Black Spurs (1965) - full transcript

[ mysterious theme playing]

[ upbeat theme playing]

♪ Beware of one man
When he comes by ♪

♪ Everyone knows
Wherever he goes ♪

♪ Someone must die ♪

♪ And no man could help
But tremble with fear ♪

♪ When those black spurs
Are near ♪

♪ And he hears them go by ♪

♪ There'’s one man
There in the night ♪

♪ And for a price
He'’s ready to ride ♪

♪ And ready to fight ♪



♪ Sad man
He rides the shadows alone ♪

♪ He has no love
Of his own ♪

♪ Because he wears
Black spurs ♪

♪ Black spurs
Black spurs ♪

♪ Black spurs ♪

[ slow theme playing]

Are you sure
it'’s all right?

Oh, now, don'’t worry
about a thing, Miss Hutton.

I'’ll take care of the store.Thank you, Mrs. Rourke.

Now, you and Santee
have yourselves a nice day.

Heaven knows
he doesn'’t often get a chance

to get away
from the ranch on an outing.

Besides, he may have
a surprise for you.

Come on.
Are you gonna wait all day?



Did you bring the blanket?

Oh, I--
I'’ll get it.

Oh, thank you.

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

Stay where you are,
my friend.

Have a nice day.Thank you.

BANKER:
Sheriff! Sheriff!

Sheriff! El Pescadore!

MAN 1:
Hey, what'’s all
the shooting about?

MAN 2:
What happened? Who'’s been shot?

MAN 3:
Can you get the doctor?
The banker has been shot.

He'’ll need Hoskins.

SANTEE:
Sure that was El Pescadore?

It'’s a long ways
from the border.

Sure, I'’m sure.

Didn'’t he have his gun
stuck right in my face?

And how about
those black spurs?

BANKER:
Oh, they won'’t get them.
They never do.

Notify Wells Fargo.

I'’m doubling the reward
on El Pescadore.

He'’s at
a fifteen-hundred-dollar alive,

it'’s now three thousand.

How does that deal
sound to you, Santee?

That ought to be pretty good.
You'’re the fastest gun around.

Let'’s get away from here.

You haven'’t forgotten
our picnic?

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

[ upbeat theme playing]

It'’s beautiful.

That'’s the way
it was meant to be.

All, a man and a woman,
nature,

picnic basket
full of good food.

I don'’t see enough of you.
Give me a hand with this.

Maybe when they make you
foreman of the ranch.

Oh, I'’m tired of working
for other people.

Everybody works
for somebody.

You don'’t.

You have your own store.
I want to own something.

You will someday.

Aw, someday.
When is someday?

I was thinking
of El Pescadore.

I'’ve always known the way
you keep practicing

that draw of yours.

Someday you'’d have to see
if it'’s really

as fast as everybody says.

Well, why not?

Become a bounty hunter?

But Anna, it'’s $3,000.

That kind of easy money
never did anybody any good.

[ romantic theme playing]

Mrs. Rourke said

that, ah, you might have
a surprise for me.

[ chuckles ]

Oh, she did, did she?

I do have.

ANNA:
Aah.

It'’s lovely.

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

SANTEE:
When a man robs your bank

and kills a man you'’ve known
for a long time,

it isn'’t hard
to make up your mind

to go after him.

Especially
if there'’s a $3,000 reward.

It isn'’t hard to kill a man
if he draws against you.

[ slow theme playing]

[ children chattering
indistinctly ]

[ horse neighing ]

Hola.
Hola.

Ha-ha-ha. Aah.

[ Speaking in Spanish]

Ha-ha-ha. Ha!

[ Speaks Spanish ]

[ chuckles ]

El Pescadore?

Sí,gringo.
El Pescadore.

I'’ve been tracking you
for ten months.

What a waste of time.

You have gone to a lot
of trouble to die, amigo.

[ chuckles ]

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

[ men speaking
indistinctly ]

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

SANTEE:
Mrs. Rourke.

My, you'’ve been missing
for quite a spell.

Anna here?
No, she'’s gone.

Gone? Where?

She got married,
turned the store over to me.

Married? Anna?

To a man
named Ralph Elkins.

He used to be the sheriff
of Laredo.

Good, God-fearing,
law-abiding man.

But why?

Maybe it'’s the reputation

you'’ve been making
for yourself.

[ melancholic theme
playing]

SANTEE:
You'’ve made
the easy money once,

soon you'’re after more
of it.

You'’re hunting
the biggest game in the world.

You'’re planning your moves
all the time,

but you'’re on the watch
yourself.

You sleep
with one eye open.

You'’re successful,

and then before you know it,
you'’re a bounty hunter.

You'’ve crossed the line.
There'’s no going back.

[ clicking ]

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

[ groans ]

Well,
I see you'’re back again.

SANTEE:
Yeah. Unh.

It'’s been a year or two
since you saw me last.

MAN:
How come
you'’re bringing him in alive?

I wanted somebody to talk to
on the way in.

Notify Wells Fargo I'’ll be
after the reward on him.

Sure thing, Santee.

By the way,

I got a new wanted poster
in this morning.

Fellow by the name
of Ben Masters.

Five hundred on his head.

Ain'’t even put it up yet.

I don'’t work that cheap.

He can'’t be very far
from here.

It isn'’t worth it.

[ slow theme playing]

Hello, Santee.

SANTEE:
Sheriff.

You gonna be in town long?

I'’m looking for Kile.
Seen him around?

Yeah,
he'’s right behind you.

Huh. Santee.Hello, Kile.

What brings you to me?

Well, we'’ve got business.
Where can we talk?

Well, what'’s the matter
with right here?

Him we don'’t need.

Sit down.
Loosen up your money belt.

[ chuckles ]

Well,
just get in from Texas?

My being here
worry you any?

Hm. There'’s lots of people
who do worry

when you come around.

Huh. Especially
if they don'’t know why.

Well, it'’s themselves
they worry about mostly.

Uh-- Understand
you'’re number one now.

What can I do for you?

No, it'’s what
I can do for you.

Here'’s a map.

And here'’s Wichita,
and here'’s Lark.

They'’re gonna lay track
along here

and make this
a rail head town.

I could just as easily
come your way here to Kile.

Hm. I fought every way
I knew how

to get
that railroad franchise.

Well, I can get it for you.

It'’s impossible.

They already made up
their minds.

It'’ll cost you 2,500 for me

and 2,500 for the people
I have to bring in.

Go on.

See, they have a hard
and fast rule.

They never lay track
to a hell town.

[ chuckles ]

Lark ain'’t no hell town.
Not by any means.

Why, they'’ve got
a sheriff there

that keeps it
slick and clean

and law abiding.

A gun, name
of Ralph Elkins.

Elkins?

Yeah, he come there recently
and settled,

and cleaned the place up.

Well, I'’ll dirty it again.

You know, I own
a quarter of a million acres

in and around this town.

Without the railroad,
it'’s worth 10 cents an acre.

With the railroad,
it'’s worth 10 dollars an acre.

Now, if you can swing
that franchise for me,

you got a deal.

And there'’s one other thing.

I want a bonus.
Huh?

Ten thousand acres
bordering on Skeleton Creek.

Hm.

You'’re gonna be a rich man,
Santee.

Well, I'’ll get a drink
and meet you at the bank.

Mr. Kile.

That'’s a great idea
Santee has.

You got big ears,
ain'’t you?

Yeah, but his price
is a little high.

Tell you what,
I'’ll do it for a lot less.

If Santee can do it,
I can do it.

Why, you couldn'’t even lick
Santee'’s boots.

Mr. Kile.

Maybe I could be number one.

All right,
if you'’re fool enough,

I'’ll give you $10,000.

You'’re scheduled to be hung
tomorrow anyway.

So, what have you got
to lose?

You run out the door
like it was a jailbreak,

and if you take him,

there'’ll be a couple horses
waiting for you.

MAN:
What choice we got?

Right. All right.
We'’ll take a crack at Santee.

Now, remember,

if you run out that door
without killing Santee,

you'’re not gonna get
very far

because I'’m gonna be holding
a shotgun on you.

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

I never saw anything like that
in my life before.

Who were they?

Prisoners,
sentenced to hang.

What was he doing?

Well, I guess if they were
trying to make a break, I--

I guess
he was chasing '’em.

You'’ll need a new sheriff.

[ woman wailing ]

Oh, no.

[ sobbing ]

That'’s his wife.

That'’s him there, Greta.
Santee himself.

You killed my husband.
You murderer, you!

He had a gun in his hand.

Shouldn'’t a lawman
have a gun in his hands?

Ooh!

Now, listen.

Take her home.Oh.

Go ahead.
Go on.

[ wailing ]

I'’m going over
to the telegraph office.

[ melancholic theme
playing]

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

Oh, Sandra dear,
would you hook me, please?

[ knocks on door ]

WOMAN:
Sadie.

Well, Bill Henderson.
Howdy.

When did you and Swifty
hit town?

We just got in.
Listen, Sadie.

Santee wants to see you
and the girls over in Kansas.

Oh? What'’s it all about?

What difference
does it make?

Honey,
he'’s got a Christmas tree

with nothing
but money hanging off it.

I'’m gonna bring
my gambling tools.

Ah.
Mm, he'’s cute.

Heh. So is the gun
he usually wears.

All right, ladies,

let'’s go upstairs
and get packed.

We are going places.

Wanna sit down, Bill?
Come on in, Swifty.

[ slow theme playing]

[ whinnying ]

[ horse neighing ]

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

Get on now!

Drop it. I said drop it!

All right. Who are you?

He was at the telegraph office
last night.

Got word you were coming in
and he gave me $500.

Five hundred. Where is it?

Give it to me.

What, what, what are you--?Give me the 500.

Now, take that jacket off.

My jacket?
Take it off.

If I ever see your face again,
you won'’t have any.

Come on,
give me the jacket.

[ slow theme playing]

[ door bells ringing ]

Here it is.

Santee shoots three men
in Kile, Kansas.

What'’s the matter?

You'’ll need that
for your front page too.

Santee'’s coming here
to Lark.

Sheriff Elkins
will take care of him.

Maybe he'’s coming here
for us.

You mean you think
maybe your husband'’s hired him?

Well, he said
he was going to kill us,

didn'’t he?

[ sighs ]

Everyone around here thinks
you'’re my husband.

Even I think so.

Oh, Sam,
what are we going to do?

Well,
I'’ll tell you one thing.

We'’re not going to run,
Clare.

Not anymore.

[ slow theme playing]

I wonder who he wants
to kill here.

Who could he be hunting for
in a town like this?

MAN:
There ain'’t nobody in Lark
with a bounty on his head.

Maybe he'’s gone on
to Wichita.

Is that him?

Yes, Manuel, that'’s him.

Hey, Mr. Santee!

Everyone, look, it'’s Santee!

Hey, it'’s Santee!

Everyone, look, it'’s Santee!

Hey, it'’s Santee!
Everyone, look!

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

Pick that up.
Save yourself some money.

[ clanging ]

Why'’d you pay
to have me killed?

You either tell me
or I'’m gonna drown you.

You come here to get me!

Why? I don'’t even know you.

You can'’t fool me.

I still think
you come here to get me.

Santee.

Yeah?

I'’m Sheriff Elkins.

You come well recommended.

He should, Santee.
He'’s a good man.

What are you doing here
in Lark?

I'’ve got business.

This is a nice clean town.
We don'’t need you.

Well, I'’ll keep the law,
you keep your distance.

I want you out of town.

I'’ve decided
to settle down here.

You'’re not gonna
settle here.

Get out of town.

It'’s not going to be
that easy for you.

This is Lark, Kansas,
Santee, not Kile.

You start anything
in this town,

people here
will tear you apart.

Might be
the other way around.

You see, Santee,
I don'’t carry any guns.

Now, you wouldn'’t wanna draw
on an unarmed man, would you?

Might reflect on that
big reputation of yours.

Now, if you take me,

it'’ll have to be
with your bare hands.

I don'’t think
I have to take you.

Now, I heard him
ask you to leave town.

When I'’m through with you,
you'’re going to.

Well, I don'’t know
what this is all about...

Ralph,
what are you going to do?

I want Santee
to get whipped.

If I stay out here,
I'’m gonna have to stop it.

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

[ crowd shouting indistinctly ]

MAN 1: Get him. Come on.MAN 2: Get him.

[ crowd indistinctly
shouting ]

MAN 3:
Tear him.

MAN 4:
Come on, get at him.

MAN 5:
Go on, get at him.

[ crowd indistinctly
speaking ]

Hey. That was some fight,
mister.

Who is that?Him? That'’s our preacher.

Preacher?
Yeah.

That'’s his way
of wrestling the devil.

[ knocking on door ]

[ slow theme playing]

Anna.

How did you find me?

Who was looking?

You were.

Why?

Just because you left me
high and dry?

You left me.

Standing in front
of the millenary shop

with a dumb look
on my face?

You never came back.

Oh, I came back all right.

What you mean is
that you forgot to wait.

What is it you wanted?

A first-hand look
at my husband?

Santee, Ralph'’s a good man.

What'’s good
supposed to mean?

You say the word good,

it'’s like
it was something obscene.

Maybe the way you are
these days it is.

Wherever you go,
there'’s death and violence.

Please, don'’t bring it to Lark.
The people here have dreams.

Well, I had a dream once,

and I had a diamond ring
to prove it.

Am I the reason
you came back?

It'’s business.
A cold-turkey proposition.

I'’m working.

I promised my husband
I'’d ask you.

[ chuckles ]

Anna, I was ambushed
on the way into town,

I was beaten half to death
when I got here,

and now
that it'’s getting interesting,

you want me
to just ride away?

Then I don'’t suppose
that I can persuade you to go,

to just ride away.

Well, it was nice
seeing you again, Anna.

Oh, uh,

don'’t ever think
I forgot you

because I didn'’t.

Santee...

You'’d better leave now

before I forget
you'’re a married woman.

♪ Finally they say
You are going ♪

♪ We will miss your bright eyes
And your smile ♪

♪ For they say
You are taking the sunshine ♪

♪ That brightens the-- ♪

There he is.

Senor!

My name is Manuel Ruiz.

Hello, Manuel.

Could I ask you something?

Sure, go ahead, son.

Are you a bad man?

I might be.

Did you come
from a bad place?

Well, a lot of people think
any place I go is a bad place.

They might be right.I like you.

Well, nobody likes
a bad man, Manuel.

Would you like me
to sing a song for you?

Oh, I'’m sorry, I don'’t have time
for any songs.

It'’s sad to be a bad man.

Yeah.

SANTEE:
You really pack a wallop.

If I'’d have known
you were a man of God,

I wouldn'’t have fought
with you.

You wouldn'’t? I doubt it.

What are you doing here?

An honest day'’s work.
You ought to try it sometime.

Where'’d a preacher like you
ever learn to fight like that?

I wasn'’t always a preacher.

As a matter of fact,

a group of men
once got so mad at me,

they put a rope
around my neck.

But fortunately,
at the last moment,

the good Lord stepped in
and saved me.

Here. I'’ll show you.

You can still see
the rope burn.

What are you hiding it for?
Ashamed of it?

Now that you bring it up,
no, I'’m not.

Not at all.

Whiskey. I'’m looking
for the owner of this place.

I'’m the owner.

Well. I'’m in a little
better shape

than the last time
you saw me.

[ chuckles ]

Munchen'’s the name.
Pete Munchen.

Drinks are on the house.

Well, that'’s the first
friendly thing

I'’ve heard
since I'’ve been in town.

I understand you'’re going
to be around town for a while.

Well, if everybody'’s
as friendly as you are.

Mr. Santee, uh--

Now you don'’t sound
so friendly.

Do you know who I am
or anything about me?

Didn'’t even know your name.

I thought maybe some people
back in St. Louis

might have sent you
after me.

Who'’d you murder?

Oh, nothing like that.

Then your being in town
has nothing to do with me?

Oh, you'’re wrong. It does.

I'’m your new partner.

Hm.
I don'’t have partners.

I'’m gonna open up gambling.

The equipment'’s
already on its way.

I used to have
real gambling here,

but the sheriff
bulldozed me out of it,

and he still sticks to it.

The sheriff will be
my problem.

What makes you think
I'’d take you in as a partner?

I had a feeling.

Well, I suppose
with a little gambling,

we could get those drovers
back in town.

It'’s already been arranged.
And the girls too.

Little beauties
from New Orleans.

Just like old times.

Mr. Santee,
you have yourself a deal.

Never call your partner
"mister."

It doesn'’t sound friendly.

The drinks are on the--

On us.

Giddyup, hyah!

Well, are you proud,
Santee?

You scared the blacksmith

clear out of town,
now didn'’t you?

That'’s his problem.

You got other people here
just worried sick about you.

They probably have
a guilty past.

Reverend, you certainly have
a fine congregation.

Now listen, Santee.

You wear those fancy
black spurs of yours

just like cloven hooves.

But other men,
who are not animals,

have to live
with their conscience.

Sometimes in fear
of their conscience.

Why don'’t you leave Lark?
Leave these people alone.

Well, people seem to think
that his coming here

makes it their judgment day.

Maybe that'’s just
what it is.

Maybe.

[ slow theme playing]

[ cattlemen shouting
indistinctly and cows mooing ]

Why, Lark'’s about 20 miles
out of your way,

but maybe this will make
the detour worth your while.

Divide it up
any way you like.

I want the whole country
to know

that Lark is wide open
and raring to go.

Let your boys blow off
a little steam.

They got plenty
of girls there too.

[ men whooping ]

MAN:
Hyah! Hyah!

[ indistinct chatter ]

WOMAN 1:
Say, the chubby one'’s
kind of cute.

WOMAN 2:
I like the one
with the knobby knees.

Oh, they'’re all kind of cute.
They'’re men.

[ men indistinctly
speaking ]

[ men speaking
indistinctly ]

SADIE:
Aah, Santee. Ha-ha-ha.

SANTEE: Hello.[ Sadie laughing ]

Some kind
of a happy reunion.

[ chuckles ]My, he'’s cute.

Oh, you no-good,
footloose son of a gun.

When you call me "footloose,"
smile.

I am smiling, sweetie.

SADIE: Come on, girls. Come on.Yes.

SADIE:
Hello, gentlemen.

Where'’s Ralph?

He had to go out
to Stone Junction on business.

When'’s he coming back?Tonight.

Maybe not till tomorrow.
Oh.

Santee sent
for these women.

Ralph'’s not going
to stand for it.

We don'’t have a law
against saloon women.

Santee may be after
this whole town.

I'’m going to ask him.

No. Let me.

Anna.

SADIE:
Come on. Hi, gentlemen.

[ women and men laughing ]

Listen,
you can'’t go over there

among that riffraff.

I used to know Santee.

[ laughing
and indistinct chattering ]

My. My, you'’re cute.

But, Santee, I mean,
this stinking little town.

How am I supposed
to make a living here?

Well, you get $500 a week

and all you can make
on the side.

Hm. That is more like it.

[ laughs ]

HENDERSON:
Santee.

Somebody to see you
out back.

Thanks.

Oh, ha, ha. Competition?

Nothing you can'’t handle,
Sadie.

Come, ladies.

[ men laughing ]

[ slow theme playing]

First time I ever knew you
to use a back door.

Santee,
why are those women here?

Liven this town up.

Gonna have gambling too.

I'’m a partner
in this place.

Why are you doing this?

I like money.

You know my husband
has to enforce

law and order here.

This'’ll make for drunks,
shootings.

Anna,
this town has a big future.

He won'’t stand by
while you ruin it.

Well, all right then,
he can arrest all the drunks

and hang all the killers.

Just as long as he stays
on his side of the street.

But he won'’t.

That'’s right. I forgot.

He'’s a good man

with a reputation
of his own at stake.

What do you want? Revenge?

Tell me something, Anna.

Did you go directly
from me to him

or were there others
in between?

[ slow theme playing]

SWIFTY:
There you go. There you go.

Whoa. Whoa.

You go in there
and you tell old Santee

that Swifty'’s here
with his tools.

[ piano playing
Western music ]

Well, evening, Clare.

Reverend.
Sam.

Evening, reverend.

[ men cheering ]

Well, lookie who'’s got here.
Bill Henderson.

Hi, Sal.
Hi.

Say, honey. You'’re cute.I know.

Well, come on.

Uh, reverend,

there'’s, uh,
something Clare and I

have to talk to you about.Oh?

Well, ahem...

SWIFTY: Away, she goes.Hi, Swifty.

See they already got you
in business.

Yeah. Did you bring
anybody else with money?

Ha, ha. They'’ll deal.

Hey. Santee.

Well, now we'’ve got
the two best gun fighters

this side
of the Mississippi.

Ah, Henderson,
Pete Munchen.

Hi, Henderson.

What about the drovers?

They'’re hot on our heels.

Looks like
we'’re in business.

What, uh-- What do we do?

Well,
Swifty runs the wheel,

Pete runs the roulette,
another runs the faro,

and the rest of you
play the house side,

the poker tables
and the bar.

Keep the drinks coming
hot and heavy.

Well, that leaves me.

You'’re the bouncer.

And I bounce people
pretty good.

I know.

What do I do?

Oh, honey, you, uh...

You just look cute.

You don'’t have to tell us.

We know what to do.

I don'’t know, Sam.

The blacksmith
sure left town in a hurry.

What was he afraid of?

Probably a shadow
in his past.

You mean like Sam and me?

No, Clare, I--

I don'’t think Santee
was sent here by your husband.

And I'’m still glad
we told you the truth about us.

I'’ll file intention for divorce
in our hometown paper.

SAM:
Even if her husband sees it,
he won'’t know where we are.

And then Sam and I
can get married.

Odd.

And evil visits upon us

and causes people to purge
the evil from within themselves.

You know,
a lot of other people thought

that Santee was after them.

But then the devil is always
after everybody now, isn'’t he?

Let'’s go in.

[ gunshots ]

[ cowboys cheering ]

Welcome to Lark.

You like what you see?

Well, come on in, boys,
and have a drink.

Come on.

[ indistinct chattering ]

Step right up, folks.
This is your lucky night.

Anybody can play.
Anybody can win.

Red or black. Odd or even.

Away she goes.

[ laughing ]

SWIFTY:
Step right up, folks.
This is your lucky night.

Anybody can play.
Anybody can win.

Red or black. Odd or even.

This here green star
pays 35-to-1.

Come on, boys.
Get your bets down.

Away she goes.

HENDERSON:
Lay your bets. There we are.

Twenty-three is the number.
All right, boys.

Lay your bets.

Lay your bets. All down.

If you lose, double up. Keep
doubling up till you'’re even.

Hey. Hey, will--?

Double up?That'’s it.

Red or black. Black or red.

I'’ll tell you a secret.

Santee hears me tell you this,
I'’ll be fired.

Double up.
If you lose, keep doubling.

Keep doubling
till you'’re even.

[ roulette clinking ]

[ men laughing ]

[ laughing ]

[ cheering ]

You told me
to keep doubling up.

Well, you double up
long enough, you gotta win.

Now, step back, sir.
Step back.

Give those people that still got
money a chance to play.

[ giggling ]

♪ I came from Alabama
With my banjo on my knee ♪

♪ I want to Susiana
My true love for to see ♪

♪ It rained all night
The day I left ♪

♪ The weather it was hot ♪

♪ The sun'’s so hot
I froze to death ♪

♪ Susanna, don'’t you cry ♪

♪ Oh, Susanna
Oh, don'’t you cry for me ♪

♪ I want to Susiana
My true love for to see ♪

Gracias.

That, uh, hat'’s
a little empty.

Since you came, no one wants
to listen to my songs.

Well, maybe that'’s

because there'’s a lot going
on around here.

Senor Santee,

do they have singing
in the bad place?

You'’re sure
that'’s where I'’m from, huh?

I want to be bad
like you are.

Uh, amigo,

nobody wants to be bad.

I do.
Can I be one of your gang?

Well, uh,

you'’ll have to do
a little growing first.

I have to grow more bad?

You have to grow more tall.

Ay, Chihuahua.

[ banging
and glass breaking ]

[ piano playing Western music
and men laughing ]

I'’ve been waiting for you.

What'’s going on here?

It'’s a hell town again.

But, Ralph,

you can'’t do anything
about it.

I did once before.

You really think Santee makes
that much difference?

Stay here.

[ men laughing ]

SADIE:
My.

This town'’s sure got itself
a mighty handsome sheriff.

Well, now, wait a minute,
honey.

That'’s no way
to treat a lady.

Welcome,
Mr. Elkins.

For you, the drinks
are on the house.

[ chuckles ]

SANTEE:
Glad you could drop by.

You'’re under arrest.

But what for?

I'’m gonna close
this place down,

and I'’m gonna take you
over to the jail. Come on.

Well, just a minute.

Uh...

What'’s the fine?

Don'’t get smart with me,
Santee.

I want this place
closed down right now.

Uh-huh.

[ chattering stops ]

[ gun cocks ]

SANTEE:
Sheriff.

I'’m glad we could have
a little talk.

[ALL LAUGH]

[ music and chattering resume ]

[ Santee laughing ]

TANNER:
Ralph. I was worried about you.

Thank God you'’re all right.

You would have been
very proud of Santee.

I just turned my back
on him.

I saw
what I was up against.

Santee and a stacked deck
of guns.

Give the townsmen guns,
Ralph.

They'’ll back you up.

I can'’t do that.
There'’ll be a lot of killing.

No use, no need.

Something has to be done.

I'’ll get some help
from Wichita.

All right.
That does it for the night.

Fold up?
Yeah.

Come on, ladies.

Night, all.
Goodnight.

HENDERSON:
What time tomorrow, boss?

Early.

What about that sheriff?No problem.

I say he'’s trouble.

We can handle him.

Oh,
he was outnumbered today,

but tomorrow
he might have help.

I don'’t want him killed,
Henderson.

All right.

[ indistinct chattering ]

Oh, you and, uh, Pete
lock up, huh?

Right.

[ men and women chattering ]

[ indistinct chattering ]

Don'’t you ever sleep,
Henderson?

Yeah. Now and then.

Goodnight.
Goodnight, boss.

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

MAN:
Whoa.

Whoa.

One thing this town don'’t need
is a sheriff.

[ knocking on door ]

ANNA:
Santee?

Santee?

[ knocking continues ]

Open the door.

Have you seen Ralph?

What do you mean
have I seen Ralph?

He hasn'’t come home
and he'’s not at the office.

Well, what'’s that
got to do with me?

Something must have happened
to him.

Every time somebody
in this town catches a cold,

I get blamed for it.

I'’ve looked for him
everywhere.

I have no idea
where he is.

Do you think
I believe that?

Sweetheart, you believe
what you wanna believe.

Help me find him.

MAN:
Whoa!

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

[ coach rattling ]

MAN:
Ha! Hyah!

[ gasps ]

We'’re not sure that'’s him.

Ralph. Ralph!

Ralph.

[ sobbing ]

Ralph.

Killing wasn'’t good enough
for him.

Get him to a doctor.

You had to degrade
and humiliate him.

I wouldn'’t tar and feather
any man.

But you did do it,
had it done.

SANTEE:
Henderson.

Who told you to do that?

Well,
I was just earning my pay.

You take your orders from me.Well, sure.

You said I was the town bouncer
and he needed bouncing.

Not that way.

Well, I'’ll admit,
I did consider shooting him.

It'’d been better off
if you had.

Aw,
let'’s look at it this way.

now they ain'’t no law
in this town at all.

[ slow theme playing]

I didn'’t send for you.

Well, I brought the papers
down on our deal.

You know, uh,
the land agreement

and the money.

Good morning, gentlemen.Sadie.

Come, ladies.

What you came for
was a first-hand look

at this place.

Yeah.
And I like what I'’m seeing.

I didn'’t know it takes
so much dirt to bury a town.

This was your idea, Santee.

And you'’re getting paid.
Plenty.

How you doing
with the railroad?

Oh, they said they'’d send
down an inspection team

in about a week.

You act like there'’s
something worrying you.

Oh, by the way,
uh, what about that fella?

What'’s his name, uh,
Elkins?

Stop worrying.

[ door opens ]

HENDERSON:
Now, get out of here.

That one of your boys?

Our town bouncer.

Get out of here
and don'’t come back.

SANTEE:
Henderson.

Hi, boss.
He wanted his money back.

SANTEE:
Hey.

Henderson. Gus Kile.

Yeah.

SANTEE:
Hey.

He, uh, owns a town
about 50 miles from here.

Kile, Kansas?

Yeah.

Well, I'’m glad to know you,
Mr. Kile.

Come on in.
Have a drink on the house.

Santee?

You go ahead.
I have to see somebody.

Yeah, Mr. Kile.
I want you to meet the girls.

KILE:
How'’s things?

There, darling.
Now, you sit right here

and ride your horsie, okay?

[ knocking on door ]

Please go.

Santee,
I asked you to leave.

Will he be all right?Maybe. In time.

I didn'’t know
about the tar and feathering.

It was your men.

Why don'’t you leave?

Mommy, who is he?

He yours?

Yes. Chad.

I didn'’t know
you had a child.

Tell him.

Tell him.

Doctor, would you take Chad
outside for a minute?

Sure.

Come along, Chad.
You can ride your pony later.

Tell me what?

He'’s your son.
Yours and mine.

I was pregnant,

and those people
in that little Texas town

didn'’t want to buy
their millinery

from a woman
they branded a scarlet.

Then I got real lucky.

I met a wonderful man.

We were married two months
before Chad was born.

I didn'’t know.

It wouldn'’t have made
any difference.

It might have.

I didn'’t want you
to know.

He thinks
that Ralph is his father,

and I don'’t want him
to ever know any difference.

Anything I can do?

Get out of our lives.

Well, that might not be
so easy.

That'’s the trouble with you.

You want everything
the easy way.

[ slow theme playing]

There you are, Chad.

Can I put you on your pony?

Yeah.

My daddy is hurt.

I know he is.

Will you play with me?

I can'’t, Chad.
I have to go now.

My daddy is hurt.
He can'’t play with me.

I'’m sorry.

What were you doing
in there?

Now, just take it easy,
reverend.

"Take it easy"?

Gus Kile is in town
and now it all makes sense.

You'’re working for him.

You wanna steal
our railroad franchise.

Rob these people in Lark

of the one thing
they'’ve worked and prayed for.

Just calm downNow, listen, Santee,

maybe we can'’t stop you
from doing that,

but God can.

Have you ever heard
the voice

of an angry and righteous God,
Santee? Have you?

What would you do
if you heard that, Santee?

Shoot bullets at the sky?

I don'’t know
what you'’re talking about.

Well, you will.

Senor?

What is it, Manuel?

I do not want to be bad.

I do not want
to be like you.

I told you
nobody wants to be like me.

[ tolling ]

[ indistinct chattering ]

This ain'’t Sunday.

What'’s that church bell
ringing for?

I don'’t know.

Maybe they'’re calling
in the cows.

[ piano playing Western music ]

Why are the church bells
ringing?

Maybe Tanner'’s asking for help
the only way he knows how.

Calm down a little,
will you?

SWIFTY:
Come on, boys.
Take your bets down.

Black or red. Red or black.

[ bell continues tolling ]

It'’s funny sound, isn'’t it?

What'’s the matter, Sadie?

Never hear church bells
before?

SWIFTY:
Red or black. Odd or even.

Kile.
Yeah.

Here'’s our contract.

It'’s cancelled.

What are you talking about?

It won'’t work.

Hm. Already is working.

Well, I'’m calling it off.

What'’s going on?

Here'’s what I promised you.

Sadie, this is for you
and the girls.

And the rest is yours.

Don'’t you think you owe me
an explanation?

Yeah. I changed my mind.

SWIFTY:
Step right up, folks.

Anybody can play.
Anybody can win.

Red or black. Odd or even.

Come on, boys.
Get your bets down.

[ bell continues tolling ]

Santee wants to quit,
but I don'’t.

I'’ve got too much at stake.

Looks like
he wants us to stay.

There'’s $15,000 there.

You keep running this town
the way it'’s going,

you can divide that up

between you and your boys,
Sadie and her girls

and, uh, you too, Pete.

In just one week.

You just got yourself
a deal.

Didn'’t know
you were that tall.

Well, Sadie?

I always go
where the money is.

Now we understand
each other.

I want you
to keep this town roaring.

And stop that church bell
from ringing.

It gets on my nerves.

I'’m going home now.

Oh. Why don'’t you stay
for the fun?

No. Uh, uh, town this noisy,
I might not get no sleep.

And, Pete,
put that in the safe.

[ bell continues tolling ]

[ coughs ]

[ chuckles ]

[ coughs ]

[ indistinct chattering ]

[ woman screaming
and indistinct chattering ]

[ piano playing Western music
and indistinct chattering ]

SADIE:
Hi.

Howdy, friend.

If you'’ve changed your mind,

we could split up that money
that Kile left.

I haven'’t changed my mind.

Neither has Kile.

[ gun cocks ]

[ gun cocks ]

[ gun cocks ]

They broke his arm to keep him
from ringing the bell.

Give me his badge.
What for?

I'’ve got a town
to clean up.

The badge, Anna.

[ men indistinctly
chattering ]

Henderson!

Henderson!

Henderson!

[ indistinct chattering ]

It'’s him. He'’s back.

And he'’s wearing a badge.

He'’s a fool.

SANTEE:
I wanna see you out here,
Henderson.

Henderson!

SADIE:
Well, uh, come on, ladies.

This is no place for us.
Let'’s go.

Oh, and you drovers,

if you know
what'’s good for you,

you'’ll, uh, get back
to the herd.

Come, ladies.

Henderson!

Can you hear me?

This is the law talking.

I ain'’t coming out, Santee.

Pete.

Now, look,
I can'’t take Santee,

and I ain'’t even gonna try.

But the four of us together,
that'’s different.

And there'’s $15,000 in it.

Are you with me?Can'’t live forever.

SANTEE:
Henderson!

I ain'’t comin'’ out,
Santee!

If you want me,

you'’d better come in here
and get me!

Now, Swifty, you and Miller,
go out the back.

You go that way
and you go the other.

Pete, you go upstairs.

[ suspenseful theme
playing]

SANTEE:
Henderson!

HENDERSON:
I ain'’t coming out, Santee!

SANTEE:
Henderson!

I wanna see you out here,
Henderson.

I ain'’t no match for you
in a shootout, Santee.

So why don'’t we,
uh, talk this thing over?

Do your talking out here.

[ gunshot ]

You can'’t shoot
with that on arm.

Anna, stay inside.

[ gunshot ]

[ gunshot ]

Around the back.

All right, Santee.

You come on out!

[ gunshots ]

[ gunshot ]

All right. Let'’s finish
this thing right now.

[ Swifty screams ]

That was Ralph.Ralph? But he can'’t.

How could he?

I know. But he did.

Alley!

Alley!

[ Henderson screaming ]

My son thinks
Santee is quite a man.

I'’d, uh...

I'’d like to help out
with the support.

I'’ll send some money.
No.

No, I don'’t want him
to ever know.

He'’d never know.

There'’d be questions.

All right, then.

At least let me,
uh, send him something

like gifts at Christmastime
or on his birthday.

From Uncle Santee.

I guess there'’d be no harm
in that.

Thanks.

[ women giggling ]

If you say he'’s cute,
you'’re fired.

COACHMAN:
Hyah, hyah. Hyah!

There you go. Hyah!

[ men speaking indistinctly ]

Well,

maybe I'’ll see you again
some time.

Oh, uh, give this to Ralph.

You wore it well.

A rail-head town needs
a good sheriff like him.

TANNER:
Santee.

You know, I was sorry
to see you come here, but--

Well, now I'’m sorry
to see you leave.

Thank you.

Where are you going?

Oh, I don'’t know.

Maybe I'’ll become sheriff
of somewhere.

Bye.

Goodbye, Santee.

[ slow theme playing]

Sheriff of somewhere.

He could be, Anna.

I was talking to him yesterday
at the church.

It just might happen.

I wonder.

♪ One man let him go by ♪

♪ Everyone knows ♪

♪ Wherever he goes
Someone must die ♪

♪ And no man could help
But tremble with fear ♪

♪ When those black spurs
Are near ♪

♪ And he hears them go by ♪

♪ There'’s one man
There in the night ♪

♪ And for a price ♪

♪ He'’s ready to ride
And ready to fight ♪

♪ Sandman ♪

♪ He rides the shadows alone ♪

♪ He has no love
Of his own ♪

♪ Because he wore black spurs ♪