Overland Riders (1946) - full transcript

Uh...
I beg your pardon, ma'am.

Would it bother you
if I smoked a cigar?

No, not at all.

Thanks.

I got a pretty important deal
at devil's gap.

Hope I have the pleasure
of seeing you again sometime.

You probably will.
I live there.

Uh, yep, yep,
yep, yep...

Mighty big business deal.

You know, devil's gap's
in for a big surprise.

I'm sorry I can't tell you
about it, but...



I've got to keep it
a secret.

( Coughing )

( Gunfire )

Eyah! Eyah!

Eyah!

Eyah!

Whoa!

( Gunfire )

All right, you two!

Up with 'em!

Billy Carson!

Hi, fuzz. That was
some fancy shootin'.

I didn't know
you had it in ya!

Look here, Billy Carson,
you turn around



and go back
where you came from!

I ain't gonna have you
trailin' me

and hornin' in
on my big business deal!

You're loco.
Fuzz, I'm not trailing you.

I didn't know
you were on that stage.

Oh, don't try to be funny.

Tell that to somebody
that ain't got good sense!

( Chuckling )
That's what I'm doin'.

You should apologize
to him for talking like that.

After all, he saved US
from being held up!

Ah, he didn't need
to bother.

I could've take
care of it!

Hello. A pretty rough trip
for a tender foot.

Me, a tender foot?

Why I was born
on a ranch in devil's gap.

Ah, you showed good sense
in picking out a place
to be born.

Hey, fuzz,
see about that driver.

Well, they got him.
He's dead.

He's dead?

I guess you two
are gonna hang for this.

I wouldn't lay any bets on that.
You might lose.

And you won't be around
to collect your bets if you win!

No, but I'd bet you
I take you into town, mister!

Give 'em a chance
to hang you!

Fuzz, get these two
on their horses.

That one too.

You heard the man.

Why, you're hurt!

Can I help you?

No, it's just
a scratch.

The bullet
just nicked the skin.

He probably
jumped over sideways

to get himself creased
with a bullet!

( Chuckling )

Landro:
What's the matter, Jeff?

You seem to be worried.

I am. My daughter's
comin' home today,

and the stage
is way overdue.

There's been a lot
of holdups lately.

Hello, Jeff.

Hi sheriff.

Don't see you
around town much anymore.

No...my daughter's
on the stage,

and I'm kinda worried
about her!

You can stop worryin'.

Here she comes.

That doesn't look
like the regular driver.

Oh...

Whoa!

Ow!
Oooh!

Oh, dad,
I'm so glad to see you!

We've had
an awful time.

Oh, that's too bad.

What are you doing
driving this stagecoach?

Where's Pete?

Pete, he ain't
driving no more.

He's dead!

Them thar outlaws
jumped US,

but I guess
we gave 'em more

than they
was lookin' fer!

All right. Down off
your horses!

Get up there!

Buckboard's
right over here, honey.

Brought ya a couple
of borders, sheriff.

The third one,
he's uh...

Badly damaged.

And you can
count on US

to be in court
to testify

against him
when you're ready
to hang 'em!

Well, why be bothered
with a trial!

They murdered Pete!
Let's get it over with!

Take it easy.

We'll handle this
according to law!

That's right, mister.

I'm stringin' along
with the sheriff.

We'll handle it
fair and legal.

The boys
are in a tough spot.

Yeah, and that pair
burned ed down for keeps.

I'm gonna blast 'em
for that!

Don't be a fool!

We're in the clear.

No one has ever
suspected US.

Do you want
the whole town

to know
how we stand?

I'm much obliged
to you for your help.

Would you move 'em
over to the jail with me?

I'd be glad to.

Come on.

But shouldn't we wait
and thank my rescuer?

Nah, you can
thank him later.

I'll invite him
out to the ranch.

Besides, there's liable
to be some trouble here in town.

We got a couple of
those outlaws!

Lock 'em up, Joe!

Come on,
get moving!

All we gotta do now
is hold a trial and hang 'em!

Sheriff, could you have
the trial as soon as possible?

I'm out here
on a cattle-buying trip.

I'd like to get back home.

Well, the judge
is away right now.

We'll hold the trial just
as soon as he gets back.

That's fine.

Sit down, mister...

Carson.
Bill Carson's my name.

Mine's osmond.

Glad to know you,
sir.

You're a stranger here
in Carson,

and I want to warn you.

That outlaw you killed
and the two you captured

are only part
of a well-organized gang.

I know that
from the way they work.

Nobody seems to know
who's at the head of it.

Well, that has nothing
to do with me, sheriff.

I didn't come out here
to hunt outlaws.

Well, the leader
of that gang

wouldn't want you to testify
against his men.

Look out you don't get
a bullet in your back.

Thanks for the tip.

Jeff barkley made a deal
to sell part of his herd.

He was expecting
a lot of money.

That's why I sent
the boys to the stage today.

Well, they didn't do
a very good job!

What do you plan
to do about cherokee and tug?

Let 'em stay where they are
and cool off for a while!

They won't like that!

What they like
isn't important.

I've got to find out
if that money came by express.

Howdy!

Howdy, stranger.
What can I do for you?

Oh, I'd like
a little piece of land.

You've come
to the right place.

What did you
have in mind?

Oh, a little piece of land
where I can do some farmin'

or maybe run a few head
of cattle,

a place where I can settle down
and maybe get married.

Well, just exactly
what did you want?

This is the town
right here, ain't it?

That's right.

Put you on some
nice farming land.

And this is the gap
up here?

That's right.

Show me somethin'
up around here.

I can't sell you anything
in that locality.

It belongs
to the barkley ranch.

Barkley, huh?

Do you reckon' he'd sell me
a little piece of land?

I wouldn't know.

Didn't you come in today
on the stage, mister?

Yeah, I sure did.

And I learned them outlaws
not to start nothin'
when I'm around!

Can we count on you
being a witness at the trial?

You sure can!
I don't like outlaws!

I'd like to see 'em all
string higher than a kite!

I'll sell ya
a piece of land.

You'll like
so much,

I guarantee
you'll never leave it!

Much obliged,

but I wouldn't want
to put you to trouble.

It's no trouble at all.
It's a pleasure.

I'm sort of hankerin' to see
this fellow barkley

before I make up my mind.

I'll be stickin'
around here quite a while.

Hope to see you again.

You will!

Pardon me, mister, is there
a livery stable in town?

I want to rent a horse.

Sure, just around
the corner.

Follow your nose.

Why was he so interested
in the barkley ranch?

Do ya suppose
he's wise to anything?

Well, it could be.

But I don't like the idea

of him being around as a witness
against cherokee and tug!

Two very good reasons
why we should see

that he gets
a piece of land...

Six feet by four feet.

Stop by the express office

and find out if barkley
got a package.

Are you Jeff barkley?

That's right.

I'm bill Carson.

Jim larabee sent me
the money to fetch those cattle

and drive the herd back.

I'm so glad to see ya!

Come in.
Thanks.

We'll get business
out of the way first.

Make yourself
comfortable

while I write out
a bill of sale.

Do you want to count this

and see if it's right,
Mr. Barkley?

Hope you don't mind
a little blood on the money.

I got myself nicked
by a bullet.

That's the first time I was
ever happy to get blood money!

Those rustlers
about had me broke,

and it looked as though
I was going to lose the ranch.

Gap's been hit pretty bad
with outlaws,

and they seem to pick on me
more than anyone else!

They rustled every herd I tried
to get through to market.

Naturally, I had to keep on
borrowing money.

So that's why you made a deal
to sell your cattle

on your own range.

That's right.

I told Jim larabee
the truth.

He said he was willing
to take a chance.

Said he could depend on you
to get 'em through.

Ah, he didn't go
into many details about the job.

He said it might be
a little tough...

Why, hello.

Welcome to barkley ranch.

Hello.

How do you
feel today?

Fine, thanks to you.

Do you two
know each other?

Dad, this is the man
I was telling you about.

Would of really done
your heart good

to see the way
he hit those outlaws!

Well, that puts me doubly
in your debt!

I guess Jim larabee
knows how to pick his men.

Ah, they weren't
top grade bad men.

Didn't put up
much of a fight.

We'll try
to provide you

with better outlaws
next time.

Who was that other man
on the stage?

You called him "fuzzy".

Oh, old fuzz.

That's my old friend
and sidekick, fuzzy Jones.

You know, he gets
a crackpot idea now and then,

it's like the measles.

You have to sit and wait
'til it wears itself out.

( Laughter )

Here's your bill
of sale.

We'll start cuttin'
out the herd anytime you like.

I'd be proud to have you
make this your home

while you're in this part
of the country.

As long as
the express agent said

he didn't get
any money today,

maybe I can put
a quick squeeze on him.

( Knocking )

Howdy!

Jeff, I wouldn't feel right
about foreclosing on you.

I'd like to make you
a fair offer to buy you out

so that you won't lose
everything.

I won't sell,
and you won't foreclose!

I'm picking up
that note.

Where'd you get
the money?

Is that any
of your business?

Oh, no, of course not.

Just surprised, that's all.
I thought you were in bad shape.

I was yesterday,
but not today!

Jeff, the rustlers
have hit you pretty hard.

Think it over.

It might be the wise thing
for you to sell out.

Ain't you
the crooked tin horn

the vigilantes run out
of Cheyenne?

If I am,
nobody ever told me.

Well, i'm
tellin' ya now!

You'd better get going!

I'm sorry
about this, Jeff.

Oh, that's all right.

No harm done
as far as I can see,

except to your friend.

What do you say, Jeff?
Sell out to me.

Let me worry
about the rustlers.

We'll break up that gang
of outlaws one of these days!

They might
break you first.

I'll take my chances
on that.

Well, I tried
to do you a favor.

Much obliged,

but I'm not carin'
for that kind of a favor.

I'll bring the money to town
tomorrow and pick up that note.

Well, I'll have it
ready for you

when you get there.

Something funny
about this.

I never saw that fellow
before in my life!

Why'd he have to go
out of his way

to pick a fight with me?

I don't know.

And Vic landro didn't seem
any too happy

about gettin' his money.

We'll make very sure

that he doesn't pay off
that note!

I don't like the idea
of him hangin' around.

Better get rid of him
pretty quick!

Uh, Mr. Barkley?

That's right.

I'd like to buy a piece
of your land up near
the devil's gap.

I ain't sellin'
any of my land!

Fuzz:
Now, it won't hurt ya to sell
a few acres of your land.

I won't interfere
with your cattle business.

I won't sell
a square foot of my land.

Do ya understand?

Uh, you mean
I can't buy nothin'?

That seems to be
the general idea!

Bill:
Hello, fuzz!

Who's trailing who now?

Billy Carson, you've gotta stop
cuttin' in on me

and interferin' in my business,
or I'll...I'll...

You'll bust a blood vessel,
fuzz, if you're not careful.

Mmm, all right!

We've been friends
a long time,

and we've had
our quarrels...

But I never thought
you'd go behind my back

to play
a dirty trick on me!

Hey, wait a minute!
Fuzz...

You know, I think he's
really hurt about something.

I've got to find out

what crazy idea he's got
on his mind!

Miss Jean, I think I'd better
go back into town,

and see if I can
round up a crew for the drive.

Don't forget
to come back.

I won't.

I've got business
out here. Bye.

I hope you don't feel
it's only business.

We'd like to have you here
as a friend.

Thanks.
Bye, Jean!

That old Billy goat might throw
a monkey wrench into our plans.

I'll feel a lot better
when he's underground.

I can't figure out
how barkley got that money,

unless that stranger
brought it

instead of having it
sent by express.

Well, it could be,
but don't forget,

he's a witness
against the boys!

I'm not forgettin'
anything!

Get set!

Ah, Billy couldn't do
nothin' underhanded.

Well...
He could...

Well, I wish
he'd make up his mind!

( Bang! )

( Gunfire )

We'll spread out
and take him from both sides.

Hold it!

This is gettin'
too hot!

Hey, fuzz,
what happened?

Ah, somebody
took a potshot at me,

but they wasn't much good.

Yeah? Probably a friend
of those fellas in jail.

You're a witness
against 'em, I suppose.

Yeah,
I guess so.

Fuzz, let's get
this straight.

I'm not trailing you.

Jim larabee sent me here

to buy a herd of cattle.

I'm suppose
to drive 'em back.

I didn't even know
you were headed for devils' gap.

Now, what is this big
mysterious business deal

that you've been
talkin' about?

Ah, I ain't tellin'
that to nobody!

You've laughed at me

every time I got ambitious
to be important.

Now I'm gonna show you
that I can.

And then you can apologize.

All right. All right.

Be stubborn if you want to,

but get that idea
out of your head

that I've been
spying on you, fuzz.

Maybe I was a little hasty
jumpin' to conclusions.

Forget it.
Come on, fuzz.

I'd like to hire
a trail crew for a drive...

Anybody interested?

Where ya drivin' from?

The barkley ranch.

That's a hoodoo outfit,
mister.

Every herd that's ever left
there's been rustled.

And there's been some
mighty good boys killed too.

I plan to break
that hoodoo.

Not with US,
you don't.

Come on, boys!

Sure'll be
a load off my mind

when I hand Vic landro
this money

and tear up that note

well, I'll be glad too.

Dad, don't forget
to bring Mr. Carson home

with you for supper.

It'll be something special!

I will if it don't
skip my mind.

I'll try to remember.

Giddy 'up, Nelly.

Well, he's
got to come by here.

That's what I figured.

Hee-hee!

Get ready!
Here he comes!

( Bang! )

Let's go!

Find the money,
quick!

I'm looking
for Jeff barkley.

Suppose to be
in here this morning.

I haven't seen him.

You don't seem worried

about whether or not
that note's paid off.

Why should I be?

It's well secured.

You know, I have an idea
that you'd be happy

if the note
wasn't paid off.

You're welcome
to have any idea you like.

It means nothing
to me.

Thanks. I'll do the same
for you sometime.

Jeff barkley
was murdered.

I caught him ridin' away
from the scene of the crime.

Ah, I told ya
I was ridin' into town

to notify the sheriff!

How do we know that?

What were you
doing up there?

That's my own
private business.

It wasn't
to murder nobody!

Did you find
any money on this man?

Jeff barkley
had a lot of money on him.

Sheriff:
How do you know that?

Bill:
I gave it to him to pay
for a herd of cattle I bought.

He was coming in this morning

to pay off a note
he owed Vic landro.

Sheriff:
How 'bout it?

I didn't search him.

I just threw a gun on him
to bring him in.

Well, you won't
find much money on me.

Well, that's easy enough
to prove!

Come on inside!

Ah, that cow punch
is as crazy as a loon!

I have no reason
to murder Jeff barkley
or anybody else!

Then what were you doing
in that neighborhood?

That's my private affair.

What happened?

I heard the shooting
and rode over to see
what the trouble was.

I found Jeff barkley
deader than a mackerel

and that hombre
hightailing it down the road.

So I took out after him.

Good boy.

That's my money!
I brought it with me.

Well, I wouldn't call that
a lot of money.

He could of hid the rest of it
before he was captured!

He didn't even know
barkley had that money on him!

You could have told him.

You two know each other,
and you both hit town together.

It's my guess
that you told someone.

Can't you see he's trying
to protect his friend

by throwing suspicion
on someone else?

You've known me
a long time, sheriff.

What do ya know
about this pair?

I can't say
that I know anything.

What if he didn't
find the money on him?

He was seen leaving
the scene of the crime!

He's been acting
plenty suspicious.

That's enough
to hold him for murder.

Me?

I don't like
being accused of murder.

Just remember that.

I gotta plenty
good memory.

Now, fuzz, why don't you stop
acting like a stubborn fool!

Explain your business here
in devil's gap.

I ain't explainin' nothin'!

I didn't murder nobody,
and I ain't tellin'
my business to nobody!

Well, it's your neck.
Do what you please with it!

Come on!

Make yourself at home.
I hope you'll be comfortable!

( Laughter )

Look who's here!

You been a bad boy?

He liked US so well,

he had to come
and keep US company!

( Laughter )

We're getting
all the breaks!

We've got the money,

we'll take over
the barkley ranch,

and that fuzzy character
will hang for barkley's murder.

That's not all
the story, Vic.

You know cherokee and tug
are gettin' mighty restless.

They don't like the idea
of being cooped up in jail.

It won't hurt 'em
to stay there for awhile.

In fact, we don't need 'em
any longer.

We're all set now
for the pay off.

It was there own fault
that they got caught!

Yes, and if they get wise
that we're runnin' out on 'em,

they might do some talkin'!

And we wouldn't like that.

Yeah, I see
what you mean.

Well, I'll figure
some way to get 'em out.

( Knocking )

It's nice of you
to stop by.

Won't you come in,
Mr. Carson?

Thank you.

Please sit down.

I...ah, I'm sorry
about your father, miss Jean.

Wish there was something
I could say.

There's nothing
you can say...

There's nothing anyone
can say that'll do any good.

I sorta blame myself.

I guess
I should've stayed with him

'til he got
that money into town.

No, you musn't feel
like that.

You had no way of knowing
this was going to happen...

None of US did.

Well, you can rest assured
I'll do everything I can

to get the man
that killed your dad.

You know, only two people
knew he had that money...

Vic landro and myself.

I can't believe
landro'd commit murder.

I don't like him, but...

He's been here a long time.

He has a perfectly
clean reputation.

That doesn't prove
he wouldn't commit murder

under...
Under certain conditions.

If he did,
how could you prove it?

That won't be easy.

Jean, you remember
that money I gave your father?

There was some blood on it.

I could easily identify it.

Now, if that money
were in Vic landro's safe,

that would be proof
of his guilt, wouldn't it?

How can you know
whether it's there or not?

He's not going to let you
search his safe

simply because you ask him.

Well, maybe I could
persuade him.

No, if you force him
to open the safe,

and the money isn't there,
you'll really be in trouble.

I don't want you
to do it.

Ah, there must be
some way...

Some way to get him
to open that safe

of his own free will.

Well, I guess I better be
getting back into town.

Please don't
do anything rash!

If anything should happen
to you on my account,

I'll be very unhappy.

I'll be careful.

( Gunfire )

You stay here.

Who shot you, Vic?

I surprised two men
robbing my office.

Come take a look.

I put up a fight until one
hit me over the head.

Did they get anything?

I don't know.
I haven't had time to look.

( Thump! )

Hurry it up, boys,
we gotta get outta here!

Hey, much obliged, pal!

Oopphhh!

Come on, men,
let's go!

All right, come on!

I'll meet you boys
at the hide out.

Sheriff:
All right, boys,
break it up!

Bill:
Had some excitement,
sheriff?

Yeah, couple of men
tried to Rob landro's office.

Oh?

What are you doing
out of jail?

Oh, somebody unlocked my cell
and slugged me on the jaw.

Hah! I thought you didn't
want me in your jail anymore.

You get back in that jail
and stay there!

I'll let you know
when I don't want you.

Did you do that?

Oh, how could I do it
when I was unconscious?

Well, I don't know,

but I'll bet you
stay put from now on.

I think I saw
your two prisoners, sheriff.

And I know the way
they're headed.

Well, come on,
show me!

Hey, uh...

Let me outta here!

Hah, hah, hah,

I'd sure like to see
the sheriff's face

when he finds out
his canaries have flew the Coop.

So would I!

Hey, I don't like
the looks of that!

Nor me. Come on!

Sheriff,
you keep 'em busy.

I'll work around
behind 'em.

Drop it!

All right.
Up on your feet!

Come on.

I wanted
to take 'em alive.

They can tell US
a lot of things

we'd like to know.

I wouldn't tell you
the time of day!

No? Well, time won't
mean much to you

from now on!

Keep your eye on 'em
while I round up the horses.

All right, sheriff.

Well, you boys
do the work

and stretch
the ropes.

The boss sits back
and counts the money.

It's all right
if you like it that way.

Ain't ever made me
stretch any rope.

No, but you only have
to do it once.

Go on.

Sheriff:
All right,
get down.

Get in there!

So ya got 'em, huh?

Yeah, thanks
to Billy Carson.

You go on home
and take it easy

for the rest
of the day.

Well, look who's here!

Have you been bad, boys?

Ha! Ha! Ha!

Sheriff, can I have
a talk with fuzzy?

Help yourself.

Now, tell me
what this monkey business is

of yours or I'll pound
some sense into your head!

Nope!

I ain't takin' no chances
on losin' a fortune

just from blabbin'.

Don't you realize
they're going to convict you

of murder unless you can explain
why you're in devil's gap?

They can't convict me
for somethin' I ain't done.

Oh, yes, they can
and they will

unless you give 'em
a good reason

for being where you were
when barkley was murdered.

Oh, all right.

Come close.

I learned that they planned
to build a railroad

in devil's gap,

and anybody owning property
there in the right place

stands to make a fortune.

Now, I can see the reason
for a lot of things.

Landro could of known that.

They're not gonna get
you boys outta here again.

Don't you think
landro should keep you company?

What's landro got
to do with it?

Well, my money,
he's the boss.

And I'm gonna
prove it.

You won't live
that long.

I will.

Hey fuzz, you stay here
and keep outta trouble.

Well, what do ya think this is,
a picnic?

No, but you'll be safe here

until I can get things
straightened out.

They're all yours,
sheriff.

Thanks to you,
Billy Carson.

I guess that'll
hold 'em for awhile.

Uh... you'd better watch
this place.

Watch it?

Yeah, there's a --
there's a leak in it.

You made an offer
to buy my ranch

rather than foreclose.

I'd like
to accept your offer.

Yes, I did make
an offer,

but your father refused

and wasn't very friendly
about it!

Do you hold a grudge
against a man after he's dead?

You can foreclose.

It's impossible for me
to pay the note.

But that's going to take time,

and I'd like to get this
over with as soon as possible.

Well, yes, it would be
worth something

to be able to take possession
immediately

and not have to wait
for a foreclosure
and a sheriff's sale.

I'll give you
a quit claim deed to sign.

Sit down.

Here, sign this.

I wouldn't be in a hurry

about signing your ranch away,
miss Jean.

There's nothing else
I can do!

Get out of my office!

Before I go,
I'm gonna have a look
in your safe, landro.

Cut out that tramps' around
in there!

I'm turfs'
to take a nap!

Ah, I oughta be with Billy.
He needs me!

Well, be good boys,
and I'll be ya in court!

See ya later, sheriff.

Okay.

Hey, come back here!

Hey, you, come 'ere!

You're deputized.

Stay here and don't let
any prisoners out of that jail.

What's on here?

There was a hold up!

He tried to Rob
my safe, sheriff!

How about that?

Ah, he's partly right.

Sheriff, I think
I can identify the money

that Jeff barkley was carrying
when he was murdered.

I'll gamble the money's
in that safe.

What do ya say
to that?

It's a lie. He's turfs'
to squirm outta trouble!

Suppose we take
a look.

You've no right
to search my private property!

What do you care
if you're innocent!

I got some blood
on the money

when I was nicked
by that bullet

in the stage hold up,
sheriff.

This looks like
it might be it.

Bill:
It is.

Now see
if you can find

barkley's note.

Hey, this looks
like it.

Ah, I think we can
tear this up.

Barkley was on loan
to his own money.

Get movin'!

You too!

I don't think
you'll be bothered

with rustlers anymore,
miss Jean.

It's impossible
to thank you.

If there's ever anything
I can do for you,

please name it.

How 'bout a little piece
of land up near the gap?

Fuzzy!

Well, it was an idea,
wasn't it?

Wearin' fine clothes
and smokin' big cigars!

Someone important!

And here I am,
eatin' trail dust!

Bill:
Ah, you wouldn't be happy
with a lot of money, fuzz.

Think of the bother
of countin' it all the time.

Ah, you'd soon hanker
with the smell of trail dust.

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