West of Carson City (1940) - full transcript

Let's go

We're gonna let go

The cattle round up is over

Let's go

We're gonna let go

There's no more need
stayin' sober

Drink till the liquor's
strong enough

And laugh
if the joke ain't bad

Fight if the man
is wrong enough

And shoot if he gets you mad

You better lay go



For when we let go

The coyotes fall
under cover

Let's go

It's time to let go

We've done our job steadily

Gotten by readily

You can bet

We're gonna let go

Let's go

We're gonna let go

The cattle round up is over

Let's go

We're gonna let go

There's no more
need stayin' sober



Drink till the liquor's
strong enough

And laugh
if the joke ain't bad

Fight if the man
is wrong enough

And shoot
if he gets you mad...

Nevada, you and the boys
push these cattle on

through to
the Brady ranch.

I got a little business
with the Pony Express rider.

Okay, Jim. See ya later.

Let's go

We're fine to let go

We've done
our job steadily

Gotten by readily

You can bet

We're gonna let go

You better lay low

For when we let go

The coyotes all around
the corner

Let's go

We're fine to let go

We've done our job steadily

Gotten by readily

You can bet

We're gonna let go

Hey, there.

Wait a minute.

Wait a minute.
Wait a minute.

I'm the Pony Express rider.

Say, you're a new man
on the job, aren't ya?

Sure.

Well, I'm kinda sorry
to handle you so rough

but that's the only way
I could stop you.

What is this, a hold-up?

Well, not exactly.

- What's on your mind?
- My name is Jim Bannister.

I own the Circle X Ranch
over near Ridgeville,

and I want you
to do me a favor.

Well, let's have it.
I can't be wastin' much time.

Well, when you get
into Ridgeville,

I want you to tell
old man Howard

to tell my foreman Banjo

that I'm delayed up here
a little longer than I expected.

But I want him to keep
things running nice and smooth

at the ranch
until I get back.

You sure went
to a lotta trouble

to deliver that message.

Well, it's kinda
important to me.

- Will you do it?
- Sure.

Good boy.

Well, that's about
all I had in mind.

Say, wait a minute.

According to
post office regulations,

you should put a stamp
on that message.

I'll tell you
what I'll do,

I'll write a letter
to the president.

See you again.

Not if I see ya first
you won't.

Yessiree.

This town is done for.

Why, I've seen the time

when this street was so packed

you'd have to shoot
your way into my store.

But nothin' like that
is going to happen again, Banjo.

No, siree.

Why, I remember the time when...

I don't care what you do,
or the horses either.

Tarnation!

For pretty near three years

I've been goin' around
talking to myself.

If you didn't wanna talk,
why'd you

come down out of the hills for?

It's about time
you gettin' into town.

You mean ghost town,
don't you, Lem?

Son, there are times

I wouldn't mind
even seein' a ghost,

if it could talk.

It gets pretty lonesome
around here.

Well, there is your mail,
that ought to keep

you busy for a while.

"Rain City News!"

And only two weeks old.

- You know Jim Bannister?
- Who?

- Bannister.
- Jim? Do I know him?

Why, I raised him.

He's over the ridge
helping Brady

clean out some rustlers.

That boy's always doing things
for somebody.

Why do you ask?

He wants you
to tell his foreman

that he won't be home
for a while,

and for him to keep things
runnin' smooth.

Well, there's his foreman.

And if you can
wake him up,

tell him yourself.

Lem! Struck it rich there!

Lem! Lem!

Oh, Lem!

Lem!

Lem, I've struck it rich!
I've struck it rich!

- Why, I...
- Look...

- Look, gold!
- Gold?

- Gold.
- Gold.

Gold!
Gold!

Gold!
Gold!

What's the trouble, boys?

Snicker Joe just found gold.

Far more than
you ever seen before.

Where? Where's the strike?

Right outside of town.

Will you stake a claim for me?

Sure, right next to ours.

Boys, I'm gonna spread this news

all over the country.

Let me see that gold.

Oh, I knew I'd...

- Gold!
- I knew I'd get it someday.

Lem, I knew I'd do it.

You took my horse.

That's right.

This is gold.

Gold! Gold!

There's been a gold strike
at Ridgeville.

Gold! Gold!

Gold!

"The biggest gold strike
in this territory."

Boys, it looks like
we're joinin' that stampede,

and the sooner the better.

They dig for the gold,
and we take it away from 'em,

right, Gorman?

Well, let's get goin'?

Boys, this land around here
is full of gold.

Yes, sir, full of gold.

And I'm sellin' claims
right next to the mother lode.

Now, all you have to do
is buy one of my claims,

and dig up the gold.

So, if you'll step
in the tent here

and sign on the dotted lines,

I guarantee it'll make
millionaires out of ya.

Come on, boys, don't be bashful.

Pay up, partner.

Gorman's sure got
a gold mine here.

This place is more prosperous
than the mother lode.

Yeah. He can't lose.

He practically runs the town.

You mean
that he owns the town.

Heavy!

- Where are ya?
- Right here.

Glad to see ya, boss.
Mighty lonesome around here.

Say, what's the idea of
letting my horses run loose

in the front yard?

Well, I-- I can't handle
the cookin'

and the wrangler stock.

It get me all mixed up.

Where's Banjo and Nevada

and the rest of the cowhands?

Well, they've gone
over to Ridgeville

six days ago,
said they weren't comin' back.

Now, what are they doing in that

dilapidated old ghost town?

Mr. Jim, you've been
up in them hills so long

you don't know
what's going on.

Why, there's a big
gold strike over there.

- A gold strike?
- Yes, sir.

Why, that town must have
all of ten thousand people

in it by now.

You wouldn't know the old place.

Now, listen,
you get my horses in the corral,

I'm going in
to round up those cowhands

if I have to hog-tie 'em.

Go on, you, fellas.

Up with 'em!

Alright, Sleepy,
keep the other one covered.

Get down from there.

Toss me your rope, Sleepy.

Get down from there.

While I'm tying up
these two birds,

you take care
of the saddle horses.

Sure good seein' ya again, Jim.

- When'd ya get back?
- Oh, a couple days ago.

When I get these
two coyotes on the stage

you can head for town.

Right.

I'm sorry to disturb you folks,

but you'll have to make room

for a couple new passengers

headed your way.

You all ready
down there, Jim?

- Let her roll.
- Andy!

That was mighty neat work,
young man.

- I want to congratulate you.
- Thank you, sir.

Would you mind
tying this handkerchief

on this man's wrist?
He's bleeding pretty badly.

Well, certainly not.

I want to get acquainted

with a young man
of your caliber.

My name is Judge Harkins.

I'm mighty pleased
to meet you, sir.

- My name is Jim Bannister.
- How do you do?

Oh, uh,
my daughter Millie.

- How do you do, ma'am?
- How do you do?

I'm on my way to Ridgeville.

I'm going to set up
a little law and order.

There's no doubt
they need it by now.

Yes, since the gold strike,

they say it's a pretty bad town.

You know,
the lawless element,

they seem
to have taken it over.

I see.

We darn near got held up
coming through the canyon.

Would have been too
if it hadn't been

for young Jim Bannister.

Yeah? Who's Jim Bannister?

That's him helpin'
the folks out of the stage.

Well...

I'll take charge
of the prisoners, Bannister.

Who are you?

I'm the mayor of the town,

and justice of the peace,
Mack Gorman.

Seems kinda strange
to have a mayor,

and a real live judge
around here.

By the way,
might as well know each other.

- This is Judge Harkins.
- Glad to know you.

Same here.
Heard you were comin'.

I got a nice comfortable place
all fixed up for you.

Well, thanks. Oh, allow me,
my daughter Millie.

- Mr. Gorman.
- It's a pleasure.

- Thank you.
- I'll get rid of the prisoners.

And then I'll take you over
to your new place.

Breed.

Lock 'em up and get the doc
to fix up their wounds.

He's pretty fast on the trigger,

but he's a good half-breed.

Well, I wouldn't call
Bannister here

exactly slow on the trigger.

So I hear.

Well, I've got a few things
to attend to,

so I'll be moseying along.

Mighty glad to have
met you folks.

Oh, don't forget
you're the star witness

when I try those men.

Just set the time.

Well, how 'bout
tomorrow morning?

Sooner the better.

Quick justice is what

we need around here.

- Goodbye, Ms. Harkins.
- Goodbye.

I do hope we'll see you again.

You know, we have a lot
for which to thank you.

You don't worry
about seeing me again.

I'm the coming-roundest guy
you ever invited.

You know, that's one of the most
interesting young men

I ever met.

A fine mess you two
made of that hold-up.

If you'd been in our place,

you couldn't have
done any different.

Why, this fellow Bannister--

If you mention his name again,

I'll break ya in two.

It was your place to keep
the judge out of town.

Yeah, but Bannister...

Wait a minute, Mack.

Losing your temper
won't do any good.

I saw Bannister in action,
and let me tell you,

he ain't to be fooled with.

I'll say he ain't.

I've known him for years.

I will take care of him
if he gets outta hand.

What about the judge?

There's a way of fixing him too.

I've got too much at stake
to let anyone spoil it for me.

Breed, put those sparrows
back in the cage.

Hiya, whopper.

Hiya, whopper.

Howdy, Lem.

Jim!

You're a sight for sore eyes.

Glad to see you, boys.
Mighty glad.

I knew if anybody in this town
hasn't changed,

it would be you.

Oh, I've changed alright,

got a couple boys
workin' the store for me now.

But, uh,
they don't talk so much.

Well, that's too bad.

But I'll bet you're getting
your share of the gold

around these parts.

Well, to tell you the truth,

Gorman, the owner
of the Red Dog Saloon

is gettin' most of it.

Well, what about Snicker Joe's
gold strike?

Oh, he's still digging it out.

Well, I'm mighty glad
to hear that.

Say, have you seen any thing
of my punches around here?

You'll find them scattered
all over town,

and the slickers are sure
taking 'em over.

I was kinda afraid of that.

- See you later, Lem.
- So long.

Hi, whopper.

Now right there
is the mother lode.

And where you see that "X",

that's the claim
I'm givin' you a chance to buy.

Why, you ain't never had
an opportunity like this before

in your life.

And if you don't buy right now,

you'll never have another one.

Why, son, that claim
will make you a millionaire.

Gee, that's sure
nice of you, mister.

Now all you have to do

is put your name
on the dotted lines.

Gee, thanks.

- What're you doing here, Pete?
- Well, I was just--

Now, you get back to the ranch
where you belong,

and stay there.

What's the idea of trying
to sell one of my cowhands

a claim in the middle
of the river?

Why, you got a lotta nerve
interfering with me

when I'm putting over
a big mining deal.

Now you get outta here,
or I'll throw ya out.

- You'll do what?
- I said I'll throw you out!

Come on, wait a minute.
I-- I-- I was only...

I-- I was only...
Wait a minute.

You can't do a thing
like this to me, mister.

You can't do this to me.

Please, let me outta here.

I didn't mean what I said.
Take me down of it.

Oh! Now, wa-- wait a minute
there, will you?

Oh, mister, please,
come back here.

Will ya take me down?

This a fine predicament

for a man to be in.

Come here, will you?

Help! Help! Help!

Help!

Hi, whopper.

Hiya, whopper.

I'll raise you 20.

Too much for me.

I'll boost you ten.

I'll have to call you.
Four aces.

No good. Straight flush.

Wait a minute.

That deuce don't make it
a straight flush.

We're playin' deuces wild.

Nothin' was said about it
at the beginning of the game.

- Oh, yeah.
- Leave that pot where it is?

Pick it up, Nevada,
it belongs to you,

and get outta here.

Drop that gun.

Get those hands up.

- Look out, Jim!
- Look out!

Break his neck!

Come on!

Hiya, whopper.

Alright, you cowhands,
let's get outta here.

I ought to break
both of your necks.

What for?
We didn't do nothin'.

I get back to the ranch
and I find my stock

scattered all over the country.

And where do I find you two?

Just like the rest
of the outfits,

in bad company.

We're sorry, Jim,
for lettin' you down like that.

About all I can say is,
I'm sorry.

- Where do you suppose Banjo is?
- Well, I don't know.

He's been dodgin'
in and out of doors here so much

that even I can't
keep up with him.

Come on, let's see
if we can round him up.

Hiya, whopper.

If ain't
our fine-lookin' ranch foreman.

Do you see what I see?

Let me loose!
Let me out!

Hey, wait a minute.
Wait a minute.

Where do you think
you're going?

Hello, Jim.

That's funny. I've been lookin'
all over town for you.

Just one more trip
in that pawn shop,

and you'd be running 'round
here in a barrel.

That's just it.

Where do we go from here?

Home, to the ranch.

Boys, get our horses

while I get this
coyote's clothes.

My horse is in
Hawk's delivery stable.

Ladies and gents...

tomorrow morning Ridgeville will
witness its first jury trial

as prescribed in the laws
of this territory...

with His Honor, Judge Harkins,
sitting on the bench.

Now, everything is going to be
fair and square,

and as I pull the names
out of this hat and read them,

those men are to appear here
tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock

for jury duty.

Mr. Gorman seems anxious
to cooperate with me.

It'll make it easier
for you, dad.

Yeah.

If I ever catch you cowhands
in this town again

without my consent,

I'm gonna run you
out of the territory.

Now, get on back to the ranch

as fast as those horses
will take you.

Bill Anderson.

Harry McCoy.

Owen. Is he here?
Fine, Gorman.

- Oh, glad to see you again.
- Thank you, ma'am.

What is he doing,
wrapping off something?

No. Gorman's picking me a jury
for the trial in the morning.

- Oh, that's it.
- You'll be there, won't you?

You won't disappoint us?

Hey, 'bout coming over
to our house for dinner tonight?

You know, make it sort
of a house warming.

- I'm sure Millie wouldn't mind.
- Oh, of course not.

I'd love to have you.

You sure it isn't
too much trouble?

No. No. Not at all.

Lloyd Kirk.

And Alfred Barnes.

Now, don't forget, men,

report here 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning.

That's all. Thank you.

Well, judge,
your jury's all ready.

I appreciate that, Gorman.

- Some jury too.
- Huh?

Well, judge,
I got to be going.

- I'll see you tonight.
- You won't forget.

Just let someone try
and keep me away.

Just a minute,
Bannister.

What's on your mind, Gorman?

I understand
you've caused a lotta trouble

around my place this afternoon.

No more trouble
than was necessary

with a bunch of crooks.

Now, don't forget,
we're gonna have

some law around here
from now on.

And if you happen to get
reckless with that gun of yours,

it might not be
so healthy for you.

So, why don't you
go on up to your ranch

and stay there?

Maybe I will...

after the trial.

Looks like we gonna
have a little

law and order from now on.

I hope so. This town
ain't safe to live in.

Mr. Bannister, can you identify
the two men who tried to hold up

the Ridgeville stage
yesterday morning?

Yes, sir.

Will you
point them out, please?

Those are the two men
right there, sir.

How do you know
they're the men?

I should know.

I caught 'em in the act
and brought 'em in.

Judge, let's hear
what the driver has to say.

Mr. Stockholm,
will you please tell

the jury just what happened?

Well, the way I figured it,

those men, those fellas
that Jim Bannister shot,

well, they were shot by mistake.

As far as I can figure out,

they were just tryin'
to get a ride into town.

Order! Silence!

Or I'll clear the courtroom.

Never in all my life

have I heard such unmitigated,
barefaced lying.

Gentlemen of the jury,

are you going to believe
the testimony

of this obviously
intimidated witness?

Just a minute, judge.

You can't be telling a jury
what they're to believe.

They've got to decide that
for themselves.

Alright, gentlemen,
you may retire

and bring in your verdict.

Well, judge, we don't figure
we have to retire

in a case like this.

We've just taken
a vote among ourselves

and our verdict is: not guilty.

Court adjourned!

Justice.

Well, Judge, it looks like
you're up against

a pretty tough proposition.

The next time, I'll have a hand
in the pickin' of the jury

and then I'll guarantee,
we'll get an honest verdict.

We've got to get the judge
and Jim Bannister

out of this community
or we're outta luck.

The only place in the town
that's doing any business

is the jail and most
of my men are in it.

Who do you think
we oughta start on first?

If you want my advice,
I'd settle with Bannister first.

Alright,
tell Greg to handle it.

Right.

Flip and flop
and flip and flop

And flip and flop

On the trail of tomorrow

There'll be screams
around each bend

Cattle thieves won't steal

The rushes will be real

And every cowboy

Your friend

On the trail of tomorrow

There'll be moss

On every stone

And each breeze will sigh

An oldies lullaby

And there'll be no nights

Alone

The wagon wheels

Of time will turn

Along the trail to the sky

They'll roll along

Until they reach

The land where springs
are never dry

On the trail of tomorrow

Every broken heart will mend

At each sunset's glow

We'll find the ranch we know

Until we reach
tomorrow's end

The wagon wheels

Of time will turn

Along the trail to the sky

They'll roll along

Until they reach

The land where springs

Are never dry

On the trail of tomorrow

Every broken heart
will mend

Will mend

At each sunset's glow

We'll find the ranch we know

Until we reach
tomorrow's end

Oh, what a gorgeous view.

It is kind of pretty, isn't it?

Would you like to walk out
to the edge and look around?

Oh, I'd love to.

How far is your ranch
from here, Jim?

Oh, I don't know.
Not very far.

Jim...

I hate to burden you
with my troubles but...

I've been worried
about dad lately.

Why, you shouldn't
worry about him.

He's doing a great job
of cleaning up the town.

He's got a lot of spunk too.

Well, that's just it,
he's been fighting back

and I don't know
what'll happen to him.

I haven't told you this, but...

our lives have been threatened
several times.

- Gorman?
- Yes.

Jim, I'd feel a lot safer

if you'd move into town
for a couple of days.

Why, sure, if it'd
make you any happier,

I'd be glad to.

Oh, I don't know
how to thank you.

Now don't you worry about that.

Well, that stopped one of 'em.

Now to get the other one
out in the open.

Here. You take this.
And keep up the firing.

I'm gonna try to sneak around
in back of him.

You better head for town
and get that hand taken care of.

I can handle this.

- Who sent you here?
- Wouldn't you like to know?

Oh, so that's the game
you wanna play, huh?

Well, I'm takin' you into town.

Now, get on that horse.

Hold it.

Now get off that horse
and keep your hands in the air.

Keep your hand on your desk,
Gorman.

I thought I told you
to stay outta town.

Listen, you three.

I don't mind being ambushed.

Sometimes, I think it's fun.

But I don't think it's fun
when there's a lady along.

Now, listen, I'm gonna tell you
three birds something.

Fine, it's been a dull day.

Maybe we could
stand a few laughs.

Well, here's the first laugh,
partner.

I'm giving you just 24 hours
to close up

that crooked gambling joint
of yours and get out of town.

And who do you think you are
tellin' us what to do?

I'll leave that
for you to decide, Gorman.

But just remember this.

Twenty-four hours.

Well, what happened now?

He just got the best of me.

We've got to use
different methods

to get rid of that fella.

Well, I got something
that I think'll work.

Suppose the judge and his
daughter decided to leave town

for a couple of days,

and Bannister knew
where they were...

do you think he'd be
interested enough in a girl

to pay them a visit?

Yeah. I see what you mean.

We kill three birds
with one stone.

See who it is, dear.

Keep quiet.

Now get over there
with your father.

What's the meaning of this?

Do as you're told, judge,

and you won't get hurt.

Now sit down and write
a little note for us.

Dear Jim...

Millie and I...

are spending a couple of days...

Note from the judge.
You want to send back any word?

Wait till I see what it says.

Nope, that's all.

What's the matter, Jim,
somethin' gone haywire?

Read this.

Nevada, I want you
to round up all the boys

and meet me the edgeof
Ridgeville in two hours.

And bring plenty of ammunition.

What're you gonna do?

I've given Gorman and his bunch

of cut-throats 24 hours
to get out of town.

That note sound like a frame
up and I'm calling his hand.

You sure you don't want one
of us to go with you?

- No, I better go alone.
- You know best.

Are you sure there's only one
trail leads into this place?

Yes. And I'm watchin' it.

It's about time Bannister
was showin' up.

The sooner the better for me.

Dad, I pray Jim

doesn't show up here.

Well, I hate to...

What was that?

It must be Jim.

Jim, when I heard the shot,

I was afraid they gotcha.

Listen, judge,

we've got to get
out of here quick

and head for town.

Alright.

That 24-hour deal with Bannister
is about up, ain't it, Gorman?

I don't think
he'll bother us anymore.

See that your guns
are loaded, boys.

As soon as the boss gets here,
they'll be plenty of action.

I was sure prayin'
for you, boss.

Judge, you and Millie
better stay here.

There's liable
to be some gunplay.

Alright, boys, let's go.

Bannister and the Circle X boys

are in town
and they mean business.

I thought you told me
that Bannister

got that note from the judge.

Well, he did, that guy's got

more lives than a cat.

Tip off our men
and be quick about it.

There ain't anybody left

to fight with, boss.
What do we do now?

We'll round up his gang
and get 'em outta town.

Jim!

Well, judge,
the town's all yours.

Thanks, pal.

Flop and flip flop and flip

Flop and flip flop

On the trail of tomorrow

There'll be streams
around each bend

Cattle thieves won't steal

My rushes will be real

And every cowboy
your friend

On the trail of tomorrow

There'll be moss

On every stone

And each breeze will sigh

Your oldest lullaby

And there'll be no nights

Alone

The wagon wheels

Of time will turn

Along the trail to the sky

They'll roll along

Until they reach

The land where springs
are never dry

On the trail of tomorrow

Every broken heart will mend

At each sunset's glow

We'll find the ranch we know

Until we reach
tomorrow's end