Gunfighter (1999) - full transcript

A classic western tale of hate, murder and revenge.

( insects chirping )

A cow pie.

Great.
That's just great.

( hinges squeak )

Hello?

-( wings flapping )
-Is there anybody here?

Hello?

I'm supposed to do
a gig here tonight.

( piano music playing )

Well, that's just my luck.
I get booked in a ghost town.

I gotta get
a new agent.



( piano music stops )

( spurs jingling )

( sniffs )

( runs piano keys )

You don't look like
Ragtime Cowboy Joe to me.

Excuse me?

Ragtime Cowboy Joe--

I heard he was gonna
pound some gut on the piano
here tonight.

Well, I don't know where
Ragtime Cowboy Joe is.

All I know is
I drove four hours

through that miserable fog
to be here

for a measly 75 bucks.

And from the looks
of it,

I don't think I'm gonna
make a cent.



Where is everybody?

I reckon they're
where they ought to be.

( chuckles )

Well, you
and Cowboy Joe

have yourselves
a good night.
I'm out of here.

You ain't good
plucking that thing?

( snorts )

Now, if I was any good,

do you think
I'd be playing here?

I'm washed up.

I haven't been able
to write a new song
in years.

Maybe what you need is
just a new yarn to spin.

Maybe all you're lacking
is some inspiration.

- What's the matter, son?
-
Nothing.

I just-- I mean,

your hand moved so fast,
it looked like--

I mean, I thought
for a second

you were one of those
old-time gunslingers.

It's just
you're so quick.

Why don't you
sit a spell?

( sighs )
Why not?

A gunslinger, huh?

Imagine that.

How-- how'd you
do that?

How did you get those gloves
to shine like that?

I'll make a deal
with you, son.

I'll fill you in
on those gloves;

when I'm done,
you'll sing me a song.
How'd that be?

I don't know, mister.

The truth of the matter is,
I ain't played in a while.

Why is that?

I guess

I lost something--

my courage, maybe.

Hmm.

Courage is
a powerful thing,

but it ain't something
a man loses.

It just gets...
misplaced sometimes.

You asked me
about these gloves.

Now, there's a story
of courage right there.

Did you know
legend has it

that whoever wore
these gloves

was the fastest draw
in the West?

It's true.
On the right man,

those gloves
stood for law and order.

If the wrong man
got a hold of them,

there'd be hell to pay.

Some men-- bad men--

would even kill
for the right to wear
those gloves,

like the day
the man in black
rode into town.

( horses neighing )

( dogs barking )

Get you some
corn whisky?

Rye.

Another.

So what brings y'all
to these parts, mister?

Business.

Ahem.

You seem
mighty interested
in that picture.

Damnedest gunfighter
ever seen in the West--

Hopalong Cassidy.

This town is sort of
his birthplace.

Saved a marshal,
took a bullet in the hip
doing so.

Barkeep:
Call him Hopalong Cassidy
ever since.

To Hopalong.

Men:
To Hoppy. To Hopalong Cassidy.
To Hopalong.

Damn straight shooter.
To Hoppy the gunfighter.

Ain't no room in this town
for your kind, Tex.

Decision's mine,
Mr. Limp.

( crows cawing )

( crowd laughing )

Well, you're a babe
with a gun, Tex.

You best take
a good 40 years
to practice up.

You're gonna wish
you killed me.

To Hoppy.
( laughing )

I don't care much
for laughing.

Didn't mean nothing,
mister.

How far
to the Bar 20?

Bar 20? Head south.
You'll get there
by this evening.

Thank you.

( steer snorting )

Hot iron.

( moos )

Watch that damn thing.
I don't wear no tattoo.

Quit your yapping, Red.
I just thought you's a cow.

Your butt's as big as one.

Lanky, you're skinnier
than a coyote's whisker

and you stink so damn bad
we could burn you for fuel.

- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.

-
( hoofbeats approaching )
- Billy, what's your hurry?

- Hey, Tumblebug.
- Billy: Got the mail.

Mighty good
roundup this year.

We've branded 500 head
of the finest,

healthiest beef
I've ever seen.

They're walking gold,
Mary.

Well, that's just fine,
Uncle Buck.

-( horses neighing )
-( chickens clucking )

- Hello, Mary.
- Howdy, Billy.

- Howdy, Billy.
- Hello, Mr. Peters.

Here's your mail.

It's Buck, Billy--
Buck.

You've been working here
long enough.

Been good work too.

Well, I got a lot more
work to do, so I'd better
go back to it.

Take care, Mr. Peters--
I mean, Buck.

- Take care, Mary.
- See you, Billy.

Is there a letter
from Hopalong, Uncle Buck?

Nope.

Damn him.

He's been away six months
and hasn't written me once.

Oh, Mary,

Hopalong is not
too good with words.

He's just-- well,
he's just plain shy.

He's told
me
how he feels about you.

And it's more warm
than cold.

Really?
What did he say?

Well, he said--

oh, Mary,
I can't remember.

He gave you that scarf
you're wearing.

Uncle Buck, you're just
trying to shut me up.

( Buck chuckles )

( voices overlapping )

( voices overlapping )
How'd your day go today?

Billy, take care
of my horse, would you?

- Thank you, Red.
- We ought to play
poker later.

- Poker? No.
- Cookie: 'Evening, boys.

- Howdy, you old blind bat.
- Cookie, you got any
of them good beans?

- What've you got? Stew?
- Yeah, we got a little stew.

Aww, this stew tastes
the same every night.

Oh-ho! It's definite.

Old McAllister's buying
all Bar 20 cattle this year,

at top-dollar
prices too.

This deal is sealed,
little Mary.

Aww.

You know what?

I'm gonna buy you
something nice.

What are you
gonna buy me?

Oh, something.

Well, I'm going out
to the boys.

I want to tell them
the good news.

( voices overlapping )

Well, we got
50 head rounded up
in the east canyon.

Part of that Lizard's
Belly, Jimmy.

'Evening, Buck.

'Evening, Buck.

'Evening, boys.

Well, I've got
good news.

But before I tell it,

there's something
I'd like to say.

This roundup's moving
like clockwork.

Uh...

I know you all
have been a-sweatin',

working hard,
'cause there's more
than one cow

out there
on the range.

- ( all chuckle )
- Well, I appreciate that.

Uh...

this place
wouldn't be

the great Bar 20
that it is

if it wasn't
for all of you.

Oh, no place we'd
rather be working.

That's right.

We're all
your sons, Buck.

Damn right.

Man:
Come on now, Buck.
What's the good news?

I know.
Hopalong's coming back.

All right, Hoppy!

No, not yet, Billy,
but soon.

No, the good news is
that McAllister's buying

all Bar 20 cattle
this year.

There'll be a raise
of $5 a month for every
last one of you.

- ( shouts )
- ( gunshots )

Whoo-hoo!

Man:
Your turn, Buck.
Coming on down mighty fast.

- ( gun clicks )
- Hell, I'm out of ammo.

Buck!

-
( man yells )
- ( Buck laughs )

Man:
♪ Old Bill Jones

♪ Had two daughters
and a son ♪

♪ One went to Denver

♪ And the other
went wrong ♪

♪ His wife, she died

♪ In a poolroom fight

♪ And still he sings

♪ From morning
till night ♪

♪ Oh, when I die

♪ Take my saddle
from the wall ♪

♪ Put it on my pony

♪ And lead him
from the stall... ♪

Wait here, boys.

( chuckling )
The great Bar 20.

I'll bury it
10 feet under.

Sorry, Mr. Cassidy.

We strike tonight.

Hyah!

( dogs baying )

I want to see your cards, Lanky.
I think you're cheating
a little bit.

Good shot.

Hey, quit blowing
our bunkhouse to bits.

It's cold out there.

- Oh, hell, Red.
- ( two gunshots )

Jimmy and I are
just practicing for
this year's rodeo,

being that Hopalong
ain't gonna come back.
Ain't that right, Jimmy?

You bet.
We can shoot.

Deacon, you get
the herd.

Feret, get me
the girl.

I want her
alive, Feret.

Adios, Bar 20.

( popping loudly )

( mooing )

Stampede!
Stampede!

Try to
hold them, Pete!

- ( gunshot )
- Shorty.

Hang on, Pete!

( screams )

Pete!

Argh!

- Wah-hoo!
- ( gunshots )

Yah! Yah!

Wah-hoo!

Yah!

The herd's
on the run.

Okay, come on, Johnny.
Let's give Shorty and Pete
a hand.

Billy,
get your rifle.

( grunts )

Go ahead, Lanky.
Cookie and I will
keep 'em busy.

( grunts )

Kill them all!

Mary, hide under your bed.
There's trouble.

- You know I can shoot.
- Just do as I say.

I ain't hiding
under no bed.

Uncle Buck!

Uncle Buck!
Uncle Buck!

Let me go.
Why don't you act
like men?

Afraid I'll skin
your hides?

( spits )
Cowards.

Shut up, bitch.
Put her to sleep!

Take her back to Tex.
( chuckles )

( gunfire continues )

( horses neighing )

( Feret laughing )

It's over!
The place is damned!

Ugh!

Buck.

( coughing )

Billy,

ride to the Double Y.

Get Hopalong.

Don't you die, Buck.

He ain't dead, Billy.
We'll doctor him up.

They killed
all the horses.

Whoa. My horse.

Whoa, son. Easy.

Red, Lanky,
get my saddle.

( crackling, popping )

Hah!

Billy's gone
to get Hopalong.

Them dirty bastards
will be shitting rail iron

when Hopalong Cassidy
hears about this.

- I won't rest till
every one of them are dead.
-
You're damn right.

Three of the boys
got killed that night.

Buck got shot.
Johnny was stabbed.

Cattle was all rustled

and all the horses
were burned alive.

Damn. What kind of man
would do a thing like that?

What kind of man,
indeed?

What are you hiding
in that case there?

( whistles )
That's a beaut.

Yeah.

This little Gibson
is about the only thing

I got left
that's worth much.

She's like an old friend
to me.

( plays blues melody )

We have made some
beautiful music together.

Sounds pretty good
to me.

( chuckles )

Hey, what happened
to Mary anyway?

Was she all right?
Where was Hopalong?

Well, here's how
that went.

Mary got kidnapped
by Tex and the gang,
you know.

And they sent Billy
down to the Double Y

to see if he could
find Hoppy.

You saved the Double Y,
Hoppy.

I'd like to give you
this horse.

You break him,
he's yours.

I believe I'll take you up
on that one.

Whoa, boy.

Easy.

Come here now.

Whoa, son.

All right.

Well, I'll be.
If that don't beat all.

Appreciate it,
Waffles.

I believe he's gonna
make a good 'un.

I think I'll just
call him Thunder.

Sounds like
a good name.

- Hopalong!
- Billy.

What are you
doing here?

You sound like a damn dog
with all that panting.

Hopalong,
they took Mary,

killed Jimmy, Shorty, and Pete
and stole all the cattle.

Waffles, we need more horses.
They killed all ours.

Billy, it's the least
I can do.

Hopalong sacrificed
his own ranch
to save mine.

I'll kill
every last one of them.

Waffles:
Meet up with you later.

Hopalong:
Who could have done
something like this?

I should have been here
to help, Billy.

Hoppy.

Best stay the way
you are, Johnny.

Don't want to open up
them wounds.

I brought you something--
Mexican specials.

Make lying in bed
just a little bit easier.

Thanks, Hop.

Hey, did you square things
for the Double Y?

Well, they haven't got
any more rustlers
troubling them.

- Cookie.
- How are you, Hopalong?

How is Buck doing?

Well, he's been under,
but I think he's coming
out of it.

Billy got you fast.

I should have
never left, Buck.

It ain't your fault.

You did a good friend
a favor.

They struck
like lightning.

( coughing )

We didn't have
a chance.

I'll get 'em,

every last one
of 'em.

They'll pay
for what they've done,

I promise you.

I know.

And there's
our posse--

the Bar 20 Three--

and a damn
mean one too.

Lanky:
There is no place
them coyotes can hide.

When are we leaving?

Just as soon as
Cookie gets us some
traveling grub together.

Get them paws a-movin',
Cookie.

It's all ready,
just gotta be loaded
on the horses.

Let's saddle some of them
fine horses.

- Hey, Red.
-
Yo.

Bring me back one of them
rustlers' ears, will you?

I'll bring you home
a washtub full, Johnny.

( horses whinnying )

Hopalong, shouldn't I
come too?

Billy,

I need a good man
to stay behind.

Take care of Buck
and Johnny.

I'm counting on you.

See if you boys can keep up
with old Thunder.

Yah!

- ( men laughing )
-
( Mary moaning )

I want to see you eat
your beans, all right?

Look, if it was up to me,
I'd let you starve.

But Tex wants you alive,
so eat up.

Why don't you just untie me
and let me feed myself, huh?

( laughing )

( spitting )

What I want to do
is kill you.

( cocks gun )

I told you I didn't
want her touched.

Now get out
of here.

Get your hands
off me.

Here, let me
untie your hands.

Why don't you
go ahead and eat?

I don't have
an appetite.

Are you
all right?

I mean,

is there something else
I can do for you?

Yeah. Why don't you
just let me go?

I'm afraid
that's not possible.

Then get me
Hopalong Cassidy.

He'll save me.

Hopalong Cassidy.

Why, he's probably
on our trail right now.

What are you
smiling about?

Do you really think
he'll try to save you?

Yeah. Yeah, I do.

Well, he might come
for the cattle.

Hey, listen.

Hopalong Cassidy
is a rogue.

I'm a better man
than he is.

I know how to treat
a lady.

Why don't you let me
take care of you?

Don't come near me.

You make me sick.

Get up. Deacon!

Take Miss Meeker away.

Gently, Deacon, gently.

-
( wings flapping )
-
( bird screeches )

I made a wish
for you, Cassidy.

( men snoring )

( smacking )

- ( snoring continues )
- Oh, boy.

-
( gunshot pops )
- What the hell?

( puffs )
What's the matter, Red?

Don't you like snaker
for breakfast?

( chuckles )
Shit.

( sizzling )

( screeching )

Whoever they are...

they got bad taste
in cigars.

What the hell
is this?

Them candles,
and now this?

You'd think
we was chasing
some damn parson.

Or a bunch of locos.

I gave it to Mary
before I left.

I should have
gave her more.

There's writing
on it.

If it's a game
they're playing,

I'll play it.

But they'll wish
they never started it.

- Whoa, Thunder, whoa.
- ( neighing )

Whoa.

Just the wind
passing through.

( neighs )

- ( gunshots )
-
( horses neighing )

( man yelping )

( men laughing )

Dance.
Dance, you old bastard.

Viejo, tienes
customers.

Better get their money
while they're still alive.

Go!

What do you
fellows want?

A little water,
some hay.

It'll be four bits
apiece.

Take my advice

and you get out
of Devil's Bluff.

There's some mean
hombres
in town.

( chickens clucking )

That's all right.

We eat mean
hombres
for breakfast.

Water's right
over there.

Wet them horses' throats
and bring them on inside.

I'll fill them up
with hay.

Much obliged.

( mutters )
Good-for-nothing

cripple.

( clock ticking )

( faint footsteps )

( door squeaks )

Need something?

Are you
the sheriff?

That's right.

( horses neighing )

I like looking at a face
when I'm talking to it.

I don't like being
disturbed, mister.

I guess you're ready
to see your maker.

Well, what can I do
for you?

I'm after cattle rustlers.

You happen to see
anything?

No.

Can't say
as I have.

You missing cattle?

Quite a few.

You like cigars?

No. Why?

Same brand.

About that cattle--
we'll keep our eyes peeled.

You do that.

That's what that badge
is for.

Nothing worse
than a sorry sheriff.

Hey,

why you boys come so far
from home, huh?

You should have stayed
where your mama could
watch over you.

Way too dangerous
out here.

They don't have
no mother.

One's a pig.
The other's a sausage.

Let's make them
big sausages dance.

Hopalong:
Looks like
you're
the ones
gonna be doing the jig.

( spits )

He is just
a cripple.

-
( horse neighing )
-
( dog barking )

Hogging all the fun?
We could have handled them.

- Maybe so.
- Nice shooting, mister.

Say, ain't you
Hopalong Cassidy?

- Red:
You're
damn right he is.
-Well, I'll be graced.

Sheriff:
You're under arrest.
( cocks gun )

Those men were citizens
of this here town.

Better put your
hands up.

Walk off to jail

or I'll be forced
to pull the trigger.

Go ahead.
Pull that trigger.

( stammering )

Hey.

- ( badge pings )
- Sheriff: No...

That old man said
a herd of cattle
came through

Devil's Bluff
the other night.

14 men driving them.

Yeah, I had
a suspicion.

He said there was a girl
with them too.

Thank God.
Mary's alive.

I love that girl.

I'm tired of this
herd-driving.

( coyotes yapping )

We could have got rid
of some in Devil's Bluff,

took our money and split.
( spits )

Tex is just using us.

He got some bone to pick
with the Bar 20.

He's riding us thin.

Tex is possessed.

You don't want
to tangle with him.

How about them
Bar 20 folk?

They're all
made of hellfire,

especially
Hopalong Cassidy.

Probably on our trail
right now.

Plumb gives me
the shivers.

( Feret laughing )

( muffled screams )

( man laughing )

- ( Mary grunts )
- ( man groans )

Give me a gun and
I'll blow you all away!

What, to draw?

( groaning )

My mom and pa
was killed by Injuns.

I survived.
I can handle a gun.

Oh, yeah, right,
poor little papoosie.

You bastards.

( spurs jingling )

Well, now,

let's see what a good draw
she really is.

Go ahead, Henry,
have a duel.

And all I'm trying to do
is have a little fun.

All right, I'll draw.

Argh!

I'll cut her up
in pieces!

I'll cut her
heart out!

( gunshot )

Tex:
Feret, back off
or I'll drop you.

You fools should have
known better.

She's worth more than
all of you put together.

But what would you
expect from a woman

that's in love with
Hopalong Cassidy?

But does
he
love
you?

After I'm through
with Hopalong,

there's always me.

( dog whines, panting )

A wounded dog.

Might as well put it
out of its misery.

Wait.

Hello there, boy.

- Hello, boy.
- ( dog whines )

Boy.

( whines, yelps )

Don't let anybody
make fun of you
'cause you limp.

( gun clicks )

Damn sniper.

( gasps )

Hey!

( gunfire whines )

- How many?
- Don't know.

- Keep me covered.
- Gotcha.

( moaning )

- Stop.
- Why should I?

I lied.
I saw your cattle.

I was paid
to give you trouble.

He said he'd kill me
if I didn't.

- Who?
- I don't know.

He wore all black.

Shango--
he's in the hills.

That's where
your cattle's gone.

Shango?

Shango's dead.

No, he's been--

( grunts )

( coyotes howling )

Red:
The wind's blowing
the trail away.

Ain't nothing
to follow.

Are we riding into hell
just for the fun of it?

Hopalong:
We don't need a trail
no more, Red.

We know
where we're going.

We're heading for the hills
to find Shango.

That's where
the cattle is

and maybe Mary.

That rustling coyote
is supposed to have been
dead for years.

Hopalong:
Doesn't mean he is.

Besides, if a fellow
wanted to sell stolen
cattle fast...

You believing
that damn sniper?

I always believe
a dying man.

( spurs jingle )

( Tex moans )

Hopalong.

( hisses )

( crows cawing )

( laughter )

You're a babe
with a gun, Tex.

You best take a good 40 years
to practice up.

( yells )
I'll kill him!

( playing softly )

Tex really had it in
for Hoppy, didn't he?

Yep.

But why? What did
Hopalong ever do to him?

Well, sometimes it's not
what you've done.

It's what you
should have done.

You mean, if Hopalong
would have just shot him
the first chance he got,

none of this
would've ever happened.

That's right.

But Hoppy didn't believe
in killing

unless it was
absolutely necessary.

And now it started
to look like he didn't
have any choice.

Better break up.
Cover more ground
that way.

If you find Shango,
hold him tight.

He's as cunning
as Satan himself.

He'll slither right
out of your hands.

I'll tie him in a knot
he can't get out of.

Well, shoot a hole in the sky
and we'll all meet up again.

- Sounds good to me.
- All right, take care
of yourselves.

( clicks tongue )
Yah! Hah!

( cattle mooing )

Whoa.

That looks like a stray
down there, Thunder.

Let's take
a closer look.

( stray moos )

They sure did a good job
of covering it up.

- Drop 'em!
- ( Thunder neighs )

Untie that steer.

Stealing cattle's
serious business.

You'll find your neck
at the end of a rope
for it.

Well, you're an old pro
at it, Shango.

( laughs )

Darn, you recognized me.

Hope you know
how to run, Hopalong.

( laughs )

( wind whistling )

( water dripping )

( bats squeaking )

Remember me?

Well, sure, Tex.
You're the babe with a gun.

You should have killed me,
Mr. Cassidy.

Where's Mary?

Alive and well.

When I'm through
with you,

I'm gonna make her
my wife.

( laughs )
Tex, she'd die first.

Don't be so sure,
Hopalong.

Well, it's time for
a little necktie party.

We've got some cattle
to sell.

Oh, and by the way...
( chuckles )

in case
you're wondering,

there's a very deep pit
under those boards.

( floorboards creaking )

Thanks for telling me, Tex.
I'll try to be careful.

I'm disappointed
in you, Tex.

You're more of a coward
than I thought you were.

You don't deserve
to wear those gloves.

I'm a better man than you,
Cassidy, and you know it.

Then why don't you
fight me man-to-man?

Unless big, bad Tex
is a little old chicken.

- ( man snickers )
- Tex:
Untie him.

Let's just hang him
and get it over with.

I said untie him.

Man-to-man, huh?

Choose your weapon.

I'll give
you
the honor, Tex.

( chuckles )

Okay.

Here's yours.

And this will be mine.

( men jeering, laughing )

Men:
Watch it.
Watch it.

Oh!

Men:
Shoot him.
Shoot him.

I'm gonna
kill you now, Tex.

I don't think so.

( men laughing )

Man:
That was fun.

He's out cold.

No fun
in hanging him now.

We're not gonna
hang him, Shango.

Tie him up
really good.

I'm gonna
blow him up.

Give me his guns.

Hopalong Cassidy
will be buried forever.

Tex Ewalt, the greatest
gunfighter alive.

( laughing )

( fuse fizzling )

Who deserves to wear
the gloves now, Hopalong?

( faint splash )

( splashes )

( whistles )

( birds crowing )

( fizzling )

( explosion rumbles )

( horses neighing )

( chuckles )

Amen.

( water gurgling )

( horses neigh )

Whoa.
There's footprints.

Keep it down.
Might be that rascal Shango.

Red, would you put
that there mean-looking
thing away?

I'm a-tremblin'
from fright.

You should be trembling.
I thought you were Shango.

You all right?

Yeah, I will be.

What are you doing
here, Waffles?

Hell, Hopalong,
did you think I was
gonna let you

lick them rustlers
all by yourself?

- I hired some
new hands to help.
- Howdy, boys.

There's a meadow
over them hills and
it's filled with cattle.

Tex Ewalt took Mary,

killed Jimmy,
Shorty, and Pete.

Tex Ewalt messed
with the Bar 20.

Now he's gonna pay.

Come on, Thunder.
( clicks tongue )

( Thunder neighs )

( cattle mooing )

( rooster crowing )

( sheep bleating )

Howdy, Tex.

Should have them cows
sold in no time.

You done good.

Should make you
a rich man.

Not to mention
the amount of money

I'm gonna make
from all this.

( laughing )

Shango.

Too late, Shango.

( man panting )

( gunfire )

( man grunts )

- ( grunts )
- ( horse neighs )

( gasps )

( grunts )

( yelps )

Told you I was gonna
cut you up, bitch.

( horse neighs )

Hopalong!

( gagging )

Red:
Can't find Tex nowhere.

I'm going after him.

Let him go.
Won't make no difference
killing him.

Do you care
for that man?

No. I just want you
to stay with me.

What took you
so long?

Let's go home.

( screams )
Hopalong!

Hopalong!

Hopalong!

( screaming continues )

( cattle mooing )

Thank God.

Mary's back
safe and sound.

- Red: It's good to be home.
- Lanky: Boy, it sure is.

Uncle Buck!

- ( Buck chuckles )
- They didn't get you.

No, little Mary.
I pulled through.

Thank you.

Hey, Red, did you
bring me back an ear?

Plumb forgot, Johnny.
Brought you a whole
string of tails, though.

Don't just
stand there, Cookie.
Whip up some grub.

Get some good food
down my gullet.

I'll have her sizzling
in no time.

I want to make sure
you boys get rested up,

'cause you made it back
just in time for
the rodeo.

Don't worry.
We'll be ready tomorrow.

We gotta win for Jimmy,
Pete and Shorty.

That's the way
to talk.

Buck:
Come on in, all of you,
every one of you.

Let's make yourselves
at home here. Come on.

( rooster crowing )

Come on, we'd better
get a move on

if we want to get
to the rodeo on time.

( rings )

Ladies and gentlemen!

- And you too, folks.
- ( laughter )

Thank you for coming
to this here rodeo!

( cheering, applause )

Hah! Whoo! Hah!

It promises to be
one of the most exciting
exhibitions

we've ever seen
around here.

I mean,
you're gonna witness--

you're gonna witness

extraordinary feats
of physical prowess

by men who helped
make this great land

what it is today!

I'm talking
about the men

from the Circle
Diamond Ranch...

( crowd cheering )

-
and the C80...
- ( crowd cheering )

- and the Flying W...
- ( cheering )

- and the Rockin' H!
- ( cheering )

And last, but not least,

the great Bar 20!

( crowd cheering )

Yeah!

Well, I reckon that's
enough introduction.

- You're here to see
those boys go to it, right?
- Crowd: Yeah!

- Am I right?
- Yeah!

Hell, yes!

Then let the games begin

and may
the best man win!

( crowd cheering )

Yah-hah-hah!

Billy:
Hah! Come on!
Hah! Come on!

Hah! Hah!

Hah! Giddyup! Hah!

Whoo! Come on.
Yeah!

Billy:
Come on, come on,
come on, come on.

There you go.
Come on. Attaboy.

Yeah! Hah!
Come on. Come on.

Whoo!

Announcer:
Yes, sir!

Billy Floyd of the Bar 20
wins first!

( crowd cheering )

Announcer:
These boys have to ride
the meanest,

the toughest,
the orneriest horses

that ever walked
this planet.

( crowd cheering )

Now, folks,
the next contest

is steer roping.

( cattle mooing )

Whoo!
Come on, Lanky!

Whoo! Yeah!

Announcer:
The winner-- Lanky Smith

of the Bar 20!

Way to go, Lanky.

He sure can throw that
rope like the devil.

Sure can.

Announcer:
Now rifle shooting.

( gunshot )

Announcer:
Real good shooting--

one in the bullseye,
one just above.

I can shoot
better than that.

Don't count on it.

( gunshot )

Announcer:
One bullseye.

( gunshot )

Announcer:
Two bullseyes.

Eagle eye Red Connors
of the Bar 20 is the winner!

- ( cheering, applause )
- ( laughs )

By God, you're a regular
Robin Hood.

- Good shooting, Red.
- Yeah.

Folks, you're all in
for a real treat here.

This man's pistols
have a life of their own.

He's a magician
with those damn Colts
of his.

I'm talking about
the great Hopalong Cassidy!

( cheering, applause )

Man:
Hopalong!

Announcer:
Folks, folks.

Now, folks--

now, folks,
because of the fame

of this here man
and his pistols,

there ain't nobody
around here with guts enough
to compete with him.

- ( crowd booing )
- But maybe,

just maybe,
he'll show us

a little of that magic
I was talking about
anyways.

How about it,
Hoppy, huh?

Show us your stuff,
Hopalong.

Attaboy, son.

Eh, why not?

Yay!
( laughs )

He's gonna do it.
Thataway, Hoppy, thataway.

( applause )

( gunshot echoes )

( Red cocks gun )
Hold it.

I'll show you
a master gunfighter.

You'd better if you want
to wear those gloves.

Put your rifles down.

Let the contest go on.

( applause )

( people murmuring )

( two gunshots )

( cheering, applause )

( three gunshots )

( three gunshots )

( cheering, applause )

( clanging )

Those gloves don't belong
on your hands, Tex.

Why don't you just
come and get 'em?

( faint thunder rumbles )

You ought to
stop 'em, Red.

( grunts )

( thunder rumbles )

You've waited long,
Mary,

but you won't have
to wait again.

Stranger:
And that's where
the trail ends, son.

That's a real good one,
mister.

Best I've heard
in a long time.

But what happened next?

What-- what about
Hopalong and Mary?

Oh, that's another story
for another time.

Looks like
a pretty morning.

( strums )

( distant bell ringing )

♪ Hopalong

♪ Where have you gone?

( horse whinnies )

Hey.

You forgot your gloves.

I don't need them
no more.

I never got your name.

And you didn't sing me
that song.

So long, partner.

( music playing )

♪ He rolls across
the prairie ♪

♪ Like a lonesome
tumbleweed ♪

♪ On a horse
named Thunder ♪

♪ That none can match
for speed ♪

♪ His black gloves
have a silver star ♪

♪ That shines out
in the night ♪

♪ When someone's done
somebody wrong ♪

♪ He's bound to make it right

♪ Hopalong

♪ Where have you gone?

♪ Will you be coming back
this way? ♪

♪ Hopalong

♪ This is your song

♪ You've given me
a brand-new day ♪

♪ His black gloves
with a silver star ♪

♪ Are a mighty
heavy load ♪

♪ Some men like Tex
turn evil ♪

♪ As their speed
and power grow ♪

♪ But those who stand
for justice ♪

♪ Will fight
for you and me ♪

♪ They can always use
a man ♪

♪ Like Hopalong Cassidy

♪ Hopalong

♪ Where have you gone?

♪ Will you be coming back
this way? ♪

♪ Hopalong

♪ Spirit's strong

♪ Sure could use you
here today ♪

♪ Here come
those black gloves ♪

♪ With that shining
silver star ♪

♪ When you ride
for justice ♪

♪ No distance is too far

♪ Hopalong

♪ Where have you gone?

♪ Will you be coming back
this way? ♪

♪ Hopalong

♪ This is your song

♪ You gave me more
than I can say. ♪

( instrumental music
continues )