Bonanza (1959–1973): Season 2, Episode 32 - The Dream Riders - full transcript

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Whoa.

Sergeant Hines.

Sergeant Hines!

Yeah, Major?

The dream is at hand.

Sound reveille.

Hey, soldier boy...

Kingsley.

Reveille.



Are we here?

We've arrived.

Virginia City...

ripe and ready.

You did it, sir.

That's right, Major.

You got us here, just
like you said you would.

Now, me and soldier boy here,

we're going to do our job,
ain't we, soldier boy?

Fine.

Now, you know every detail
of the operation:

the hotel you're staying at,
the man you're to see.

And, uh, Sergeant...

for the insurance
of our success,



stay away from Mr. Barleycorn.

How do you mean, Major?

Booze, Sergeant, booze.
Stay away from it.

Everything'll go
like clockwork, sir.

I'll see to it.

You just do that, soldier boy.

Hey, Major, this Ponderosa
you're going to...

are you sure you can
trust them Cartwrights?

That's the most
painful part of all.

They trust me.

Ho!

Hey, Pa...

Pa!

There's that Army friend
you been looking for.

Whoa.

Johnny.

Johnny!

Could any of you sheepherders

direct me to the
Ponderosa ranch estate?

Come on off there, you old goat!

I can get a good look at you.
Come here.

By golly, it's good to see you.

It's been a long time.

- It seems a century, Ben.
- Yeah.

I want you to meet my son Hoss.

Hoss, this is Major
John F. Cayley,

one of my oldest and
probably wildest friends.

- How are you, sir?
- How are you, Hoss?

And this is the closest
you'll ever get

to a human bird in
your lifetime, Hoss.

- Can he fly?
- Does he fly?

By golly, he's probably
got a pair of wings

stowed in that...
in that wagon right now.

Better than wings, Benjamin.

Has the site been selected
for my experiment?

Oh, yeah, yeah,
I-I picked out a-a clearing...

as you requested.

Now, what kind of experiments

is the Army having
out here, anyway?

All in good time, Ben,
all in good time.

All right, by golly.

Come on, I want you
to meet my two other boys.

Hines, get up.

Hines.

What do you want, soldier boy?

Hines, this is the bank, get it?

Now, don't make a mistake.

That's real considerate of you,
soldier boy.

That ain't bad drawing,
boy, not bad at all.

Hey, you know, when I get
to be rich and famous,

maybe I'll let you paint
a picture of me.

Just keep sober long enough

for us to carry out
the major's plan.

Now, old John, the major here--

he just stood on this high
bluff, oh, like a young Atlas

with this pair of homemade wings
strapped to his shoulders

waiting for a strong wind
to come along.

Well, what happened, Pa?

Well, he just stood
there waiting,

and he waited and he waited
and he waited--

what, about two hours, John?

- That's right.
- Yeah.

Just stood there waiting,
and then suddenly

that strong wind come along

and just blew him
right off the bluff!

Did he fly?

Did he fly?

Broke both legs.

I assume that was
your last flight.

Oh, no, that only served
to whet my enthusiasm.

Boys, I am convinced
that someday we'll be up there.

We'll be up there.

We'll have an access
to the skies

that even the birds
and the angels will envy.

John, how's that beautiful
little girl of yours?

Although I guess
by now she must be

a beautiful big girl
and married, eh?

Diana-- no, she's back East,
Ben, in the family home.

Now, why in thunderation didn't
you bring her along with you?

Oh, Ben, the fact is,

my daughter and I
have been poles apart.

My head's been in the clouds,

and she, like her mother--
God rest her soul--

has had both feet firmly planted
on the ground.

Well, John, it's,
it's awfully good to see you,

even though you did have
to push that team of yours

halfway across the continent
by yourself.

I have a couple
of Army men with me.

I sent 'em on ahead
to the hotel in Virginia City.

Now, why did you do that?

They should be right here
in the Ponderosa with you.

No, I wouldn't think of it.

I couldn't impose, Ben.

Impose?

Adam, you're going into town
this morning, aren't you?

Now, he could,
he could bring 'em back.

No, I think it would be better,
Ben, if they...

- Ah... -Nonsense,
it's all taken care of.

There.

John, whatever this wild scheme
of yours is, we'll help you.

Ah, thank you, Ben, thank you.

Now, let's have
some more coffee.

I'd sort of like to see

what that experiment's all about
myself, wouldn't you, Joe?

Well, if it has to do
with jumping off a cliff

and trying to fly, I'd better
get Doc Martin right away.

I'm Private Kingsley, sir.

Yes, Private.

I have some official Army papers
here from Major John Cayley,

who's staying at the Ponderosa.

He'd like them deposited
in your safe for a few days.

Oh, yes, Ben mentioned
that the Army was planning

on doing some work out here.

That's right, sir.

I'll be glad
to keep them for you.

I'll be back for those papers
in a day or two.

That'll be fine.

Come on in.

You want something, mister?

I'm Adam Cartwright
from the Ponderosa.

So?

Major Cayley is already out at
the ranch, and, well, we'd like

to have you and your friend
come out there and stay.

That's real nice of you, mister,

but our orders are to stay
right here in town.

The major mentioned that,
but it really isn't necessary.

We have plenty of room.

Mister, I've been
in this Army a long time.

The major gave me an order
to stay right here.

I'll leave when the major
orders me to leave.

Sergeant.

I was supposed to see the major
this afternoon, anyway.

Good to have you show me
the way, sir.

I'll find out from the major

what he wants us to do,
Sergeant.

Yeah, you just do that,
soldier boy.

In the meantime,
I'm gonna find out

what the inside of a
Virginia City saloon looks like.

Don't mind the sergeant, sir,
he's old-line Army.

Hasn't got much imagination.

I don't believe
we've met formal.

I'm Private Kingsley.

Adam Cartwright.

Can I help you with anything?

No, I don't believe so.

That's nice artwork,
very professional.

You do it?

Yes, it's one of my hobbies.

The Army, uh, takes such use of
your artistic talents, Private?

I've done some drawing
for Major Cayley.

Artwork, wagons full
of equipment, experiments--

just what is the Army doing
at the Ponderosa?

The major didn't tell you?

No, I came here

just as they were heading
for the, uh, testing site.

That's just like the major.

Probably wanted you all to see
it before he said anything.

See what?

He's going into the sky,
Mr. Cartwright...

...right up into the sky.

All right, grab the ropes.

Haul her down.

That's it, Ben.

That's fine.

Hold it steady.

Good boy, Little Joe.

Stay with it.

Hang on to it, Hoss.

Put your weight behind it.

There it is.
Don't let go now.

Hold it steady.

That's it.

That's fine.
Hold it steady.

Good boy.

Stay with it.

Hang on to it, Hoss.

Put your weight behind it.

There it is.
Don't let go now.

Hold it steady.

That's it.

That's it, Ben.

Hold fast, now, boys.

Just about got it.

There.

All right, you can let go.

We'll let the winch do the work.

Hey, Johnny.

Never seen anything
like this before.

It's fantastic!

Hey, Pa?

Shouldn't-Shouldn't Hoss
let go of that thing?

Hoss, let loose.

Oh, d-don't let go!

- Hoss!
- Boys!

Boys, come on down here!

Johnny!

Oh! Oh!

Hey, Hoss!

Oh!

Oh, d-don't let go!
Hoss!

Johnny, you got...

How do you like
being carried aloft?

Hey, Pa!

Just like a big bird!

Oh, help! Hey, Pa!

Boys, hang on tight, now.
Hang on tight.

Hey.

Oh! Hoss!

Oh! Aah! Oh! Hold on!

Johnny, how do you stop
this contraption?

Take it easy, Ben.

You know I wouldn't let anything
happen to your boys.

Hoss! Oh! Oh, ho-hold on!

Come on.

Oh! Oh, no! Oh!

Oh! Hoss! Hey!

Hang on!

Aah! Don't let go! Hoss!

Johnny.

Hoss! Hoss, now, come on.

Get out of there.
You've had enough.

- Aw, Pa, just one more...
- I said you've had enough.

I know just how you feel, Hoss.

That boy is a born balloonist.

Pa, it's just like a big bird.
You got to try it.

Sure. "Just like a big bird.
You got to try it."

Well, this flying
may be all right

for little youngsters
like you, Johnny, but...

You'll change your mind, Ben,
once you've tried it.

I don't know. I tried it.
I'm not going to change my mind.

Joe, you're too young
to be that old.

Ain't you got no...
no adventure in your soul?

Oh, sure, I got adventure
in my soul.

It's my body I'm worried about.

Don't you worry, Hoss.

Don't worry.
We'll show them.

Tomorrow,
we're really going to fly.

Hot dog.

You know, Johnny, I think
we ought to have one of the boys

guard this contraption
overnight.

No, it's perfectly safe, Ben--
no wind.

I wasn't thinking
about the wind.

I... was thinking
about the neighbors.

You know, they come along
and see a contraption like this,

think it's some kind
of sky demon or something,

start emptying their guns
into it.

One of you boys stay.

I'll stay, Pa.

On second thought,

I think we'll feel safer
if Little Joe stays here.

Yeah, don't worry, Hoss.
It'll be safe.

I'm a lover, not a flyer.

This, Ben, is my dream.

Wow!

Look at the size
of that balloon, Pa.

400,000 cubic feet
of hydrogen gas.

400...?

You have to build them big

if they're going to carry
passengers across the ocean.

Across the ocean?

Yeah, that ocean's mighty wide.

Look, I-I... I don't want
to sound naive, but...

what would you do if something
happened to the balloon?

These two auxiliary balloons

set us down on the water
light as a feather.

Then what, swim?

Float, boy, float.

Yeah. By George, it does look

sort of like a boat,
don't it, Pa?

It is a boat.

And these.

Two collapsible masts.

Now, if anything should happen
to the Queen

and she's forced down,
all you do

is pull these out
and slip on the sails.

Look at the inside
of that thing, Pa.

It's as plushy
as a Virginia City hotel.

Yeah, it sure is.

John... I...

is this practical?

What dream
was ever practical, Ben?

When you dreamed of building
the Ponderosa, was it practical?

But you achieved it
because you believed in it.

Ponderosa's different, John.

Anyway, I had my sons
to help me build that and...

and providence.

Providence hasn't smiled on me.

The winds are rising,

and the years hang heavy
on my shoulders.

Oh, what are you talking about?

You... you're a major
in the United States Army.

You have the respect
of a fine circle of friends.

I'm a pioneer, Ben.

I'm standing on the fringe of
a new frontier without limits.

Can't you see it?

Skyways around the world.

Continents are just waiting
to be linked by airships.

Airships?

And the... the Army
is backing you in this idea?

Well, not exactly.

They were intrigued enough
with my designs, but...

I'm afraid they found them
too visionary.

Well, John, I... I'm sure
you know what you're doing.

I know what
you're thinking, Ben.

A lot of other people
are skeptical.

Even my own daughter
thinks I'm a silly old fool.

Oh, John,
I'm sure that isn't so.

Oh, it's true. It's true.

She never could summon up

one ounce of faith
in my dream, my... my plans.

Well, I'm... I'm going to go
check on Little Joe

and that... that balloon.

See you in a minute.

John...

John, I...

now, I'm...
I-I'm not doubting you,

but how are you
going to do all this?

I'll build
the Atlantic Queen, Ben.

I promise you that nothing
will stand in my way.

Well, but you-you said yourself
the Army isn't backing you.

Where are you going to get
all the money f...?

I'll get the money.

My backers have already
been selected.

Man will fly, Ben,
no matter what the cost.

Man will fly.

Hyah! Hyah!

Hyah!

Whoa.

You there, wait.

Wait!

Wait!

Bill! Bill Kingsley!

Whoa.

Who's that?
Do you know her?

I don't know anyone
in this town.

Hadn't we better get going?

Bill! Bill Kingsley!

Oh, Diana, I...
I didn't recognize you.

What are you doing here
in Virginia City?

Where's my father?

He isn't going to like it
when he finds you here.

Where is he?

Uh, Private Kingsley,

why don't you, uh, introduce me
to the young lady, hmm?

I'm sorry.

This is Diana Cayley,
the major's daughter.

Diana, this is Adam Cartwright.

How do you do?

Cartwright?

That's where my father is--
the Ponderosa.

You're Ben Cartwright's son,
aren't you?

Please take me to my father.
I must see him.

Uh, Private Kingsley,
why don't you, uh,

get Miss Cayley's luggage?

You and Private Kingsley, uh,
know each other, I take it.

We knew each other.

It's all over now.

I'm beginning to get the feeling

this is going to be
a long, cold ride.

Hoss!

♪ Rock-a-bye Joey ♪

♪ Way up in the sky... ♪

Hey, Hoss, come on, let me down!

Hey, Joe, I didn't know
you was so fond of ballooning.

How high you want to go?

What?! I-I don't want
to go any higher!

Now let me down!

There ought to be something
around here

I could cut that rope with.

How high did you say
you wanted to go, Joe?

Hey, cut that out!

Did you say, "Cut it"?

No! No, don't cut it!

The higher you go, Joe,
the prettier it is.

Hey, Joe... you...

You should have...

You...

Ooh...

Whoa.

Private Kingsley, sir,
here to see Major Cayley.

Oh, yes, of course.

Ben Cartwright, Private.

I'm very glad to have you here.

The, uh, major's inside.
Won't you go in?

Hello.

Hello, Adam.

Uh...

I'm Diana.

Oh, uh...

That's right.

Well, I'm-I'm Ben Cartwright.

How do you do, Mr. Cartwright?

Diana?

Diana Cayley.

Diana Cayley?!

Well... your father said
you were back East.

Does he know you're here?

Well, not yet.
I thought I'd surprise him.

Well, he'll be surprised.

How did she find out
where we were?

As I said, sir, I don't know.

Everything in town is ready.

Good.

Don't you think her being here
might complicate things?

Don't worry, son.
I can handle her.

I'm glad somebody can.

Johnny!

Johnny, you old devil.

You were keeping her
as a surprise, weren't you?

I'm afraid that Father
is just as surprised

to see me as you are,
Mr. Cartwright.

Course, I'm delighted
to see you, Diana, but, uh...

Now, Father, it's quite simple.

I was dusting your study,
and on your desk

I found your letter
from Mr. Cartwright,

welcoming you to the Ponderosa.

So I decided
that since I'd never been West,

this was the perfect
opportunity, and here I am.

I hope it's all right.

Oh, well, you can
bet your boots it's all right.

I'm very happy that you're here,

and I'm sure my sons are happy
you're here, too.

Uh, Major, if you don't mind,

I'd like to go on out
to the balloon site,

make sure everything's
in good working order.

You have my permission.

Well, uh, Private Kingsley,

I'll-I'll...
I'll show you the way.

Would you like
to come along, Diana?

Oh, goodness, no.

I think I've seen enough
of Father's old balloons.

I think I'll just stay here
and freshen up a bit.

Well, of course. Now, you just
make yourself right at home.

The Ponderosa's yours.

Come along, Private.

All right, Father,
why did you come here?

You read the letter.

Ben Cartwright, my friend,
offered me a piece of land

upon which
to conduct my experiment.

I also read some letters from
the adjutant general's office.

I didn't know
they'd miss me so soon.

What did you expect, Father?

You're in
the United States Army.

You can't just go wandering off
whenever you feel like it.

They told me to select a site.

Yes, in Pennsylvania,

but not 2,000 miles away
in-in-in Nevada.

I am in command of that balloon,
and I will select the site.

The Army was willing enough
to utilize my experience

in developing
observation balloons,

but when I presented my real
plan to the top generals,

the nearsighted fools couldn't
turn it down quick enough.

Father, we've been over
all this before.

And what does this have to do
with your being here now?

They want to know where you are.

Don't you understand that?

They'll find out soon enough.

Don't you understand,
nobody wants your plans?!

They are impractical.

The winds are rising,
my daughter.

And I must move skyward.

Just once will you try
to listen to me, please?

Your Atlantic Queen is never
going to be built, never.

Now, please, please,
accept that fact.

I can't accept it.

I will never accept it.

My airships will fill the sky
over every ocean,

over every city of every land.

Man will find his destiny
through the air,

and my Atlantic Queen
will lead the way.

Oh, Private Kingsley.

Good evening, sir.

How did you find things
at the balloon site?

Everything's ready, sir.

Good. Now, you have your orders.

You'll be able
to withdraw the papers

- from the bank in the morning.
- Yes, sir.

Now, what about Sergeant Hines?
Is he ready?

Don't worry, sir.

He'll be at the bank
in the morning, as scheduled.

And you--are you ready?

I'm more than ready, sir.
You know that.

Good, Bill. Good.

I think we'd better be
at the balloon site

at the crack of dawn.

We'll fill the balloon
to capacity.

That'll give you time enough

to get to Virginia City
and get your job done there.

Yes, sir.

I think we'd both better
turn in early, Bill.

Tomorrow's going to be
a most momentous day.

I'm afraid I'm too excited
for sleeping now, sir.

I thought
I'd take a little walk first.

It may be a long time

before I have my feet
on the ground again.

I understand.

Good night, sir.

Good night, Bill.

Bill?

Bill, I want to talk to you.

Bill, I...

Diana...

Diana, Diana.

I've been so lost without you.

No one to turn to,

Father acting so strangely.

Major Cayley'll
be all right, Diana.

You shouldn't worry.

But I do worry.

Why is Father here
without the Army's consent?

Whatever gave you that idea?

Letters from the Army
asking his whereabouts.

Well, that's easily explainable.

It's just
that the experiment is a secret.

It's a matter
of utmost importance.

Naturally, the Army wants
to cover it.

And how long
will it remain secret?

Until tomorrow.

Tomorrow you'll tell me?

Tomorrow you'll know.

And the gondola is real plushy,

and it's shaped a whole lot
like-like a ship.

Anyhow, up above it, he's got
this one great big balloon,

and then he's got
two little ones on either side,

in case the big one pops.

He's going to call it
the Atlantic Queen.

Oh, it sounds pretty elaborate.

I'd like to see those drawings.

Well, Pa and Hoss
already signed up

for the first trip
across the ocean.

- -Yeah, that ought to
be pretty exciting.

I wonder if he'll ever
get a chance to build it.

Well, if I know John Cayley,
he'll build it.

Come on, let's go out
to the site and give him a hand.

- Pa?
- What?

Yeah, there's one thing
I don't understand.

What knowledge
can the major gain

by taking the balloon up here

that he couldn't have learned
back East?

Gee, I don't know.
I never thought of that.

Maybe the winds are better.

I'm no balloonist.

Come on, are you coming?

No, I'll come out later
with Diana after she comes down.

All right. Come on, boys.

From what I've seen of Diana,

I wouldn't mind
switching jobs with you.

Yeah, me, too. She's cuter
than a bug, ain't she?

- Yes, she is.
- Out, both of you.

Oh, wait a minute.

How come the older members

of the family
get all the privileges?

Yeah, how come?

Well, precisely because
we are older.

And wiser.

- Oh...
- Yeah. So, uh, let's go.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Where is everyone?

They all went out
to the balloon site.

Uh, have some breakfast?

Oh, no, thank you,
just some coffee.

All right, sit down;
I'll get it for you.

Well, I hear they're
gonna fly the balloon today.

Yes. Bill Kingsley told me.

What else did he tell you?

I don't know what you mean.

Diana, what's your father
really doing here?

Apparently, he's on some
secret mission for the Army.

What kind of secret mission?

He couldn't say.

You know that what
they're doing here is wrong.

That the Army hasn't
given its approval at all.

I may not agree with my father,

but I know he'd never be part
of anything that was wrong.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

Do you know
where Bill Kingsley is?

He's at the test site
with Father,

helping him
get ready for the flight.

No, he's not.

He borrowed a horse this morning
to ride into Virginia City...

to pick up some
important papers from the bank.

At the bank?

Today's Sunday--
the banks are closed.

I know.

Adam... what do you
think's going on?

Well, that's why I'm
going into Virginia City.

To find out.

Adam.

I want to go with you.

All right.

Mr. Hershell.

Private Kingsley, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry to bother you
this morning, sir,

but I've been ordered
by Major Cayley

to pick up those papers I left
at your bank the other morning.

Well, I think it can wait
until tomorrow, Private.

This is Sunday;
I'm on my way to church.

Well, I'm very sorry,
sir-- orders.

Uh, Sergeant Hines is waiting
at the bank for us now.

Those papers
must be mighty important.

They are, sir.

Believe me, they are.

Very well, Private,
we'll get them.

Mr. Hershell, Sergeant Hines.

- How do you do, sir?
- How do, Sergeant?

Oh... wh-what's the meaning
of this, Sergeant?

Fill it.

Well, you'll... you'll
never get away with it.

Hurry it up!

- Turn around.
- No...

Turn around!

It's about full, Major.

She's tugging at the ropes.

More ballast, Little Joe.

Right.

That ought to do it.

30,000 cubic feet
of hydrogen gas, gentlemen.

Phew! That ought to take you
clean around the world, Major.

It might just do that, Hoss.

Listen, if them
soldiers don't show up,

you reckon you
can make room for me?

Hey, Major, where are those men?

They ought to be here
any minute now.

How's it look at the bank?

Not a stir.

It's quiet as
an empty bank safe.

Now, remember,
let's walk out of here slowly.

Then we'll get the horses,
and we'll ride out slowly.

We haven't got
a thing to worry about.

The money's concealed.

We'll just be
a couple of soldiers

going out to the Ponderosa.

Let's go.

I'm going, soldier boy,

but you're staying right here.

Hines, put that away.

Soldier boy,
I'm getting mighty tired

of taking orders
from a runny-nosed private.

Now, you hand over
that saddlebag.

I'm taking
this money to the major.

You ain't taking nothing,
soldier boy...

but I am.

The major's whole life
is in this saddlebag,

and I'll die before I'll see you
put your filthy hands on it!

Sweet dreams, soldier boy.

I wonder what's
holding everybody up.

Adam and Diane should be here.

Aw, don't worry, Pa,
they'll be along.

They wouldn't
miss this for anything.

Get the sheriff!
They took the money!

What's all
the excitement, Mr. Hershell?

I'll get him, I'll get him.

The bank's been robbed.
Somebody get the sheriff.

Well, do you know who did it?

Of course I know--
it was those two soldiers.

They got me to open that safe
on some pretense

about Army... A-Army papers.

Hyah!

Somebody get the sheriff!

Bill!

You've got to stop Hines.

Where's the money?

Hines got it.
Got to stop him.

Why? Why did you do it?

It was to build
the Atlantic Queen.

The major staked everything
on getting this money.

You got to get me to him,
before he takes that flight.

Please, before
Hines gets to him.

Well, let's get started,
before the sheriff gets here.

Hyah! Hyah!

Hey, look out!

- Hey!
- Hyah!

Hyah!

Hyah!

Sergeant Hines reporting, sir.

I have the documents.

Where is young Kingsley?

Can I speak to you, uh,
alone a minute, sir?

Excuse me a minute, Ben.

Major, we've got
to leave here right now.

- Where is Private Kingsley?
- He ain't comin'.

What do you mean, not coming?

He caught a bullet, sir;
he's dead.

Dead?

Major, we ain't got time
to worry about him.

We got to leave
while the leaving's good.

How? How?
What happened?

What went wrong?
It was planned.

It was all carefully planned...

Major, I've got
enough money here

to build that balloon of yours.

Now, let's get in that basket
and get out of here.

Anything wrong, John?

We're going up, Ben.

Well, what about
Private Kingsley?

He won't be making this voyage.

Give us a hand with the basket.

You boys mind
releasing those secondary ropes?

It was all so carefully planned.

Release those ropes!

John, are you ready?

Yes, Ben, it's time.

Release the ropes.

Hyah!

Hyah!

Now, cut that winch rope.

Hyah!

- Hold it, Pa!
- What is it, Adam?

The major's been using us.

- His men just robbed the bank.
- What?!

The balloon's just a scheme
to get away with the money.

Kingsley, what
happened at that bank?

Seems the sergeant
had a dream of his own.

Don't make no
difference now, Major.

All right, Cartwright,
cut that rope.

Don't do it, Ben!

Don't do it!

I'm sorry, Ben.

I only meant
to borrow the money

just until the Atlantic Queen
could be built.

I was gonna pay it back,
every cent...

with interest.

You'll be all right, sir.

We'll take care of you.

No, Bill.
It's the end of me...

and... and the dream.

Oh, nonsense, Johnny.

You'll be right as rain
as soon as Doc Martin

gets out here
to have a look at you.

The wind is rising, Ben.

I-I mustn't fail.

I must ride the wind.

Hey. Look, Pa.

Bon voyage, Johnny.

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