Ghost Town Renegades (1947) - full transcript

Go down there

about fifty yards.

You never miss,

do you, flynt?

Most times, waco,

you don't get

a second chance

at missin'.

This one's done for.

So is this one--

what do we do

with the bodies?

Get rid of 'em

the usual way?

Yeah, the usual way.

What about all this stuff?

That goes with 'em.

And we'd better

get rid of the horses,

before somebody

starts investigating.

I heard you were

looking for me,

Mr. Jennings.

Looking for you?

I had out a dragnet.

I found out how slippery

the Cheyenne kid is.

My office traced you

from laredo to gila bend, then--

well, here I am in Phoenix.

What do you want, chief?

A job has come up

only you can handle.

Me as the Cheyenne kid,

or as marshal Davis?

It'll probably take

a combination of both.

I don't know

whether you've heard--

Bob Craig, a federal surveyor,

and his assistant

have disappeared.

Isn't he mapping the new road

through barton county?

He was until

a couple of weeks ago.

One of our marshals traced him

to a spot near

the ghost town of waterhole,

but the trail

ended in thin air.

Who's on the case?

A funny old codger

named Jones.

Fuzzy Jones?

Yes.

He's an old sidekick of mine.

Good, you'll be

working together.

Fuzzy reports there may be

something big back of

Craig's disappearance--

that's where you come in.

You can keep the paperwork.

I'd rather depend on

firsthand information

from fuzzy himself.

You can contact him

in the vicinity of waterhole.

He's posing as a desert rat

prospecting in that district.

That desert rat's gettin'

too nosy for his own good.

Maybe we'd better

scare him off.

That oughta be easy.

What are you

doing around here?

Prospectin'.

What's that contraption

you got there?

That's a whatchamacallit.

A whatchamacallit?

Yeah, it's for locatin'

valuable treasures

and veins of ore.

You're loco.

There ain't been any gold

around here for fifty years.

Maybe you're right,

and maybe you're wrong.

I figured they must have

missed the mother lode

when they were

minin' hearabouts.

Besides, gold ain't

the only valuable metal.

That thing will locate

other metals besides gold?

Ha ha!

You can't prove it by me,

mister,

but that's what

the inventor told me

when he sold me this gadget.

I can tell you better

after I find somethin'.

I think it'd be healthier

if you did your prospecting

someplace else.

This is a free country.

Besides, I kinda like it here.

I said get going!

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha!

That oughta keep him

out of our way for a while.

At least by the time

he gets his nerve back,

our deal will be set.

We'd better get back

to barton city.

Hey, flynt!

Wait a minute!

What's up, Vance?

I just got another answer

to those advertisements

I've been running

in the eastern newspapers.

One of the heirs to

the waterhole mining property?

Rodney Trent--the big fish

I've been angling for.

His grandfather owned

two-thirds of waterhole

when the mine was

running full blast--

Trent inherited it.

You get the deed

to his property,

that'll just about

sew things up for you.

Yes, and he fell for

my come-on.

He's headed out here

to investigate.

( Gunshots )

It's Rodney Trent,

all right.

We'd better get his body

to waterhole

and put it with

the rest of 'em.

Reach for it.

Cheyenne, you old

son of a sidewinder!

How are ya,

fuzzy?

Am I glad to see you!

I really been

havin' trouble.

You're not the only one--

hand me that canteen.

This fella's in

pretty bad shape.

Who are you?

Take is easy.

The bandits--

what happened?

They hightailed it

out of here.

I've got to get

to barton city.

Your wound will have to be

taken care of first.

I've got to get there.

Is there someplace close

we can doctor his wound?

I've been hiding out

in an old shack near hear.

Good, let's go.

I don't know of any reason

why those men attacked me.

I was carrying

very little money.

It didn't have the earmarks

of an ordinary holdup.

You said you

answered an ad

that was seeking to locate heirs

of the waterhole property.

Did you write a letter

to Vance sharp in barton city,

saying you were

coming here?

Yes. I wrote him that

I wanted to look over the land

before selling.

You don't think Vance sharp

had me ambushed, do you?

He seems to be the only one

you contacted.

Do you think his offer

to buy your property

was legitimate?

The figure seemed low.

Sharp claimed

the land was worthless

except to

an eastern syndicate

which wanted to develop it

into small ranches.

Ranches? What in tarnation

would they use for water?

Waterhole was named because

the town has the only spring

in that section,

and that's gone dry.

Is there a possibility

of a new gold strike?

I don't know.

But it's sure someone

wants that property

for something else

besides farming.

And bad enough to commit murder

to get it.

What could they gain

by my death?

I've signed no papers--

you wrote him a letter--

he has your signature.

Names are sometimes forged,

if there are no heirs

to contest the signature.

But I have an heir--

my daughter.

I'm to meet her

in barton city.

And from the reception I got,

I'm worried about her.

Does anybody else

know she's coming

besides you?

Those men who ambushed me

have her letter.

It was in my wallet.

Take it easy.

I've got to get to Diane.

Don't worry--we'll see that

nothing happens to her.

We'd better head

for barton city, fuzzy.

What happened?

We ran into some trouble--

and Trent got away?

We got him, but before

we could get rid of the body

the Cheyenne kid

jumped US.

The Cheyenne kid?

Are you sure?

I've bumped into him before--

he's a bad hombre

to tangle with.

Any chance he might have been

following Trent?

It looked as if he just

happened along by accident.

I got all of

Trent's papers here.

Good. Now, nobody

will be able to

identify him.

Well, this changes things--

a letter from Trent's daughter.

She'll be arriving

in barton city

in a few days.

So there's still an heir

to the Trent property.

As long as she

remains alive.

Too bad miss Trent

won't be able to

enjoy the millions

we're going to mine

at waterhole.

I'd better get over to

the assay office

and tell Watson to hold off

for a couple of days.

You boys come along.

Wait here.

Hey, Watson.

You'll have to hold off

recording that Trent deed.

What's the matter, Vance?

Didn't your sucker

arrive on schedule

to investigate his property?

That part went off

like clockwork.

But we've got a complication--

Trent has a daughter.

You mean we have to

get her out of the way

before we can get

the Trent property.

Obviously--if anyone

squawks about our claims,

those deeds won't bear

too close an examination.

I won't stand for

any more killings--

you're getting US

in too deep!

We're up to our necks now,

Watson,

they can only hang US once.

But all I've done was to

forge those deeds for you,

the rest was

your responsibility.

You still want your share

of the millions?

I've got a right

to a big share--

it was my idea.

You tipped me off

when the surveyor

brought some ore samples

to be assayed--

without me it

it wouldn't be

worth a plugged nickel.

I've got enough worries

without your troubles,

and I don't like

the Cheyenne kid

showing up at this

stage of the game.

Knowing what happened

to Trent,

I'm afraid Bob Craig

stumbled onto something

and got the same treatment.

Do you think Trent ties up

with what we're after?

You said you traced

Bob Craig to waterhole,

and Trent was headed there--

it's beginning to add up.

That reminds me,

I found this in waterhole.

Look--the initials are r.C.

Could stand for Robert Craig.

Looks like some rough handling

tore it loose.

I figure when that

watch fob tore loose,

it was the end

of Craig's trail.

I think you're right, fuzzy.

But I have a hunch

the trail begins

in barton city.

I thought you ran

that old prospector

out of town.

I thought I did.

This time I'll really

give him a working over.

Hold it.

I'm curious to find out

what he's up to.

I'm gonna find out

what he wants over there--

you fellas come along.

I want to check your records

on some mining claims.

What locality?

Waterhole.

Won't do you any good--

that property isn't open

to public claim.

I didn't ask you

if it was public property,

I just wanna

see the records.

Did you find something

interesting at waterhole?

That's my business.

Am I gonna see

them records,

or ain't I?

You'll have to tell me

the section number

of the property

you're interested in.

I thought you were told

this part of the country

ain't healthy for you.

I'm feelin'

plenty healthy--

Look out, fuzzy!

Hold it, you tinhorns.

You've got me

all wrong, mister.

This man's a very

dangerous character,

and he came in here

looking for trouble.

I came in here

looking for records,

and these two fellas

jumped me.

We've been after him

for stealing supplies

from our camp.

I never stole nothin'.

Don't you think

it's a matter

for the sheriff?

Next time, I'm gonna

take the law into my own--

hold it, flynt.

Maybe the boys were mistaken

about your friend.

Well, see that the boys

don't repeat that mistake--

it might prove fatal.

Come on, fuzz.

I told you that Cheyenne kid

was dynamite.

Dynamite can be useful--

when properly handled.

( Gunshots )

How she got out of there,

I don't know.

We'd better split up

and look for her.

And since your father

is alive,

I'm stuck until I can prove

that sharp murdered

the other heirs.

Yes, I can see what

a difficult job that'll be.

But surely they must

believe my father's dead.

The fact that

they attacked me

proves it.

Isn't there some way

you can use me as bait

to trap them?

Yes, there is a way

you can help.

Something's spooky

about the way

that girl disappeared

without a trace.

You and your men

are a bunch of

bungling idiots.

I've backtracked

the trail,

and the man

are still searching.

Round up more men

and go over that district

with a fine-toothed comb.

Kid:

What's the matter, sharp,

lose something?

Why, uh, why, yes,

one of the horses strayed

and the boys are looking for it.

Are you sure? I thought maybe

it was miss Trent.

I don't know what

you're talking about.

But if I lost

something like you,

this whole state

would be turned upside-down.

I wonder if your interest

is in miss Trent

or her mining property.

I've never seen her before

and know nothing

about her business.

You'll know plenty about her

from now on.

Are you trying

to threaten me?

Miss Trent would like to

hire your services

as her attorney.

Is this true?

Yes. I'd like you

to draw up my will.

Your will?

Pardon my amazement,

but you're so young

and look to be in

such perfect health.

I'm surprised you'd worry

about such a document as that.

I'd say this will

is more in that nature

of a life insurance policy.

Miss Trent's life

is in danger.

Why would anyone

threaten your life?

For the same reason

her father was killed

two days ago.

If anybody wants

to get her,

I want to fix it

so they have to

get me, too.

How do you figure

you can do that?

Miss Trent is making me

her beneficiary.

That should transfer

the heat to me

and insure her life.

We would like for you

to get busy

and draw up that will

right away.

With this will

as an ace in the hole,

I'm certain your daughter

will be safe.

It's good of you

to help US this way,

Cheyenne.

You're helping me and fuzzy

as much as we're helping you.

What's our next move?

I think the next move

will come from sharp.

We'd better go to barton city

where he can find US.

There ain't a sign

of that Trent gal,

we might as well

quit looking.

Stay here with the horses,

I'm gonna see what's going on.

We've really got something

to tell sharp--

Trent ain't dead.

I don't know what

the Cheyenne kid told you,

but I think something's

happened to your father

which is being

concealed from you.

Have you seen him

since you've arrived?

No.

Then you only have

Cheyenne's word

that he's trying to help you.

What are you

trying to tell me?

One of my men told me

that the kid and his partner

are holding a wounded man

prisoner in a deserted shack.

That man may be your father.

But what can they gain

by keeping dad a prisoner?

The Cheyenne kid

might have been trying

to force your father

to make a will

in his favor.

Something went wrong,

and he tricked you

into making one instead.

But my will is valueless,

unless--

unless your father is dead.

I don't believe it.

There's an easy way

to find out, miss Trent.

Clint, find Cheyenne Davis

and bring him here.

I don't know why

he wants to see you,

but it's important.

With Trent dead,

there's only one person

standing between me

and the waterhole

mining property.

Remember, miss Trent's will

is made out in my favor.

It could be changed.

I don't think so--

she thinks I'm on the level.

I'll give you till

tomorrow morning

to make up your mind.

Uh, do you think

that phony lawyer

believes that you're

throwin' in with him?

Your guess is

as good as mine,

but we're holding

the trump card

as long as we have Trent.

( Gunshot )

He's asleep.

I hate to wake him up,

but I've got to find out

if he's in condition

to travel

in case we have

a showdown with sharp.

Trent.

Trent.

Is he unconscious again?

This time, for good.

Turn around with

your hands in the air.

I wouldn't look

in that bunk, miss Trent.

Sharp:

Hold it, Cheyenne,

we know what your game is.

Lay a hand on that girl,

and we'll let you have it.

You--

you've killed my father!

Believe me,

I didn't.

Save it for the judge--

get their guns, boys.

Nice goin', chey.

Get your hands off me.

We can hide out here

until dark.

What are you

gonna do with me?

Try and convince you

that I had nothing to do

with your father's death.

It'll be pretty hard to do.

Not if I can produce

a guilty man.

But first, to clear up

your doubts of me,

I want you to

have this back.

My will? But I thought--

take it.

You won't need it any longer

to ensure your safety

since this case is ready

to break wide open.

What are you

talking about?

If you'll answer

one question,

I'm sure I can find

the man who killed

your father.

Haven't you played

enough games

with me already?

Someone else dealt

the cards in the game,

and I'm pretty sure

I know who it is.

All I need now

is confirmation.

What do you mean?

Whoever told you

your father

was hidden in the shack

is responsible for his death.

Remember, I didn't tell you

or anyone else

where he was hidden,

all I said was that

he was safe.

That's right--

then Vance sharp

arranged the whole thing.

But you can't blame me

for believing him--

I was hidden in the closet

when you made the deal with him.

He claimed he only pretended

to fall in with your scheme

in order to trap

my father's murderer.

It's going to work--

but not the way he figured.

( Owl hooting )

This place is

startin' to give me

the jumpin' heebie-jeebies--

it's too spooky.

We'll be on our way

as soon as Diane wakes up.

Don't worry--ghost don't

start walking till midnight.

Poor kid's had a tough time,

she needs her rest--

hey! D-D-Did you say "ghosts"?

This is a ghost town,

isn't it?

You know I don't

believe any stories

about spooks--

but I'm still

scared of 'em.

( Mouse squeaks )

Ah!

First time I ever saw

a 4-legged ghost--

here's your hat.

Relax for a while.

Are you rested enough

to ride to barton city?

Oh, I'm all right.

Fuzzy and I have

some business

to take care of

after we leave you

at the hotel.

Hey...hey chey--

I just saw the toughest hombre

I ever saw peekin'

through this window.

That tough-lookin' hombre

is you--that's a mirror.

Ha ha!

Ha ha!

You take the filing cabinet,

I'll take the desk.

Looks like we've

drawn a blank.

There's nothin'

in the desk...

Seems funny a lawyer

wouldn't have a safe

for his important papers.

You don't suppose he hung 'em

behind a picture, do you?

Look like you

hit the jackpot.

You mean

the jackpot hit me.

Here are letters

from several people

answering sharp's

advertisement.

This one's from

Rodney Trent.

That's all we need

to put a rope around

that lawyer's neck.

You're wrong, fuzzy.

It only proves that sharp

was trying to locate

the waterhole heirs.

But all we have to do is check

if the other folks are missing.

Before sharp can be

brought to trial,

we have to produce

a corpus delecti.

Corpus

do which?

The bodies of

the murdered people.

Like lookin' for

a needle in a haystack--

I've covered this country

all over before, you know.

I hadn't figured

on looking for the bodies.

Today is the 14th,

isn't it?

It was all day,

unless you want

to be technical,

it's probably

past midnight.

And if today is

already tomorrow,

then tomorrow

is the 15th.

Skip the comedy.

According to this letter,

there's another sucker

due in on the 15th.

If sharp has prepared

his usual welcome,

we'll have all the evidence

we'll need.

Are you Luther Johnson?

Yes, what do you--

is this a holdup?

If we were after your money,

we could take it right here.

Let's get out of sight.

I have business

in waterhole--

that's what I want to

talk to you about.

Didn't you answer

a blind ad

and get a reply from

Vance sharp of barton city?

Yes, he offered to buy

some property of mine.

I wasn't satisfied

with the deal

and decided to

investigate for myself.

You don't know it,

Mr. Johnson,

but we saved your life

by stopping you here.

Saved my life?

Why should I be

in any danger?

You're one of half dozen suckers

who fell for sharp's come-on.

I have nothing to lose

if I don't accept his offer.

Nothing except your life.

The others felt the same,

and now one of them is dead

and the rest

are missing.

Sharp evidently figures

that murder is cheaper

than buying your property.

Then my hunch that property

is still valuable is right.

Considering the risks

sharp is taking,

the stakes must be

plenty high.

Have you proof that

he's back of all this?

No, that's where

you come in.

Me?

Yep, and it's liable

to be dangerous.

I'm with you--what do you

want me to do?

We'll start by playing

a little game of tag,

and I'm afraid

you're going to be "it".

I spotted flynt and his men

just over the hill--

are you sure you want to

go through with this?

Definitely.

Then get out in the road

and get set.

All right, fuzzy,

start shooting.

( Gunshots )

This is a piece of luck.

The Cheyenne kid

don't know it,

but without these

he won't be able to

cut into our game.

We lost 'em.

They might circle back.

Get him out of here,

and then report back

to sharp's office.

We'd better leave our horses

and sneak down the back alley.

Come on, horse.

Lay him down here

till I open the trap door.

Kid:

Well, fuzzy,

we'll find what's left

of Bob Craig and the others.

That's why the trail

ended here in waterhole.

There's still plenty

of business to finish

in barton city.

Tie those men up,

we'll take 'em with US.

Now that we've recorded the deed

to the Johnson property,

there's nothing left to do

but find the Trent girl,

then start to develop that

new vein at waterhole mines.

But what about

the Cheyenne kid?

Flynt reports he's

still in the vicinity.

There's nothing

to worry about.

That was just a last try

to cut in on our deal.

It paid off, sharp.

What kind of

a game is this?

"Follow the leader"

if you're referring

to what fuzzy's got in tow.

Come on in, fuzzy.

Sit down!

Now, if you're talking about

your own game, it's over.

You're all under arrest--

I'm taking you to Phoenix

to stand trial

for the murder of Bob Craig

and the others.

It's was flynt's fault--

Johnson wasn't dead.

Shut up, you idiot!

You can't pin anything

on me, marshal.

Nothing but

a mail order

murder racket.

With Johnson's testimony,

there's enough evidence

to convict you,

with one exception--

and I'm gambling that

I'll find out right here

why that waterhole property

is so valuable.

I'm not mixed up in this--

you can examine my records.

Everything is open

and above board.

What I'm looking for

won't be in the open.

Hey, chey--this office

ain't got no safe either,

but it's got

a filing cabinet.

You're right, fuzzy.

See if it's got a trick drawer

like the one in sharp's office.

I'll betcha this is

all we need

to wind up this case.

Exhibit a in the Phoenix court.

I'm not connected

to these murders--

it was Vance sharp's

whole scheme,

he made me

forge those deeds!

Why, you dirty squealer!

Hold it, fuzz!

We need him alive.

Oh!

( Groaning )

So you could expect

waterhole to boom again

with this new gold strike.

We certainly have

a lot to thank you for.

Well, Bob Craig

deserves the thanks

for discovering

the new vein or ore,

and his disappearance

brought fuzzy and me here.

Why don't you stay on--

to see that law and order

is maintained.

Well, you might,

if anyone could.

But I'm too restless

to stay put very long.

Besides, fuzzy

will handle things here

while I'm in Phoenix

for the trial.

That's right, you can

depend on me to stick to--

looks to me like

you're stuck with the job.

So long, folks,

maybe I'll be

through again sometime.

At least I'm leaving you

in good hands.

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