Original subtitles

Starring James Arness as Matt Dillon.

Dillon, narrating: You know, most of the cowboys,

gamblers, and gunfighters lying here

were admired for their fearlessness

and their bold, rash courage.

Like animals, they had no forethought or fear of danger.

But there are others... a rare few...

Who possess a quiet, thoughtful kind of courage.

And if one of these has been made weak by time and fate,

people may laugh at him,

mock him, make his life a torment.

But when the time comes,

he'll show that courage,

even though he knows it could cause his death

Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal.

Here's your dinner, Brad. Come and get it.

What is it?

It's slumgullion.

You cook it?

Oh, no. No, of course not.

I sent over to Delmonico's and had them make it up special for ya.

You're awful smart, ain't ya?

If I was real smart, I'd just let you starve to death.

I'll put it right here on the floor.

Ain't you got nothin' small enough I can it in these bars?

Well, we did have, yeah, but you busted your bowl, remember?

Well, open the door so's I can get it in.

Yeah, well, there's a fat chance I'll do that.

You can just eat it the best way that you can.

You don't care how you treat a man, do you?

A man that's wanted for two murders?

No, I don't care particularly how I treat you.

You and the marshal believe everything written

on those "Wanted" posters, don't ya?

Well, it's true. It's true, and I'll tell you something else.

We'll pick up your brother Vince

just the first time he shows his face around here.

Vince'll never let me hang.

What is he gonna do, break in here and bust you out of jail, huh?

Vince is the fastest man I ever seen with a gun.

As soon as he finds out I'm in jail, he'll come gunning for your marshal,

and he'll kill him.

Easily.

Your dinner's gettin' cold.

You're scared, ain't ya, Chester?

Vince'll probably kill you, too, Chester!

Too rich for my blood.

You looking for somebody?

No. No, just tryin' to keep from gettin' shot in the back, Kitty.

Oh. Vince Kailer.

Yeah.

He's wanted just about as much as Brad is, isn't he?

Three murders so far.

You know, Brad must know where he is.

Can't you force him to talk?

Well, he says he'll never stand trial, Kitty.

He says his brother Vince will get him out before the trial takes place.

Well, he'll try. You can count on that.

I know Vince is a pretty good shot, but he's also a coward at heart.

You mean you really think he might try to shoot you in the back?

It's possible.

Oh hello, Doc.

What'd you do, lose all your money?

Well, I just quit. The game's crooked.

Hmm?

Ben Stoddard thinks so, too, and he's liable to call that fella on it.

Well, who's doin' the cheatin'?

The dude in the fancy clothes. I think he's markin' the cards.

Who is he?

Some stage actor from back east, he says.

I think he's mostly hot air and bad whiskey.

All right, mister, this has gone far enough.

I beg your pardon, my dear sir.

What did I tell ya? You'd better get over there.

Don't you high-talk me, you fancy dude.

You're winning too all-fire regular to suit me.

What's goin' on around here, Ben? What's the trouble?

Cheating, and he's doing it.

May I ask, sir, if you represent the law here?

I do. Who are you?

I have the distinction of being Mr. Edward Vanderman...

A name with which you are no doubt familiar.

I'm not.

Is it possible, my dear sir,

that you're not a devotee of the works of William Shakespeare?

Not particularly.

Well, I must inform you that I am the Edward Vanderman

who has trod the boards Io these many years

before all the crowned heads of Europe.

26 weeks as Hamlet at the Covent Garden,

19 weeks in the magnificent role of Macbeth,

32 weeks as King Lear.

Never mind about all that. Now, what about this card game?

Ridiculous accusation. I had the impression

I was playing with gentlemen,

not carping, haggling creatures such as these.

Let me have him, Marshal.

Let me take him out in back for just five minutes.

Just a minute, Ben. How do you know he was cheating?

I know! Look...

Nicked, clipped, cornered... Every one of them.

And he's been workin' them over for the last hour.

And his luck has been gettin' better all the time.

Most of that money yours?

Yeah. His and mine.

All right, you two split it up however you figure it.

Come on, you.

- I beg your pardon, my dear fellow... - Outside.

All right, I'm goin' make this short, Vanderman.

I don't like cardsharps in Dodge.

Sir, I am not a cardsharp.

You're trying to tell me you weren't marking that deck in there?

It was out of desperation, Marshal.

That and the whiskey on an empty stomach.

I'm destitute, penniless.

Dodge City's the end of the line for me.

I haven't a cent left.

When did you eat last?

24 hours ago.

Mm-hmm.

All right, I'll tell you what I'm gonna do.

Now, you go on over to the jail. It's right up the street there.

You'll find a man named Chester in there.

And you tell him that I said to give you some of that stew he made.

And you can sleep there tonight,

and I'll decide what to do with you tomorrow.

Marshal, you have not only earned my undying gratitude,

but I swear I will never crimp another deck of cards as long as I live.

And furthermore, you may call me Edward.

All right, Edward.

But you'd better save your gratitude until I figure out what to do with you.

Argh.

Hello, Joe.

Well, now. What are you doing back here?

If you're hungry, why don't you go out in front?

No, we didn't come here to eat, Joe.

That's just as well. I can hardly get breakfast out today.

Yeah. I understand your man quit on you, huh?

You comin' to fill in, Marshal?

No. But I got somebody that can.

Oh, is that so?

- Who is he? - Just a carrot.

His name's Edward Vanderman.

Vanderman. Let me see now.

Say, I recall... Vander...

Oh, he was cheatin' at a card game in the Long Branch last night.

That's right.

And you want me to give him a job here?

That's right.

Well, you're clean out of your mind, Marshal.

Why, you should've run him out of town, throwed him into jail.

Now, just wait a minute, Joe.

This man's not really a crook.

He's just had a few bad breaks along the line.

Why don't you give him a chance?

How do I know he can cook?

He says he can. Why don't you give him a chance?

What do you got to lose?

Hmm. Only my restaurant, maybe,

if he takes a notion to sell it while my back is turned.

Well, I don't think you got a thing to worry about, Joe.

I don't think nobody'd buy it once they see your cockroaches.

I've got no more cockroaches here than anybody else in Dodge!

Well, they're bigger.

That's 'cause the food here's better.

All right, what do you say, Joe?

He's right outside. Shall I call him in?

Well, my wife is out front at the cash box.

Now, what will she say if I hire some crook?

Oh, Joe, I tell ya.

I thought that you was the boss of your family.

Well, I...

So you're findin' jobs for cardsharps.

That's kind of a funny way of enforcing the law, ain't it?

Joe, this man was broke and hungry when he cheated in that card game.

Now, he hadn't even had anything to eat for a couple of days.

You ever been broke and hungry?

All right, all right. Call him in.

I'll get him.

Edward, come on in.

Edward, this is Joe Carpy.

This is, indeed, a pleasure, Mr. Carpy.

It's $1.00 a day and found.

And you sleep on the cot in the storeroom.

You, sir, are overwhelming in your generosity.

You'd better start washin' them dishes right there.

Very well.

Unaccustomed as I am

to exercising my unique talents in the skullery,

I nonetheless approach the task

with a high heart and doughty courage.

Where's the soap?

Does he always talk like that?

Most of the time.

You might even learn something.

Well, Edward.

Marshal, I want you to know

that behind this mask of frivolity I'm eternally grateful.

Your trust is not misplaced.

I shall not disappoint you.

Good.

Come, come, my good man. The soap. Where's the soap?

What's the matter? Don't you think he's gonna go straight?

Oh, I'm not worried about him.

It's just that Vince Kailer ain't showed up yet.

I know. As long as he hasn't showed up,

let's worry about him after he gets here.

Chester, take it easy with that stove.

Well...

If you'd treat that stove a little better, it'd probably work better.

Well, the durned old thing, I...

We... We need a stove is what we need, Mr. Dillon.

All the durned old thing'll do is just smoke all the time.

Sure ain't no fun to fix anything on it, I can tell you that,

especially for somebody that don't even appreciate it after you get it fixed.

What do you mean?

Well, I'm talking about Brad Kailer in there.

Just been complainin' and a-yellin'

about the food ever since I locked him up.

Well, what's wrong with it?

Well, nothing. It's just...

Well, the main thing is he don't like to eat it through the bars

Well, I can't say as I blame him for that.

Well, he broke his bowl, Mr. Dillon.

I... I can't get the pan inside.

I have to set it down there, and...

Well, maybe you could come in and unlock the door for me

and I can put it inside and stop his yellin'.

Could you do that?

All right.

Got something to eat here for ya.

Is that the same slop he's been bringing me every night?

You can take it or leave it.

I'll take it.

Make you too happy if I was to starve.

Just sit where you are there.

What's the matter, Marshal?

Have I got you worried?

Ugh.

Just to smell that stuff makes me sick.

Tomorrow night I'll fix you grits.

Tomorrow night, Chester, I may not be here.

If you still think your brother Vince

is going to break you out of here, forget it.

More than likely, he ain't within 500 miles of here.

Don't fool yourself. He's just waitin' his time.

He's around.

And before we leave town, Marshal, one of us is gonna get you.

Is that so?

You can bank on it.

He's just about the orneriest human being that I ever seen.

Well, he's scared, Chester.

- Scared? - Yep.

You mean you think that Vince ain't gonna show up?

Oh, it's possible.

Well, I sure hope he don't.

If he's anything like his brother Brad in there,

he'd probably shoot you right in the back.

You know, them Kailer brothers, they act and they talk tough,

but they're just about as big a cowards as you ever seen.

Yeah, but that's the worst kind.

Marshal.

Hello, Joe.

Marshal, I ought to make you pay for it yourself.

Pay for what?

That gol-dang cardsharp that you talked me into hirin'.

Oh, when I catch up with him, I'm goin' to bust him wide open.

I'll tear off his rotten head.

What's he done?

What did he... What did he do?

He got in there while my wife was out

and robbed the cash box, that's what.

Oh, Lord knows where he is now. But you got to find him and quick.

All right, I know just about where he is.

I wish I didn't.

I'll be back directly.

Wait a minute, I'm goin' with you.

No. No, you stay here. Go on back to your restaurant.

I'll be over there in a few minutes.

Vanderman: Then the justice, with fair round belly,

with good capon lined,

with eyes severe and beard of formal cut,

full of wise saws and modern instances.

Evenin', Matt.

I've been expecting you.

He's been havin' himself a time in there, hasn't he?

Oh, he's been playing Prince Charming for about an hour.

Oh.

Vanderman: youthful hose, well saved,

a world too wide for his shrunk shank,

and his big manly voice,

Turning again toward childish treble,

pipes and whistles in his sound.

Last scene of all,

that ends this strange eventful history,

is second childishness and mere oblivion,

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste,

sans everything.

Well, he's making friends, isn't he?

That bunch would drink with a hangman if it was for free.

He's not that bad, Kitty,

but I'm afraid I'm gonna have to take him in.

I wondered where he got the money.

He stole it from Joe Carpy.

Oh, no. Not after you got him the job and everything.

Yeah.

Well, I guess I should've known better,

but I don't know, I just hate to see a man down on his luck.

Yeah, I know. I'm sure sorry about it.

I'm overcome by noble sentiment.

Indeed, I'm warmed to the very core

by the genial glow of enduring fellowship.

It is my honor and pleasure to inform you gentlemen

that you are indeed all princes of the blood,

each and every one of you.

Okay. I guess I might as well get him.

A toast, gentlemen, to the royal blood

of the House of John Barleycorn.

Well, I hate to interrupt your party, Edward,

but I'd like to have a word with you.

Ah, the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Let's go.

One moment, Marshal. This is a perfectly natural mistake,

which I can explain quite easily if you'd only permit me to.

Yes, let's go.

Wait a minute, Marshal.

I feel it's the least I can do

to explain it to you and the circumstances.

Now, please listen to me.

All right.

I'm listening. I don't know why.

Marshal, I accepted my menial role this morning

with proper humility.

And throughout the long day,

I lay but diligently and conscientiously,

and gratefully and humbly.

But as eventide drew nigh,

I chanced upon a bottle in Master Carpy's cupboard.

Mm-hmm. And you just had to have a drink.

I looked. I sniffed.

I tasted. I imbibed.

Morality and ethics were flung to the winds.

As I told you, drink is my weakness.

On an empty stomach, you said.

Yes, I neglected to add

that a precisely similar effect occurs on a full stomach.

I'm sorry, Marshal.

So am I, Edward.

I was quite sincere this morning when I said I would not fail your trust,

but... I did fail it, of course.

There's no excuse.

But you should see me on the stage, Marshal.

I'm magnificent.

Let's go, Edward.

Especially in roles that require me to die.

Did I ever mention to you that I've died

all over the British Isles and the continent of Europe

to the wildest acclaim?

I die, Horatio!

The potent poison quite o'ercrows my spirit.

Come on, Edward... Mr. Dillon! Mr. Dillon!

Mr. Dillon, I seen him just a couple of minutes ago,

down at the stage office. I seen him.

You saw who?

Vince. Vince Kailer. It was him, all right.

You see, the stage come in real late tonight.

And I just went down there, just kind of curious-like,

and then I seen him get off of it.

Where is he now?

Uh, well, I don't know where he is now.

I come to get you right away just as soon as I seen him.

You seem to have a problem, Marshal. Can I be of any assistance?

Chester, would you take him over and put him in jail?

And then you'd better lock up the place and stay inside with a shotgun.

Well, all right.

Make sure you lock both doors, back and front.

Where are you goin'?

I'm goin' to look for Kailer.

After you, my lad.

Doctor Adams.

Marshal Dillon. You up a little late?

Well, you makin' the curfew laws around here now, are ya?

Well, no. I just figured as hard as you work all the time,

you ought to be gettin' plenty of rest.

Hmm. I notice you're getting yours, all right.

Can't you find any better place to loaf around?

Well, I'm not loafin'.

Lookin' for business.

Oh?

Kind of figured with you and Vince Kailer

on the prowl for each other tonight,

I might just as well sit here 'til one of you need me.

I'm afraid you're wastin' your time, Doc.

Is that so? Why?

Mr. Kailer and I can't seem to find each other.

Well, he's in town. Chester said he saw him.

Uh-huh. Well, I haven't.

As long as you're here, you might as well come on in.

We'll get a cup of coffee.

That's a good idea.

Chester!

Yeah?

Oh, I was at the back door.

Doc: Chester.

Did ya... Did ya see him?

Not a sign of him, Chester.

He hasn't showed up around here, huh?

No. Not at all.

Did you get Edward locked up all right?

Yes, sir. Sure did.

Now, how in thunder are you gonna get any coffee out of an empty pot?

Why don't you just go sit down somewheres?

I'll fix the coffee just to ease your nerves.

Hey, Chester!

Chester!

Marshal back yet?

What's the matter with him?

I don't know.

He's been yellin' like that for the last half hour.

Says he wants to see you.

He wants to see me? What for?

Well, I don't know. He just...

You know, I don't particularly much care.

But now, that Edward, on the other hand,

he just hasn't said a word.

He sat in there and stared at the floor and just ain't said nothin'.

You know, Mr. Dillon, I think he feels pretty bad

about lettin' you down the way that he did.

Yeah. Well, he should have thought of that

before he stole that money.

Well, he feels considerable bad about it.

He's goin' to feel considerable worse about it

after he spends a couple or three nights in that jail.

Well, you sure got a nice, soft, warm heart, don't ya?

You mean I'm not a sentimental fool.

I mean that you got a cold, hard heart!

Don't be twistin' my words around.

Brad: Chester! Chester, come here!

You want me go hit him with a stick or somethin'?

No, don't do that, Chester.

I'll go talk to him. Keep that coffee going.

You wanted to see me?

Well, that sure is the truth, Marshal.

If you got somethin' to say, say it.

Well sure, Marshal. I know you're busy.

I don't want to keep you waiting.

What I was wonderin' was, did you run into my brother?

You know, if I had, he'd be right in that cell with you.

Or dead.

Maybe. Unless he happened to kill you first.

Now, how would he do that, shoot me in the back?

You callin' my brother a coward?

I'm callin' your brother a coward.

And you're no better than he is.

Oh, sure. It's easy for you to talk like that

with me locked up in here and you standin' out there.

Oh, you're brave.

You had plenty of chances to use your gun when I arrested you.

I didn't see you makin' much of a play then.

Of course not, Marshal. I didn't want to kill you,

not over a little thing like that.

I was saving you...

Saving you for somethin' special.

You're wastin' my time.

Marshal, he's got a gun!

Mr. Dillon?

Matt!

Chester, get the keys!

What... What happened?

Take a look at him, Doc.

Let me have the keys.

He's dead.

Where'd he get the gun?

I don't know.

Dillon: How is he, Doc?

Marshal, his brother came outside.

Threw the gun in through the cell window.

Brad said he'd kill me if I warned you.

That's why I was so scared.

But I'm not scared anymore.

His brother's waiting with two horses.

The north end of River Bridge.

Edward, you saved my life.

I want to thank you for that.

You trusted me, Marshal.

Nobody else has for a long time.

It's funny, I...

I was never much good at living.

But on the stage, I was always...

fairly good at dying.

My best scenes were...

You know, he was right, Doc.

He was pretty good at dyin'.