Have Gun - Will Travel (1957–1963): Season 1, Episode 30 - The Prize Fight Story - full transcript
To help an old friend, Paladin takes a job guaranteeing a fight against a formidable British boxer when the local Sheriff demands a cut of the action. Keeping the terms of his contract, however, may prove a bit... personal in nature.
I DON'T LIKE YOU, FORBES.
BUT I NEED MUCH MORE PROVOCATION
TO DESTROY A HUMAN LIFE.
EVEN YOURS.
THANK YOU.
HONEST! I TELL YOU,
I HAVEN'T GOT IT!
HAND IT OVER OR I'LL
CHOKE IT OUT OF YOU!
[SHOUTING]
HELP!
NOW YOU DID IT. NOW
WE'RE REALLY IN A JAM!
WHY'D YOU HIT HIM SO HARD?
WHAT'D YOU WANT,
JOE? YOU SAID HELP.
HERE'S THE KEY TO MY
SUITE. I'LL TAKE CARE OF THIS.
OH, THANKS... PALADIN!
GO ON, JOE. COME
ON, GET UP HERE.
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO
HIT PEOPLE SO HARD?
I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH YOU
FROM THE FIRST DAY I MET YOU.
COME ON, GET UP THERE!
PERHAPS YOU BETTER SEND
FOR THE HOUSE PHYSICIAN.
THIS MAN SEEMS TO
HAVE FAINTED. YES, SIR.
WHAT STARTED THE TROUBLE?
GUY WANTED ME TO
PAY FOR HIS STEER
THAT OREN HIT.
OREN HIT?
I DIDN'T HIT IT HARD.
IT WAS AN OLD STEER.
BESIDES, JOE TOLD ME TO.
THIS BIG LOUDMOUTH
WAS STANDING IN THE BAR,
AND HE WANTED TO
BET ME THAT NO ONE
COULD HIT A STEER WITH ONE
PUNCH AND KNOCK HIM DOWN.
I GIVE HIM A STRAIGHT RIGHT.
HE WANTED ME TO PAY THE
DAMAGES FOR THE STEER.
HE WAS GOING TO CHOKE
IT OUT OF ME. I NOTICED.
LUCKY THING YOU CAME ALONG.
I'M ALWAYS GLAD
TO RETURN A FAVOR.
I OWE YOU ONE FROM PHILADELPHIA.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE WEST?
I WISH YOU HADN'T ASKED ME THAT.
EVERY TIME I THINK OF THE STORY,
IT JUST MAKES ME
SICK. MAKES ME SICK!
I SPENT EVERY CENT I HAD
BRINGING OREN OUT HERE.
PALADIN...
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF A
TOWN CALLED LIMESTONE?
YES, VERY TOUGH PLACE.
YEAH, I KNOW IT IS.
BUT IT'S A PERFECT SPOT
FOR PUGILISM CONTESTS. I
BROUGHT OREN OUT HERE
TO MEET THE BRITISH CHAMPION,
A FELLOW CALLED BRYAN SYKES.
HE WAS GONNA FIGHT
HIM FOR THE TITLE.
JOE, THE BRITISH
CHAMP IS JIM MACE.
ALL RIGHT, SO HE WAS CHAMPION
OF WALES OR SOMETHING.
WHAT HAPPENED, DID SYKES
BACK OUT? NO, HE DIDN'T.
THE SHERIFF CAME IN AND HE
WANTED A THIRD OF THE GATE.
IT WAS JUST PURE GRAFT, I
TELL YOU IT WAS PURE GRAFT.
WELL, THIS PROMOTER
WEBBER WOULDN'T GO FOR IT,
SYKES' MANAGER WOULDN'T
AND I WOULDN'T GO FOR IT.
SO, NO FIGHT.
THE PROMOTER'S NAME?
HIS NAME WAS JAKE WEBBER,
HE OWNS A BIG SALOON THERE.
I THINK I'LL DROP
MR. WEBBER A LINE.
PERHAPS I CAN DO SOME
GOOD FOR ALL OF US.
YOU CAN TRY IT BUT I DON'T
THINK IT'LL DO ANY GOOD.
WELL, WE'LL SEE.
IN THE MEANTIME, WILL YOU
KEEP OREN AWAY FROM STEERS?
YEAH. STAY AWAY FROM STEERS!
OHHH!
[LAUGHING]
CLINT FORBES IS NO
SMALL-TIME GRAFTER.
HE'S SELF-APPOINTED
SHERIFF OF LIMESTONE.
HE'S KILLED SIX MEN.
MORE OR LESS IN
THE LINE OF DUTY.
I DON'T MEAN TO BE THE SEVENTH.
[LAUGHING] NEITHER DO I.
NO, TAKE MORE THAN YOU
TO STAND UP TO FORBES.
GO ON BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO.
YOU'RE WASTING
MY TIME. AS YOU LIKE.
BUT SINCE I'VE COME THIS FAR,
I'LL HAVE A DRINK ANYWAY.
THAT'LL BE A DOLLAR.
OUT OF FIVE.
[COUGHING]
[LAUGHING]
THAT ONE'S COUNTERFEIT.
PASS IT ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
NO, I'LL TAKE ANOTHER
DOLLAR FOR THAT ONE PLEASE.
YOU'LL TAKE YOURSELF
OUT OF HERE...
I'LL TAKE ANOTHER DOLLAR
FOR THAT ONE, PLEASE.
THANK YOU, AND ANOTHER DRINK.
THANK YOU.
BYE.
HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!
YOU REALLY THINKING OF
PUTTING THROUGH THIS FIGHT DEAL?
WHAT KIND OF A DEAL
DID YOU HAVE IN MIND?
WELL, I CAN'T PAY MUCH.
I ONLY GOT 50
PERCENT OF THE PURSE.
THE OTHER HALF GOES
TO FIGHTERS? THE WINNER.
BOTH SYKES AND GILLIAM
AGREE WINNER TAKES ALL.
I'LL GIVE YOU 500
BUCKS, NO MORE.
IT'S WORTH MORE BUT
THE INTERESTS OF A FRIEND
ARE AT STAKE SO YOU
MAKE IT A THOUSAND,
AND YOU'VE GOT A DEAL.
WELL, ALL RIGHT.
BUT NO FIGHT, NO PAY. ALL RIGHT.
I CAN SEND A WIRE
TO SYKES TODAY.
WHERE CAN I FIND GILLIAM?
HERE AT THE LONESTAR HOTEL.
HE AND HIS MANAGER CAME
WITH ME FROM SAN FRANCISCO.
YOU HAD THIS THING ALL
FIGURED OUT, DIDN'T YOU?
YES, SIR.
HOLD IT, MISTER.
HAVE WE MET?
JUST NOW.
AND IT'LL BE THE LAST
TIME IF YOU'RE SMART.
IS THAT A PERSONAL SUGGESTION?
THAT'S AN OFFICIAL ORDER.
OH, I SEE. YOU
REPRESENT THE LAW HERE.
I AM THE LAW HERE.
WHAT LAW IS THERE
THAT SAYS A SHERIFF
GETS ONE THIRD OF
EVERY FIGHT PURSE?
THE LAW I PASSED THIS MORNING.
I GOT UP EARLY JUST TO DO THAT.
NO ONE MAN IS THE LAW.
NOT HERE, NOT ANYPLACE.
IT'D BE A PLEASURE TO
PROVE THAT TO YOU, FORBES.
THERE'S ONLY ONE
WAY TO PROVE IT.
YOU MAY AS WELL TRY NOW.
OH, NO.
NO, I NEED A LOT MORE
PROVOCATION THAN THAT
TO DESTROY A HUMAN
LIFE. EVEN YOURS.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL LET
YOU OFF THIS TIME.
NEXT TIME IT'LL BE DIFFERENT.
YOU MUST FIGURE YOU'RE
PRETTY FAST WITH A GUN.
FAIR.
I DON'T NEED TO BE TOO FAST.
JUST CAREFUL.
[GUN CLICKING]
FRIEND OF YOURS? MY DEPUTY.
EVEN IF YOU'D GONE FOR YOUR GUN,
IT NEVER WOULD HAVE
CLEARED YOUR HOLSTER.
I SEE.
WELL, I'M VERY SORRY
TO DISAPPOINT YOU.
COME ON, LEAN INTO IT!
STRAIGHTEN THAT LEFT OUT.
NOW HIT HIM WITH THE RIGHT.
THAT'S ONLY RED,
JOE. NO, IT ISN'T.
THAT'S SYKES! YOU REMEMBER THAT.
YOU'RE TREATING HIM
LIKE YOUR MOTHER.
COME ON, GO.
YOU WORRY TOO MUCH.
NOW LOOK, TEND TO YOUR BUSINESS
OR YOU'LL GET TWO
EXTRA MILES OF ROADWORK.
SYKES IS PRETTY ROUGH, ISN'T HE?
OH, YOU DON'T KNOW.
I WISH I COULD CHANGE
THAT ARRANGEMENT
OF WINNER TAKE ALL.
WELL PALADIN, YOU
GOT OUT OF TOWN
BUT YOU DIDN'T GET
OUT FAR ENOUGH.
THIS CAMP ISN'T IN YOUR COUNTY,
YOU DON'T HAVE ANY
JURISDICTION HERE.
JURISDICTION'S WHAT YOU MAKE IT.
I TOLD YOU EITHER I GET
MY SHARE OF THE GATE,
OR I'LL STOP THE FIGHT.
JUST HOW DO YOU PLAN TO DO THAT?
I'LL SHOW YOU.
ALL RIGHT, BOYS.
TAKE THIS CAMP APART!
HOLD IT!
GET THEIR GUNS, JOE.
FORBES, YOU'RE WEARING A STAR
BUT THE NEXT TIME YOU
TRY TO STOP THIS FIGHT,
I'LL PUT A HOLE THROUGH IT.
GET THOSE TWO
TRAMPS OUT OF HERE.
[RETREATING HOOFBEATS]
[LAUGHING]
YOU STOP THAT!
I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL IT!
JUST FOR THAT, YOU CAN LIFT
THESE WEIGHTS FOR HALF AN HOUR.
I DON'T NEED THAT.
YOU DO AS I SAY!
I AIN'T GOING TO DO IT, WILLIE.
[SHOUTING] OH, ME BUNION!
YOU'RE KILLING ME! THEN DON'T
ANSWER BACK TO YOUR MANAGER.
NOW PICK UP THEM
WEIGHTS. GO ON, PICK 'EM UP.
ALL RIGHT, YOU READY?
LIFT!
NOW, ONE... TWO...
THREE...
FOU...
HULLO! HOW LONG
HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?
FOUR OR FIVE MINUTES, WHY?
WE DON'T LIKE SPIES ROUND
OUR SIDE OF THE TRAINING CAMP.
I'M NOT A SPY, I'M
YOUR PROTECTION.
YOU'RE TOO FRIENDLY
WITH GILLIAM TO SUIT ME.
YOU STAY AWAY FROM HERE.
MR. HARVEY, MY JOB IS TO
PATROL THIS FIGHT CAMP,
ALL OF IT AND I DON'T
TAKE ORDERS FROM YOU.
WHOOPS! IT SLIPPED.
YOU'RE VERY FAST ON
YOUR FEET, MR. PALADIN.
I'M VERY LUCKY, MR. HARVEY.
I DON'T HAVE BUNIONS.
HELLO, SHERIFF.
WHAT'LL YOU HAVE?
COUPLE OF MINUTES OF YOUR TIME.
I HEAR YOU SOLD A LOT
OF TICKETS TO THE FIGHT.
THAT'S RIGHT.
SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE
TAKING A BIG CHANCE.
WHY DON'T YOU SAY
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
YOU WANT THIS FIGHT
TO GO ON, DON'T YOU?
WELL, SO DO I.
I HAD QUARRELS OVER
WHETHER I GET MY SHARE.
RIGHT? YEAH.
NOW LISTEN...
IF WE FIX IT SO WE
KNOW WHO'S GONNA WIN,
THERE'S MORE TO BE MADE
ON BETS THAN THE GATE.
WELL, NATURALLY I
THOUGHT OF THAT.
IT'S KIND OF RISKY THOUGH.
YOUR MEN ARE IN THE
CORNER AS SECONDS.
LITTLE WHIFF OF SOMETHING
BETWEEN ROUNDS WOULD DO IT.
YOU'RE FORGETTING PALADIN.
I OWE HIM MONEY.
YOU LET ME AND MY BOYS IN,
AND I'LL SEE TO IT YOU
DON'T PAY HIM A CENT.
THAT'S UH... PART
OF THIS AGREEMENT.
NOT ONE CENT FOR PALADIN.
I'LL BE GLAD WHEN
THIS FIGHT IS OVER.
START LIVING DECENTLY AGAIN.
IT'S A FUNNY HOLE
AND CORNER BUSINESS,
THIS BOX FIGHTING.
THE TIME'LL COME IT'LL
BE WIDELY ACCEPTED.
IT'S AN ANCIENT SPORT.
IT'S BEEN POPULAR IN
ENGLAND OVER 100 YEARS.
IT GOES BACK MUCH
FURTHER THAN THAT.
HOMER WRITES OF GREEK
PUGILISTS IN "THE ILIAD."
AND IT'S RELATED OF
A CERTAIN EURYDIMAS
THAT WHEN HIS TEETH
WERE BATTERED IN,
HE SWALLOWED THEM RATHER
THAN SHOW HE WAS HURT.
HE WON THE FIGHT.
WISH I COULD HAVE
BEEN HIS MANAGER,
WE'D HAVE CLEANED
UP. I'M AFRAID NOT.
EURYDIMAS FOUGHT
PURELY FOR THE SPORT,
IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
EURYMINUS? EURYDIMAS.
[HORSE NEIGHING]
IT'S ONLY ME. DON'T SHOOT.
THE FIGHT'S ALL SET.
THE TICKETS ARE SOLD.
YOU DIDN'T COME OUT
HERE TO TELL US THAT.
NO, I COME HERE TO TELL
YOU I SETTLED WITH FORBES.
HE MADE ME AN
OFFER AND I TOOK IT.
AT WHAT PRICE?
THAT'S BETWEEN ME AND FORBES.
ANYHOW, HIM AND HIS
BOYS'LL BE AT THE FIGHT.
SO DON'T MAKE ANY TROUBLE.
THAT'S WHAT I COME
HERE TO TELL YOU.
WHAT ABOUT THE PURSE?
DON'T WORRY, IT'S IN MY SAFE.
AND IT TAKES THREE
SEPARATE KEYS TO OPEN IT.
OHHH!
WEBBER, I'M SORRY. EXCUSE ME.
GOOD NIGHT. I'LL
SEE YOU TOMORROW.
I'M BEGINNING TO
WONDER ABOUT THAT GUY.
SO AM I.
IT'S TIME WE DID SOMETHING
TO PROTECT OUR INVESTMENT.
YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN A
THING SINCE PHILADELPHIA.
[BOTH LAUGHING]
[MEN TALKING]
IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYTHING'S
COMING OFF ON SCHEDULE.
ALL WE GOT TO DO NOW IS WIN IT.
I DON'T LIKE IT. IT'S TOO EASY.
WHY THE WORRY?
FORBES JUST DECIDED
HE'D RATHER TAKE A FEW BUCKS
LESS THAT GO AGAINST YOU.
YOU SCARED HIM OFF. NO SIR.
HE DOESN'T SCARE THAT EASY.
EVERYTHING SET?
I GOT BRAGG, GIL,
STONEY AND FIVE OTHERS
SPOTTED IN THE CROWD.
WE'LL HANDLE PALADIN
OR ANY OTHER TROUBLE.
START WHEN YOU'RE READY.
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT!
ALL RIGHT, QUIET EVERYBODY!
YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE
WHAT YOU COME FOR.
THE BARE KNUCKLE
FIGHT OF THE CENTURY.
IN THIS CORNER,
THE AMERICAN CHALLENGER,
OREN GILLIAM!
[APPLAUSE]
SORRY TO DISAPPOINT EVERYBODY,
BUT THERE ISN'T
GOING TO BE ANY FIGHT.
[CROWD COMPLAINING]
WAIT A MINUTE! HOLD IT, PLEASE!
QUIET EVERYBODY!
GILLIAM'S UNDER ARREST.
I'M TAKING HIM TO JAIL.
THE CAUSE? I ADVISE EVERYBODY
TO HOLD STILL AND KEEP
THEIR HANDS IN SIGHT.
MY MEN HAVE THE PLACE
COVERED WITH SHOTGUNS.
[MEN SHOUTING]
WAIT A MINUTE, FORBES!
YOU CAN'T TAKE THIS MAN.
YOU'RE GOING TO STAND IN
THE WAY OF THE LAW, PALADIN?
I TOLD YOU ONCE BEFORE,
NO ONE MAN IS THE LAW.
I FIGURED YOU'D BE A
STICKLER ABOUT THAT.
GILLIAM'S WANTED ON
A FEDERAL WARRANT
FOR BEATING UP A U.S.
MARSHAL IN TOPEKA.
HERE'S THE PAPER TO PROVE IT.
THIS TRUE, OREN?
WELL YEAH, IT HAPPENED
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
I DIDN'T KILL NOBODY! JUST
BUSTED HIM UP A LITTLE.
[MEN LAUGHING]
YOU GONNA FIGHT
FEDERAL LAW, PALADIN?
NO.
I'M CONFISCATING THE
PURSE TO THIS FIGHT.
GIMME THE KEYS TO YOUR SAFE.
I CAN'T, I DON'T KNOW
WHERE THEY ARE.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL DRILL IT OPEN.
RED, GET THREE OF OUR MEN
AND HAVE 'EM CARRY
THE SAFE TO MY OFFICE.
[MAN:] WHAT ABOUT OUR MONEY?
[MEN SHOUTING]
PALADIN...
YOU LEARNIN' A LITTLE
RESPECT FOR THE LAW?
YOU GOTTA DO SOMETHING!
DO SOMETHING QUICK!
THIS MOB'LL TEAR
THIS PLACE APART.
AND ME WITH IT.
YOU GUARANTEED THIS FIGHT.
I GURANTEED IT,
THAT'S WHAT I SAID.
AND I WISH I'D REMEMBERED
CERVANTES' LINE.
"A CLOSED MOUTH
CATCHES NO FLIES."
WHAT? ANYHOW, YOU PROMISED.
A FIGHT, AND SO
YOU SHALL HAVE ONE.
RED, DID YOU BRING
YOUR EQUIPMENT? SURE.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE
GETTING YOURSELF INTO?
YOU? ME!
DON'T JUST STAND THERE,
GO TELL THE PEOPLE.
QUIET!
QUIET, PLEASE!
IN A FEW MINUTES, YOU'LL
GET THE FIGHT YOU WANTED.
I PROMISE YOU.
LISTEN, THIS GUY
HITS WITH HIS RIGHT,
SO KEEP YOUR LEFT HAND UP HIGH.
STAY IN CLOSE AND KEEP
POUNDING ON HIS RIBS.
THIS GUY'S GOT A SKULL JUST LIKE A
CANNONBALL, SO DON'T HURT YOUR HAND.
THE BARTENDER'S GONNA HELP US.
WHILE HE WORKS ON YOU,
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT
YOU'RE DOING WRONG.
THIS MOB HAS COME
HERE TO SEE A FIGHT.
YOU GIVE 'EM A GOOD ONE.
I PROMISED YOU A
FIGHT TO THE FINISH,
BETWEEN THE BRITISH CHAMPION
AND AN AMERICAN CHALLENGER.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'LL GET.
IN THIS CORNER, THE
BRITISH CHAMPION,
BRYAN SYKES.
[CROWD SHOUTING]
AND NOW...
THE AMERICAN CHALLENGER,
BARE KNUCKLE CHAMPION
OF THE BARBARY COAST...
I GOT A NEW TITLE.
PRIDE OF SAN FRANCISCO,
PALADIN! UNDEFEATED
IN 20 FIGHTS.
MY RECORD GETS BETTER EVERY DAY.
IF YOU CAN FIGHT AS GOOD
AS HE LIES, IT'S IN THE BAG.
[CROWD SHOUTING]
THIS FIGHT WILL BE HELD UNDER
THE LONDON PRIZE RING RULES.
A ROUND ENDS WHEN
A MAN FALLS DOWN,
OR IS KNOCKED DOWN.
THE FIGHT ENDS WHEN
HE CAN'T COME TO SCRATCH
AT THE SOUND OF THE BELL.
NO WRASTLIN', NO
EYE GOUGING ALLOWED.
LET'S GO!
[BELL]
[MEN SHOUTING]
[BELL RINGING]
THAT'S THE STUFF.
NOW YOU GOT HIM.
IT WAS A LUCKY PUNCH. OH, LUCKY!
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH
YOU? AIN'T YOU A PROFESSIONAL?
HERE'S THIS HALF-WITTED
SO-CALLED GENTLEMAN FIGHTER,
AND YOU CAN'T BEAT HIM?
[POUNDING]
[BELL RINGING AND SHOUTS]
HOW MANY TIMES I BEEN DOWN?
EIGHT.
[BELL RINGING]
TIME.
[BELL RINGING]
GIVE THIS TO HIM BETWEEN ROUNDS.
WE GOT TOO MANY BETS OUT.
WE CAN'T TAKE ANY CHANCES.
[CROWD JEERING]
[BELL RINGING]
[POUNDING]
YEAH, HERE IT IS.
NICE PAYOFF FOR EVERYBODY.
[MAN:] IT'S A FAKE. IT'S
CUT-UP NEWSPAPER!
GET YOUR SHOTGUN!
WE'RE GOING BACK AND
BLOW THAT PLACE APART!
IT'S GONE ON LONG ENOUGH.
FINISH HIM OFF NOW.
AHHH!
LOOK, THAT'S ENOUGH. I'M
THROWING IN THE SPONGE.
NO! TAKE A SMELL OF THIS.
[COUGHING] LET ME SEE THAT.
CHLOROFORM!
CHLOROFORM? YES, CHLOROFORM.
[MAN:] COME ON,
PALADIN! LET HIM HAVE IT.
WATCH HIS RIGHT.
[INDISTINCT YELLING]
[LAUGHTER]
[CHEERING]
[FORBES:] WAIT A
MINUTE, HOLD IT!
QUIET, EVERYBODY!
DON'T MOVE, YOU'RE
ALL UNDER ARREST!
I'D ADVISE EVERYBODY
TO HOLD STILL,
AND KEEP THEIR HANDS IN SIGHT.
MY MEN HAVE THE PLACE
COVERED WITH SHOTGUNS.
[SHOUTING AND GUNSHOTS]
JOE! PALADIN.
YOU ALL RIGHT?
YEAH. COME ON.
LISTEN TO THIS.
THE STATE AUTHORITIES
HAVE FINALLY TAKEN
THE SITUATION IN
HAND IN LIMESTONE.
AFTER THE NEAR RECENT RIOT,
FOLLOWING THE BARE
KNUCKLE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY,
BOTH SHERIFF FORBES AND
PROMOTER WEBBER ARE IN JAIL,
MAKING CHARGES AND
COUNTER-CHARGES.
WEBBER IS CHARGING
FORBES WITH THE THEFT
OF THE MISSING FIGHT
PURSE TOTALING OVER $4,000.
$4,000.
I'LL BET THOSE RATS HAVE
IT HIDDEN SOMEWHERE.
HOW DO YOU USUALLY
SPLIT YOUR PURSES?
FIFTY-FIFTY, WHY?
WELL, THAT'S THE WAY I SPLIT IT.
BOY, OH BOY.
I WISH I COULD BE YOUR MANAGER.
SORRY.
I DON'T THINK I WAS MADE
TO KEEP TRAINING RULES.
I THINK I'D RATHER BE A
LOVER THAN A FIGHTER.
EXCUSE ME.
♪ HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL,
READS THE CARD OF A MAN ♪
♪ A KNIGHT WITHOUT
ARMOR IN A SAVAGE LAND ♪
♪ HIS FAST GUN FOR HIRE
HEEDS THE CALLING WIND ♪
♪ A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE
IS THE MAN CALLED... ♪
♪ PALADIN ♪
♪ PALADIN, PALADIN,
WHERE DO YOU ROAM? ♪
BUT I NEED MUCH MORE PROVOCATION
TO DESTROY A HUMAN LIFE.
EVEN YOURS.
THANK YOU.
HONEST! I TELL YOU,
I HAVEN'T GOT IT!
HAND IT OVER OR I'LL
CHOKE IT OUT OF YOU!
[SHOUTING]
HELP!
NOW YOU DID IT. NOW
WE'RE REALLY IN A JAM!
WHY'D YOU HIT HIM SO HARD?
WHAT'D YOU WANT,
JOE? YOU SAID HELP.
HERE'S THE KEY TO MY
SUITE. I'LL TAKE CARE OF THIS.
OH, THANKS... PALADIN!
GO ON, JOE. COME
ON, GET UP HERE.
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO
HIT PEOPLE SO HARD?
I'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH YOU
FROM THE FIRST DAY I MET YOU.
COME ON, GET UP THERE!
PERHAPS YOU BETTER SEND
FOR THE HOUSE PHYSICIAN.
THIS MAN SEEMS TO
HAVE FAINTED. YES, SIR.
WHAT STARTED THE TROUBLE?
GUY WANTED ME TO
PAY FOR HIS STEER
THAT OREN HIT.
OREN HIT?
I DIDN'T HIT IT HARD.
IT WAS AN OLD STEER.
BESIDES, JOE TOLD ME TO.
THIS BIG LOUDMOUTH
WAS STANDING IN THE BAR,
AND HE WANTED TO
BET ME THAT NO ONE
COULD HIT A STEER WITH ONE
PUNCH AND KNOCK HIM DOWN.
I GIVE HIM A STRAIGHT RIGHT.
HE WANTED ME TO PAY THE
DAMAGES FOR THE STEER.
HE WAS GOING TO CHOKE
IT OUT OF ME. I NOTICED.
LUCKY THING YOU CAME ALONG.
I'M ALWAYS GLAD
TO RETURN A FAVOR.
I OWE YOU ONE FROM PHILADELPHIA.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE WEST?
I WISH YOU HADN'T ASKED ME THAT.
EVERY TIME I THINK OF THE STORY,
IT JUST MAKES ME
SICK. MAKES ME SICK!
I SPENT EVERY CENT I HAD
BRINGING OREN OUT HERE.
PALADIN...
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF A
TOWN CALLED LIMESTONE?
YES, VERY TOUGH PLACE.
YEAH, I KNOW IT IS.
BUT IT'S A PERFECT SPOT
FOR PUGILISM CONTESTS. I
BROUGHT OREN OUT HERE
TO MEET THE BRITISH CHAMPION,
A FELLOW CALLED BRYAN SYKES.
HE WAS GONNA FIGHT
HIM FOR THE TITLE.
JOE, THE BRITISH
CHAMP IS JIM MACE.
ALL RIGHT, SO HE WAS CHAMPION
OF WALES OR SOMETHING.
WHAT HAPPENED, DID SYKES
BACK OUT? NO, HE DIDN'T.
THE SHERIFF CAME IN AND HE
WANTED A THIRD OF THE GATE.
IT WAS JUST PURE GRAFT, I
TELL YOU IT WAS PURE GRAFT.
WELL, THIS PROMOTER
WEBBER WOULDN'T GO FOR IT,
SYKES' MANAGER WOULDN'T
AND I WOULDN'T GO FOR IT.
SO, NO FIGHT.
THE PROMOTER'S NAME?
HIS NAME WAS JAKE WEBBER,
HE OWNS A BIG SALOON THERE.
I THINK I'LL DROP
MR. WEBBER A LINE.
PERHAPS I CAN DO SOME
GOOD FOR ALL OF US.
YOU CAN TRY IT BUT I DON'T
THINK IT'LL DO ANY GOOD.
WELL, WE'LL SEE.
IN THE MEANTIME, WILL YOU
KEEP OREN AWAY FROM STEERS?
YEAH. STAY AWAY FROM STEERS!
OHHH!
[LAUGHING]
CLINT FORBES IS NO
SMALL-TIME GRAFTER.
HE'S SELF-APPOINTED
SHERIFF OF LIMESTONE.
HE'S KILLED SIX MEN.
MORE OR LESS IN
THE LINE OF DUTY.
I DON'T MEAN TO BE THE SEVENTH.
[LAUGHING] NEITHER DO I.
NO, TAKE MORE THAN YOU
TO STAND UP TO FORBES.
GO ON BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO.
YOU'RE WASTING
MY TIME. AS YOU LIKE.
BUT SINCE I'VE COME THIS FAR,
I'LL HAVE A DRINK ANYWAY.
THAT'LL BE A DOLLAR.
OUT OF FIVE.
[COUGHING]
[LAUGHING]
THAT ONE'S COUNTERFEIT.
PASS IT ON TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
NO, I'LL TAKE ANOTHER
DOLLAR FOR THAT ONE PLEASE.
YOU'LL TAKE YOURSELF
OUT OF HERE...
I'LL TAKE ANOTHER DOLLAR
FOR THAT ONE, PLEASE.
THANK YOU, AND ANOTHER DRINK.
THANK YOU.
BYE.
HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!
YOU REALLY THINKING OF
PUTTING THROUGH THIS FIGHT DEAL?
WHAT KIND OF A DEAL
DID YOU HAVE IN MIND?
WELL, I CAN'T PAY MUCH.
I ONLY GOT 50
PERCENT OF THE PURSE.
THE OTHER HALF GOES
TO FIGHTERS? THE WINNER.
BOTH SYKES AND GILLIAM
AGREE WINNER TAKES ALL.
I'LL GIVE YOU 500
BUCKS, NO MORE.
IT'S WORTH MORE BUT
THE INTERESTS OF A FRIEND
ARE AT STAKE SO YOU
MAKE IT A THOUSAND,
AND YOU'VE GOT A DEAL.
WELL, ALL RIGHT.
BUT NO FIGHT, NO PAY. ALL RIGHT.
I CAN SEND A WIRE
TO SYKES TODAY.
WHERE CAN I FIND GILLIAM?
HERE AT THE LONESTAR HOTEL.
HE AND HIS MANAGER CAME
WITH ME FROM SAN FRANCISCO.
YOU HAD THIS THING ALL
FIGURED OUT, DIDN'T YOU?
YES, SIR.
HOLD IT, MISTER.
HAVE WE MET?
JUST NOW.
AND IT'LL BE THE LAST
TIME IF YOU'RE SMART.
IS THAT A PERSONAL SUGGESTION?
THAT'S AN OFFICIAL ORDER.
OH, I SEE. YOU
REPRESENT THE LAW HERE.
I AM THE LAW HERE.
WHAT LAW IS THERE
THAT SAYS A SHERIFF
GETS ONE THIRD OF
EVERY FIGHT PURSE?
THE LAW I PASSED THIS MORNING.
I GOT UP EARLY JUST TO DO THAT.
NO ONE MAN IS THE LAW.
NOT HERE, NOT ANYPLACE.
IT'D BE A PLEASURE TO
PROVE THAT TO YOU, FORBES.
THERE'S ONLY ONE
WAY TO PROVE IT.
YOU MAY AS WELL TRY NOW.
OH, NO.
NO, I NEED A LOT MORE
PROVOCATION THAN THAT
TO DESTROY A HUMAN
LIFE. EVEN YOURS.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL LET
YOU OFF THIS TIME.
NEXT TIME IT'LL BE DIFFERENT.
YOU MUST FIGURE YOU'RE
PRETTY FAST WITH A GUN.
FAIR.
I DON'T NEED TO BE TOO FAST.
JUST CAREFUL.
[GUN CLICKING]
FRIEND OF YOURS? MY DEPUTY.
EVEN IF YOU'D GONE FOR YOUR GUN,
IT NEVER WOULD HAVE
CLEARED YOUR HOLSTER.
I SEE.
WELL, I'M VERY SORRY
TO DISAPPOINT YOU.
COME ON, LEAN INTO IT!
STRAIGHTEN THAT LEFT OUT.
NOW HIT HIM WITH THE RIGHT.
THAT'S ONLY RED,
JOE. NO, IT ISN'T.
THAT'S SYKES! YOU REMEMBER THAT.
YOU'RE TREATING HIM
LIKE YOUR MOTHER.
COME ON, GO.
YOU WORRY TOO MUCH.
NOW LOOK, TEND TO YOUR BUSINESS
OR YOU'LL GET TWO
EXTRA MILES OF ROADWORK.
SYKES IS PRETTY ROUGH, ISN'T HE?
OH, YOU DON'T KNOW.
I WISH I COULD CHANGE
THAT ARRANGEMENT
OF WINNER TAKE ALL.
WELL PALADIN, YOU
GOT OUT OF TOWN
BUT YOU DIDN'T GET
OUT FAR ENOUGH.
THIS CAMP ISN'T IN YOUR COUNTY,
YOU DON'T HAVE ANY
JURISDICTION HERE.
JURISDICTION'S WHAT YOU MAKE IT.
I TOLD YOU EITHER I GET
MY SHARE OF THE GATE,
OR I'LL STOP THE FIGHT.
JUST HOW DO YOU PLAN TO DO THAT?
I'LL SHOW YOU.
ALL RIGHT, BOYS.
TAKE THIS CAMP APART!
HOLD IT!
GET THEIR GUNS, JOE.
FORBES, YOU'RE WEARING A STAR
BUT THE NEXT TIME YOU
TRY TO STOP THIS FIGHT,
I'LL PUT A HOLE THROUGH IT.
GET THOSE TWO
TRAMPS OUT OF HERE.
[RETREATING HOOFBEATS]
[LAUGHING]
YOU STOP THAT!
I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL IT!
JUST FOR THAT, YOU CAN LIFT
THESE WEIGHTS FOR HALF AN HOUR.
I DON'T NEED THAT.
YOU DO AS I SAY!
I AIN'T GOING TO DO IT, WILLIE.
[SHOUTING] OH, ME BUNION!
YOU'RE KILLING ME! THEN DON'T
ANSWER BACK TO YOUR MANAGER.
NOW PICK UP THEM
WEIGHTS. GO ON, PICK 'EM UP.
ALL RIGHT, YOU READY?
LIFT!
NOW, ONE... TWO...
THREE...
FOU...
HULLO! HOW LONG
HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?
FOUR OR FIVE MINUTES, WHY?
WE DON'T LIKE SPIES ROUND
OUR SIDE OF THE TRAINING CAMP.
I'M NOT A SPY, I'M
YOUR PROTECTION.
YOU'RE TOO FRIENDLY
WITH GILLIAM TO SUIT ME.
YOU STAY AWAY FROM HERE.
MR. HARVEY, MY JOB IS TO
PATROL THIS FIGHT CAMP,
ALL OF IT AND I DON'T
TAKE ORDERS FROM YOU.
WHOOPS! IT SLIPPED.
YOU'RE VERY FAST ON
YOUR FEET, MR. PALADIN.
I'M VERY LUCKY, MR. HARVEY.
I DON'T HAVE BUNIONS.
HELLO, SHERIFF.
WHAT'LL YOU HAVE?
COUPLE OF MINUTES OF YOUR TIME.
I HEAR YOU SOLD A LOT
OF TICKETS TO THE FIGHT.
THAT'S RIGHT.
SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE
TAKING A BIG CHANCE.
WHY DON'T YOU SAY
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
YOU WANT THIS FIGHT
TO GO ON, DON'T YOU?
WELL, SO DO I.
I HAD QUARRELS OVER
WHETHER I GET MY SHARE.
RIGHT? YEAH.
NOW LISTEN...
IF WE FIX IT SO WE
KNOW WHO'S GONNA WIN,
THERE'S MORE TO BE MADE
ON BETS THAN THE GATE.
WELL, NATURALLY I
THOUGHT OF THAT.
IT'S KIND OF RISKY THOUGH.
YOUR MEN ARE IN THE
CORNER AS SECONDS.
LITTLE WHIFF OF SOMETHING
BETWEEN ROUNDS WOULD DO IT.
YOU'RE FORGETTING PALADIN.
I OWE HIM MONEY.
YOU LET ME AND MY BOYS IN,
AND I'LL SEE TO IT YOU
DON'T PAY HIM A CENT.
THAT'S UH... PART
OF THIS AGREEMENT.
NOT ONE CENT FOR PALADIN.
I'LL BE GLAD WHEN
THIS FIGHT IS OVER.
START LIVING DECENTLY AGAIN.
IT'S A FUNNY HOLE
AND CORNER BUSINESS,
THIS BOX FIGHTING.
THE TIME'LL COME IT'LL
BE WIDELY ACCEPTED.
IT'S AN ANCIENT SPORT.
IT'S BEEN POPULAR IN
ENGLAND OVER 100 YEARS.
IT GOES BACK MUCH
FURTHER THAN THAT.
HOMER WRITES OF GREEK
PUGILISTS IN "THE ILIAD."
AND IT'S RELATED OF
A CERTAIN EURYDIMAS
THAT WHEN HIS TEETH
WERE BATTERED IN,
HE SWALLOWED THEM RATHER
THAN SHOW HE WAS HURT.
HE WON THE FIGHT.
WISH I COULD HAVE
BEEN HIS MANAGER,
WE'D HAVE CLEANED
UP. I'M AFRAID NOT.
EURYDIMAS FOUGHT
PURELY FOR THE SPORT,
IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
EURYMINUS? EURYDIMAS.
[HORSE NEIGHING]
IT'S ONLY ME. DON'T SHOOT.
THE FIGHT'S ALL SET.
THE TICKETS ARE SOLD.
YOU DIDN'T COME OUT
HERE TO TELL US THAT.
NO, I COME HERE TO TELL
YOU I SETTLED WITH FORBES.
HE MADE ME AN
OFFER AND I TOOK IT.
AT WHAT PRICE?
THAT'S BETWEEN ME AND FORBES.
ANYHOW, HIM AND HIS
BOYS'LL BE AT THE FIGHT.
SO DON'T MAKE ANY TROUBLE.
THAT'S WHAT I COME
HERE TO TELL YOU.
WHAT ABOUT THE PURSE?
DON'T WORRY, IT'S IN MY SAFE.
AND IT TAKES THREE
SEPARATE KEYS TO OPEN IT.
OHHH!
WEBBER, I'M SORRY. EXCUSE ME.
GOOD NIGHT. I'LL
SEE YOU TOMORROW.
I'M BEGINNING TO
WONDER ABOUT THAT GUY.
SO AM I.
IT'S TIME WE DID SOMETHING
TO PROTECT OUR INVESTMENT.
YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN A
THING SINCE PHILADELPHIA.
[BOTH LAUGHING]
[MEN TALKING]
IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYTHING'S
COMING OFF ON SCHEDULE.
ALL WE GOT TO DO NOW IS WIN IT.
I DON'T LIKE IT. IT'S TOO EASY.
WHY THE WORRY?
FORBES JUST DECIDED
HE'D RATHER TAKE A FEW BUCKS
LESS THAT GO AGAINST YOU.
YOU SCARED HIM OFF. NO SIR.
HE DOESN'T SCARE THAT EASY.
EVERYTHING SET?
I GOT BRAGG, GIL,
STONEY AND FIVE OTHERS
SPOTTED IN THE CROWD.
WE'LL HANDLE PALADIN
OR ANY OTHER TROUBLE.
START WHEN YOU'RE READY.
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT!
ALL RIGHT, QUIET EVERYBODY!
YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE
WHAT YOU COME FOR.
THE BARE KNUCKLE
FIGHT OF THE CENTURY.
IN THIS CORNER,
THE AMERICAN CHALLENGER,
OREN GILLIAM!
[APPLAUSE]
SORRY TO DISAPPOINT EVERYBODY,
BUT THERE ISN'T
GOING TO BE ANY FIGHT.
[CROWD COMPLAINING]
WAIT A MINUTE! HOLD IT, PLEASE!
QUIET EVERYBODY!
GILLIAM'S UNDER ARREST.
I'M TAKING HIM TO JAIL.
THE CAUSE? I ADVISE EVERYBODY
TO HOLD STILL AND KEEP
THEIR HANDS IN SIGHT.
MY MEN HAVE THE PLACE
COVERED WITH SHOTGUNS.
[MEN SHOUTING]
WAIT A MINUTE, FORBES!
YOU CAN'T TAKE THIS MAN.
YOU'RE GOING TO STAND IN
THE WAY OF THE LAW, PALADIN?
I TOLD YOU ONCE BEFORE,
NO ONE MAN IS THE LAW.
I FIGURED YOU'D BE A
STICKLER ABOUT THAT.
GILLIAM'S WANTED ON
A FEDERAL WARRANT
FOR BEATING UP A U.S.
MARSHAL IN TOPEKA.
HERE'S THE PAPER TO PROVE IT.
THIS TRUE, OREN?
WELL YEAH, IT HAPPENED
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
I DIDN'T KILL NOBODY! JUST
BUSTED HIM UP A LITTLE.
[MEN LAUGHING]
YOU GONNA FIGHT
FEDERAL LAW, PALADIN?
NO.
I'M CONFISCATING THE
PURSE TO THIS FIGHT.
GIMME THE KEYS TO YOUR SAFE.
I CAN'T, I DON'T KNOW
WHERE THEY ARE.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL DRILL IT OPEN.
RED, GET THREE OF OUR MEN
AND HAVE 'EM CARRY
THE SAFE TO MY OFFICE.
[MAN:] WHAT ABOUT OUR MONEY?
[MEN SHOUTING]
PALADIN...
YOU LEARNIN' A LITTLE
RESPECT FOR THE LAW?
YOU GOTTA DO SOMETHING!
DO SOMETHING QUICK!
THIS MOB'LL TEAR
THIS PLACE APART.
AND ME WITH IT.
YOU GUARANTEED THIS FIGHT.
I GURANTEED IT,
THAT'S WHAT I SAID.
AND I WISH I'D REMEMBERED
CERVANTES' LINE.
"A CLOSED MOUTH
CATCHES NO FLIES."
WHAT? ANYHOW, YOU PROMISED.
A FIGHT, AND SO
YOU SHALL HAVE ONE.
RED, DID YOU BRING
YOUR EQUIPMENT? SURE.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE
GETTING YOURSELF INTO?
YOU? ME!
DON'T JUST STAND THERE,
GO TELL THE PEOPLE.
QUIET!
QUIET, PLEASE!
IN A FEW MINUTES, YOU'LL
GET THE FIGHT YOU WANTED.
I PROMISE YOU.
LISTEN, THIS GUY
HITS WITH HIS RIGHT,
SO KEEP YOUR LEFT HAND UP HIGH.
STAY IN CLOSE AND KEEP
POUNDING ON HIS RIBS.
THIS GUY'S GOT A SKULL JUST LIKE A
CANNONBALL, SO DON'T HURT YOUR HAND.
THE BARTENDER'S GONNA HELP US.
WHILE HE WORKS ON YOU,
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT
YOU'RE DOING WRONG.
THIS MOB HAS COME
HERE TO SEE A FIGHT.
YOU GIVE 'EM A GOOD ONE.
I PROMISED YOU A
FIGHT TO THE FINISH,
BETWEEN THE BRITISH CHAMPION
AND AN AMERICAN CHALLENGER.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'LL GET.
IN THIS CORNER, THE
BRITISH CHAMPION,
BRYAN SYKES.
[CROWD SHOUTING]
AND NOW...
THE AMERICAN CHALLENGER,
BARE KNUCKLE CHAMPION
OF THE BARBARY COAST...
I GOT A NEW TITLE.
PRIDE OF SAN FRANCISCO,
PALADIN! UNDEFEATED
IN 20 FIGHTS.
MY RECORD GETS BETTER EVERY DAY.
IF YOU CAN FIGHT AS GOOD
AS HE LIES, IT'S IN THE BAG.
[CROWD SHOUTING]
THIS FIGHT WILL BE HELD UNDER
THE LONDON PRIZE RING RULES.
A ROUND ENDS WHEN
A MAN FALLS DOWN,
OR IS KNOCKED DOWN.
THE FIGHT ENDS WHEN
HE CAN'T COME TO SCRATCH
AT THE SOUND OF THE BELL.
NO WRASTLIN', NO
EYE GOUGING ALLOWED.
LET'S GO!
[BELL]
[MEN SHOUTING]
[BELL RINGING]
THAT'S THE STUFF.
NOW YOU GOT HIM.
IT WAS A LUCKY PUNCH. OH, LUCKY!
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH
YOU? AIN'T YOU A PROFESSIONAL?
HERE'S THIS HALF-WITTED
SO-CALLED GENTLEMAN FIGHTER,
AND YOU CAN'T BEAT HIM?
[POUNDING]
[BELL RINGING AND SHOUTS]
HOW MANY TIMES I BEEN DOWN?
EIGHT.
[BELL RINGING]
TIME.
[BELL RINGING]
GIVE THIS TO HIM BETWEEN ROUNDS.
WE GOT TOO MANY BETS OUT.
WE CAN'T TAKE ANY CHANCES.
[CROWD JEERING]
[BELL RINGING]
[POUNDING]
YEAH, HERE IT IS.
NICE PAYOFF FOR EVERYBODY.
[MAN:] IT'S A FAKE. IT'S
CUT-UP NEWSPAPER!
GET YOUR SHOTGUN!
WE'RE GOING BACK AND
BLOW THAT PLACE APART!
IT'S GONE ON LONG ENOUGH.
FINISH HIM OFF NOW.
AHHH!
LOOK, THAT'S ENOUGH. I'M
THROWING IN THE SPONGE.
NO! TAKE A SMELL OF THIS.
[COUGHING] LET ME SEE THAT.
CHLOROFORM!
CHLOROFORM? YES, CHLOROFORM.
[MAN:] COME ON,
PALADIN! LET HIM HAVE IT.
WATCH HIS RIGHT.
[INDISTINCT YELLING]
[LAUGHTER]
[CHEERING]
[FORBES:] WAIT A
MINUTE, HOLD IT!
QUIET, EVERYBODY!
DON'T MOVE, YOU'RE
ALL UNDER ARREST!
I'D ADVISE EVERYBODY
TO HOLD STILL,
AND KEEP THEIR HANDS IN SIGHT.
MY MEN HAVE THE PLACE
COVERED WITH SHOTGUNS.
[SHOUTING AND GUNSHOTS]
JOE! PALADIN.
YOU ALL RIGHT?
YEAH. COME ON.
LISTEN TO THIS.
THE STATE AUTHORITIES
HAVE FINALLY TAKEN
THE SITUATION IN
HAND IN LIMESTONE.
AFTER THE NEAR RECENT RIOT,
FOLLOWING THE BARE
KNUCKLE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY,
BOTH SHERIFF FORBES AND
PROMOTER WEBBER ARE IN JAIL,
MAKING CHARGES AND
COUNTER-CHARGES.
WEBBER IS CHARGING
FORBES WITH THE THEFT
OF THE MISSING FIGHT
PURSE TOTALING OVER $4,000.
$4,000.
I'LL BET THOSE RATS HAVE
IT HIDDEN SOMEWHERE.
HOW DO YOU USUALLY
SPLIT YOUR PURSES?
FIFTY-FIFTY, WHY?
WELL, THAT'S THE WAY I SPLIT IT.
BOY, OH BOY.
I WISH I COULD BE YOUR MANAGER.
SORRY.
I DON'T THINK I WAS MADE
TO KEEP TRAINING RULES.
I THINK I'D RATHER BE A
LOVER THAN A FIGHTER.
EXCUSE ME.
♪ HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL,
READS THE CARD OF A MAN ♪
♪ A KNIGHT WITHOUT
ARMOR IN A SAVAGE LAND ♪
♪ HIS FAST GUN FOR HIRE
HEEDS THE CALLING WIND ♪
♪ A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE
IS THE MAN CALLED... ♪
♪ PALADIN ♪
♪ PALADIN, PALADIN,
WHERE DO YOU ROAM? ♪