Original subtitles

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

[ Roaring ]

[ Growl ]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

[ Chatting ]

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

What's gonna happen?

When they open this bank in the morning,

they're gonna tear it apart.

You're a bosom companion of Rip MacCool's, ain't 'cha?

What's he gonna do about it?

I don't know, but I'm gonna find out.

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

Hello, Shocker.

Hello, Johnny. I thought you'd be here.

- Is Rip up? - Mm-hmm.

Mrs. Stritch been here?

Rip waiting for her.

He full of pleasure.

Ornery devil.

♪♪

Thank you, sir.

♪♪

Hello, Rip.

Hello, Johnny.

Some coffee?

Thanks.

I knew you'd be here.

Give me the right moral direction.

The bank going to open in the morning?

Won't last 30 minutes.

Then Ada Stritch will be here before sunup.

Can you see yourself coming to the rescue?

I wouldn't recognize myself.

Unfortunate.

I have $200 on deposit in that bank.

But, Johnny, you always take money so lightly.

With me, it's a disease.

Hi, fella. [Chuckle] - Johnny!

You're up pretty late, son.

He wanted to say hello to Johnny.

Daddy, are you gonna save the bank?

Now, don't tell me you've got money there, too?

Yes, I do. That $20 gold piece

you gave me for my birthday.

I'll give you another one.

It's time for bed.

- Goodnight, Johnny. - Goodnight, boy.

Sleep well.

John.

You didn't say goodnight to your father.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, Daddy.

[ Doorbell rings ]

[ Door opens ]

San Francisco is on the brink of disaster.

There will be blood flowing in the gutters

if that bank fails.

Rip, you and those stock-exchange wolves

have just about ruined this city's economy.

It's on your head and, now,

you're the one man can prevent complete tragedy.

Flutey, how much do you have on deposit?

Every cent I have.

Well, have a cup of coffee and sit down.

We'll bleed together for San Francisco.

[ Doorbell rings ]

MacCool.

You know why I'm here.

You've waited 15 years for this chance.

Ada, I insist on pouring you a cup of coffee.

My opinion of you

isn't going to change with coffee.

You sound in remarkably good spirits.

And you look sparkling.

In my book, you're a liar,

a scissorbill, a pighead.

Cream?

You never earned an honest dollar in your life.

You'd cheat the eyes out of your mother.

It's an ideal qualification

for a partnership in your bank.

Is that what you're offering me?

I need $3 million.

You're the only man in San Francisco

I can turn to.

Well, I'll have to think about it.

I think well when I'm playing poker.

I didn't come here to play poker.

I'm in trouble.

You've got bad manners, Ada.

You're doing the asking, not me.

As you've said, I've waited 15 years.

Shall we?

What choice have I got?

None.

When you put the hooks in, you squeeze, don't 'cha?

You got the deuce, the tres, the 5, the 6.

All you need is a 4 in the hole for a straight.

A 4 for a four flusher.

And I've got...

Kings wired, back-to-back.

Kings high.

You bet.

You can't beat me without the 4 in the hole.

You got it?

I haven't looked.

What do you think?

What's behind this game, MacCool?

What are you up to?

Ada, poker's a game to uncover a man's heart.

Let me watch a man play poker, I'll tell you his fear,

the degree of his greed, his courage.

[chuckle] I already know your character, Rip.

It's rancid.

All right. You know it.

Now, I think I'll find out about yours.

I'm listening.

Your bank is worth $3 million in negotiable securities,

stocks, bonds, and real estate.

But you need the cash to stop the run.

Why not sell the securities?

Then there'd be no bank.

I've got the cash and you've got the securities.

And you've got a pair of Kings.

Are you following me, Ada?

I'll bet $3 million in cash against your bank

on this hand.

If you win, you clean me out.

And if you win the bank?

I clean it out.

What about the depositors?

They won't get a red penny.

The depositors should pray

that I don't have a 4 in the hole.

Let me take a look.

Is it a bet?

Just a minute, Ada.

Before you make up your mind.

If poker tells a man's character,

then the reverse should hold true.

Knowledge of his character

will tell you how a man will play poker.

Whose side are you on?

You forget: I'm a depositor.

You see what I'm getting at, Ada?

You should know more about MacCool before you bet.

I think he's bluffing.

Ah.

You base that only on what you know about him.

I, for instance, know things about MacCool

that you don't, and vice versa.

Same goes for Flutey, for Shocker.

Add up our total knowledge of his character

and you may know if he's got that 4 in the hole.

Let's start with you, Ada.

Check your memory.

Why do you think he's bluffing?

Because he was a fraud from the first minute

he walked into San Francisco 15 years ago.

You were cruel, right from the very beginning.

I don't know why.

Mean as a mountain lion.

But you hit San Francisco with your claws hidden.

♪♪

As it happened, I was the first one

you showed them to.

We just blew in from Virginia City,

saw your sign.

We'd like a room, please, your best.

On the corner, with bath.

All the corner rooms are taken

and, if you want a bath, you buy a washtub

and carry the water yourself.

That'll be 3 bucks.

Splendid.

Business not so good, eh?

3 bucks is now.

Excuse me.

This oughta cover us for a few days.

Yes, it will, Mister... MacCool.

Yours is the fourth one down the hall.

I do hope you'll be comfortable.

Wonder any Serbian people in San Francisco.

Must be.

Not good for man, be in big city, no friends.

Count your friends,

add 'em up, and throw away the list.

This is the old girl that remains faithful,

$6,000, and every one of them true blue.

A man needs other friends, to talk to.

Friends, you buy 'em on the open market,

on the hoof.

The ol' spondulicks makes you witty,

full of grace, and very popular.

You smart boy.

Shocker, how'd you like to go in the hotel business?

This dump?

Sure.

Shine it, run it right, could be a mint.

This lady not good for do business.

She's got sharp edges.

I'll make it as painless for her as possible.

Good morning, Mrs. Stritch.

Good morning, Mr. MacCool.

Can you tell me where I can find

a good real estate broker?

I'm looking for investments here in San Francisco.

Yes, well, there's Jim Walters.

He handles a lot of transactions.

And where could I find him?

He'd be at the stock exchange,

Montgomery Street.

Thank you.

Oh, Mrs. Stritch, if I may be so bold,

you ought not to wear those high collars on your dresses.

You have a lovely column of a neck

and the world should be privileged to see it.

Good day.

[ Cacophony of voices ]

Yes, I would, definitely.

Certainly.

I think it's one of the best buys you'll...

What's the matter? Somebody hurt?

A lot of people get hurt here every day, son.

As I was saying, I wouldn't...

I'm looking for Jim Walters.

There he is, over there.

- Mr. Walters? - Yeah.

Mr. Walters, my name is Rip MacCool.

I wanted to ask you about the Tremont Hotel.

What about it?

Well, what would you say was a fair price for it?

Oh, $3,000.

Hey, Gordon.

Order 4 feet of Gude and Curry at 1,100

- and 3 Mexican at 450. - Right.

Why is everyone so quiet?

The exchange is about to open.

[ Gavel bangs ]

Bids are now taken, over.

Buy! Buy!

[banging gavel] Take it easy.

For sale at Savageborough, $2,100 a foot.

Sell! I made $30,000 in 4 days!

$30,000?

Mr. MacCool.

Did you find Jim Walters?

Yes, I did. Thank you.

I got thinking after you left.

I'm a widow, you see.

My husband was a hard-rock man.

There was a cave-in.

I started this hotel with nothing.

I get pretty lonely, Mr. MacCool.

I'd like to go back to my people in Indiana.

Oh, I'm sorry for your trouble, Mrs. Stritch.

So I thought maybe... this hotel is...

You might be interested.

Why don't you come to my room a little later?

We'll talk about it.

About 8:00?

Fine.

Watch, money, $2,000 worth of Mona Lisa.

Like for bait rabbit trap.

Same technique exactly.

First, the rabbit is curious, then greedy,

then the sky falls.

You no ever feel sorry for rabbit?

I think the good Lord made rabbits to be eaten.

[ Knocking ]

My dear Mrs. Stritch, please come in.

Well.

You're intoxicating.

And you have unveiled your neck.

What a wise decision.

I think I go look for Serbian people.

I'll see you later.

You'll sell the hotel?

Yes.

How much?

$7,000.

That's too much.

$3,000.

No.

$3,500?

No.

$3,000 cash,

$1,000 in gilt-edged securities.

What securities?

Shares in the Mona Lisa mine.

It's a new mine in the Comstock.

What's it producing?

Nothing.

It hasn't opened yet.

High hopes for it.

Got 2,000 shares, par $1.

Give you half of them.

A bargain?

I'll have a lawyer draw up the papers.

Trust deed, bill of sale.

Drawn with skill and loving care.

Sign there, Mrs. Stritch.

Oh, this sounds funny, I know, but,

would you mind dating the bill of sale 3 days ago?

You see, then I can tell my folks back in Pennsylvania

I bought a hotel the first day

I landed in San Francisco.

It's just a fool notion.

I don't know why not. Do you, Mr. Aston?

No, no, no. I...

I see no harm in it. [chuckle]

There we are.

You are now the owner of the Tremont Hotel.

Whillikins.

And now, Mrs. Stritch,

you owe me for 3 days' rent for every guest

in the hotel, a matter of, uh,

$300, I believe.

Why, you mangy polecat.

It's impossible.

- Possible. - How did...?

Ask your lawyer.

It's possible.

I'll call the police!

You do, and they'll laugh in the streets.

The police won't do any...

You're getting exactly what the place is worth:

the stock, and $3,000, minus the rent.

Do unto others what they would like to do unto you,

only do it first.

That was 15 years ago.

I'll never forgive you for that, MacCool.

Ada, they told me the West was a jungle where it snowed.

The only rule was to get the first bite.

You tried, but I was faster on my feet, that's all.

An abrasive fella you were, Rip.

Strange, isn't it?

How one man can reflect so many different colors,

like crystal in the sunlight.

For instance, the first time I met you.

He came to me like the Good Samaritan.

I was flat on my face, at the time.

[ Crowd chatting ]

Get up there. Come on.

Get up there. Come on.

Get up there. Come on!

Come on!

[ Bell rings ]

And the winner Connegan! Left!

[ Crowd shouting ]

Knock him out.

Oh!

Oh!

- That's it. - Hit him hard!

[ Shouting ]

Tie him up.

Hey!

Kill him!

[ Shouting ]

- Come on. - Come on.

- Hit 'im hard. - Hit 'im hard!

15:1 on Connegan.

Tie that mustache in knots!

[ Shouting ]

Ohhh!

Get out of here!

Oh! [ Indistinct shouting ]

Oh!

[ Cheering ]

Three cheers for Connegan.

Boo!

[ Shouting ]

He was overmatched.

Overmatched?

Why this was fixed.

He laid down like a big yella dog.

How can you say that?

Look at 'im.

Stand back, sonny boy.

Oh!

Why...

Oh! [Laughter]

Oof!

- Fine! - Thank you.

Hey, you soft, boy.

Need swing pick, punch more.

As a fighter, you'd make a good mechanic.

What's your name?

Johnny Sanderson.

You never fight before much, no?

Hunger decides those things.

Consolation to the loser amounted to nearly $20.

You want a job?

You got yourself an employee.

Doin' what?

Night clerk, at my hotel.

"Be Homer's works your study and delight,

Read them by day, and meditate by night".

What's that?

Poetry.

What's your trade?

I write.

About like I handle my fists.

[chuckle] He's good. Got brain.

Can use.

Dandy.

[ Gavel bangs ]

Gang way for Mr. Tomson.

Gang way for Mr. Tomson!

- Who's that? - Alexander Tomson,

duke of the Comstock. He's the only man that

can take a woman on the floor of the exchange.

His wife?

Well, hardly. She's a battle-axe.

Bids are now taken.

Over.

I'll take $600.

Yeah. This is the life.

Here, I'll become as rich as...

Croesus?

That's the man.

- You're a broker, aren't you? - The best.

- My name is Carlson. - Buy me 4 feet of...

at 750, the rest on margin.

Cash, if you please.

You're just dying to be clipped, ain't 'cha?

Buy it. Go on, buy it!

[ Chuckle ]

[ Shouting ]

You slimy wharf rat!

I'll kill you!

That fancy stock you gave me, it's no good!

Did I forget to tell you that?

Oh, you...

You got exactly what the hotel is worth, in cash.

Ah...

Someday, somehow, I'll get even with you.

You took me for a hayseed and I outfoxed ya,

so don't cry around me.

- Uy. - Mr. Carlson, what happened?

- Did you get the stock? - Got it and lost it.

You're wiped out.

Lost it? What happened?

Tomson sold it short. Just dropped $500.

But that was every cent I had in the world.

Would you like a towel,

so you can go and have a good cry?

A little cry might help, at that.

You think these birds, with their millions,

have any more brains than me?

They just use what they got.

Well, it was a good lesson, anyway,

even if it did cost me $3,000.

I got $10 left. Come on.

I'll buy you the best lunch in San Francisco.

I'd like to, Rip, but I've got some work to do.

- What kind of work? - Well, you know, Rip.

I told ya,

uh, trying to get a little journal underway.

Ohhh, that.

So you still wanna be the big penman?

Listen, you stick with me

and forget those dumb ideas about a magazine.

You'll make a buck.

Come on, you're workin' for me.

Look, I'm your night clerk. The daytime's my own.

Some other time, Rip.

Well, the stock market didn't make Rip

as rich as Croesus.

At least, not then.

Instead, he turned his energies

into refurbishing the old Tremont Hotel

and, in 2 years' time...

Net profit? $8,000.

Handsome, huh?

Handsome, indeed.

Mr. MacCool, you've done a remarkable job

with this hotel.

$8,000, huh?

That's chicken feed.

A handsome return.

Thank you, handsome.

[ Playing soft tune ]

Shocker, what's it all about?

What's the matter, not enough money?

I don't know.

Had a funny dream last night.

Dreamt I was a salmon.

I kept twisting and turning,

fighting my way upstream,

through the rapids and over the falls.

I didn't know what was driving me.

Then, I got as far as I could go.

Then what you do?

Well, the water was very dark and very cold.

And I couldn't swim anymore.

Then I woke up.

I'll give you $20,000 in cash for your hotel.

It makes that much in a year.

Fortunately, you want the money

to play the exchange. I don't. Is it a go?

There's a new stock on the board, just listed.

- Thought you oughta know. - What's the name?

It's an old mine, called Mona Lisa.

They've traded 1,000 shares already.

- Who's backing it? - They say Tomson Syndicate.

500, 12 1/2! 500, 12 1/2!

I'm not greedy, Mr. Tomson.

I don't want anything.

- I like Mona Lisa prospects. - All right.

I've offered you 10% above the market price.

Now, how much do you want?

All this haggling about a few hundred dinky shares.

Not so dinky: 10% of the outstanding stock,

just about what you like to control.

I'm perfectly well awa...

Lily Douvane is out there, sir,

and she insists on seeing you.

Huh?

Oh, well, all right.

Show her in.

This'll only take a minute.

And about $5,000.

Hello, you old python.

Good afternoon, dove.

Oh, uh, this is Mr. uh... uh... Cool, is that?

MacCool. Your servant, ma'am.

How do you do, Mr. Cool?

Someday, perhaps, you'll remember my name.

Am I interrupting some important business, pet?

Oh, not at all.

10% above market price, and that's my final offer.

Pleasure meeting you, Miss Douvane.

I like the way you operate, Mr. Tomson.

I decided to gamble on that mine with you.

There must be something down there.

Well, you're a cool bird.

I'll say that for you.

Well, that's praise from the master.

- Good day. - Good day.

MacCool. Rip MacCool.

[ Crowd shouting ]

Mona Lisa just reached $165.

It's still climbing.

Feel bad about it?

Aw, blind luck.

When it reaches $250, sell.

All right.

Why, cheat a widow woman, will ya?

Palm off phony shares, will ya?

Well, I sold those shares for $150,000 in cold cash.

- I'm delighted. - Oh, "I'm delighted"?

And it might interest you to know

what I'm gonna do with the rocks.

In about a week, I'm gonna throw a party

and every millionaire in San Francisco will be there.

They all remember Ada Stritch

from the old days And they'll come.

How would you like to be invited?

I'd be honored.

I'll bet you would.

[laughing] Why, you little peanut,

you couldn't wait table at this party.

[ Laughing ]

[ Playing tranquil tune ]

There's a quarter of a million dollars there.

I made it on my Mona Lisa stock.

What do you think?

I'm happy for you, Rip.

To the stock exchange, the Aladdin's lamp.

To the exchange.

You know, I had a reason for this.

You're my pals.

So this isn't only my good fortune, it's yours.

What do you want, Shocker?

Maybe trip to the moon.

[ Laughs ]

Johnny, what about you?

Uh, a beautiful woman?

You take that magazine.

I'll buy ya a press and we'll start out

with 10,000 circulation, blanket the country.

Uh, Rip, with this kind of a journal,

it's not so much the circulation.

It's what you have to say.

And what've you gotta say?

Well, you know,

California's no longer a wilderness or a jungle.

We have to behave like responsible citizens.

What are you gonna say about me?

You?

You're gonna be my villain, you and the speculators.

I'm gonna say that...

Johnny,

you always turn away from me when I need ya.

Well, listen:

I'm never gonna be on the bottom again.

Everybody wants to gnaw your heart out.

Without money, you're weak.

And with money, nobody can hurt ya!

Please, sir. We frown on heavy drinking here.

You frown on it?

Well, frown on that, you little whippersnapper.

You'll have to be more reserved,

or we must ask you to leave.

Why you... [Clatter]

I oughta push you...

Ah.

Let us depart from this cockpit,

'til such time as I see fit to buy it.

♪ Oh, the hogs have got to Grandma ♪

♪ And they carried her away

♪ Oh, the hogs have got to Grandma ♪

♪ And they threw her in the bay ♪♪

Johnny: A quarter of a million dollars meant nothing to Rip.

He had his sights set on much more.

225.

How's the head?

Rocks.

225.

Who's in 225?

225.

- Spicy. - Mm-hmm.

[ Woman laughs ]

[ Cork pops ]

And... and [mumbling]

[ Hooves clop ]

That's Mrs. Alexander Tompson.

Stall her for a few minutes and then send her up.

All right.

[ Laughter ]

Your wife's on her way up.

- Come on. Out the window. - She what?!

- Hurry! Come on! - Uh, well,

- will that ladder hold me? - I don't know.

You carry a lot of weight around this town.

Get your hat and coat.

[ Doorknob rattles, banging on door ]

[ Doorknob rattles, banging on door ]

[ Banging intensifies ]

The name is MacCool; Mac, as in mackerel.

[ Slam ]

There you are, you old goat!

Oh! I'm sorry.

Unless a formal apology and a new door

is forthcoming in the morning,

you may expect to hear from my attorneys.

And I intend to sue your detective agency.

Well, that's that.

Oh, Mr. Tomson is a kindly man.

You'll probably do all right.

I imagine you will, too.

Goodnight, Miss Douvane.

Uh,

about last night, young man.

Thanks for the cigar, Mr. Tomson.

Do you mind if I ask what you paid for them?

Uh, I would like to show my gratitude in...

in some concrete fashion.

Please, sir. Please.

Oh, but I insist.

Excuse me, sir, but the runner from your broker is here.

It's time to place your orders for today's trading.

Mr. Tomson, you were a guest in my hotel last night.

It's I who owe you an apology.

Oh, on the contrary.

I will leave you your privacy.

Good day, sir.

Um, sit down, Mr. MacCool.

Adriatic should do nicely today.

Start buying a half-hour

after the opening at the market.

Yes, sir. Anything else, sir?

No, just Adriatic.

12 1/2 for... 12 1/2 share.

- Over here. - I'll take that.

- How many shares? - 5.

30 minutes later, you were a millionaire.

Thus, the doing of good works,

plus, some agile thinking.

Somehow, whenever Rip cast his bread upon the waters,

it came back to him covered with caviar.

What about you, Flutey?

Think he's bluffing?

I don't know.

But he can be had.

I saw it done.

The town got bigger, Rip, and so did you.

In fact, you were one of the big men

of San Francisco.

You built yourself a house on Nob Hill,

distinguished by ostentation and...

[Suspenseful music plays] emptiness.

You bought yourself a seat on the securities exchange.

And you were accepted by everyone.

Among other interests,

you picked up the Coronet Restaurant

and, as you promised, you became my boss.

[ Playing tranquil tune ]

- You feel all right? - Mm-hmm.

Big first-night crowd out there.

Who?

MacCool, for one.

Who's he with?

Johnny Sanderson.

Who's Sanderson?

A friend of his.

He writes.

Do your best.

I will.

[ Orchestra plays ]

♪ When I was but a child

♪ Back in old Boston town

♪ My dear mother would always say ♪

♪ There's right and there's wrong. ♪

♪ There's the weak and the strong ♪

♪ And you must keep the devil away ♪

♪ Though I practiced and preached it again and again ♪

♪ Now, I'm sure that she meant that the devil ♪

♪ Was men

♪ If it weren't for these men, girls could not do amiss ♪

♪ Never have their hearts carried away ♪

♪ But, alas, when with sighs, they demand just a kiss ♪

♪ Tell me, what can a poor maiden say? ♪

♪ She cries no, then cries hush ♪

♪ Then looks down with a blush ♪

♪ While he swears to his vows he'll be true ♪

♪ He stays there by her side and will not be denied ♪

♪ Tell me

♪ What can a poor maiden do?

♪ They're without discipline and are pleading their grin ♪

♪ 'Tis in vain that we say go away ♪

♪ For, being a man, he's determined to win! ♪

♪ Tell me, what can a poor maiden say? ♪

♪ She cries no with a blush

♪ He persists - Join us for a drink?

♪ She cries hush

♪ If she runs, he will always pursue ♪

♪ It's the men that we fear, but without them ♪

♪ Oh, dear!

♪ Tell me

♪ What can a poor maiden do?

♪ Yes, what can a poor maiden do? ♪

♪ Why, what?

♪ Yes

♪ What can a poor

♪ Maiden

♪ Do? ♪

♪♪

Lily, this is Johnny Sanderson.

- How do you do? - He's broke.

In the currency of the realm, perhaps,

but not in admiration.

We were about to call for candles to light the table,

but that isn't necessary now.

Oh, no.

It's a pleasure to hear someone speak so nicely.

San Franciscans are rather rude.

Don't you think so, Mr. MacCool?

You're not a businessman, are you, Mr. Sanderson?

- Not exactly. - What do you do?

I write.

- Not poetry? - Uh-huh.

Why, that makes us fellow artists, doesn't it?

I suppose you'd think me rather bold

if I asked you to read me some of your poems.

Bold? I can hardly think of a word less fitting.

Try poppycock.

I-I'm sorry, but I must change for my next number.

It's been such a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Sanderson.

Enchanting is the word.

Whew!

Well, it seems she likes you.

- Doesn't it, though? - Let's go. I've got a big day

- ahead of me tomorrow. - Uh-huh.

I wanna see Lily Douvane after the next show.

Yes, sir.

That was an order.

So, Rip commenced his courtship.

He didn't know it, at the time,

but, in reality, it was like a minnow

courting a hungry trout.

To mix the metaphor further,

Lily offered him just enough hors d'oeuvre

to whet his appetite for the full banquet.

Imported crystal chandelier, from Italy.

The architect got the idea from a palace in Germany.

How wonderful.

Every stick of wood from the East Indies.

You must be very proud.

Come on.

How beautiful.

Must've cost a great deal of money.

That's what money's for: to get beauty.

Rip, please.

Lily.

What do you want from me?

Just honesty, Rip.

I want what every woman wants.

Marriage?

You would like to hear me say I love you,

to get down on one knee and propose to you?

It only happens once to a woman.

All right, here's my proposal of marriage,

though I'm afraid it'll have to be

from the standing position.

I'm worth quite a few million dollars.

I'm not sure how much and I have this house

and a small cottage on the peninsula.

I offer you a share of all this

for your hand in marriage.

You will have security, luxury, and position.

In return for that,

I demand a loving wife to take care of my home.

That's about it.

And all you offer is money?

I continue to live my life as I see fit.

I-It's like you're buying me.

Call it what you like.

Will you marry me?

Yes.

Yes, of course.

♪♪

Mrs. Rip MacCool.

You like the sound of that, don't you?

Yes.

It's my wife.

That's right.

Is there anything wrong?

No.

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

I don't think I understand.

What does it take, a house to fall on you?

Talk.

I'm your wife.

I married you on your terms.

You wanted me and I wanted your money.

There was nothing in our business contract

that said I had to like you.

[ Suspenseful music climbs ]

♪♪

♪♪

Good morning, Madame-a MacCool.

This is my friend Shocker.

He sort of runs the house.

- He used to run it. - He still does.

That's right.

She house boss now.

I serve you, madame-a.

If you're to be our butler,

I think you should be in livery.

A uniform?

Not on your tintype.

The house will be run properly.

- Now, you listen to me. - Just a minute, Rip.

Wife run house. Make no nevermind to me.

What difference uniform make? [chuckle]

I get tailor to come. You pick cloth.

Something else?

No, thank you.

I'm sorry, Shocker.

Even under the strained circumstances

of his harried relationship,

nature took its inevitable course.

John Albert MacCool.

John Albert, I baptize thee

- in the name of the Father. - Ah ah.

and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

[ Bell rings ]

Put him in his bassinet.

That's a beautiful boy, Lily.

I'm flattered you named him after me.

It was Rip's idea.

John's a good name.

Now that you're the baby's godfather,

we should be seeing more of you.

That was the idea, wasn't it, dear?

♪♪

This lady hear about job for kid.

Don't even think about it, Shocker.

Oh, nice, little woman.

She come from Old Country.

Monsieur.

Sit down.

Thank you.

- You're French. - Oui, monsieur.

Your name?

Zoe Carnot.

Do you know anything about kids?

A little.

Well, I have a boy. He's a yearling.

I want him to have the best of everything,

you know, the right kind of food

and proper clothing.

You might even teach him to talk French.

My pleasure.

You like kids?

Oh, yes. I like kids.

That is the most important.

For you or the kid?

For both, monsieur, but especially the child.

If he feels he is not loved,

it makes life very hard.

Yes, I know what you mean.

All right. You're hired.

I'll have Shocker show you to your room.

You let me know how you get along.

Did I forget something?

Something very important:

the salary.

Oh.

How 'bout $50 a month and found.

Found means...?

Board and room.

So the French girl went to work.

The boy saw a lot of her.

In fact, she was about the only one he did see.

His mother was leading her usual useful and active life

and his father was busy, carving out an empire.

[ Laughter ]

Zoe felt that the happy home was not too happy for the kid

so she had a talk with her boss.

The gist of her conversation was

that Rip must give his son more love.

Rip agreed to give it a whirl.

[ Tranquil tune plays ]

What's the matter? Eat your food.

It's lobster. It's good for you,

Put hair on your chest.

It was a brief companionship.

The child could not be blamed.

Nothing held MacCool's attention very long,

except making money.

He was a lonely man, in those days.

And, with MacCool, it was as inevitable

as mathematics: loneliness equaled trouble.

♪ Oh

♪ Up in a balloon, boys

♪ Up in a balloon

♪ All among the little stars

♪ Sailin' 'round the moon

♪ Up in a balloon, boys

♪ Up in a balloon

♪ It's something very jolly

♪ To be up in a balloon

♪ Up

♪ In a balloon, boys

♪ Up in a balloon

♪ All among the little stars

♪ Sailin' 'round the moon

♪ Up in a balloon, boys

♪ Up in a balloon

♪ It's something very jolly

♪ To be up

♪ Way up

♪ In a balloon ♪

[ Cork pops ]

[ Banging on door ]

Mac, as in mackerel.

How much?

The price depends upon whether or not

you want your son.

I want him.

$1 million on the barrel head.

That's a lot of money.

Not to stop the laughter.

How will you do it?

Annulment.

Where?

Back East, someplace.

All right.

When?

When you get on the train.

Fair enough.

You mind if I ask a question?

No, I don't mind.

Did you work it out with her?

I'm afraid I can't answer that.

Testimony, you know.

But I will tell you this much:

tonight is the end of a plan

that started when I came to your table

nearly 5 years ago.

Hail and farewell.

[ Laughing ]

What a girl.

I wish I had known her.

The conventional weakness of great gamblers for women.

Don't be mislead, Ada.

The results are the human side of Mr. MacCool.

You've already spoken your piece, Johnny.

The side he keeps hidden from the world.

Not the coldblooded gambler,

but the man of gentleness and pity and grief.

Might be well for you to remember, too, Rip,

in case you win that bank.

For a year after Lily Douvane left,

I saw little of you.

But I did see a lot of your son and his governess.

You've come to mean a great deal to me, Zoe.

That makes me very happy.

I would like for you to share my life.

I could teach you to set type on a press.

If you're good, I might even let you

write a piece for the magazine.

It sounds like a good life, Johnny.

I think we'd find some happiness with each other.

What will happen to John?

I don't know.

And Rip?

Rip?

He needs me, too.

He needs no one.

Oh, you are wrong, Johnny.

With all his wealth and power, he is afraid.

But a strong man.

He could be.

But emotion frightens him.

He is afraid even to love his own son.

I can see that Rip has some mighty advantages

in this competition.

If someone needs your help, you cannot turn away.

All right, Zoe.

- Zoe. - Yes.

They tell me people are talking,

about you living here.

Let them talk.

Well, I was thinking of the boy.

I see.

I think it would be a good idea if we got married.

You better hear me out, first.

I want you to go on raising John, as you have been.

He needs a mother.

Yes, monsieur.

Don't expect too much from me,

because I'm not a very good husband.

Will you try?

I doubt it.

So I know exactly where I stand.

That's the idea.

Is it all right with you?

Yes.

Good.

San Francisco must have considered you

a happy man in the years that rolled by.

You had a beautiful wife and a fine son.

My friendship with young John continued to flourish.

I found him a delightful companion

and tried to teach him what I considered some

of the more important aspects of living,

such as the proper relationship between a man,

a fish, and a worm.

The only discordant note in these otherwise happy occasions

were John's homecoming.

I sometimes felt like an interloper.

It became apparent, even to me,

that the fires of your inner discontent

were consuming your home, [Suspenseful chord strikes]

your marriage,

and your fortune.

♪♪

I'm glad you're home.

You'll, uh,

have to cut expenses.

Do you think you could let some of the servants go?

I already have.

Then it's no secret to you that I'm broke.

No.

Oh, it's only a temporary condition.

There are transactions coming up.

Of course.

I...

I have to go out again, on business.

Goodnight, dear.

I want to plan a dinner party

for business reasons.

Our credit is not so good, is it?

There is very little.

It must be a nice party.

It will be expensive.

I have few dollars.

Oh, Shocker, I didn't mean...

Oh, my money, Rip's money.

You are a good friend.

Alexander Tomson will be the guest of honor.

It is a gamble.

I am hoping that out of the evening

will come something to help with...

W-why Tomson? He's broke.

Ada Stritch back him in stock market now.

I know, but Ada wouldn't come to this house,

so we'll have to try with Tomson.

Maybe good gamble.

[ Playing tranquil tune ]

Oh, well, thank you very much.

I-I certainly wouldn't have missed it.

You know that. Oh, Rip,

this is Miss Meadson.

[slurred] Why don't we go to the fancy ball?

The girl can't hold her liquor.

I was admiring the paintings. I think they're wonderful.

Thank you very much.

- Dinner is served, Madame-a. - Thank you, Shocker.

Will you tell the other guests, please?

- Would you please excuse me. - Certainly.

Gentlemen, dinner is served.

[laughs] Well, that's how it ended, you see.

Have you heard the rumors, Mr. Tomson,

that the Comstock lode is finished?

[ Laughs ]

Great toads, Rip,

where do these ladies pick up this gossip?

Don't you bother your pretty, little head, Zoe.

The good Lord deposited riches in Virginia City

that'll keep pouring out the wealth

till long after we're gone.

Oh, you're a big fibber, Ally.

How can you tell such a big fibby?

I hear you say the vein was petering out.

You said you were gonna sell all your mining stock, you said,

especially the Monan Lisal.

Miss Meadson!

Good heavens, I can't even say it.

Mona Lisa.

Must always tell the truth, Alex.

Would you be good enough to get my carriage?

Miss Meadson is going home.

What did I say?

Oh, what's the matter?

Excuse me.

[ Crying ]

There, there, my dear.

Men.

All they do is lie.

I can't stand it.

Oh.

Look at my face.

Oh.

Who does that Tomson think he is?

Duke of the Comstock.

Not a man, he's an octopus.

And I tell you, she was not drunk.

All right.

She put on her mouth paint, and her hand was very steady.

But what does that prove? Maybe she wanted to get away.

Don't you see? It was planned.

Tomson wanted her to make that slip.

Zoe, what are you talking about? What was planned.

The vein in the mine being all through.

It's an old mine. That vein is finished.

Perhaps they have found a new one.

They have found new veins in old mines before.

It is possible.

It sure is.

If that girl was sober like you said,

that can only mean one thing.

Ada Stritch wants to knock the bottom out

of the Mona Lisa stock.

So she can buy it up cheap.

It's a hunch. A good hunch.

I've got to find out.

There's a train leaving for Virginia City 2:00 this morning.

Yes, go to Virginia City.

I've got to get down to that mine and take a look.

They're gonna be tough. They're gonna try to keep me out.

Take Shocker. Just like old times.

Well, if there is a new vein, I'd want to buy stock.

I'd need at least $50,000.

You still own this house. I'll get it while you're gone.

Of course, you will have to give me your power of attorney.

You could sell everything I've got left.

Yes, I could.

I've never trusted a woman in my life.

Perhaps it's time you started.

You've earned that, Zoe.

And it was a good idea.

You know something else? You are quite an eyeful.

You made this old place shine.

Rip, don't.

All those men liked you, too.

Well, you stay away from 'em, you hear?

I will.

Just because they have more money than I have.

I've dreamed of the day

I could write the mortgage on Rip MacCool's house.

Thank you.

No offense meant to you, little lady,

but if I could foreclose, my cup would runneth over.

No offense to you, Mrs. Stritch,

but I am sure it will not happen.

I can dream.

The cashier will take care of it for you.

Thank you.

[ Bell rings ]

Hal, what would Rip MacCool's wife want with $50,000?

Probably to get to Rip MacCool.

What would he want it for?

To play the market perhaps.

Check up on him.

Find out where he is, what he's up to.

I'll let you know in an hour.

[ Bell clanging ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

$100 for your identity check. All right?

As long as you're crazy, I might as well make the money.

You're on the eighth level,

where they look at the identity checks, aren't you?

Correct.

I line up at the cage about 10 minutes of midnight.

[ Bell clangs ]

Any new men today?

I always got new men.

I got a wire here from Ada Stritch.

"Have reason to believe Rip MacCool in Virginia City.

Use any means to keep him from eighth level."

She said use any means.

Hey, Cousin Jack. What's up?

Oh, I was just lookin' at the ore.

Oh, the boss will be very happy to know

that you personally look over all the ore

before you shovel it.

Hey, how long since you mucked?

Oh, I've got a little asthma. Short of wind.

Let's see your check.

There's MacCool! Grab him!

- Don't let him get away! - Get him!

He's heading for that shaft!

He's heading for the shaft!

[ Indistinct shouting ]

[ Shouting continues ]

Give my love to Ada!

[ Laughs ]

♪♪

It's a big load off my shoulders,

having that mortgage paid off, especially with your money.

You've always done all right with my money.

Ada, you're getting old.

Time was when you and Tomson

would've figured out a much better trick

to take over a mine.

[ Laughs ]

Johnny: Ironically, Rip's comeback on the stock exchange

was to affect the MacCool household very little.

He asleep?

Yes. He was very tired.

What have you done today?

Oh, we had a kind of zoological expedition.

We identified a mallard duck, a sandpiper, and a sea otter.

He lives only to come to your ranch, Johnny.

He's a fine boy.

How's Rip?

Excellent, I think.

He's making a great deal of money.

So I hear. He hasn't changed.

Making dollars, I'm afraid, is his great interest in life.

I seldom see him. He lives at the stock exchange.

Zoe, I admire you very much.

You have a truly divine patience.

Rip made very clear the terms of the marriage.

I cannot complain.

Yes, but, good heavens, a man has obligations.

[ Chuckles ] You're as naive as I am.

I hoped that marriage would change him.

But why should it? That's a childish conception.

You marry a person for what he is,

not for what you hope he will turn out to be.

I was wronged.

But I was romantic.

I am as much at fault as he is.

Then you intend to go on like you are?

I have little choice now. I'm going to have a baby.

Does Rip know?

No. That's the oldest and most common device of all

to hold your husband.

I don't intend to use it.

But, Zoe...

he has a right to know.

Does he? He's got what he wants.

When my child comes, I'll have what I want.

[ Door closes ]

Hello, Johnny.

How are you, Rip?

John in bed?

Yes.

Well, I'm tired.

Those wolves on the exchange are getting rougher every day.

Boy out at your place today?

Johnny: Uh-huh.

I brought him home about an hour ago.

The kid's growing up.

You know, we don't see enough of him.

He should spend more time with his parents.

Of course.

Johnny, I don't like to put it this way,

but I'd appreciate it

if you didn't invite him out to your place anymore.

Just as you say.

Rip, I know it's none of my business,

but shouldn't you consult John?

I think I can decide that, Johnny.

I won't ask him anymore.

Good night, Zoe.

Good night, Johnny.

[ Door closes ]

How can you blame him?

Johnny gives him everything you don't.

He loves him unselfishly, lets him do what he wants to.

He thinks of him,

not his own pleasures or gratifications.

Are you trying to tell me

I don't love him as much as Sanderson?

I'm saying exactly that.

You love nothing but yourself.

I think your son is very clever

to spend more time with Johnny than he does with you.

As a matter of fact, I envy him.

Well, you had the chance.

Sanderson's always been in love with you.

Why don't you go to him, too?

I'm your wife. That's why.

After that evening,

I heard nothing from Rip for a long time,

nor he from me.

From Zoe, I had learned

that when time made evident

what she refused to tell her husband,

Rip had accepted the news with his usual calm,

or so it seemed outwardly.

You're wanted at the hospital, sir.

Thank you.

Carlson: When you go back to the board,

tell McAvoy to keep me posted on Hopefield and Santa Fe.

Carlson, keep an eye on Gould and Curry.

I've got to go to the hospital for an hour.

Anything wrong?

My wife's having a baby.

Zoe?

How do you feel?

Rip.

Zoe...

don't let anything happen to you.

Mr. MacCool, I'm afraid you'll have to know.

What's the matter with her?

Bad luck, that's all.

She had what we call a placenta previa delivery.

The baby's blood supply was cut off.

She was born dead.

A girl.

Zoe would have liked a girl.

And my wife?

She had a great deal of hemorrhage.

There must be something you can do.

Get the best doctors.

I don't care about the expense.

You can have all the money you need,

all the money you want.

We've done everything that can be done.

It'll be an hour or so before we know.

♪♪

What's wrong, Rip?

Zoe is very sick.

They don't know if she'll...

Oh, no.

The baby?

Johnny, in these hours that have just passed,

I've discovered how lonely I've been all my life.

I remembered how much Zoe offered

and how little I had the courage to take.

I robbed myself.

Worse, I robbed Zoe.

She had a heart full of love and no one to give it to.

I wish I could go back and change all that.

Rip, why don't you let her know?

Tell her what you just told me.

It may be too late.

If she can live, then hearing that will give her strength.

Come on, Rip. I'll drive you over in my buggy.

♪♪

Rip had no interest after that

except beating the stock exchange.

And while doing it,

he was tearing the state of California apart,

including my bank.

The rest you know.

Oh.

Nobody knows the rest, only just me,

the most important part...

what happened to Rip MacCool when he is a kid.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

He come from Kansas with Mama and Papa.

They get almost so far as Virginia City.

Both man and woman dead. Cholera.

Stand back there, boy.

You might have that cholera yourself.

Where you taking them?

Deerings Funeral Parlor.

I'm sorry,

but you folks will have to get out of here before sundown.

Oh, and another thing... Burn that wagon.

♪♪

Rip: My mother and father here?

You from the wagon train?

They're back there.

I want to bury 'em.

Plain or embalmed?

Embalmed. I want the best.

Then you'll want mahogany coffins.

Deluxe coffins will run you $125 apiece.

That's $250. Cemetery lot, $20.

Floral offering, decent burial,

all total about $300.

How much money you got?

Enough.

Cash?

I've got $17 and some stock in a mine.

Let me see.

Just lay it there.

Mona Lisa Mining Company.

Where'd you get this stock?

My pa bought it back in Kansas, paid $2,000.

He figured we'd be able to live on it.

You could use 'em for starting a fire

or stuffing up cracks.

What do you mean?

Stock's no good.

Some burglar issued it.

The mine closed 6 months after it opened.

Well, the city'll bury 'em for nothing.

My folks ain't paupers.

Well, you have to get them out here within 48 hours.

That's the law.

Mister, if you'll just give me jawbone,

I'll pay you back every cent.

You're young, lad,

but not too young to know some of the facts of life.

This is the West.

And out here,

you've got the jack or you haven't got it.

With it, you're a king, without it, another drifter.

There's no in between.

And I haven't the slightest interest in burying your folks

unless I get the money on the barrelhead.

And then I'll be full of sympathy and sorrow.

I'll remember what you said, Mister.

[ Grunting ]

Hey, boy.

Eight hours more to go. Better take it easy.

You want drink?

You ever work mine before?

Sure. All over the country.

[ Chuckles ]

Maybe you never work hard-rock mine before, huh?

[ Chuckles ]

You swing big,

like you try to tear up Earth all by yourself.

I need the money.

[ Chuckles ]

Must swing pick like you hear waltz music,

not just with hands and arms,

but with back and shoulders, like this.

Up and then down, easy.

Up, down, easy.

See? Now you try.

This good, boy. First class.

Slow, easy. You live longer like that.

[ Chuckles ]

What for you need money so bad?

To buy a piece of land.

You want land for farm?

To bury my mother and father.

Any more questions?

I want to rent a pick and a shovel.

Certainly. In that rack over there.

Be a $2 deposit and 50 cents rent.

[ Coins clatter ]

You, uh, left these certificates.

You want me to burn 'em?

Put 'em on the table.

Well, lad, no hard feelings.

Hard feelings? For what?

You taught me a good lesson.

I want to thank you.

What's your name?

Schockovitz Ninkovitch. I come from Serbia.

I'll call you Shocker.

I'll pay you back, Shocker.

I think, that night,

as we come down the hill from the graveyard,

he already know where he is going.

Very touching.

It's the first time I ever tell story, Rip,

and the last time.

I think maybe people should know.

You're under the gun, Ada.

You call?

Are you through cogitating?

There's my bank.

Well?

The money will be at your bank in the morning.

I did it.

I finally did it.

I curled your hair.

You're on the beach now, MacCool.

But if you ever need a job...

my heart is loaded with pity.

Well, she's happy.

MacCool...

Was it a 4?

You'll never know, will you, Ada?

Good night, Rip.

Good night, Ada.

♪♪

♪♪