Hands Across the Rockies (1941) - full transcript

Wild Bill and Cannonball arrive looking for the killer of Cannonball's father only to become involved in a family feud. A man has been charged with kidnaping the girl he plans to marry. So this time Bill turns into a defense lawyer and among the opposition is the killer he is looking for. Only when the killer is revealed does Bill put his guns to work.

What do you think,

Dade?

DADE: Well, I'll tell you,

Pop,

looks to me like Jessup's

got a pretty good idea.

Of course I have,

and I'm willing

to pay you for,

let's say,

for any inconvenience

it causes you.

How's it strike you,

Hi?

I'll think better after

Juneau starts talkin' money.

RUFE: Hi's right, Jessup.

How much you reckon

on paying us

for accommodating you?

Hmm, well,

that depends.

A lot of things

to be considered.

In the first place,

how's she going

to feel about it?

RUFE: I'll take care

of that part.

Next time

I won't miss, Peale.

I thought my father

said for you to

get out and stay out.

What are you aiming

to do with Marsha?

I know you're

up to something.

Supposing we are?

We know what we're doin'

and you'd better not come

around here again.

You can't threaten me.

Marsha and me are

getting married.

Why, you!

[GUN FIRES]

I'm not wasting no more

breath on you, Peale.

Next time you come

snooping around here,

I'm gunning you down

for trespassing.

Now, get out!

And remember this,

I'd just as soon kill you

as look at you.

What's the matter?

We just found

a young fellow

sneaking around

that we've been having

a lot of trouble with.

Who told you

to come out here?

Why, I only wanted

to see if...

Get back

in your room.

Get in there, quick!

Hurry up.

I'm sorry about all

this rumpus, Juneau.

Pop told that jasper before

to get off our place

and leave

Marsha alone.

After tonight,

I'll take care of Marsha.

Come on, let's get down

to business.

Did you ever ask a lawyer

if it's all right?

How do you mean, Dade?

Well, are you sure a wife

can't be forced to be witness

against her own husband?

Oh, yes,

I'm very sure.

You know, I'm kind of sorry

Marsha happened along

when you and old man Taylor

had that argument.

I mean, it ain't easy for me

losing Marsha,

even though

she's only my niece.

Oh, yes,

I know all about it.

But then again,

$10,000 might make us

feel some better.

You can save

the crocodile tears, Rufe.

I always heard you Crawleys

drive a hard bargain.

Now, that ain't a nice thing

to say, Juneau.

It's worth something to us,

losing Marsha.

Yeah,

it's worth a lot.

Maybe it is,

but you seem to forget

Marsha can still divorce me,

and then tell

what she saw.

Oh, now, you oughtn't

to treat people like us

that way, Jessup,

owning

the Saddlehorn Saloon

and practically running

the whole town of

Independence.

Why, you're a rich man.

Stop whining, Rufe.

You're getting more out

of this than you'd

clear here in 10 years.

Meaning exactly

how much?

$2,000 when

she marries me,

and $1,000 a year

for the next three years

if she stays married.

Well, I...

You ain't over-generous,

are you, Juneau?

That's a good offer,

and we're takin' it.

Now, hold on, Hi.

It might be worth a lot to us

to have Jessup in the family.

JESSUP: Now you're

being smart.

Pop told you

not to come out here.

Oh, you can't

make me marry him.

I'll do anything.

I'll go away,

I promise you I will.

I'll never tell anybody

about seeing you shoot

old man Taylor.

You'll never tell anybody

nothing when I'm through

with you.

Come on!

Oh, Rufe, better come down

to the Saddlehorn tomorrow

and we'll finish

our business.

I don't think

we'll have any more trouble

with Marsha.

After you two

get hitched,

there won't be nobody

botherin' about

who perforated

old man Taylor.

MARSHA: [SOBBING]

Please, Uncle Rufe,

I didn't mean nothin'.

Your Taylor

left some family?

Oh, just a no-good son

called Cannonball.

Between us,

I'm not very much worried

about Cannonball Taylor.

[WHISTLING]

Cannonball! Yeah?

Be careful with that

suitcase of mine.

It's the only one

I've got.

Oh, I wasn't aiming

to hurt it none, Bill.

[LAUGHING]

What's the matter

with you, driver,

for goodness sakes?

Bill, you know,

I sure do appreciate

you goin' over

to Independence with me

and help me

straighten out things

about my pappy.

Cannonball, what in the world

are you packing

that thing for?

You don't think I'm gonna

let you square the accounts

with the men who dry-gulched

my own pappy, do you?

Well, I hadn't thought

about it,

but I do know this.

You've got to

find him first.

What are you

looking at, Bill?

Have you got that newspaper

I was reading?

We'd better get aboard.

I have an idea

this is going to be

a very interesting trip.

[SHOUTING COMMAND]

[WHIP CRACKS]

Hey, driver,

wait a minute.

[LAUGHING]

I forgot the most important

piece of my baggage, driver.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

[WHIP CRACKS]

♪ Have you heard

about the big adventure

♪ Happened on a stagecoach

long ago?

♪ He got on at Dallas

♪ She got on at Wallace

♪ I read it in the paper,

so I know

♪ They were passin' through

♪ They were strangers, too

♪ And the trip was

mighty long

♪ The whole darn ride,

they were side by side

♪ While the stage went

bumping along

[WHISTLING]

♪ She was young and shy

and he winked his eye

♪ As he whistled her a song

♪ Then pretty quick,

they were getting thick

♪ While the stage went

bumping along

[WHISTLING]

♪ The chassis swayed,

the horses neighed

♪ The wheels went bumpety-bump

♪ He held her hand,

and like a band

♪ His heart went

thumpety-thump

♪ So they stopped the hack

at the parson's shack

♪ And he tied them

good and strong

♪ Then back they climbed

and they pulled the blind

♪ While the stage went

bumping along

♪ While the stage went

bumping along

♪ Along

♪ The stage went

bumping along ♪

[SIGHS]

Boy, wasn't that good?

I'm glad you got that

out of your system

'cause there ain't

gonna be anymore.

Anybody got a match?

You got a match?

Oh, I'm sorry,

I didn't hear you.

I was kind of interested

in this paper.

That's all you've done

since we left Pawnee.

Must be mighty

interesting reading.

It is.

All about this fellow

they say is the toughest man

west of Kansas.

Must be a pretty tough hombre

from what it says here.

Say what his name was?

Cash Jennings.

Doesn't happen to be

a picture of him there

with that writing, does there?

No.

But I can give you

a pretty good

description of him.

Go ahead.

Well, he's about 6'2"

and weighs about 210.

That might fit anybody.

Yes, but this fellow's got

black hair and wears

a mustache.

And when last seen,

wore a checked shirt

with a vest, black pants,

and carried

a white pearl-handled Colt.

Come to think of it,

that description

might fit you.

I'm waiting to hear you say

that it doesn't.

No harm meant.

I was just telling you

what it says here in the paper

about Jennings.

You weren't thinking

of catching up with Jennings

and turning him in,

were you?

No, I wasn't doing

what you might call thinkin',

but I was kind of

playin' with the idea.

Maybe somethin'

changed your mind?

CASH: I said that maybe

you'd changed your mind?

Driver, pull up

at the station ahead.

Somebody is gettin' out.

I never change my mind

without a good reason,

Jennings.

Never try that with a man

who's got his mind made up.

I'll take your gun.

Whoa. Whoa.

All right, Cash,

step out.

Thanks, Cannonball.

I knew that rifle

would be good

for something.

Who was doing

the shooting?

My friend here.

Gentlemen, here's a man

I'm sure you'll be

pleased to meet,

Cash Jennings.

Cash Jennings?

Why, you're right.

We've been looking for him

for a long time.

Take care of him,

Buell.

We appreciate

that kind of service,

right on

our front doorstep.

Who shall we say delivered

that surprise package?

Well, it doesn't make

much difference now

that you've got him.

We're in kind of a hurry

to get to Independence

and if you won't mind,

we'll get rolling.

Well, thanks, anyway.

[DRIVER SHOUTING COMMANDS]

That serves

that big galoot right.

Don't like my singing.

He gives me a big pain.

Hey, Bill, look at that boy

and that girl riding double.

That ain't the way we done

our courting back in Georgia.

Well, they don't

look too happy

for a courting couple.

No, sir.

There's a Texas brand

on that horse

that boy was ridin',

and that girl didn't seem

at all happy.

Whoa.

[CHUCKLES]

She ain't gonna

throw me this time.

[GRUNTS]

No, it didn't

throw you.

You can get yourself

tangled up

more than

any man I ever saw.

[SIGHS]

You know, Bill,

I ain't really clumsy.

[LAUGHING]

Just unlucky,

that's all.

Hey, Pop, Pop,

Peale's riding into town

right now.

Marsha's with him.

I'll teach that young feller

a lesson he never will forget.

And when I get through

with her this time,

she won't never

run away no more.

They're laying for that same

boy and girl we passed

back on the road.

Johnny!

Johnny.

So we caught you anyhow.

A fine business,

running away

from your own kin.

Bringing shame

on your whole family.

But I'll teach you...

Don't touch her

with that quirt.

Say, this here's

my own niece,

and that there

young squirt,

why, he ain't no better

than a--a kidnapper.

That's what he is,

a kidnapper.

If I was you, mister,

I'd just keep out of this.

Hey, Bill,

I'm kind of needing

me some advice here.

I don't know whether I should

shoot that old coot first

or this big bull here

with that gun

or should I nail that little

skinny lizard with the knife.

Sorry, Cannonball,

but if there's

to be any shooting,

I'm feeling kind of selfish.

Well, I ain't letting

this hammer down slow

unless they put away

that knife there

and that gun.

Why, I wasn't aiming

to hit her with the quirt.

What is this anyhow?

We don't stand

for no gunplay

in this town.

It's mighty nice of you

to tell these gentlemen.

Marshal, we're preferring

charges of kidnapping

against him.

He went and stole

Marsha away.

It is not true,

Marshal.

I went off with Johnny

of my own...

Hey, Bill, what's that

old coot trying to do,

commit suicide?

You quit threatening people

with that there rifle.

Put it away,

Cannonball.

The marshal sounds

mighty convincing.

Don't worry

about him, Marshal.

What about this boy?

Well, kidnapping's

a mighty serious charge

in this territory.

Then if I were you,

I'd take your prisoner

and lock him up

where he'll be safe.

It's a good thing for you

the circuit judge gets

in town tomorrow,

a mighty good thing.

Come on.

Let's go,

Cannonball.

A stranger in town

is apt to be judged

by the company he keeps.

He can't talk to us

like that.

He did.

Somebody better

tell Jessup.

Pa and me

will go over.

You take Marsha out

to the ranch and see that

that's where she stays.

Come on, Pa.

Find her?

Yeah, we found her,

all right.

The marshal's got

Peale locked up.

And Dade took the girl

back to the ranch.

All right, we'll have

the wedding tomorrow.

You'd better,

and quick.

Why, what's the hurry?

You tell him.

Well, Hi means that...

Taylor's son come

back to town.

Cannonball?

I've never

seen him before,

but the fellow with him

called him Cannonball.

Yeah, and the tall hombre

that's backing his play

don't scare easy.

He don't scare at all.

Well, neither do I.

Who is he?

What's his name?

The only name we heard

was Bill.

Don't know

the rest of it.

He looks like a mighty

handy man with the irons,

Juneau.

I told you

I didn't scare.

As for bills, well, I always

make a point of paying

mine off personally.

[LAUGHING]

You hear that, Hi?

That's a good one.

He pays

his bills personal.

I don't think he'll find it

quite so funny.

I'll bet he won't.

Bill, you still ain't told me

where we're goin'.

You ain't forgotten

what we come over here for,

have you?

No, but the reception we got

when we arrived in town

was kind of interesting.

Yeah, but me, I always say,

one thing at a time.

I'm afraid that won't

work here, Cannonball.

You see, I have never yet

seen just one bad apple

in a barrel.

Well, I'm just a buck private

in this here man's army.

Where we going,

General?

Right now, I'm going over

and talk to that gent

who wears

the marshal's badge.

Well, he ain't going

to tell you nothing,

not him.

You never can tell.

The town lawman might be

able to tell us a little bit

about why things happen,

and maybe who gunned down

your dad.

Good afternoon,

Marshal.

What's the idea

in sneaking in here?

I thought we should get

better acquainted.

What's your name?

Bemis.Bemis?

Hickok is my name.

Bill Hickok.

Not Wild Bill Hickok?

Folks have got

to calling me that.

Folks who didn't agree

with me.

But I'm really

a peaceable man.

Looking for something,

Marshal?

Yeah. Where's that

other feller?

The one who looks

like a groundhog

and packs a rifle.

Oh, he's watching you.

Huh?

Let me tell you, Hickok,

I'm the marshal

of this here town

and I don't stand for

no gun-toting shenanigans.

Then maybe you weren't

around when Dan Taylor was

dry-gulched.

Taylor? What has he

got to do with it?

I was just wondering.

I got a good mind

to throw you

in the calaboose.

I find fault

with both those statements.

Both them statements?

Whether you've got

a good mind or not

is open to proof.

And furthermore, I doubt

whether you could put me

in that calaboose.

What are you after

anyhow?

I want to see

your prisoner.

He ain't allowed

no visitors.

I'm not a visitor.

I'm his lawyer.

Well, he ain't told me

about no lawyer,

and if he ain't told me,

he ain't got none.

Weren't you just asking

about my assistant,

the one with the gun?

Well, all right,

but don't you try no tricks,

because I'll be watchin'.

CANNONBALL:

And don't you try

any tricks either, Marshal,

'cause I'll be

watchin', too.

Peale, this feller says

he's your lawyer.

I hope you

don't mind, Marshal,

but I want to talk

to my client alone.

Peale, there are

a few questions

I'd like to ask you.

I don't want any lawyer.

But you've got one.

Who are you, anyway?

Right now that doesn't make

much difference.

Son, there's a question

in my mind

as to whether

you're ever coming to trial.

What are you drivin' at?

I've got an idea there are

a couple of people

in this town

who'd rather not hear

what you've got to say

in court.

Oh, they wouldn't dare

do that.

I believe I can help you,

if you'll let me.

How?

Well, I don't know yet,

but first, you've got to do

a lot of talking,

and I want the truth

from you, Peale.

Why are they so anxious

to keep you and the girl

from getting married?

I can't tell you that.

Please, you've got

to understand me.

I'm trying to understand,

but you're not making

much sense.

It would make sense

if you knew Jessup.

Jessup? Who's he?

No, I'm not saying

anything.

Marsha wouldn't be safe

a minute.

Well, what I can't figure out

is what Marsha has to do

with this fellow Jessup.

Don't keep asking me.

I tell you,

I just can't tell you.

Well, all right, son.

What's your name?

Finney, sir.

Abel Finney, Jr.

[CANNONBALL LAUGHING]

Abel Finney, Jr.

Ain't that a funny name, Bill?

And can you imagine,

he says he's

the prosecuting attorney

for this sink of iniquity.

Bandits.

Threatening qualified

servants of the law,

invading the premises.

Cannonball,

put that gun down.

Don't you know you shouldn't

threaten qualified servants

of the law

and invade the premises?

You've got to treat officers

with respect.

Oh, Bill, I was just

entertaining them.

I was telling them

about the time

I scalped old George Mackus

by mistake.

You're to blame

for this.

Oh, Mr. Prosecutor,

surely you must know

that every man is innocent

until proved guilty.

Certainly I know it.

If there's anything I know,

it's the law.

Well, in that case,

I'd be very careful

before I accused anybody

of being responsible

for anything.

I came here

to see my client.

Your client?

Yes. I'm representing

Johnny Peale,

and if you're interested,

I'm holding both you

and the marshal responsible

for his appearance

in court tomorrow

and for the conduct

of a proper trial.

Oh, Bill, good night.

I was just going to tell them

about the time I heaved

the hand-axe at Billy Barton

and threw it

just a little high

and put a dadgum part right

down the middle of the hair.

Maybe they'd rather hear it

another time, Cannonball.

Now, if you'll

just load that rifle,

maybe we can kill

one bird for two crimes.

[LAUGHING]

[PLAYING HARMONICA]

There's

two of them now.

Well, let's go then.

Where do you think

you're goin'?

Oh, I just thought

I'd go to bed.

What for?

It's early yet.

Better sit down and wait

till Pop gets back.

Oh, please, Dade,

if he wants to see me,

h-he can wake me up.

I'm not going to try

and run off.

You'd better not.

Stay here and keep your eye

on your friend in there.

Why did you come out here?

Has anything happened

to Johnny?

No, ma'am, not yet.

You see,

I want to help you two,

but he's afraid of what may

happen to you if he talks.

Oh, he shouldn't

be afraid.

They wouldn't dare do

anything to me.

Johnny seems

to think they might.

What's Jessup got

to do with this?

Well, if one of you

doesn't start to talk,

there's not going to be

much I'll be able to do.

HICKOK: You want

to marry him, don't you?

MARSHA: Oh, yes,

that's where we were going

when they caught us.

You can't marry a man

who's in jail for life,

or what's worse,

never gets a chance

to stand trial.

[CHOKING]

Bill!

Bill!

Bill!

[GRUNTING]

RED: What do you think

of the trial tomorrow?

JOE: I don't see

any sense in trying

a case like that, anyhow.

You're right.

A 100% right.

Well, if the Crawleys

go down to jail and

hold their own trial

before the judge

gets here,

it'll not only save

the county expense,

but it'll save them having

a family shame like that

aired in open court.

If I was one of the Crawleys,

I'd have that young Peale

tied to a tree right now.

JOE: Just let 'em say

the word, I'll help 'em.

RED: That's right.

[MEN CLAMORING] JESSUP: Now, now, wait

a minute, boys, wait a minute.

I wasn't recommending

anything.

I was just sort of,

well, thinkin' out loud.

You don't mind

if I think out loud,

do you?

No, I never object

to a man thinkin',

as long as he's careful

how he thinks.

I never worry much

about my thinkin'.

It just kind of

takes care of itself.

And now let me introduce

my assistant,

Cannonball Taylor.

[GUN COCKING]

And I'd like

to introduce myself.

My name is Bill Hickok.

Hickok?

Sorry, it doesn't mean

a thing to me.

Do you mind if I give you

a word of advice?

Not at all.

I understand that

this afternoon you

interested yourself

in something that

didn't concern you.

It might not have

concerned me at the time.

Well, Hickok,

it doesn't concern you now.

We welcome strangers

in Independence,

but we see to it

that they mind

their own business.

I'm a lawyer,

Mr. Jessup,

and a part of my business

is drawing up wills

for men who haven't got

long to live.

Have you made your will,

Jessup?

I don't think there's

any hurry about that.

Another part of my business

is conducting trials.

And there's going to be

a trial tomorrow.

I hope that makes

sense to you.

You men are

being smart.

This gun goes off

with a hurrah and a bang.

I hate to interfere

with your plans, Jessup,

but it would be unwise

for anyone,

anyone at all,

to leave this place

within the next few minutes.

[SIGHS]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

They're here, Jessup.

Be right out.

You boys stay around

the place. I may need you.

Okay.

Well, where's Dade?

He got shot up

last night.

Red, take her over to court

and keep an eye on her.

That won't be hard

to do. Come on.

What's going to happen

if things don't turn out

right in court?

I told you I'd

take care of you,

didn't I?

All you've got to do when

they get you on the stand is

what I told you last night.

That talk's easy,

Jessup,

but those lawyers can ask

a lot of embarrassing

questions.

I almost hope

this one does.

Why do you

say that?

Because the sooner

he opens his mouth,

the sooner I'm going

to stick my foot in it,

boot and all.

You coming over?

No, not yet.

If anything happens,

Red will let me know.

The old man

would feel better

if you was there.

I'll be there

when I'm needed.

I'm waiting for

some boys to show up,

boys I can trust.

Nice day for a trial,

isn't it, gentlemen?

I'm gonna kill

that man.

Maybe you'll get

your chance.

[ALL CHATTERING]

[GAVEL BANGING]

CLERK: Everybody get up.

This here court,

Judge Plunkett presiding,

is now open for business.

Everybody sit down.

[GAVEL BANGS]

[ALL CHATTERING]

Quiet! Quiet!

Take your hats off.

This is Circuit Court

Number 12

and I am in full charge

of the same.

Now if there's any doubt

in your minds about that,

just pay attention

to this 10 gauge.

It's loaded

with a buckshot.

My wife tells me

I ain't got much patience,

and she's right.

I don't stand for no swearing

or hollering or taking on

in my court.

So if you see anybody

with an impulse like that,

you'd better stop 'em quick

because when this blows,

she blows awful wide.

Oh, yeah,

I just recollected,

this town's got

a reputation that smells

to the high heavens.

I aim to clear that atmosphere

before I leave here today.

Now, this here is

a kidnapping case.

Well, I don't know much

about kidnapping,

but I promise you

I'll do a bang-up job.

You lawyers ready?

The prosecution

is ready.

The defense is ready.

Well, then what are we

waiting for?

Let's hear your case.

Oh, yeah,

we got to have a jury.

Hey, you 12 men over there

on my right there in those

two aisles, stand up.

Any of you drunk

or half-witted

or got an impediment

that'll keep you

from thinking straight?

All right, you're the jury.

Sit over here.

You got through

the gate first.

You're foreman.

Sit there on the end.

Now, keep your ears open

and your mouths shut

and we'll get along

all right.

Either one of you lawyers

want to challenge

any of these jurors?

No!

All right,

let's hear your case.

[CLEARING THROAT]

Your Honor,

we intend to prove

that the defendant,

said John Peale...

Don't tell me what

you intend to prove.

Just prove it.

Well, but,

Your Honor...

Do you want to hear

a lot of hot air

about what he intends

to prove?

No, Your Honor.

I'm quite satisfied

that the court is well able

to judge the merits

of this case without

any unnecessary conversation.

And don't you go

to wasting my time

with any long speeches.

Of course not,

Your Honor,

and just so we don't waste

any more of the court's time,

I'd like some bench warrants

issued now so that I can

summon my witnesses.

I object!

Your Honor,

he can't do that!

Get off the platform!

He can't, huh?

Clerk, give this here lawyer

them bench warrants he wants.

Hey,

take off your hat.

Who are you?

My assistant,

Your Honor.

I'd like him to serve

these bench warrants.

All right, but tell him to

keep his hat off in my court.

Yes, Your Honor.

Keep your hat off

in the courtroom.

And you, Mr. Prosecutor,

if you got any witnesses,

get 'em up here

on the stand.

FINNEY: Your Honor,

my first witness

will be Mr. Rufus Crawley.

PLUNKETT: All right, get him

up here in the chair

and swear him in.

What's up? Hickok's trying

to pull something.

Well, don't stand there

like a dummy. Start talkin'.

He's getting the judge

to sign some sort of papers,

warrants or something

for witnesses.

Witnesses?

Why, he's got no witnesses.

Must be

some sort of a trick.

That's why I come out

and told you.

I don't know

who his witnesses are,

but I know a way

to take care of 'em.

Come on inside.

Joe, get my gun.

Hank, Shorty,

come here, all of you.

Hickok's just gotten warrants

to bring in some witnesses.

I want you all to go over

and cover every window

in that courthouse.

I'm going over

to court now myself.

Keep your eyes glued on me,

and if things don't seem

to be going my way,

I'll give you a signal.

I want you to

start that crowd yelling

to string up Peale.

That ain't gonna be

so easy.

Some of those people

may think he's innocent.

You just get

the thing started.

I'll handle the rest.

Now beat it.

Now, Mr. Crawley,

you say you are

the girl's legal guardian?

That's just what I am.

And you were her guardian

on the morning

of March the 16th?

Now, let me see...

If Crawley knows anything

about this case,

let him say it himself.

Look here, Crawley,

if you got any testimony

this court wants to hear,

get it out of your system.

Otherwise, you can step down.

FINNEY:

Go ahead, Mr. Crawley.

I'm sure the court will

overlook your nervousness

after all you've been through.

Well, there ain't

much to tell.

This here no-good Peale

come out and made Marsha

a lot of fancy promises.

Then he waited

for his chance.

As soon as our

backs was turned,

he grabbed her

and made off with her.

Why, that lying old devil.

There he sits now,

him and his fancy lawyer,

laughing at the shame

he brought on Marsha and us.

Is that the whole story?

FINNEY: Well, these are

the barest facts of the case,

Your Honor.

There's a great deal more

I wish to bring out to color

it for you so that you may...

Get off my desk.

I ain't interested

in no colors.

Facts is what I want,

and facts is what

I'm going to get.

You got any more to say?

You want to ask this here

witness any questions?

HICKOK: Yes, Your Honor.

Go to it.

[ALL CHATTERING]

There's Callie.

My wife, too.

Silence! Silence!

What is all this?

Who are these women?

If you'll permit me,

Your Honor,

these ladies are

my witnesses.

Your Honor, I object!

Why, this is a travesty

on the law.

I told you to keep

off my platform!

Objection overruled.

Shut up.

[ALL LAUGHING]

Quiet! Quiet! Quiet.

I'm through talkin'.

But, Your Honor... Sit down!

There you are, Bill,

all six of 'em.

The rest of the jury

ain't even married.

And here's

the old buzzard's whip.

I want you

to keep your eye

on Jessup.

I'd kind of like him

to stay here.

Jessup.

If I may, Your Honor,

I think I can explain this.

Explain it?

Why, Your Honor,

these ladies are wives

of six of the jury.

This is an outrage!

I think the jurors can judge

for themselves whether

that's an outrage.

[PEOPLE CHUCKLING]

What'd you bring them

into court for, mister?

As witnesses.

But, Your Honor,

he can't do that!

For once you're right!

Look here,

young fellow,

I've been pretty lenient

with you so far

because you've been smart

enough not to yell at me

like I was

in the next county.

But you can't get away

with this.

HICKOK: Well, in that case,

Your Honor,

you might as well

sentence the boy

without listening

to anything he might say

in his own defense.

What's that?

There is no question

that Marsha Crawley

ran off with my client.

You mean you're entering

a plea of guilty.

Far from it, Your Honor.

I said that Miss Crawley

ran off with my client.

And I'm sure that

these six ladies can

convince the court

that she had good reason to.

Your Honor,

I object!

This is irrelevant,

immaterial

and has no bearing

whatsoever on the case!

Look here, mister,

you hear what I said

about hollering before?

A-And that's enough

of that kind of language.

How do you expect to get

a fair decision from a jury

when you got

half their wives

on your side?

I was depending on the court's

sense of justice

to instruct the jury

that their relationship

to these witnesses

must bear no weight.

Of course, if the court

would rather not...

Who said the court

would rather not?

All we're interested in

is the-- is the truth.

Realizing that,

Your Honor,

is the reason

I summoned these ladies.

To help the court

get at the truth.

I felt that they would be

of great benefit

serving, Your Honor,

as expert witnesses.

Expert? What kind of

experts are they?

I feel that even

the prosecutor will grant

that they are qualified

to judge whether my client

forced Miss Crawley

into running away.

Well, I don't know

what you're getting at,

young fella,

but go ahead

for the time being.

Thank you,

Your Honor.

Crawley,

is this your quirt?

Why, I... It, uh...

Answer yes or no.

You stole it and I'll have

the law on you!

Look here, Crawley,

you're gonna get more law

than you can shake a stick at,

if you don't stop that

hog-calling in my court!

Now, is it or is it not

your quirt?

Yes. Yes what?

Yes, Judge.

Who asked you

to be polite?

I mean, is it, yes,

it is your quirt,

or, no, it ain't?

It belongs to me.

I'd like to enter this

as Exhibit A for the defense.

You got any objections?

Accepted.

[ALL LAUGHING]

HICKOK: Thank you, Your Honor.

And now I'd like

to introduce Exhibit B.

Exhibit B,

Miss Marsha Crawley.

I, Your Honor...

I--I...

PLUNKETT: You what?

I object.

You object to what?

Trying to make an exhibit

out of a person.

He can't do that.

He can't?

Why, certainly, Your Honor,

he can't.

Well, since you

know so much,

maybe you can point me out

the law that says that?

Well, no, Your Honor,

but it stands to reason.

Not to my reason, it don't.

Son, what are you trying

to get at?

The quirt and the girl

are the two things

I'd like to have examined

by the expert witnesses.

And if it pleases

the court,

since these ladies are

of unquestionable integrity,

I'd like to suggest

that they conduct

their examination

in the anteroom.

I object!

I object!

That's one trick he ain't

gonna get away with.

Maybe you can tell me why?

Because the law says

the witnesses ain't allowed

to take the evidence

out of the court

unless they're watched.

Finney, are you

insinuating

that my wife can't be trusted

without being watched?

Yeah, how about that?

Yeah, what about that?

You know so much.

Can he or can't he?

Well, maybe he can.

This court don't

take no maybes.

Can he or can't he?

Well, I guess, um...

I mean, he can.

And you ain't got

no objections?

[SIGHS]

No objections.

Ladies, you take

these two exhibits

into the next room

and get back here

as quick as you can.

[ALL CHATTERING]

[GUN COCKS]

We don't want you

to leave yet.

If the court pleases,

would you appoint

one of these ladies

to speak for the group?

You ladies

all in agreement?

We sure are, Judge,

and we got plenty to say.

Then you can step right

up here in the chair

and have your say.

Clerk, stop wasting time.

Swear in the witness.

FINNEY: This is

highly irregular, Your Honor.

You'll get your chance.

Do you swear

to tell the truth,

and nothing but the truth,

so help you God?

I do.

HICKOK: Did you

examine the body

of Miss Marsha Crawley?

CALLIE: You bet we did.

Hey, Mr. Judge, look who's

trying to sneak out.

I'll judge

the whole lot of you.

What do you mean yelling out

in open court?

I believe, Your Honor,

he was only

calling your attention

to the fact that Crawley's son

might be needed here later.

Crawley's son, eh?

You're staying right

in this courtroom, brother.

Sit right down there.

I believe you had

two exhibits to examine.

Will you tell the court

exactly what you found

in those examinations?

That girl was beat

with this quirt.

That's what we found.

Welts on her shoulders

and arms as big as my finger.

What?

Who done that?

Why didn't you

tell me that?

Jessup said not to.

Your Honor...

Objection overruled.

Oh, I--I wasn't objecting,

Your Honor.

PLUNKETT: You wasn't?

No, I simply wanted

to tell you that I would like

to withdraw from this case.

Oh, you would,

would you?

There are certain phases

of this case that I was

not familiar with.

Mister, there's a lot

of things you ain't

familiar with.

And one thing is, you ain't

backing out of this now.

You started it, didn't you?

There's no law that says

I have to stay here.

Oh, there ain't, huh?

Ever hear of

contempt of court?

Yes, but you can't...

There, now you done it!

Marshal, I sentence

this galoot to 30 days

for contempt of court.

Take him away.

You can't lock up

the prosecutor.

No.

What's your name?

Marshal Bemis.

Well, get him out of here,

or for the next six months

you ain't going to have

a name, just a number.

I'm gonna appeal

that 30 days.

Another 30 days.

Second offense.

Appeal that, too.

[ALL CHATTERING]

Quiet! Quiet!

Young fella, you're nothing

but an out-and-out slicker.

[CHUCKLING]

But you get results.

Thank you,

Your Honor.

Now is there anything else

you found or wish

to tell the court?

I got a few things to tell,

and they're all aimed

at that good-for-nothing

I'm married to.

That girl was

no more kidnapped

than I was

when I married you.

And if you want to

live home anymore,

you better decide

this case right.

Now don't get

excited, Callie.

The jury's got nothing

to do with it.

This is

a plain case of perjury.

Charges against Johnny Peale

dismissed.

[ALL CHEERING]

And I sentence Rufe Crawley

to 10 years in the calaboose

for lying in my court.

[ALL CHEERING]

Quiet!

Quiet! Quiet! Quiet!

And I'm just

getting started.

Your Honor,

there's another case

I'd like to try

which does not appear

on the docket.

Oh, letting your success

get to your head, huh?

I don't consider

the case just tried

turned out as it did

because of me.

I was only interested

in bringing out the truth.

Well, what's this other case?

Before I mention it,

I'd like to

call your attention

to the fact

that this court is

without a marshal

or a prosecutor.

Yeah, I know that.

And in order to try this case

I have in mind,

it'll be necessary

to have both.

I'd like to volunteer

the services of myself

and Cannonball Taylor

to fill those posts

temporarily.

Well, I ain't appointing

any officers till I find out

what you're getting at first.

We have a witness in court,

Miss Marsha Crawley,

who can prove that Dan Taylor

was murdered a few weeks ago

by Juneau Jessup.

[ALL CLAMORING]

What's going on

out there?

Never mind.

Get the cash box.

We're making tracks

out of here.

Look out!

The back door.

[RIFLE FIRES]

Cannonball.

Wait, this is my job.

[GUN FIRING]

Oh, Judge,

about Jessup.

Oh, shooting Jessup

was a public service.

Besides, it saved the state

a lot of money.

We don't have to feed him.

Don't bother me

about that now.

I've gotta make out

this wedding license.

[ACCORDION PLAYING

WEDDING MARCH]

[CHUCKLES]

Oh, uh, telegram for you,

Bill.

The wedding license

is all ready.

All you two have to do

is sign it.

♪ Ro-ro rollin'

♪ A cowboy's got

to keep rollin'

♪ When his job is done

with the settin' sun

♪ He goes ro-ro rollin'

♪ No back-slidin'

♪ A cowboy's got

to keep ridin'

♪ He don't grow no roots

on his high-heeled boots

♪ He goes ro-ro rollin'

♪ Ladies, ladies

♪ Take a tip from me

♪ A cowboy husband

♪ Don't come with a guarantee

♪ He may marry

♪ But don't expect him

to tarry

♪ When he sees a horse,

he's a total loss

♪ He goes ro-ro rollin'

[ALL LAUGHING]

Well, Cannonball,

I'm afraid we're not

even gonna be able to stay

for the wedding.

Oh, but you must.

Someone's got to give

the bride away, Hickok.

There's nothing

I'd like better,

but Cash Jennings

broke out of jail.

I turned him in,

and it's my job

to get him back.

I wish there was some way

we could show

our appreciation.

Oh, forget it.

Hickok, there's one thing

I want to know

before you leave.

If I can ever be

of service to the court?

Where did you become

a counselor-at-law?

Well, I'm afraid someone

must have misquoted me.

You see, I said that I was

a counselor at gun law.

Counselor at gun...

[ALL LAUGHING]

That's a hot one.