Rough Riders' Round-up (1939) Movie Script

[MUSIC PLAYS "WHEN JOHNNY COMES

MARCHING HOME AGAIN"]

ALL: [SINGING] When Johnny comes

marching home again, hooray!

Hooray!

We'll give him a hearty

welcome then, hooray!

Hooray!

The men will cheer, the

boys will shout, the ladies,

they will all turn out,

and we'll all feel gay when

Johnny comes marching home.

When Johnny comes marching

home again, hooray!

Hooray!

We'll give him a hearty

welcome then, hooray!

Hooray!

The men will cheer, the

boys will shout, the ladies,

they will all turn out,

and we'll all feel gay when

Johnny comes marching home.

The old church bell will

peel with joy, hooray!

Hooray!

We'll welcome home our

darling boy, hooray!

Hooray!

The village lads and lassies

say with roses they will strew

the way, and we'll

all feel gay when

Johnny comes marching home.

[laughter and clapping]

It's you Westerners that's

gonna decide this election.

Take my advice, stick to

Brian and free silver.

Look at that bucktooth grin.

Teddy Roosevelt ain't smiling

at you, he's laughing at you.

Teddy Roosevelt, the

eastern millionaire.

Out to rule the country.

That's why he played cowboy.

That's way he played soldier.

Now he's playing politician.

Wait a minute.

We served under Colonel

Roosevelt, and we know him.

And he's the greatest

man alive today.

What's he done to prove it?

Rounded up a bunch of

hoodlums, the Rough Riders?

And then followed

them up San Juan Hill.

Now don't worry, Roy.

We got plenty of

fighting to do in Arizona

and we get paid for it.

Come on, soldier.

Come on.

SOLDIER:[SHOUTING]

Let me at him!

[train bell clangs]

SOLDIER: [SHOUTING]

Let me at him!

MAN: We can't go back!

SOLDIER:[SHOUTING]

Let me at him!

[train whistles]

[horse hooves]

Howdy, soldier!

I'm Jim Horn.

Glad to know you, Jim.

My name's Rogers.

Where do I deliver this?

I'll take it in.

Thanks, neighbor.

What kind of a skipper you got?

How's he stand with the boys?

Well, if he's got a soft

spot, we ain't found it yet.

You'll get a square

deal and that's all.

Fair enough.

Colonel Roosevelt

speaks very well of you.

The border patrol needs good

men, but let me warn you.

This is not the army, and

you're not under the eyes

of an officer all the time.

Therefore, you will be

held responsible for your

own discipline while on duty.

You'll be inducted into the

service in the regular way.

That's all.

Three Bar Ranch was

raided last night, sir.

Two men from the

line camp killed.

My partner's taking

charge of the bodies.

This is the only

evidence we've found.

We've picked up a trail

of about 100 steers

and a number of

horses and followed

them to the Mexican border.

Looks like Arizona

Jack's work all right.

Get my horse.

Now that sounds

mighty interesting.

Who is this Arizona Jack?

Bandit leader with

more brains than most.

Nose that does it like a coyote.

He finds his loot

on our side and he

shot her across the line.

We know the breed.

Down in Cuba but we call

them the Buscadaros.

And when we ran

him down, we usually

found out they'd been paying

off to the local law man.

Guess again, soldier.

That Mexican head man down at

Suarez is straight as a die.

All the gold mines in his state

couldn't buy Don Enriquez.

And all of Arizona

Jack's bandits

couldn't buffalo him, neither.

That guy must be

all right, huh?

Coburn, you take charge.

I'm going over across

the border and have

a talk with Don Enriquez.

This Arizona Jack has got

to be stopped before he

loots the entire border.

[SPANISH ACCENT]

Senior Harrison,

it is impossible to run down

a man that nobody knows.

A man nobody can even describe.

We have done our best, but--

Then we'll join forces.

I'll bring my patrol

over, and between us,

we'll check every

hole in your district

until we smoke him out.

Si, but the Captain forgets

the little technicalities

of the border.

In the present state of

international tension,

I doubt if we can get

permission for you

to enter Mexico

with an armed force.

Permission or no, an

imaginary line isn't going

to stop the border patrol.

But senior, if

you cross that line

without the proper authority,

it will be the grand excuse

all the fire brands in

your land and my land

have been waiting for.

This murderer, even if he is

the worst outlaw on the border,

it is not worth going

to war over him.

All right.

Then I'll get the authority

from my own government.

And when I do, I'm coming

down here whether you like it

or not.

Good day, sir.

[telegraph clicking]

Post this where the men can

see it when they come off duty.

Yes, sir.

Hello, Joe.

Howdy.

Any sign of Arizona Jack?

No, sir.

It looks like he's still on

the other side of the border.

Well, if he shows up,

I want you immediately.

Where are you planning on

spending your night's leave?

We generally do our relaxing

at the Pilani Cantina.

Well, while you're

there, keep your eye

open for an American girl.

About 20, well-dressed.

She's supposed to be

headed for the border.

We have routine orders

to detain and hold her.

That's all.

About 20, you say?

Yeah.

That'll be a pleasure.

Yes, siree!

Hi ho, Dinah!

There ain't no long distance

animal like a good mule!

That mule must be

half jackrabbit.

The next time I want anything

in a hurry from El Paso,

I'll let you know, Rusty.

All right, Roy.

Cool them off and feed them

the best you have, Juan.

What'll you have, gents?

Take him in the back room.

Three Border

Patrolmen just came in.

What're you going to do, Moray?

Nothing, kid.

Tell your fortune, boys?

Sure!

Tell us about the future.

We know all about the past.

Heh heh.

[shuffles cards]

What'd you do that for?

Looked like a cold

deck to me, Tommy.

Hello, sis.

How's about a little drink?

Well that burned my buttons.

Just as I was getting

ready for a shindig too.

Leave it to Roy.

We'll fix it up for you.

Would you like to dance?

Sure, I would.

Meet my friend here.

Go ahead.

I'll sing you a song.

Aren't you going to get

down while we change horses?

No, I don't so.

How far we from the border?

Not very far now.

You better have

your papers ready.

You mean I have to have

a passport to get across?

You sure do, ma'am.

Especially in these times.

They're pretty particular.

Well, I'm too tired

to go on, anyway.

Can I put up there

for the night?

Yes, ma'am.

That's what it's there for.

Thank you.

ROGERS: [SINGING] Through the

rhythm of the pouring rain,

it's been a dream come true

when the sun shines through

and I'm riding across the plane.

From the mountains of Mexico

echoes a sweet refrain,

to the rhythm away we

go over the Texas plain.

Riding down the trail while

I listen to the coyotes wail,

it's a thrill to be

where a man is free

and he's riding down the trail.

[YODELING]

[clapping]

Young American girl, about 20.

To be detained and held.

You detain her

and I'll hold her.

If she's the right one.

[SPANISH ACCENT] Will

the senorita have dinner?

Yes, and a room.

And tomorrow, I will

need a horse and a guide.

And will you please get

this on the stagecoach

before it leaves?

It's very important.

Si.

You wait here, I come soon, eh?

I'll check up on her.

Ramone, What was the

young lady asking you?

She wanted a horse and

a guide for the border.

Pardon, I must get

this on a stagecoach.

I'll take it.

Good evening, miss.

The hotel keeper tells me

you'd like to hire a guide.

Why, yes.

Where do you want to go to?

Across the border.

You see, there's some sort of

a silly rule about a passport,

and I, I lost mine.

You understand?

What would you do if you

run into a Border Patrolman?

Oh I'd find some

way to handle him.

You see, they're only

interested in smugglers

and people of that sort.

Not somebody like me.

But they are.

In fact, they have

orders to detain you.

How do you know?

Why, you're not a--

Yes.

I'll have to ask you to

come along to headquarters.

You're name, please, miss?

Give me that letter.

I'm sorry, miss.

[coachman yells to horses]

[horse hooves]

Well, if I have to go with

you, let's get it over with.

I'm sorry, miss.

What, again?

You're the sorriest thing

I've seen since I left Denver.

We have no means

of transportation.

We'll have to wait until the

stage comes in from Mexico.

It should be at the border now.

[telephone rings]

[SPANISH ACCENT] Hello?

Rogers?

I get him.

They want you on the telephone.

Patrolman Rogers

reporting, sir.

Sorry to spoil your

leave, Rogers, but you

men have got to go back

on duty immediately.

You'll take charge of

the stage from Mexico

when it arrives at the cantina

and convoy it to the railroad.

There's $60,000 in gold aboard.

Yes, sir.

And by the way, we've picked

up that girl you wanted.

We'll put her on the

stagecoach and drop her off at

headquarters when we go back.

All right.

Those Patrolmen are going to be

on the stage when it pulls out.

We'd better take

care of them here.

I've got a way.

How's about a dance?

Come on, let's--

Hey, stop it!

I don't want no

fight in my cantina!

Fight?

Heh.

Well, there ain't no

fight in them coppers.

They're nothing but a bunch

of tax collectors, anyhow.

[woman screams]

[shouting]

Please, I want to go with you.

All right.

What's going on in there?

It's a fight.

Hurry up and chain

that team, men.

Giddy-up!

G Giddy-up!

Look out, Roy!

[gunshot]

[woman screams]

The stage has already left.

We've got to run it down.

[telephone rings]

Patrol headquarters.

A fight?

Who started it?

[SPANISH ACCENT] Uh.

Rogers.

Start the fight over a girl.

Hold that stage.

Don't let it go

until I get there.

[SPANISH ACCENT] It's too late!

The stage already vamos!

Stay here and take care of him.

I've got to get

after that stage.

Take over 'til I get back.

[coachman urging horse on]

[gunshots]

[horses running]

[gunshots]

[gunshot]

Get that express box.

[gunshot]

They followed him

to the border, sir.

But your orders were not to

cross into Mexican territory.

Very good.

I'm glad I've some men

that can obey orders.

But Captain Harris,

Roy wasn't to blame.

He was on duty.

Do you realize the

results of that fight?

No.

Two civilians dead.

A patrolmen seriously wounded.

A robbery.

An escaped prisoner.

And Arizona Jack out of our

reach across the border.

Hm.

From the railroad hospital:

Patrolman Thomas Warden

died on the operating table.

You boys weren't

entirely responsible.

There were extenuating

circumstances.

And in view of

your good records,

I'm not going to

suspend you from duty.

We're not asking

for any favors.

Then you are suspended

under charges.

I'll let you know when to

report for the hearing.

That's all.

[badges clink on desk]

I knew something like

this was gonna happen.

But I don't know why you

have to make it worse.

Would you rather have

your badge or a chance

to go after the men

who murdered Tommy?

Oh, I get it.

You forced the old man's hand.

And made him suspend us.

Now they can go after those

fake Mexicans across the border.

And they won't

fool us this time.

Yeah, they'll be looking for

Americans in Mexican outfits.

Right.

[inaudible] just phoned.

He says every effort is being

made to recover our shipment.

He feels sure his men will

catch Arizona Jack this time.

Oh, he couldn't catch flies.

Here he comes.

Who?

Hello, Lenny.

Here's your split

for last night's job.

Why bring it to me here?

Cause that ain't all I got.

That's why.

There was a girl, too.

A girl?

She had a letter in

her purse from you.

Her name is Dorothy Blair.

She's your boss's

daughter, ain't she?

Yes.

How much do you

think she's worth?

In cash.

You can't do that.

Why not?

You don't know Blair.

If he comes down here and

finds his daughter missing,

he'll tear the border apart.

Now leave it to me and we'll get

more money out of the old boy

then you expect.

But how am I going

to turn loose of her

without tipping off that

you and I are together

in this gold robbery racket?

You could leave a

good horse conveniently

around so she could escape.

She'd get lost in the desert.

Not if you told somebody

to give her directions

on how to reach the mine.

I guess you're right.

The old lady that's riding

herd on her could do that.

Now get out of here

before you're seen.

What took so long?

[horse hooves leaving]

Something unexpected

happened last night.

Dorothy Blair was on that stage.

What is she doing down here?

How should I know?

She's always quarreling

with her father

and threatening to run away.

You got to know her pretty well

while you were visiting there,

didn't you?

-Well, yes.

That's likely the reason she's

here, to tell me her troubles

and get sympathy.

You've been writing to her.

Of course not.

We're on their

trail, all right.

Let's ride to the top

and see what's ahead.

Whoa, Dinah.

There's no telling what's only

the other side of that ridge.

That ghost town would

make a good hideout, Roy.

It might be worth looking into.

Look.

Drat that Dinah.

If there's anybody down

there, they might have seen me.

Well that's a chance

we've got to take.

[many voices]

Hey, Mosby!

A [inaudible] with a

riding mule was scouting

us from the top of the ridge.

Oh yeah?

Let's take a look around.

It sure looks deserted.

Don't let it fool you.

You've got to be careful.

Stick 'em up!

-So, you didn't get enough, huh?

-Hold it.

Up with 'em!

All right, boys, take

them in the back room

and lock them up until

our boss gets here.

All right.

Come on, you.

Get on.

Get!

Guess that will hold 'em, boys.

I bet it will.

DOROTHY : Who's there?

Who's there, answer me.

Looks like this

scrape she's in ain't

taught her no manners yet.

She's still giving orders.

What do you know about me?

Plenty.

We're the Border Patrolmen.

Well, why didn't you say so?

Get me out of here.

Listen lady.

Chances are that none of us

will get out of here alive.

Who are you and what're you

doing down here, anyway?

Very clever, aren't you?

Trying to scare me into telling

you so you can wire my father

and have him come down

here and take me home.

The trouble with you

is you've been reading

the wrong kind of novels.

And this happens

to be a true story.

Them two Patrolmen that were

in the cantina last night

came sneaking around

while you were away.

You still got 'em?

Yeah, Shoved them in the

back room and locked them up.

Well get rid of them.

But we've got to get

rid of the girl first.

[guitar music]

Mr. Patrolmen?

Please, do you really

think we're in danger?

Well, this Arizona

Jack is no gentlemen.

I know of three men he

knocked off yesterday.

Well, then maybe

I better tell you.

Are you listening?

We're listening.

Then stop that strumming.

Oh no.

I wouldn't think of letting

you tell your whole life

story without music.

Oh, all right.

I suppose you think I'm a

silly little girl running

around trying to cause

a lot of trouble.

But I'm not.

I have business down here.

You see, I was coming down to

marry Mr. Lanning, the manager

of the Amco Gold Mine.

Well, why didn't

you keep going?

Because I didn't

have a passport.

That was the reason I was

writing to Mr. Lanning.

By the way, what did

you do with my letter?

Forgot it.

Oh, if you'd only had sent

it, why, Mr. Lanning would know

something had happened

to me, and by this time

have all his men after us.

Riding days are happy

days on the rolling plains.

Swaying in the

saddle all day long.

In my heart I find the song

here on the range with you.

Clouds of gray, they fade

away, and it never rains.

The sun is always

shining from above.

And I find the life I love

here on the range with you.

The yellow moon that

rolls along up yonder

will always keep

shining bright to light

our trails wherever

we may wander over

the rolling plains at night.

Riding down the Western

trails under skies of blue,

swaying in the

saddle all day long,

life will always be a song

here on the range with you.

It has nothing to do

with music, of course,

but I just saw your

bandits riding away.

I wonder what that means.

Meaning no good, I'll bet.

[SPANISH ACCENT] Come quickly.

I'll let you get away

while they are gone.

All three of us?

Oh no, not the men.

I should be killed for that.

But I can't go away

and leave them here.

Quit arguing.

You would waste time.

Go ahead!

If you consider yourself

a waste of time, all right.

Put this on.

Go on.

Which way to the Amco Mine?

That way.

Gracias, senior!

Gracias!

What do you make of that?

There's only one answer.

You mean Arizona

Jack's got religion?

What are you doing here?

Well, you didn't think I'd

leave you here to be killed,

did you?

Well they'll see your horse

and we'll all be killed.

No, they won't.

I left him back in the aroya.

Nobody saw me.

Now you're wasting time.

Come on.

-All right.

You go back to your

horse and keep going.

We'll catch up with you later.

You find our horses

and bring them here.

I'll get some guns.

[gun clatters to the floor]

[gunshot]

[SHOUTING] Hey!

Tie it off.

Well, what are you waiting for?

Get after them!

Well, I see you got away.

Sure.

We lost them

fellers an hour ago.

Come on, let's get a drink.

Hey, you ain't gonna

drink this, are you?

No, but the horses would

like to have a little.

Well, it can't be much

further to the mine now,

so if you don't mind,

I'll go on alone.

Oh, but we do mind.

Why do we?

Because we're still

responsible for her.

[ANNOYED] Oh!

Just how well you

know this man, Lanning?

Well you don't think I'd

come down here all the way

to marry a stranger, do you?

You're about the only

girl in the whole world

who would do a thing like that.

Well, all right.

George Lanning is American,

white, and over 21,

and a very successful engineer.

Now do you approve?

How successful?

Well, Dad says he runs

our mine efficiently

and Dad doesn't like him.

You still haven't told me

what kind of a man he is.

Well, I would say he's the

most wonderful man in the world.

Well, I hope so.

What is this?

A meeting of the

Border Guardians?

What's the idea,

knocking Lanning?

You ain't got a

Chinaman's chance, Roy.

She's as good as hitched

to him right now.

Would you like to make

a little bet on that?

Who's wasting time now?

Come on.

But Mr. Blair, it isn't my

fault your daughter ran away.

It is your fault!

You made love to her when

you were with us in Denver.

And you've probably been

writing to her ever since.

But I-- I-- I--

Oh, don't bother

to lie about her.

I don't care if you

did or you didn't.

I want my daughter.

Where is she?

I told you, I don't know.

Well then, find her!

Why don't you do something?

[horse hooves]

Oh, I forgot.

You're mad at me for

running away, aren't you?

I certainly am.

But I guess you wouldn't

have done it if I hadn't

have made you so doggone mad.

But I'm still going

to marry George.

Well, if you think that

much of him, go ahead.

I don't care what you do.

What I want to know

is what happened?

Who are these, uh--

Oh, it's all very simple.

I was captured by bandits

and these Border Patrolmen

rescued me.

Roy, Rusty, meet my father,

Mr. Blair, and Mr. Lanning.

Glad to know you, Mr. Blair.

But we didn't rescue

your daughter.

No.

She rescued us.

Oh, that's very likely.

But it doesn't sound

so simple to me.

Say, what about a drink

while we talked it over?

Yeah--

I'm sorry, sir, but

we're still on duty.

Oh, Roy!

Then come back later?

Thank you.

We will.

And I just remembered

something important that I have

to attend to at the office.

I'll be right back.

What do you mean,

"We're on duty?"

We're still responsible

for that girl.

You couldn't stop them

wedding bells from ringing

now if you could cut the rope.

What happened?

Now, don't worry.

I've got the old boy

eating out of my hand.

What about the girl?

Well, she's had a rough time

of it, but neither one of them

blame me.

You know what I mean.

What about her and you?

She doesn't mean a thing to me.

We want to see Mr. Lanning.

His office is right in there.

Well, gentlemen.

Is there any

practical way in which

I can express my

appreciation for what

you've done for Ms. Blair?

There certainly

is, Mr. Lanning.

Of course, we know where

Arizona Jack's hideout is,

but if we're going to catch

him, we've got to have more men.

Oh yes, that's true.

It's, uh, too late today,

but I'll have all the men

you need in the morning.

Are you sure you have

everything figured out?

Just about.

Everything.

Except why Arizona Jack paid

off that old squaw to help

that girl get away.

Say do you suppose

he could have been

playing up [GASPS] somebody?

All right, Mr. Lanning,

we'll be back in the morning.

Oh, Harry, saddle my horse

and bring him around front.

I got you, Roy.

I got you.

Got what?

Why you kicked me in there.

I sure let the cat out of

the bag to Lanning, didn't I?

Whatever got into you,

poppin' off like that?

I thought you were wise.

I know that I shouldn't have

them wisdom teeth pulled out.

Well, that's all right, Rusty.

You're usually way ahead of me.

Thanks, Roy.

Thanks.

[horse hooves]

Working out like you said, Roy.

He's heading for

Soledad, all right.

I want to speak to you alone.

Get out.

Now what do you want?

How would you like

to have half to gold

you kicked back to Lanning?

Go on.

I'm through with him.

Why?

He thinks he's going to

marry Mr. Blair's daughter.

But I'm not going to let him.

When I get through

talking, he'll be

through with women for years.

Suppose Lanning did marry

into the Blair family.

Looks like he'd be more valuable

than ever, if you didn't talk.

Where's Moray?

Hello, Lenny.

What's on your mind?

All right, boys.

Bring it in.

Now look, Moray.

Those Patrolmen saw you

letting Ms. Blair escape

and paying off the old

lady for helping him.

Yeah?

Now one of them is smart enough

to figure out that you wouldn't

do that unless you were

doing it for somebody

who was interested in her.

And that'd be you.

That's right.

They suspect us

of being partners.

Of course, he hasn't

got a very strong case,

but if he ever lays

it before Blair

and he starts

investigating, I'm through.

Who figured this out?

Oh, the young one.

The old one couldn't

figure the time of day.

Well, you're well

fixed, anyway.

How much gold do you

got hidden in the mine?

Oh, about $100,000 worth.

$100,00 is a nice cut.

You don't think

very fast, Lenny.

[gunshot]

All right, come on.

You asked for it.

All right, saddle up.

We're riding.

And get the wagon ready.

We're going to have company,

and we're not coming back.

All right, get moving!

Roy, what do we do?

Ride back to headquarters

and get the Rough Riders.

Bring them to the mine.

I'll figure out

some way to stall

for time until you get there.

How about Harrison?

Oh, don't tell him.

Hi ho, Dinah!

Hey, you [inaudible].

Hello, Rusty.

Roy's got a scrap all set

for you down at the Amco mine!

Yeah, but we can't

go down there.

Harrison's orders are

not to cross the border.

Aw, forget Harrison!

Roy says its boots and saddles

for all you Rough Riders.

Come on!

Get going.

Come on.

Rusty Coburn's taking all the

Rough Riders over the border

to the Amco Mine.

RUSTY: Hi ho, Dinah!

Saddle up.

I've got to go down and

straighten this thing out.

Come along.

Saddle up.

I just came from the camp

where they had us locked up.

Arizona Jack and the whole

outfit are on their way here

to loot this place.

Where's Mr. Lanning?

If you can find anything

that will shoot, grab it.

Whoa.

Now take a half a dozen

men and get the gold.

Rose will show you where it is.

All right.

The rest of you come with me.

We can't hold out here!

There's too many of them.

All right, bring it in.

Find that girl.

[gunshots]

All right, take cover.

My patrol has crossed your

border without authority.

[SPANISH ACCENT] Why, senior?

Rogers sent word

that Arizona Jack

is attacking the mine at Amco.

Rogers?

Yes, one of my Patrolman.

Suspended from

duty under charges.

Apparently, he followed

Jack down here.

Now, I assure you.

I didn't authorize those

men to cross the border.

In fact, it was

against my orders.

How many men?

11.

Are they all good

fighting men, senior?

Yes, but--

One momentito.

First, let us have a drink.

[gunshots]

We'll never get them this way.

You come with me.

Now the rest of you

stay here and cover him.

There's only three shells left.

If they rush us, we're done for.

[gunshots]

I'm going to blow

up the entrance

and seal us in until

help get's here.

Isn't that pretty dangerous?

It's our only chance.

You and Dorothy get

back as far you can.

Follow the track

until I overtake you.

[gunshots]

[explosion]

[rocks falling]

RUSTY: Hi ho, Dina!

Looks like you're in

this roundup too, sister.

You'd better get down.

[SPANISH ACCENT] Senior

Harrison, you understand I am

not too appear in this matter.

And what will your report say?

Without going into

official details,

it will say that

the prisoners were

caught red-handed with a stolen

bullion from the Amco Mine.

And where were they caught?

It won't say.

Well, as long as

they were caught

and Senior Blair has his

gold, it doesn't matter.

Yes, and I got something

back far more valuable

to me than the gold.

Are you still worrying

about Lanning?

You win, Roy.

Rogers?

Coburn?

The way things have

turned out, the alcalde

and myself are more than willing

to overlook your recent, uh--

Irregularities.

Yeah.

That's all.

Well, old boy, we'll

see you again soon.

Thank you, sir.

[WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME

PLAYS]

Rough Riders' Round-up (1939) - full transcript