Klondike Fever (1980) - full transcript

(dramatic orchestral music)

- [Narrator] In the autumn
of 1897 Jack London,

a young Socialist
from San Francisco,

with his friend Merritt Sloper
arrived in Skagway, Alaska,

the start of the
worst of all journeys,

the route to Dawson
City in Canada's

almost unknown Yukon Territory.

This was a moment when
the world had gone mad

with Klondike fever.

(bright piano music)

(foghorn blowing)



(passengers chattering)

- Skagway!

(passengers chattering)

Someone said it looked
like the gate to Hell.

Can't be all that
bad if there's gold

on the other side. (chuckles)

Hey, come on, move it.

(passengers chattering)

Sure doesn't look as if
it's fever now does it?

- Skagway Midnighter!

Skagway Midnighter!

Thank you, sir.

- Come on, London.
- Skagway Midnighter!

- Come on, we're on our way.
- Skagway Midnighter!



- We're gonna make our fortunes.

We're gonna take
our weight in gold.

(men chattering)

- Come on!

Come on, London!

For a stupid Socialist
you don't know nothin'

about greed, boy.

The only way we're
gonna get a march on 'em

and get our provisions
and get out of this mud,

den of mud forsaken (grumbles).

(wood cracking)

(horse whinnies)

Get up, don't get
involved in that.

(fighters grunting)
(men chattering)

No, no, no, stay outta that.

Scene has got nothin'
to do with you.

(fighters grunting)
(men chattering)

(gun clicks)

- Look out!
(gun fires)

- Come on boy,
we're wasting time.

We gotta get outta here.

- What was that all about?

- Just keep lookin'
straight forward,

it's all part of the fun.

There'll be nine of 'em
face down in the mud

before we get outta
this town tonight.

And I don't want the
10th one to be any silly,

young greenhorn partner of mine.

(bear grunting)
(men shouting)

- [Fight Observer]
Come on, sit up!

- My partner's gotta
have enough wick

to get up over the White
Pass, and that means

going eight back times
back and forwards.

- Look, you go get
the supplies, okay?

- Yeah, yeah well I'd better.

I'm gonna find a campsite

because I'm not gonna sleep
in the mud this night.

- Okay, here take this.

That'll take care of my part
of the supplies all right?

- Fine socialist wad you got.

- Ah, Sloper!

Here.

- Jeepers!

I'm tellin' ya we're
not carryin' these
books any further.

Shit.

Does anybody know
where I can get

the best provisions in town?

(dog growling)

(crowd shouting)

(dog whimpers)

- Good dog now, you
just do what you're told

and you're gonna make
somebody a good sled dog, eh?

(crowd shouting)

- Hey Ryan, this one's
got a name, Buck.

(Buck barking)

Reckon he was someone's lap dog?

(crowd shouting)
(Buck barking)

- Buck.

Let's see if you
remember your name

when I get through with you, eh?

(Buck growling)
(crowd shouting)

Get it off me, get if off me.

Someone get this dog
off (grumbling) off me.

(ominous music)

Eh, you flea bitten mongrel.

(crowd chattering)

Take this!

(Buck whimpering)
(Will grunting)

(man laughing)
(Buck whimpering)

Who in the hell are you?

- How much you want for the dog?

(crowd chattering)

- He ain't mine.

- Well whose is he?

- Mr. Smith's.

- Is he around?

- No, and he don't like
people pokin' their noses

into his business, hey?

(crowd chattering)

(Buck whimpering)

(somber orchestral music)

- What kinda name
they give you, boy?

- Name on the collar says Buck.

(Buck growls)

- Shh.

(Buck growls)
(Jack grunts)

- You crazy amateur.

(Buck growls)
(Jack grunts)

- Easy, boy.
(Buck barks)

I ain't gonna hurt ya.

Nobody's gonna hurt ya no more.

(Buck barks)

Easy.

(somber orchestral music)

That's it.

That's a good boy.
(Buck whimpers)

Shh, shh, shh.

That's it.

There's nobody
gonna hurt ya now.

No, nobody's gonna hurt ya.

(Buck whimpering)

You can tell your Mr. Smith

that I'll be back
later to pay for him.

- Hey, hey, hey, hey,
you can't take that dog.

- Who's stoppin' me?

No!
(dogs barking)

(crowd chattering)

(ominous orchestral music)

- Come on, Quiche, in ya go.
(Quiche whimpering)

There's a good boy.

That's it.

- Mr. Thornton?
- Yeah?

- I'm Jack London.

I heard your dogs
and I was wonderin'

if you could fix
this one up for me.

- Yeah, come on.

(dogs whimpering)

All right, put him
down over there.

- Over here?

- Mm-hm.

Good Lord.

Are you the one who
gave him the beating?

Oh, I'm sorry.

- You don't know me.

- Hey, did he do that?

I better bandage it.

- Look over him first.

Please?

- All right.

Look, I've just made
a pot of coffee.

Help yourself.

Pour me a cup, too, would you?

- Yeah.

(Buck whimpers)

- Now then, old chap.

Where did you find this fella?

- I took him from
down the street

where all the other dogs are.

- Oh yeah, Will Ryan.

Black beard, teeth
like a beaver.

Yes, I know him.

Breaks dogs for sled work.

- How long before
he'll be ready to go?

- Well, you better
leave him with me.

Be a couple of
days, maybe three.

- Well, my partner's
not gonna like that.

- Hm.

You heading for the gold fields?

- [Jack] Yes, sir.

- All right, boy.

- Well thank you, Mr.
Thornton for all your help.

- You're welcome.

- I'm gonna go pay for him.

- What, are you
buying him from Smith?

- Yes.

Who is this Smith?

- Jefferson Randolph Smith,

also known as Soapy Smith.

Oh, he comes from
down South somewhere,

but he got his
nickname in Colorado,

sold 25 cent
shaving soap for $5,

made people believe
there was a $20 bill

(chuckles) hidden in every cake.

- Huh.

Well is he an important
figure here in Skagway?

- Mr. London, Soapy
Smith owns Skagway.

(soft ominous music)

- To me it's robbery.

I don't think
they're that cheap.

Hey, what's your hurry, partner?

Hey, aren't ya
gonna stop and talk?

We're still partners remember?

(upbeat piano music)

Geez, where are you goin'?

You must have a
terrible thirst on.

- Yup.

- Come to think of it, I
could use a drink myself.

Not the whiskey
you're after, is it?

- Nope.

Gonna buy a dog from a man

named Soapy Smith.
- A dog?

We don't need a dog.

- Hey!
- Soapy Smith?

- That's right.

- Oh no.

I been hearin' about nothin'
but this Smith all day.

What this Smith wants
around here, he takes,

and what he takes he keeps.

Suppose he don't
wanna sell ya his dog?

- He will.

(Merritt whimpers)

- London.

(bar patrons chattering)
(castanets clicking)

(patrons whooping)

London, I have to talk to you.

Look, whatever you're doin',
it doesn't smell right.

London.

London. London!

- Where's Smith?

- Who wants him?

- Nobody, nobody.

I mean, what I meant to say is,

my partner here, he's heard
a lot about Mr. Smith,

a lot of fine words and
he's just purely eager

to have an admirin' look at
him, isn't that so, London?

- I wanna see Smith now.

- Well maybe you better
talk to him over there.

- You mean the big fella?

- No, the little
fella playin' cards.

He'll tell ya all ya wanna
know about Mr. Smith.

- That's not necessary.

- Are you Soapy Smith?

- That's my name.

I'm afraid I haven't
had the pleasure.

- Jack London.

I'm here to buy a dog
you supposedly own.

- You're Jack London, are you?

My handler didn't get your name

when you were stealing my dog.

- Your handler was
beating the dog to death.

And I didn't steal him, I
came here to pay for him.

How much?

- $500.

- Smart.
(bar patrons chattering)

- [Bar Patron] Whoa,
you gotta be kiddin' me.

- That's a lot of money.

Gimme 400.

- Are you crazy, to buy a dog?

- Give it to me!

- I haven't got that much left.

I mean, I bought
the gear, remember?

Now listen, listen, London.

I mean these people
aren't the kind of people

to get fancy with.

(patrons chattering)

- Three on (mumbles).

- [Card Player] All in.

- [Swiftwater] You wanted
to see it, there it is.

Ah, finished already, gentlemen?

What a pity.

I had a feeling your
luck was about to turn.

No doubt you'll recoup it
all, and more, another day.

And what about this
young gentleman?

- Name is Jack London.

Mr. London, I present
to you Mr. Gates.

Mr. Gates, Mr. London.

- A resounding name.

You a wagering man, Mr. London?

- Sometimes, but not Blackjack.

- Oh?

- Too slow.

- Oh well your pleasure.

Draw, Stud.

- I like to cut high card.

(bar patrons cheering)

- Oh, sit down, Mr. London.

Yes, I'm Bill Gates.

Friends and enemies
call me Swiftwater.

Got the name the summer of '84.

Some friends of mine saw
me take a fully loaded boat

single handed down through
a vicious tributary

of the Coeur d'Alene.

(soft piano music)

Now what have we
here, Mr. London?

- It's Jack.
(hand thuds)

That's $100.

- My dear young friend,
that money and you

have kept company a good
long time, haven't you?

Are you sure you want--

- What I'm sure I
wanna do, Swiftwater,

is shuffle the cards.

(deck of cards thuds)

(bar patrons groan)
(bar patrons chattering)

- Well?

It's your namesake card, friend.

- Mr. Gates.

- You can still
call me Swiftwater.

- Gimme the chance
to get it back.

- You wanna bet 200, is that it?

- 300.

- Put it on the table.

- I don't have it with me,
but I can get it if I lose.

- Of course you can.

And you will.

- Hundred on Swiftwater.

- Not likely.
- Geez!

- We advance a little
each time, don't we, Jack?

- It certainly seems that way.

(patrons chattering)

(Merritt grunts)

- Well, you've had your
little run of luck.

And very good luck it was, too.

I suppose you're going to take
your winnings now and leave.

- Let it ride.

- Oh-ho.
(patrons chattering)

- With pleasure.

- [Observer] Oh, he can play.

(bar patrons chattering)

(bar patrons groan)

- Ooh.
- That's a big card.

(upbeat piano music)

- Oh!
- I don't believe it!

(patrons chattering)

- [Observer] Well I'll say.

- I'm beginning to incubate
the feeling that I've been had.

- $500.

- Dog's not for sale.

(patrons chattering)

- [Patron] He offered
it to him already.

- In addition to all
the things I've heard,

you're a two-faced,
welshing liar.

(patrons chattering)
- London.

(Soapy laughs)

- And you, my
friend, are arrogant,

courageous, ambitious,

and a little boy.

- Don't patronize me!

- Oh my word, we're
literate, too, aren't we?

Put it down.

We're not gonna get
anywhere that way.

(patrons chattering)

Ah!

(upbeat piano music)
(patrons chattering)

(castanets clicking)

- You crazy, half of a wit kid!

You do one more sap
stupid thing like that,

I'm gonna bust up
our partnership.

- Suit yourself.

- Damn kid!

(patrons chattering)
(castanets clicking)

London!

(scoffs) Any one of 'em.

Any one of the beggars.

Maybe they can't turn out
rubbish 10 tons a minutes.

Maybe they ain't
read as many books.

I'll bet any one
of them is saner

than the idiot half of a
wit I saddled myself with.

Ah ha, hee hee, ho ho.

Look, we get an early
start tomorrow morning.

I bet we can get
most of this stuff

out by Porcupine Hill,
give us a good push

at the White Pass.

Did ya hear me, London?

I said if we get a
good start early--

- I heard you.

- Well, give me a sign
of life for heaven sakes.

How far do you think we
can get tomorrow morning?

- Well, that depends on
if Buck's ready to travel.

- Buck?

Geez, are you crazy?

Are you serious about
takin' that dog?

Oh you crazy half of a wit.

Geez, you're goin'
to get us killed

before we even leave
town for heaven sakes.

- Well that's a
thing we have to lug

all the way over the pass.

- (chuckles) It sure
is, but wait until

ya start workin' with her.

Hee hee, ha ha. (chuckles)

(dogs barking)

(Merritt whooping)

I caught the stinkin' thief!

- [Man] Let me alone!

- [Merritt] Come creepin'
in here quiet as an Indian.

Lucky I sleep light.

I got him just before
he woulda jumped ya.

- Not true, I came to talk.

- [Merritt] Smith sent
him in here to kill ya.

- What do you want, Swiftwater?

- Let me go.

There.

Now, you and your partner

are heading for Dawson
City, aren't you?

- So?

- I've gotta get to Dawson.

- Well what's stoppin' ya?

- I should be there.

I work gold rushes, every one,
including California in '49.

Of course I was
just a boy in that.

Younger than you
I imagined, yeah?

- Slick talkin' pig can
swing 'round the point

faster than a compass
needle at the North Pole.

- Swiftwater.

- Jack.

You see this'll have to
be the very last strike

that I'm involved in.

My last chance.

And with Dawson City just
sitting up there waiting for me,

I can set myself up
in a fancy saloon

and inside a year I can retire.

All I've gotta do is get there.

- Then why don't you
let Soapy Smith send ya?

- It's Smith I'm tryin'
to get away from!

- You wanna leave, ya walk away.

- I'm a gambling man.

I can't find the cure.

I've even got a rash
here that won't heal.

I'm proficient at cards.

Nobody, well very few, can
beat me at the pace boards,

but I can't seem to stop there

and I've made some disastrous
wagers in other areas.

- What's that go to
do with Soapy Smith?

- I owe him money, a great deal.

- You do pretty good fleecin'
the marks up at the saloon.

Why don't you pay him
out of your winnin's?

- Because the more money I make,

the higher Smith's rates climb.

And he's made sure
I'll never be able

to pay him back as
long as I'm in Skagway.

Take me along with ya, Jack.

Take me with you to
the Klondike, will you?

- You know what he
wants, don't ya?

Protection.

He's lookin' at us to keep
Soapy Smith off his back.

That's the truth, isn't it?

- I'll pay ya anything you ask.

- You could pay me every
bar of gold in the U.S. Mint

and it still wouldn't be enough.

Not for gettin' on the
knife side of Soapy Smith.

(chuckles) No, sir.

My vote's no.

- Sorry, Swiftwater.

- I understand.

It was a forlorn
hope in any case.

- What ya gonna do, Swiftwater?

- Oh I'll think of something.

- [Jack] I'm gonna
go check on Buck.

(bar patrons chattering)
(upbeat piano music)

(door squeaks)

- A little bit of this, boys.

We're gonna make a fortune.

We're gonna take out
our weight in gold.

(dog whimpers)

(dramatic music)

(Jack grunts)

- Get out.
- No!

(men grunting)

No!
(glass breaking)

- Tom!

Tom, help!

Help me, help me!

Oh, oh, help me!

(somber music)

- Where is he anyway?

- Keep your voice
down, he's all right.

- And why can't we head to
the Klondike the way we said?

- Because it will be
dangerous for London

to go by way of the White Pass.

Now this other trail
starts from a place

just north of here
called Dyea Beach.

It's known as the Chilkoot.

- If London wants to go another
way, that's his business.

I'm takin' the White Pass.

- Believe me, it would be wiser
for you to travel together

and the Chilkoot is better.

- I'm takin' the White.

- All right.

When you meet Soapy
Smith's men on the way,

you can explain that you're no
longer Jack London's partner.

- I'm takin' the Chilkoot.

- [Mr. Thornton]
Go on, boy, go on.

Hike!

Hike!

- Hello, Sloper.

- Where you been?

- (laughs) Come on!

- They really did you in.

- [Mr. Thornton] Hike!

Hike!

- [Merritt] Ah, geez.

- Ha!

Here you are, that's it.

- Well thank you, Mr. Thornton.

- Ah, good luck.

Perhaps I'll drop in on you
one day in the Klondike.

- Well I owe ya a cup of coffee.

- Ah.

- And a few thousand
other things.

I thank you, Mr. Thornton.

- [Mr. Thornton] Good
luck, Mr. Sloper.

- Mr. Thornton.

- Hike!

(dramatic music)

- This your last trip?

Stack your stuff up here.

This your last trip?

Stack your stuff up here.

Last trip?

Okay, stack your stuff and
you come back or leave it.

This your last trip?

- Yes.
- Then stack your stuff

up there and come down
and join this line.

This your last trip?

- [Gold Miner] Yes, it is.

- Stack your stuff up there and
come down and join the line.

Your last trip?

This your last trip?

Okay, stack your stuff and
come back down to this line.

- [Man In White Hat]
I'm much obliged.

- [Line Organizer] Stack your
stuff, come back to the line.

Hold it right there!
- You're a good man.

- [Line Organizer]
Get down there, go on!

- I wish you good luck.

- Thank you.

You go back down?

- Yeah, just two more.
(dog whimpering)

- Good luck, my friend.

- Thank you.
- Good luck.

- Okay, stack your stuff and
just come back down again.

This your last trip?

- Yeah.
- Okay, stack your stuff

and come back down
to this line up.

Hold it right there.

Now get back in line.

- What for?

- Canadian customs.

- Is this gonna take long?

- I don't know, you'll be
interviewed when it's your turn

by Superintendent Steele,
now get back in line.

- Interviewed?

- That's right.

- Do you know what
kinda trip we just made?

I'm not gonna make no

stupid interview.
- Get back in line.

- Listen, listen to me, listen.

Steele?

Did you say Sam Steele?

- Aye, that's right.

- Now you listen to me,
and you listen to me good.

You and your big hothead
mouth has already

got us in enough trouble.

I'm warnin' ya, and
this time I mean it.

Don't you run afoul
of Sam Steele.

- What is he, a policeman?

- Yeah, he's a policeman.

He's the policeman around here.

Everybody in the North
Country knows him.

They don't call him the lion

of the Yukon for
nothin'. (chuckles)

- Is that so?

- Yeah, that's so.

He's put down rebellions.

He's kept Sittin' Bull sittin'.

He's out driv' a railway
across this here country.

- Which one of ya
is Jack London?

- I am.

- You're aware of
the requirements

for proceeding
onto Canadian soil.

Every member of
your party must have

sufficient provisions
to last a year.

- Yes, sir, we have them.

- My men will check.

- I'm sure you'll find
everything in order, sir.

- I understand ya spent
some time in jail, Buffalo.

- You seem to know
all about my past.

- It's my job.

Every policeman is
part-time historian.

- Well does your history book
tell you why I was in jail?

- Vagrancy.

- You believe that, sir?

- (groans) Oh London,
take it easy, will ya?

- Is there any reason
why I shouldn't?

- No, sir.

You're a policeman.

- Oh.

- And it was policemen
who charged in

on a bunch of hungry,
unarmed men whose only crime

was looking for honest work.

It was policemen who
bloodied us with their clubs

and it was policemen who
locked us up without a trial

in a stinking jail
for a whole month.

- (groans) London, geez.

- Are ya finished, London?

- That depends on if you
pass us through, sir.

- What if I don't?

- Well I expect I might find
me a few more things to say.

- We don't allow
riffraff into this--

- Now look, Superintendent!

- You look.

I will not be interrupted
while I'm speaking.

Is that clear?

I have been given
the responsibility

for keeping the
peace in the Yukon.

That's exactly what
I'm going to do.

We don't need
troublemakers here.

You and your--

- Now just one fat minute.

If ya think him and I are
gonna be troublemakers

for you up here--

- London. (groans)

- I apologize.

- No, say what you
were going to say.

- No, sir, I don't
believe I will.

What I would like
to say, though,

although you may
not pass me through,

I hope you don't let
my partner here suffer

for the way that
you feel for me.

- Is there any reason why I
should let either of you pass?

- Yes, sir, we've come
for gold, not trouble.

- Ah, gold.

Gold can make trouble.

- We want to go to
the Klondike, sir.

- I have no more questions.

- Thank you, sir.

(Sam grunts)

- (stammers) You're
gonna, does that mean

you're gonna let us through?

- See that ya respect the law.

- (whoops) Damn, London.

We're gonna, we will, sir.

We're goin' now.

- Uh-huh.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(bright orchestral music)

(Buck barking)

- Come on, Buck.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(bright orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- [Jack] Well, we
finally made it, Sloper.

Lake Lindemann.

There's enough wood out there
to build a thousand boats.

All's we have to do
is build just one.

- [Merritt] And now we're
gonna see if your muscle's

as big as your mouth.

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Come on, Sloper,
let's get at it!

Yeehaw!

(Merritt grumbling)

- Go on.

Oh I, ah!

I,

I don't like this.

(suspenseful music)

Where are we?

Where are we going?

I don't (grumbling),

I'm going too,

I'm going too fast.

I'm going too fast!

Holy Jehosaphat!

(Buck barking)

Stop me!

(water splashes)
Ah!

(Merritt grunting)
(Buck barking)

(water splashes)

God, now he's biting me.

Save me, ya stupid
(Buck barking)

(Jack laughing)
maggot face,

flea bitten dog.

(Jack laughing)

Down!
(Buck barking)

(Jack laughing)

Sam Hill are you laughin' for
anyway, ya harebrained idiot.

Who are you to
choose this stinkin'

back bustin' route
in the first place?

- Sloper, you clumsy buffoon!

- And you're not gonna get
me goin' up the hill again.

What's up there
can stay up there.

- Well, these trees
here good enough for ya?

- Best I've seen.

Gonna mark the whole stand.

(soft ominous music)

- Hey, you can't cut trees here.

All those trees belong to us.

- We'll split at the
camp, I'll take Ryan.

Well where's your mark?

- Well we claimed them early.

We had no time for markin's.

(ominous music)

- Come on, Sloper.

Well look.

Put your mark on your trees
and the trees are yours.

No mark, no claim.

Ya understand what I'm sayin'?

(ominous music)
Come on, Sloper.

Come on.

- Hey!

How'd you ever get
past Mr. Smith?

- How'd you get past Steele?

I didn't think they let
riffraff into this territory.

- I got work in Dawson City.

I train dogs.

- Yeah, so I've seen.

Now you can just go get
your own trees, beaver face.

(whip cracks)
Come on.

- [Merritt] Hit the old man.

(dramatic music)

- Ah!

- I'll get the gun.

Sheesh!

(whip snaps)
(Jack grunts)

(playful music)

(Merritt whoops)

(whip snaps)
- Ow!

(suspenseful music)

(man grunts)

(man grunts)

- Hey!
(man groans)

(Jack cries out)

(whip cracks)

(playful music)

- [Merritt] Hey!

(whip cracks)
- Ow!

(whip cracks)
(Jack groans)

(Buck barking)

(whip cracks)
(Jack groans)

(Buck growling)

- Come on, you scum.

(men grunting)

We've got ya this
time, haven't we?

(suspenseful music)
(Buck barking)

- Well go ahead and kill me!

- What?

- Well you better kill me
now while you got the chance,

'cause if you don't, one day
I'm gonna kill both of ya.

- Get outta here.

(Will mutters)

Go on.

(whip cracks)

(Jack panting)

- Thanks, Buck.

(Buck barks)

Thank you.

(playful music)

- Thanks, Buck?

(Buck barks)

(tree creaking)

There she goes.

(tree thuds)

- Timber!

(tree splashes)

Woo!

- Welp, that's it.

We've had our fun.

Now three more
months of your ha ha,

ho ho, and your hee hee.

- [Jack] Will you quit that?

- [Merritt] What?

- [Jack] Draggin' it.

- Ya fool, look who's talkin'.

- [Jack] Come on,
quit holdin' it.

- Dumb halfwit.

You tryin' to teach
me how to saw?

(Jack grunting)

Now you're doing it on purpose.

- Doin' what?

- I'm blinded down here
and you're draggin' it.

- Look, I'm doin' my
share of the work,

more than my share.

- Greenhorn of a halfwit.

(Jack grunts)

- [Jack] Greenhorn, huh?

- Okay. (chuckles)

I've been meaning to do this.

Come on you, you greenhorn.

(Buck barking)

Get off, let go!

- [Jack] Get outta here, Buck.

- (grunts) Get that dog off.

You get off!
(Buck barking)

Stop it, off me.

Get off me.

Dog, get off me.

London.

(Merritt laughing)

Yeah, best boat I
ever built, this one.

- Ah, well I'd sure
hate to see the others.

- This here boat's as seaworthy

as any you ever shipped on.

- Well that's not
sayin' a lot, Sloper.

(wagon rattling)

- [Wagon Driver] Ya.

- Hey Sloper, take
a look at this.

- [Merritt] What
are ya lookin' at?

- [Wagon Driver] Stop!

- Sheesh.

- Jack!

Jack London!

- [Jack] Swiftwater.

- Jack London!

Jack, my boy.

- Hello, Swiftwater.

- And the esteemed Mr. Sloper.

- You don't mean
to say you crossed

the mountain in that thing.

- [Jack] Oh, you know damn well
he didn't, it's impossible.

- You know damn well he did.

When it comes to the
desire for comfort,

my dear young sir,
the impossible becomes
merely difficult.

- (chuckles) Your
luck sure has changed,

hasn't it, Swiftwater?

- I told ya I'd
think of something.

Now come along,
I'll introduce you

to my traveling companions,
though I do wish

you were a trifle more
gentilely attired.

- You got women?

- Ah, sh, not so loud.

- What's the matter, don't
they know they're women?

- Sloper, these are not women.

These are ladies with
considerable theatrical talent.

- You got dance hall girls!

- Ah, nothing so mundane.

These ladies were
the toast of Denver.

They've come north to admire
the wonders of the Yukon.

- Yeah, they've come here to
cash in on the old gold rush.

- (laughs) Jack, you have such
a delicate way with words.

Well let me say this.

The ladies come well-recommended
and with cold hard cash.

They plan to establish
a saloon in Dawson City,

a glittering palace
dedicated to the pleasure

and comfort of the
trail weary prospector.

And who better to escort them
through the vicissitudes of,

what's he doing here?

- Says he's on his
way to Dawson City.

- And Soapy Smith?

- I haven't seen him.

- Oh.

I can't begin to tell
you how difficult it was

to get out of Skagway.

If Smith should follow me,

but the Mounties would
never allow it, would they?

Hands away, sir.

Ladies,
(bright music)

you may alight.

May I present Miss
Belinda McNair.

My friends, Jack
London and Mr. Sloper.

- [Belinda] Gentlemen.

- My dear Miss McNair
has graciously consented

to become my wife.

- Let's not start that
again, Swiftwater.

I told you I'd never
marry a gambling man.

- [Swiftwater] I
assured you, my dear,

my wagering days are long gone.

- Uh-huh, but you lie a lot.

I hear you have a boat.

Which one is yours?

- That one over there.

- How much do you want for it?

- Well, (chuckles)
it's not for sale.

- (scoffs) Everything's for
sale, what's your price?

- Well, Miss McNair,
my partner and I here,

we built that boat to
take us to the gold creeks

and well I really don't
think there's anything

that could persuade
us to sell her.

- I do admire a man
with principles.

Ladies,
(bright music)

you can come out now.

This is Gertie.

And here's Louise.

(Jack chuckles)

(soft orchestral music)

- She reached down for him
then realized he was dead.

She held him for a long
time, stroking his hair

and kissing his closed eyes.

(serene orchestral music)

Then she reached for the
dagger in her scabbard.

She plunged it into her heart

and she laid beside him,

and with her last
bit of strength

she took his hand in hers.

- [Louise] Oh, that
was beautiful, Jack.

- It was so sad.

- [Louise] It was beautiful.

- Shakespeare would
have been proud, my boy.

- I never knew anybody who
could dish out so much,

beggin' your pardon, ladies,
bull roar as you, Jack.

(playful music)

- (sighs) Gertie, it's time
you and Louise went to bed.

- I'm not tired, Belinda.

- Yes, you are.

- But you said I could stay
up as long as I wanted to.

- I changed my mind.

- All right.

Which is my tent?

- Take your pick.

- [Louise] Goodnight, Jack.

- Goodnight, Louise.

- [Gertie] Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Gertie.

(Swiftwater grunts)

- How 'bout a look at your boat?

(Jack grunts)

- It's gettin' too dark
to look at the boat.

- We can feel our way, can't we?

- Sure.

Sure.

- Hey, that's some
good lookin' woman.

- Enterprising.

She'll make a good wife.

- You ain't serious about
that are ya, Swiftwater?

- Mr. Sloper, at my age
a man is always caught

between a laugh and a tear.

- You're almost as
full of it as Jack is.

(sultry music)

- Don't you think it's time
we had a little discussion.

- [Jack] Well don't you think

we've done enough
talking for tonight?

(Buck whines)

(soft suspenseful music)

- 'Til tomorrow then.

(soft sultry music)

- Goodnight, Belinda.

- (muttering) silly
wick. (grumbles)

- Jack.

Come here, please.

(soft sultry music)

I saw you looking
at Gertie earlier.

I don't blame you,
she's very pretty.

- Very.

- Do you think I'm pretty, too?

- Very.

- Should we go talk about it?

- Sure.

(Louise chuckles)

- Ouch.

- [Merritt] (muttering) silly.

(Jack groans)

- [Louise] Thank you.

- Sure.

- Jack.

Jack?

(soft suspenseful music)

Jack?

Jack?

Are you out there, Jack?

(playful music)

- I'm comin', little girl.

I'm comin'.

Stay right where ya are.

I'm comin'.

All these women.

(chuckles) There you are,
my pretty little mouse.

Jack's fast asleep.

Never fear.

(suspenseful music)

Yes, Merritt Sloper
here to save the night.

- Your boat would
do just fine for me

and the girls and Swiftwater.

- (scoffs) That may
be good for you,

but what about
Mr. Sloper and me?

- We could squeeze you in.

- Belinda, he's my partner.

- Too bad.

Could've been an
interesting trip,

but if that's the way
you feel about it.

- [Swiftwater] You're not
thinkin' about trying him?

- Why not?

He has a boat all ready to
sail, probably likes money.

- Oh, be careful
of him, Belinda.

- I'm careful of every
man I meet, Swiftwater,

lest you forget.

- The very last
thing I need is one

of Soapy Smith's men
on a long river trip.

- Well I don't know, eh.

Who's goin'?

- Me, the two girls, and
the little gentleman.

- Well, you and the
ladies, that's just fine.

Swiftwater, why does
he have to go along.

- He does.

- Look, why don't ya ask

some of the other
people around here?

I mean, maybe they won't
sell ya their boats,

but if ya pay them enough
they'll help ya build one.

You can take it down
the river yourself.

- I'd have to leave
my close friends.

- So leave them.

How much for the fare?

- Well, it's a long trip, eh?

Nearly 500 mile.

- I mean with all your
experience on the Coeur d'Alene.

- Because I can't.

My name and all that
talk about rivers

and rapids is just talk.

In fact, Jack, the closest
I've ever come to whitewater

in Idaho or anywhere else
is when an angry mark

dumped a bucket of
laundry suds over my head.

- Well, maybe she won't
make a deal with Ryan.

- Save the sad part,
what's the price?

- $800.

- Ah, the whole tub
isn't worth that.

500, take it or leave it.

(Will chuckles)

- I'll take it.

- Congratulations, you've just
got yourself some passengers.

(Belinda whistles)

This way.

(playful music)

(Merritt groans)

- Books.

(sniffs) Smells like rain.

I said it smells like rain.

- Not a chance. (laughs)

(thunder rumbles)

- How 'bout it, London?

Does it smell dry for tomorrow?

(Buck barking)

Come to the White Horse
Rapids before too long.

From what I hear about
the stinkin' wretches

maybe we'd better
put out around 'em.

- We'll lose too much time.

- It's better than
losin' the sod-bong boat.

Especially after all the
rain we've been havin'.

Them rapids is gonna bang
us around like a cork.

- [Belinda] Help, over here!

Jack! Sloper!

- [Women] Help, over here!

- [Gertie] Jack, help!

- Hey, look over there.

- [Women] Jack!

- Over here!
- Jack, help!

Help!

- Well maybe--
- Sure isn't Indians,

is they?
(Jack chuckles)

- Yoohoo!
(bright music)

- Oh help!
- Jack!

- [Belinda] Jack!

It's Belinda!

- [Jack] I wonder
what happened to them.

- [Merritt] Come on.

- When we woke up Ryan
was gone with the boat.

Swiftwater went on ahead to see

if he could hire some
men to carry our baggage.

I would say there
isn't much chance

of his finding anybody
in this wilderness.

He's been gone
almost three days.

The girls and I
were on the point

of taking what we could carry
and starting out after him,

but now that you and Mr. Sloper
have come with your boat,

you can save us all those
days of walking, can't you?

- I'll be back in
a little while.

- Ryan.

That dirty, no good,
stinkin' wretch!

(ominous music)

- [Merritt] Them rapids is gonna

bang us 'round like a corkscrew.

- What's that noise?

- What noise?

- You never hear anything.

- I hear what I want to.

- Listen to her.

She never says no because
she never hears the question.

- Well, at least I get asked.

- Girls.

(ominous music)

- This is gonna
have to come down.

- [Belinda] Shall I help?

- [Merritt] Yeah, if ya can.

- My dear boy.

(soft suspenseful music)

- Oh!

- Oh dear God.

(suspenseful music)

(Jack grunting)

Ah! Oh!

- We're gonna die!

- Oh, oh, oh!

- [Merritt] Where is
she goin', London?

- [Belinda] Oh!

- I wanna go home.
- You can pray with me.

- Hang on, oh!

- What are you gonna do?
- Oh, help.

- Oh!
- Oh, we're just

gonna die here.

- [Gertie] Stop
worrying, Louise!

- Oh!

- Sloper!

(Merritt cries out)

- Sloper.
- Yeah!

(Belinda grunting)

- Up and in.

(Belinda grunting)

- London!

- [Louise] Kill us all, Jack!

- [Belinda] Hang on, girls.

Hang on.

(soft ominous music)

(Buck whimpers)

- Ladies.

(grunts) Hey, careful.

Your hand.

(thunder rumbles)

(somber music)

- Want something to eat?

(somber music)

(serene orchestral music)

- Anyone offering breakfast?

- Swifty!

- Belinda, my love,
it confounds logic

how you can manage to
look totally exquisite

no matter what the
hour or circumstance.

- Good to see you again.

- I assume you gentlemen
brought these ladies

through the rapids?

My gratitude.

I regret our boat was stolen

or I would have easily
brought them through myself.

- I'll think of you often.

- Goodbye, Belinda.

- Bye, Jack.

- Goodbye, Louise.

- Bye.
- Goodbye, Gertie.

You folks'll probably
get into Dawson City

in about six days.

- But it's not
goodbye, young Jack.

You'll be in Dawson
one of these days.

I'll lay you three to one on it.

- Swiftwater, are you betting?

- Manner of speech!

I think there's a
distinct possibility

that we meet again one day soon.

- I hope so, my friend.

Sloper, come on.

We got a long trek ahead of us.

I wanna get to that cabin
before that snow comes.

- Hey, goodbye.

- Goodbye?

- Yeah, I reckon.

- What's that supposed to mean?

- I'm gonna go with them.

- What?

- Yeah, I just decided.

I'm gonna go with them.

- [Jack] Sloper.

- I don't understand you,

and I don't think
that's real good

for a proper partnership.

- You're not supposed to
understand your partner.

- Yeah ya are.

- The hell you are.

I've never understood
you, Sloper.

- Yeah, but ya see, I
don't get on your nerves

the same way you get on mine.

And you're gonna be all right.

And these people here,
they need a pilot

to help 'em get
'em down the river.

- Stay with me, Sloper.

- No, I'm going with them.

- But I can't make it on my own.

I need ya.

- Ah, ya never needed anybody
in your whole young life.

- I do now.

Aw, maybe I'm gettin' old.

- Damn!

You dumb half of a wit kid!

You get me into all
kinds of trouble

with that stupid mouth of yours.

You know, you stupid
you near killed me.

Ya know that.

Sheesh.

(stammers) And what's the use of

tryin' to explain
anything to ya, huh?

Ya never listen.

Well, you folks, you
better get going.

- [Jack] Come on,
what ya waitin' for?

- [Sloper] What?

- You don't want them to
get the gold first, do ya?

- [Sloper] Nah.

(playful music)

(Buck barking)

(serene orchestral music)

We're gonna have to call
it quits anytime now,

settle in for the winter.

Maybe like right now.

Sheesh, when you don't
want him to talk,

he pushes up bull roar so fast

you can't even knock
it down with a shovel,

and when you do
want him to talk.

- Sloper.

Quick!
- What?

What is it?

- I don't know.

(Merritt grunts)

Oh.

(chuckles) Yeah, I knew
it was fool's gold.

- Gold.

Gold.
- Gold.

(dramatic music)

(playful music)

Real gold?

- Real.

Real, an ounce put in the
mountain and (shouts).

- [Jack] Yeehaw!

(men whooping)
(Buck barking)

All right, yeah!

(Buck barking)

- [Merritt] Mm, ya (mumbles).

(Buck barking)
- Gold!

Yeah!

Whoa, yeah!

(wind howling)

Sailor or landsman.

There is some sort of
Cape Horn for us all.

Boys, be aware of it.

Prepare for it in time.

Gray beards, thank
God it has passed.

- Just as I thought.

It's all bull.

What's it mean?

- Well, that everybody
goes through a big crisis.

It affects the rest
of their whole life.

- Why doesn't he just come
right out and say it then?

- (chuckles) Sloper,
if I could say things

just half as well as he does--

(Buck barking)

- It's just the wind, Buck.

(Buck barking)

- Did ya hear somethin', boy?

Hey, someone's been around here.

- You're gettin' cabin fever.

(Buck barks)

You, too.

(Buck barks)

- Good boy.

Yeah.

Good boy.

Yeah.

(soft suspenseful music)

(Sloper sucking his teeth)

Will you quit that?

- Quit what? (sucking teeth)

- [Jack] Sucking your teeth.

- I told you you were
gettin' cabin fever.

Why they hell don't ya get out
for a spell, chop some wood.

- We've got wood.

- Leave me be.

- It's not cabin fever.

It's just that for
once in my life

I have found
something that I want,

that I really want,
and it's out there,

but I can't get my hands
on that stupid gold!

- It's not my fault.
(sucking teeth)

- And will you quit
suckin' your teeth!

- I ain't suckin' my teeth.

- Well then what do you call it?

- I'm tastin' a steak
I ate once in Seattle.

I can remember it
as if it was sittin'

right here in front of me.

Thick, big,

juicy,

and nothin' with it.

No potatoes, peas,

it was just blood.

It was smothered all
over with tomato sauce.

- Tomato sauce?

(ominous music)

- What's the matter with that?

- Nobody eats steak
with tomato sauce.

- I do!

- Yeah?

Yeah, well you would!

- [Merritt] What's
that's supposed to mean?

(Buck whimpers)

- [Jack] Well you can take
it any way you want to.

- Yeah, well.

(fist thuds)

Well I will!

(men grunting)
(objects clattering)

I'm stupid, dumb, stinking tired

of you and your stinkin' airs.

- Yeah?

Are you talkin' to me?

- I'm talkin' to a
phony half of a wit

who thinks he's
too stinkin' good!

- Oh!
(Buck barking)

Well, you're just a
stupid, mean old buzzard.

- Who you calling stupid?

- You.

You, I'm calling you stupid.

Who did you think I was
calling stupid, stupid?

- You armpit.
- Whoa!

You stupid buzzard.

- You git!

Go on!
- Stupid!

(suspenseful music)

(men chattering)

(guns firing)

(Merritt yelps)

- That's our stinkin'
thief friends,

isn't it?
(glass breaking)

- I don't know, but who cares?

Hey, let's make a run for it.

- [Merritt] Where to?

(guns firing)

- [Jack] Sunny San
Francisco, come on.

(Merritt laughing)

(guns firing)
(glass breaking)

(man groans)

(guns firing)

(Merritt laughing)

(guns firing)

(man groans)

- [Will] Cover me!

(guns firing)

(suspenseful music)

- [Mr. Thornton] Hike!

(guns firing)

- Cover me!

- Where ya goin'?

- I'm goin' up on the roof.

- What the hell for?

- Can't ya smell?

- Go!

(guns firing)

- [Mr. Thornton] Go on.

(guns firing)

Go.

Go!

(guns firing)

- Keep firing!
- Let's go!

(guns firing)

- Run!
- Yeah!

Oh I didn't know this
was the road to Dawson.

- I came to drink
that cup of coffee.

- (laughs) Well
I'm glad we could

give you a little entertainment.

- Mr. Thornton!

(gun fires)
(Merritt groans)

(dramatic music)

(gun fires)
(man groans)

- Sloper?

Sloper, Sloper.

Sloper?

(somber music)

- London.

(Merritt chuckles)

(wheezes) You reckon
this could be Cape Horn?

- What?

- Oh, it's somethin' we were
talkin' about the other night.

- Look, we've gotta get
him into Dawson, fast.

You got any blankets in there?

All you've got,
mackinaws, anything.

(somber orchestral music)

- Hang on, Sloper,
we're almost there!

- Come on.

- The doc'll fix ya up and
then we'll go see the girls.

- Come on, Buck!

- [Jack] Come on, Buck, hike!

- Go!
- That's it, hike, Buck.

- Hike!
- Hike!

Hike!

- Outta the way, please!

(dogs barking)

Watch, son.

Whoa, whoa.

(dogs barking)

Hey, listen, what's
happened here?

- Can't you see?

- Doctor Riddle,
where can I find him?

- He's burned to a crisp.

They say he was stone drunk.

- Well, we've got
a wounded man here.

Is there another doctor?

- Not in Dawson.

- Well where's, wait a minute.

The priest, Father
Judge, he's not a doctor,

but he's got a place, hasn't he?

- Filled to the gunnels, sir.

Father Judge is sick
himself, near dead.

- All right, Jack.

Pardon me, sir.

Come on.

(dogs barking)
Hike!

Hike!
- Come on, Buck.

Hike, come on, hike!

There.

(wind howling)

You try not to
talk, okay Merritt?

- This'll have to do for now,

but we can't leave
him here all night.

- Yeah, I know.

He's too cold in here.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

- All right.

(dog barking)

(men whooping)

(upbeat piano music)

- Jack!

Oh, how marvelous
to see you again.

Aww Jack, you're not being
nice, not nice at all.

- Yeah.

Hey look, I'm in a hurry.

Is Belinda around?

- Belinda?
- Yeah.

- Yeah, somewhere.

See ya, Jack.

- I'm sorry.

- Jack.

Oh, Jack, oh!

Isn't it perfect?

Just the way I always
dreamed it would be.

Oh Jack, come with
me, come with me.

John, a brandy for
Mr. Jack London.

- [Jack] I need your help.

- Oh.
- Belinda.

- Look at it, just look at it.

(men clapping rhythmically)

- Look, Belinda, Sloper's been
shot and he needs a doctor.

- Oh that's terrible, Jack.

The nearest doctor
is in Circle City.

- Well he can't travel anymore

and I need to find a
place where he's gonna

be safe and warm.
- Belinda?

- Carl said you wanted to
talk to me about something.

If it's about your percentage--

- Gertie?

- Jack, I knew I'd
see you sometime.

- I do want to see you,
Gertie, but not now.

- If it's about
your percentage--

- Later.

Later.

Jack, can't the
Mounties help you?

- No, I tried, there
wasn't anybody.

Belinda, Sloper's in a bad way!

- Belinda, can I see you

for a moment?
- I need some help!

- It's very important.
- We don't give credit.

- Belinda, we're out of whiskey.

- We can't let that
happen, now can we, Jack?

Wait for me, I won't be long.

- Belinda.

Belinda!

(patrons clapping rhythmically)

- [Swiftwater] 40.

- We're gonna be rich, boys.

We're gonna make a fortune.

We're gonna take out
our weight in gold.

(upbeat piano music)

- Things are terrible
in Dawson, Jack.

Crowded, cold, people hungry.

- Merritt Sloper was
on that trail with you.

He helped you get here.

All's I'm asking for is a room
where he'll be warm and...

- Jack, you've just arrived.

You haven't had a chance
to see what Dawson's like.

Beds are at a premium.

- Maybe a couple of the girls
will double up for a few days.

I mean, just a--
- Jack.

- Jack, come back
and see me sometime?

- What's it gonna cost me?

- Jack.

- [Jack] Hey, try not to talk.

(Merritt chuckles)

- [Merritt] Listen
who's talking.

Big mouth.

- Yeah, big mouth.

- Am I gonna make it, Jack?

- Damn right you are.

- Geez.

I am cold.

- Yeah, I know.

I know, but I'm gonna find ya
a place that's warmer, okay?

Okay?

We gotta get him outta here.

- Yes, I know.

But where?

- I'm goin' back to
that saloon, and if they

don't let us have a
room, they can darn well

let us put him in the kitchen.

At least it's warmer there.

(Buck whimpers)

What's the matter, Buck?

(Buck grumbling)

(ominous music)
(Buck whimpering)

(Buck whining)

(Jack mutters)

(Jack cries out)

- Jack!

- Now you put them down
warm for the night.

They've had a hard day.

(dogs barking)

You, come back here,
come back here.

London.

Yes, London.

You've come to Dawson
City after all, huh?

London?

Come on, boy.

That's it, that's it.

All right?

I'll pour some hot
coffee into ya.

And you have no idea who did it?

I'm sorry, London.

I'm truly sorry.

And I'm also sorry
about something else

that I have to bring
up at this time,

but the law is the law.

Did you and Thornton bring
any firearms into town?

If you did, I'll have
to take them from you.

You get them back when
you leave of course.

Did you?

- (sighs) Rifles.

- No handguns?

- No.

- Well that's all right, then.

It's the handguns, they're the
ones that cause the trouble.

- No shooting.

You wanna make sure that
there's no shooting in Dawson.

- That's right.

- Well what about the lying

and the cheating
and the stealing?

What about a town that's so
cold and greedy and heartless

that nobody in it would lift
a finger to save a man's life?

- Oh, London.
- No.

No, there's not any shooting
in your beautiful little town,

Superintendent, but
there's no humanity either.

There's no pity, no love,

just the law,

the great blind law.

- Jack!

Jack, over here!

It's me, Swiftwater.

I've gotta talk to ya.

Jack, I've got to talk to ya.

Listen, I came to tell ya
Soapy Smith's in Dawson.

(Jack grumbles)
He's lookin' for both of us.

Will ya listen?

He's after us, he
wants to kill us.

(Jack grumbles)
At least come over here

where we can talk.

- [Jack] Where you goin'?

- Here, here, over here.

I'm going into hiding
until he leaves,

a place where he'll
never find me.

You can come, too,
we'll both be safe,

but we gotta hurry, Jack.

- Well wait a minute.

You came looking for me?

You risked your life.

- We haven't got time
to stand around talking.

Are you coming?

- You go ahead.

Go ahead, Swiftwater.

Go on.

- I wanna thank you for
taking care of my dog.

- He's not yours.

- He's my dog, you stole
him, and I want him back.

Go get him, Ryan.

(Buck growling)

(Buck barking)

- Big Ed, you better
get him out, eh?

Some reason that
dog don't like me.

(Buck barking)

- Anybody comes near this dog

I'll kill 'em!
- Hold it, hold it!

Back off, Burns.

Back off.

I'm sorry, that's my fault.

I forgot about your
spirit, Mr. London.

Suppose we had a race?

- What kind of race?

- A dog race, your
team against my team.

You win, you keep the dog
and I'll throw in $2,000.

- And if I lose?

- You lose the dog and you go
on my payroll for six months.

- Well I don't know that
Mr. Thornton's team--

- Could I have a private
word with Mr. London?

- Make it brief.

- Oh Jack, you're welcome
to the team, you know that,

but they're worn out, just
come off a long, hard ride.

- I accept your
challenge, Mr. Smith.

- Good.

- In four days.

- Tomorrow morning.

Oh, one more thing.

If you don't show,

you can bet your life I'm
coming back for the dog.

(ominous music)

(Buck growling)

- There.
- Okay, you listen to me, Hal.

Here, hey, hey.
- It's tight.

- Listen to me.
- Morning.

- Now you listen.
- Okay, Buck.

- Hey, listen.
- Good luck, Mr. Thornton.

- Thank you.
- Now when you feel that whip

you're gonna run, eh?
- Easy, boy.

- Listen here, hey, hey.

- [Sam] Have a good race, men.

- Thank you.
- Good race.

- Good morning, sir.

- [Sam] Morning, morning.

- Jack, you're gonna
have to pace them.

Now don't let them
start off too fast,

but on the other hand--

- Don't let 'em
get too far behind.

- That's right.

- Let's face it, you've got
a good lookin' team there.

- Don't worry.

- Jack.

Jack!

I'm a little upset
about Swiftwater.

He just disappeared last night

and I haven't
heard a word since.

It's not like him.

- Well I wouldn't
worry about it.

I'm sure he'll be
back sooner or later.

- Jack, I wanted to see
you before the race.

I heard about Mr.
Sloper and I am sorry.

- Yeah.

Well look, I've got
some things to do.

- I'm ashamed of
the way I acted.

I guess there's something
about this place.

Good luck, Jack.

- (chuckles) Thanks, Belinda.

(dogs whining)

(upbeat fiddle music)

- The rules, gentlemen.

The pistol fire
will start the race.

(upbeat fiddle music)
(bar patrons whooping)

- We don't open
until after the race.

- Now the first team
which led intact

to cross this line will
be declared the winner.

Now gentlemen, are you ready?

(dogs barking)

(upbeat fiddle music)

- [Man In Floppy Hat]
Come on, Swiftwater.

An old friend of yours
is waitin' to get paid.

(Swiftwater grunts)

Wait for us.

- [Swiftwater] Oh please!

(crowd chattering)
(dogs whimpering)

- Ready!

(gun fires)

(crowd shouting)
(suspenseful music)

- Glide!

Hike, Buck, hike!

Hike, Buck.

(crowd shouting)

Glide!

- Swiftwater.
(Swiftwater grunts)

- Wait a minute.
- Swiftwater.

- Don't touch the lady.

All right, you go stand
by the door, go on.

I don't know, Swiftwater.

I never thought
you'd be a recluse.

Sit down.

(Swiftwater grunts)

I've been doing a
little accounting

and I've come to the conclusion

that the money you owe
me just about adds up

to your equity in this saloon.

- Smith.

- I tell you what I'll do.

You're a gambling man
and I take a chance

from time to time, so
we'll cut the cards for it.

If you win, you get your
share of the saloon back

and we're even, but if you lose,

I get the whole thing.

- I can't do that.

- Why not?

- The other half is not
mine to gamble with.

- Oh that's a pity.

That is a real pity.

I advise you, my friend, to
make some other arrangement.

(Swiftwater sniffs)

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(Jack and Will shouting)

- Get on!
- Move on.

Come on, hike!

Hike!
- Over here!

- [Jack] Come on, Buck.

- Hike!
(whip cracks)

Ya! (laughs)

(Will cries out)

(dog barking)

Pull over here.

Whoa, you mongrels.

Whoa, I said whoa.
- Hike!

Let's go, boys.

- Whoa!

Ah, come on, I dare you to.

Go on, hike!

(whip cracks)
(dog yelps)

Hike! Hike!

London!

(men grunting)

I wanna see you.
- Hike!

Hike!

Hike!

- [Belinda] No, absolutely not.

- Belinda, it's cards.

I've handled them all my life.

- Are you crazy?

- I'll win.

- [Belinda] My saloon.

- He owns the other
half right now.

- You rascal.

- Just a minute.

- Oh, do you wanna shuffle?

- My cards.

- [Swiftwater] What?

- You can't do that.

- Do what?

- Use your own cards.

- You don't think I'm gonna
play with his cards, do you?

- Mr. Smith, you could at
least use a fresh deck.

- We'll play with these.

- Not in Dawson City, Mr. Smith.

Bring out a fresh deck.

I'll break the seal,
examine the cards.

- [Soapy] What do you
think you're doing?

- Keepin' ya honest.

- [Soapy] My honesty is
none of your business.

- This is my town, that
makes it my business.

You'll play with a fresh deck.

- Just a minute.

Now you listen to me.

I've been planning
this much too long

to let anybody interfere,
anyone and especially you.

Just a second.

I'm going to give you a
word of advice if you'd like

to achieve your highly
flaunted ambition, my friend.

I have a lot of friends
in your government,

good friends in high positions.

I want you to get out of my
way and I want you to stay out!

Is that clear?

I thought it would be.

(Jack and Will shouting)
(suspenseful music)

- [Jack] Go on, hike, hike!

(dogs barking)

Go on, hike!

- There boy. (cackles)
- There ya go, mush.

Wags!

Hike!

- [Will] Come on, chase him.

Hey now, hey now!

Hey now.
(dogs barking)

- [Jack] Come on, boy!

- [Will] See it now,
London? (cackles)

- [Jack] Come on, hike.

- [Will] Hey now, hey now.

- Hike!

Ya, hike!

Ya, ya, hike!

- [Will] Come on, hike, hike!

- [Jack] Hike!

- [Will] Giddy up, giddy up.

(dogs barking)

- I asked for a
new deck of cards.

May I have them, please?

(paper crumpling)

(cards flapping)

These are ready for play.

- I'm not.

- What do you mean you're not?

- Just what I said.

I'm not playing.

I mean I merely made you
a sporting proposition,

which I no longer
wish to extend.

- But you can't.

- (chuckles) Yes, I can.

- Gotta give me a chance.

- No.

- The race!

That's it, Smith,
we'll bet on the race.

(chair tapping)

I'll take Jack London.

- Swifty.

- No wait, wait, wait, wait.

(chuckles) I find
that very interesting,

very interesting indeed.

- Cards are bad
enough, but a dog race?

- Look at the man.

Look him over well,
him and his friends,

how long do you think you'll
last with him in here?

- The same stakes?

- The same.

Jack's gonna win,
Belinda, I know he will.

(suspenseful music)

(dogs barking)

(men grunting)

(Will cries out)

(Sam grunting)

(Swiftwater whimpers)

(crowd chattering)

- They're comin'.

- Go on, go see who it is, move!

(Swiftwater whimpers)

(crowd shouting)

(Swiftwater whimpers)

- Oh, Swiftwater.

Oh, Swiftwater.

(crowd shouting)

- [Man] Surprise!
Ain't that all?

- Get right back up!
- London!

(crowd shouting)

- Come on, my son.

Keep it going.

Buck.

Go on.

Buck, come on.

Come on.

(crowd chattering)

Good boy, Jack.

Come on, only a few more yards.

Come on, Buck, just
past the finish.

You've done it!

Good boy.

Good boy.

(crowd chattering)

Well done, Buck.

Well done, my babies, well done!

Well done.

Well done, Buck.

Well done, my babies.

(dogs whimpering)

(crowd cheering)

- [Ed] He won.

London won.

(group gasps)

Ryan's dead.

(group chattering)

- Swiftwater.

- Huh? Hm?

- Promise me you'll never
gamble again, not even cards.

Swear it.

- Will you marry me?

- Only if you swear.

- I swear.

Who won?

- Jack won.

(group chattering)

(chair clatters)

- Well,

looks like I owe you some money.

Why don't you come work for me?

- And end up like Ryan?

- No. (chuckles)

Ryan was stupid, he had
no spirit, intelligence.

Come on now, work for me.

- You're in my way.

- Jack.

- Move.

- Mr. Smith.

I want you out of this town.

- (chuckles) You can't
run me out of this town.

- I can.

Before dark.

- What are you talking
about before dark?

Nobody travels in
this country at night.

They'd freeze to death.

- You will.

(ominous music)

- Here.

You're gonna need this.

(ominous music)

(upbeat music)

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ I'm a blushing
violet, innocent ♪

♪ Papa says a big expense

♪ The old maids say
I have no sense ♪

♪ Boys declare
I'm just immense ♪

♪ Before my song I do conclude

♪ I want it strictly
understood ♪

♪ Though fond of fun
(man murmuring)

♪ I'm never rude

♪ I'm not too bad,
I'm not too good ♪

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
- Yeehaw!

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

- 100 on the zero and
not a word to Belinda.

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

- Everybody sing!
- Order.

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
- Order.

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay
- Order.

♪ Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay

♪ Ta ra ra

(gun fires)

- Now one minute past midnight.

The sabbath has begun.

(crowd groans)

Everybody out.

- Aw, come on.

'Night, boys.

- Sorry.

- Sorry.

- What can ya do?
(crowd chattering)

(Jack laughs)

- Goodnight, everybody.

- Goodnight, girls.

- Goodnight.

- [Swiftwater] Goodnight.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

(crowd chattering)
- Make some money on those.

- [Man] See ya in
the morning, Charlie.

- [Charlie] Yes,
goodbye, goodbye.

(Gertie giggles)

- You rascal.

(soft orchestral music)

Goodnight, my children.

Pleasant dreams.

There's always tomorrow.

Goodnight.

- [Drunk Prospector Voiceover]
We're gonna be rich, boys.

We're gonna make a fortune.

We're gonna take out
our weight in gold.

(prospector coughs)

- Well, good luck, son.

- Thank you, sir.

Come on, Buck.

- Go on, boy.

- [Jack] Come on.

(Buck barks)

(bright piano music)

- [Narrator] In
the spring of 1898,

Jack came back to Dawson City,

sailed down the river to
the mouth of the Yukon,

shoveled coal to
pay his passage,

and arrived back
in San Francisco

with just $5 in his pocket.

Then he sat down to
write about the Klondike

and the people he'd
met on his journey.

But that, as Jack
would have said,

is another story.