it's loads of fun!

You mean to say you actually go out and steal cattle?

Well, hardly that, Mr. Benson.

It's not really rustling, it's, uh...

well, it's a sort of a roundup we put on for our guests.

Oh, I see.

We take them out on the range,

let them wrangle a bit,

we show them how it was done in the olden days.

And then we stage the rustling act.

You know, shots being fired, cattle milling around, and all that sort of thing...

Sounds very exciting.

Yes, my guests seem to get a great kick out of it.

- I hope you'll join us. - Thank you.

Oh, it's the most wonderful exercise in the world!

It's simply marvelous to reduce weight!

If that is in the right place of course.

Well, maybe I'll have a try at this rustling routine.

That's the spirit!

You can come with us the next time we go out.

Oh, by the way, can you ride?

Can I-

Well, yes, that is, if the horse is gentle.

- Then it's a date! - Try and keep me away!

It's awful nice you and pop Mason want me to live with you, but...

- But what? - I've been thinking...

Maybe I'd better not stay.

Why, Tommy!

See, me and Dad started a lot of things around here before he...

Well, he might not like it if I walked out.

But, honey, you can't live over there all alone.

I'm sure your dad would want it this way.

You'll be a lot happier here, so will I.

- So will you? - Of course!

Don't you think I get sorta lonesome, with Pop so busy all the time?

And don't you think I get kinda scared too?

Say, I never thought of that!

Maybe you do need an extra man around here!

I certainly do, especially with Stony to look after.

It looks like you could stand some help.

Well, I'm afraid we are a bit overloaded.

Let me have a look.

You mean to say you're gonna put this on that wagon too?

- We were gonna try. - Nonsense.

We'll put it in the back of my car, and hitch the horses to the bumper,

and I'll drive you wherever you want to go.

Thanks, but I think we can make it all right.

Oh, let's do it, Jane.

He looks like a nice guy.

Even if he is a dude.

- Tommy! - Thanks, bud!

- Well, how about? - You win.

Holy smoke, look who's here!

Put it down here, Mr. Benson.

Oh, boys!...

These are The Mesquiteers.

Mr. Smith and Mr. Joslin.

I'd like to present Mr. Benson.

- Howdy! - Howdy!

Strange looking guns, whose are they?

I heard there was three of them.

The third one must be the brains.

- Now listen here- - Oh, you must mean Stony!

He was shot yesterday by rustlers.

He was?!

Which reminds me, I better go and see how he is.

- Goodbye, Mr. Benson. - Well, I hope I can see you again.

Any time. And thanks for the lift.

-How is Tex?

- He'll be alright. - Getting better.

How about giving me a hand with this outfit?

Sure!

How did he get hurt?

- Does your parrot talk any? - No, but I've tried to teach her.

I bet Elmer could make her talk.

Elmer, here's a lady I want you to meet.

That means she likes you, Elmer.

Sure, all the ladies like me.

♪ I have a girl on every range, ♪

♪ From Texas to Montana, ♪

♪ I guess they can't resist my charm, ♪

♪ Or continental manner. ♪

I have a girl on every range,

from Texas to Montana,

I guess they can't resist my charm,

or continental manner.

Look who's talking!

I have a hunch that these rustling parties have the answer to a lot of our questions.

You may be right.

We'll trail along, and see what happens.

Good.

Mr. Benson!

Here I am, Mr. Benson!

Mr. Benson!

We've been waiting for you.

Oh, you look simply adorable!

Turn around.

Oh, go on, turn around!

I declare, if I didn't know you were new out here,

I'd say that you're a real cowboy!

Come, now I've gotta give you your first lesson in riding so we can get started.

- This is the horse. - Yes, I think I've got that.

Now take the reins in your left hand,

grasp the pommel of your saddle, place your foot in the stirrup,

like this... and... then you spring...

you spring...

you spring...

into the saddle, like this.

- Is that clear? - Yes, that's clear.

Now you try!

- Gentle? - Yeah.

No, no, Mr. Benson.

In the saddle, like me.

- You got on the wrong side! - So I found out!

Now, you sit very straight in the saddle,

and relax, like you were part of the horse,

as I am. Like this, Mr. Benson.

It all adds up.

Dudes have the fun of rounding up the cattle and, when they're through,

the real rustlers step in, and finish the job.

We oughta be able to find out who's backing them before the day is over.

I hope so.

Everything all set?

Yes, the trucks are waiting over there in the canyon.

Rustling pretty close to home today, ain't we?

That's one way to fool them.

There's our beef, right on the hoof, folks!

Boy oh boy, what a view!

What'll we do now?

Follow me and start chasing the cows.

But when I blow the whistle, that means stop everything.

- Is that clear? - Yes, sir.

Better hold on, we're going places in a hurry!

I'll do the best I can.

And here we go.

Yeah, that's another way we fool them.

Giving those dudes what they think is The Wild West Show.

It's Mason!

I thought you said he was in town.

He was, but I'm afraid he's gonna mess things up.

Something's gone wrong!

Alright, off your horses, you're under arrest.

I prefer to remain seated.

You heard what he said, ma'am. You gotta get down.

You don't have to take orders from him, miss.

Pipe down!... Dude...

Take it easy!

Why didn't you just wait?

We were going to, but Mason's spoiled it all by barging in!

- We tail the truck. - I'll check on them night.

Smile!

Hold it!

Thank you ever so much.

Here, here, listen!

Listen, don't you pick on him!

You've got some nerve!

What's going on here?

Morton, what are you doing here?

I- I... uh...

You know what he's doing here!

Why, these're the new men, they probably

drifted off my property by mistake!

Some drift!... It's about five miles.

I suppose you're going to claim that those cattle down there belong to you!

Why, certainly not!

You've got an aliby this time...

but we'll see how long it will stand up.

You certainly don't suspect my guests-

Are you accusing us of being rustlers?

- Yes'm! - Yes'm!

Why, it's the silliest thing I ever heard of!

Wait till the girlst at the bridge club hear about this.

Come on, boys!

Sounds like someone's in the shed.

Let's see about it.

Leave him alone. He's doing alright.

That'll be enough!

This is the chance he's been waiting for, to get in with them.

Let's go, before we upset the apple cart.

So, Benson, what's it all about?

Come on, Payne, get off your high horse,

I'm wise to your racket.

That makes us even, "Killer" Madigan.

Good.

Now that we understand each other, how about cuttin' me in?

What good would you do me?

Plenty.

That guy, Mason, the old man...

he kinda got in your hair this afternoon.

He's not the one that's worrying me.

There's these other two guys with him.

You tangled with one of them.

They are government investigators.

The Mesquiteers, ever hear of them?

Can't say as I have.

Well, they are the ones I want out of the way.

- Well, what's it worth to you? - I'll pay five hundred bucks.

- It's a deal. - All right, let's get going.

Just a minute!

Kent, you and the boys go along with him.

Turn around!

We'll cover you from here.

I see you've read the news.

Yeah!

- Touching, isn't it? - How about my dough?

I thought you'd be on tack with the pay off.

Nice work last night, Madigan.

Don't let that "Madigan" get to be a habit.

- Benson's the name. - Right.

I just got word that the whole county is in town for the Mesquiteers' funeral.

That'll leave Box Canyon wide open for the biggest haul we've ever made.

Pretty risky business, trying to rustle a herd that size.

Yeah, but the chief says after this one we'll have to lay low for a while.

Yeah, we will.

Well, let's get going!

Just a minute.

- How about my dough? - You'll get your dough, Benson.

- Right now we got- - Got a rustling job.

- Am I in? - Yeah!

You can go along with Randall to Box Canyon.

You pick up your dough in town on the way.

I reckon they're in there.

Well, you old fakers!

Say, how about some breakfast for a couple of spooks?

Surely, but would you first explain what this is all about?

Sure!

Payne hired Benson to kill us.

And to make it look good, we gotta play dead!

What?

Oh, we forgot to tell you that Benson is the real Stony Brook.

But Stony Brook is at our house!

No, that's Tex Reilly.

He and the real Stony swapped places.

I still don't understand. The newspapers, and...

That was just to help matters along.

Oh, Perkins sure squawked about printing a fake story!

He said it was an insult to his professional integrity.

- But he done it! - He's done it all right!

The whole town's coming out to the funeral!

I'm scared they're gonna be terribly disappointed.

I'll try and find out what's up.

Find out how much longer we gotta play dead.

There is the dude that fooled us.

So that's the real Stony Brook.

Come on, Tommy.

I understand now.

I know Mason.

But how are you gonna find the guilty hombre?

Question every member of the Cattlemen's Association?

Why not? We've got to bring the Mesquiteers' killer to justice.

Not to mention Tommy's father.

And then we'll-

Dad, Payne is going to raid our corral in Box Canyon

while everyone's in town for the funeral.

- How do you know? - I just got it from Stony.

Stony Brook?

Why, Stony Brook is lying at your house wounded!

The man at the ranch is Tex Reilly, a special investigator.

Stony Brook has been at the Payne Hacienda under the name of Benson.

He just went at the bank with that Randall fellow.

Why, this is great, Sheriff!

We can catch Payne redhanded!

Yes, but we've got to work fast. Now, come on!

- The Mesquiteers! - They're alive!

And ready to go.

- Is this another trick, Mesquiteers? - Yep!

You boys are plenty smart.

- They sure are! - I'll be with you in a minute.

Jane, get on the phone and hustle the ranches at Box Canyon.

I'll get to ones ahead of them.

Hello, Payne?

Get this, and get it fast.

What?!

Nevermind, I'll take care of everything!

Operator, get me the Red River National Bank!

And hurry!

Yeah, he's outside now.

Well, don't worry about a thing.

Yes, Mr. Jenkins, it's at Box Canyon.

They're raiding now!

There's a raid at Box Canyon!

They raid Box Canyon now!

Hurry!

It's at Box Canyon.

Hurry!

Why, step into it, boys!

Hey, we're gonna need another truck, ain't we?

Yeah, Randall will be along with us very soon.

This isn't the road to Box Canyon.

This is where you get off, Stony Brook.

Climb out!

You're a wise guy.

But you gotta lot to learn, if you only had time.

Bull's eye!

Sorta needed your little playmate this time, didn't you?

Yeah, that's the story, but listen!

Payne's been tipped off. They're not striking at Box Canyon.

How about it, Randall? Where's the raid gonna be?

- I'm not saying. - He's not saying...

He's not saying...

Maybe we can get him down to cold facts.

Not a bad idea.

- Hey, what are you doing? - Now just take it easy!

Listen, you can't do this to me!

What sort of guy are you?

What are you guys gonna do?

All right, one... two... three... upsy-daisy!

I guess you pull this thing to make it work.

Hey, take it easy!

If we freeze him too solid, we'll never find out

where those raids are gonna be.

I'll feed it to him sorta good.

Hey! Let me outa here!

Hey! Let me outa here!

Five below!

Ten.

Hey! Let me outa here!

Fifteen.

He'd rather freeze than face trial.

Say, aren't you kinda 'fraid he'll catch cold?

I'm afraid the cold is gonna catch him.

M- Mint Valley is the place.

- So help me. - Mint Valley!?

Who's behind this gang?

- It's one of Payne's trucks! - Yeah, and there's something wrong!

I'll say there is.

Hey, don't shoot, it's us!

Hold it! It's the Mesquiteers!

Come on!

Somebody's tipped them off, they've changed their plans.

They're raiding at Mint Canyon.

Jim, get on your horse and head off to the rest of the ranches.

Get them to Mint Canyon!

They'll never figure anybody being in that truck.

Driver right up the them, then we'll cut loose.

- All set, Stony? - OK.

Hey, Tucson!

I think I'll ride up here in front, with you.

Why, sure, come on!

We can take the rim trail, it's shorter.

All right, I'll leave that to you.

I wonder what's keeping Randall.

If he don't get here pretty soon, we're gonna lose some of this beef.

Stony... What I can't figure out is how Payne and Randall got wise to you.

Somebody must have tipped them off in town.

And since they didn't know before...

I hope you're a good driver.

- This is a valuable load you're hauling. - The best of the land.

All high-grade, government-inspected citizens.

When you were in the Sheriff's office, who else was there?

Well... there was us... and Hartley.

Then the only one it could be is Hartley!

They can't believe it.

You boys were attacked at Pop's ranch, weren't you?

You've got it!

Hartley and the sheriff was the only ones that heard Mason invite us to stay here at the rand.

- Tha- That's right! - Open that rand.

If anything should happen with this truck right now,

it sure would be a lucky break for those rustlers, wouldn't it?

Yeah.

But I reckon nothing's gonna happen.

That's where you're wrong.

When you get to the next turn, I'm leaving you,

and you and your posse are going over the embankment.

Just keep your eyes on the road.

It's been nice knowing you, Mesquiteer.

Here they come now!

It's the posse!

Opening day of the fishing season, and you're hacking a hitch!

Why didn't you come in yesterday?

Because the lady didn't say 'yes' till today.

Alright, alright! Fill out that paper.

Here, Jane.

Happy?

The happiest girl in the world.

- Gee, I wish you'd hurry up! - You wanna... see the wedding, eh?

No, I wanna get out of these store clothes!

They tell me this marriage is a serious business.

Yeah, and it's more serious as the years roll on.

- Well, what are we waiting for? - For me!

Well, let's get on with this.

Tex got shot just so that he could make love to Jane.

Put up your right hand.

You swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so he-

Pardon me.

Do you, Tex Reilly, take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife?

So help you?

So help him is right!