The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955–1961): Season 1, Episode 17 - Ben Thompson Returns - full transcript

♪ Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp ♪

♪ Brave, courageous, and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame and long live his glory ♪

♪ And long may his story be told ♪

In Marshal Wyatt Earp's long struggle to tame Wichita,

there were two points of controversy of which historians

of the Western frontier have argued since 1875.

Was Marshal Earp justified in using the famous

City Ordinance Number 27 to close

crooked gambling joints and rowdy dance halls?

And, why did he permit Ben Thompson,



a notorious gunfighter and killer,

to operate a gambling game in Wichita,

while Marshal Earp's stormy cleanup campaign

was raging to a murderous pitch of tensions and hatreds.

Come on, bring them out of there.

Go on, there's plenty of bars up the street.

You guys go that way.

Get on down there.

Is that all of them?

That's the last one of them.

Unsanitary, you call it? I washed my glasses as

clean as any place in this town.

You're just using that public health ordinance as a trick,

and you're not going to get away with it.



Come on.

That's a great idea, Wyatt.

You're going to have all of Douglas Avenue hating

It was Judge Jewitt's idea.

See, when the saloon owners get too slick for me to prove crooked gambling,

why, he's ordered me to proceed under Ordinance 27.

Be a lot quicker.

And use it against dancehalls?

Hmm.

Yeah.

Gotta close one up the street.

The Dreamland Joint?

Uh-huh.

They've been importing immigrant girls and paying them almost no wages.

Oh, but don't print that in the newspaper. They're kind of scared to testify.

I understand.

The Orient Saloon, the Dreamland Dance Hall, were closed today

were closed today as unsanitary, by Marshal Earp.

He was ordered to take this action by Doctor

Andrew Fabrique,

City Health Officer.

Howdy, Marshall.

Hi, Mr. Finley.

I wasn't sure you'd remember me.

Well, I've looked at you over a gunsite once or twice.

Mr. Murdoch, this is Jack Finley,

friend of Ben Thompson.

Oh, yeah.

Ben Thompson.

How is Ben been these days?

He was fine, thanks.

Oh, Marshal...

I know you and Ben had several run ins over at Ellsworth.

But he don't bear you no grudge.

And if you...

Why should he?

Well, what I wanted to ask you is, how do you feel about Ben?

You sore at Ben?

No.

Well, would it be all right if he comes into Wichita?

Sure. Long as he stays out of trouble.

I mean, what Ben wants to know is...

he wants to buy into a game here.

That's no business of mine as long as he runs it honest.

Well, Ben knows that, and he'll run straight as a straight.

Is it all right if I tell him you said?

Thank you, Mr. Earp.

Thank you very much.

I'll tell Ben.

Oh, he'll shall be mighty pleased.

On the eve of a cleanup campaign that's going to cause you a lot of trouble,

you say Ben Thompson can come into town?

Ben and I have settled our differences.

He's a dangerous gunslinger...

a killer, and a...

Also, a pretty honest man.

Oh, come now, Wyatt.

He's always kept his word to me.

I never did hear of them cheating at cards.

You had a gunfight with Thompson.

You sent his brother Bill to prison for killing Sheriff Whitney.

Look, Mr. Murdoch. A man in my line of business,

he's got to let his old quarrels die.

To be strictly honest about it, I, uh..

I always did like Ben Thompson.

That's good, Johnny. Good.

Get down around them cracks there and in the them little crevices.

Careful. There's carbolic acid in that scrub water.

These glasses.

I want them all dipped in scalding water.

This place is going to be sanitary.

Hey.

Yes, sir.

Where's the roulette wheel?

It was crooked. Dunphy is fixing it honest.

Good.

No wonder Wyatt closed this dump.

Well, didn't Jack tell you?

No.

Earp and I are friends.

But he's John Law in this town.

I love Wyatt almost as much as I love my brother Bill.

Yes, sir.

So spread the word.

I have no talk against Wyatt from the men who work for me,

or the customers.

And another thing.

I thought I told you to tell these men

how I stood with Wyatt.

- They didn't know...
- I'm sorry, Ben.

But you told me to check on all the opposition.

In the rush, I might have missed a few.

All right.

What'd you find out?

Plenty.

You men keep busy.

I want this place spic and span.

And I never listen to such a mean talk.

Wyatt's going to have a small war on his hands.

Ain't nobody likes that Ordinance Number 27.

Anyway, who can run a clean place in a town like Wichita

that's old, dusty and muddy?

Just don't make sense.

Does to me.

I told Wyatt he couldn't make that gun checking law stick up in Ellsworth.

But I was wrong.

And if he says this town is going to be sanitary, he'll make it stick.

Well, anyway, all the opposition say that that Ordinance

27 is just an excuse to give Wyatt a power

of let run or close up.

You against Wyatt?

Me? Oh, now, Ben...

I'm gonna to tell you a thing or two.

Now Wyatt could have killed me in a fair draw in a fair fight.

But he didn't.

Could have had my brother Bill hanged, but

he didn't.

Oh.

Now Bill's up in the hospital in Denver.

Got a chance to get well.

You should have told us about that before, Ben.

I don't spill things until it's necessary, but

when I'm loyal to a man, I go all the way.

Sure, Ben.

Now...

Just...

where do they talk the meanest about my friend, Wyatt?

The Hotel Wichita Bar.

You got about an hour to get the men ready.

Oh, Ben. Trouble our first night in town.

When I'm loyal to a man, I go all the way.

Now, I told you that.

Get going.

Wyatt? I can see Wyatt any time I like.

Lady.

Lady? I hate that word.

Oh.

Ah.

Are you Wyatt? The best friend of Ben Thompson?

Well, I know him, yeah.

Like Ramón and Romeo.

Oh, it is beautiful.

What's your name?

I am Lolita Ryan.

More Lolita than Ryan, huh?

Well, what can I do for you?

Oh, I think I'm going to have to hurt Ben's other girl.

You are his dearest friend.

If you chase her out of town for me...

You just better sit down.

Now, let's get one thing straight.

In the first place I'm not Ben's dearest friend.

In the second place, I let 'im re-open the Orient Saloon because

he promised it wouldn't be any trouble and that he'd run an honest game.

Another thing, I can't mess into Ben's private affairs.

So if he's running around with another girl,

you're just going to have to settle with him.

You will not chase her out of town?

Nope.

Oh, but he doesn't like her very much.

He only took up with her because

he thought I was with my mom in San Antonio.

You just go tell that to Ben.

Oh, but I did.

And he said I could hurt this girl.

You see, you say you wouldn't like it.

What am I to do?

She's no good.

She's one of the biggest...

Wyatt, Ben Thompson and his boys are
headed for the Wichita Hotel bar with guns.

Go get Sam.

Allright.

Miss Ryan, you control your temper

- Oh, but...
- and you stay here, understand?

And so, any time that you don't keep the joint

clean enough to suit that big head, he can close ya?

Yeah.

Why, that's against the Supreme Court.

Earp's got too big for his britches, this time.

He needs cuttin' down to size.

Every man that is a man in Wichita...

Hold it, Morrison.

Howdy, Ben.

I was just telling the boys...

I heard what you said.

Does he speak for the rest of you cowhands?

I sure do.

How about you, Ben? You with us?

No.

Any man who speaks against Wyatt Earp speaks against me.

And I'm closing this place.

It ain't sanitary.

So everybody out.

Come on.

Oh.

They was cooking up some devilment, so I'm closing the place.

It ain't sanitary.

Look, Ben, when there's any closing to do, I'll do it.

Now you and Finley and the rest of the boys know

you're not supposed to be wearing guns.

Are we under arrest?

Allright, Wyatt.

Anything you say.

The rest of you go on back to your drink.

Hold it.

Get way from the marshal.

Okay, let's go. Come on.

Wyatt.

Now, I don't aim to criticize,

but I think you're being a mite overconfident about the sanitary businesses.

There's trouble cookin'.

And, well, you better take care of your own trouble.

What do you mean?

A girl by the name of Lolita Ryan came to see me.

Lolita.

She shouldn't come around bothering you.

And when she did,

she threatened one of your other girls.

Carolyn or Millie?

She didn't say.

You'd better calm her down.

All right.

I sure will, Wyatt.

And another thing.

You and I are friendly. Allright, that's fine, but...

well, we can't act too friendly, and people might misunderstand it.

You know, you're the law, and I'm Ben Thompson.

And we'll keep it that way.

Wyatt.

I didn't shoot nobody back there

or take that saloon apart.

All it did was try to be real nice.

And another thing, about that judge in the morning...

Don't you worry none..

I'm not gonna embarrass ya.

I'll just say you and me don't even speak.

Just don't say anything.

Allright. Pay the fine for me and the boys...

and I won't even look at you.

80, 90, 100.

There you are, Judge. A hundred dollars.

There's something about this matter that bothers me, Mr. Thompson.

I have a note here from the owner of the Hotel Wichita.

He says the trouble started

because you resented certain remarks against Marshal Earp.

Nooo, he's mistaken, Judge.

Well, how did the trouble start?

Well, uh...

there were these two cowhands...

and, uh...

they was telling it around that my place ain't sanitary.

So I said to Jack here, I says, uh...

We'd better put a stop to that false slander.

And, uh...isn't that right, Jack?

Yes, sir. That's right.

That sounds plausible.

I couldn't believe that a man like you would risk a fine

to defend Marshal Earp.

We ain't friendly.

But I will say this, Your Honor.

I don't believe that Marshal Earp should be walking around this

town without his deputies the way he does.

There's a young, fool head of a cowhand out gunning for him right now.

I can take care of myself.

All right, Wyatt.

You're the boss.

Morning, Judge.

Just a minute, Marshal Earp.

Yes, sir?

Is Thompson right about some cowhand gunning for you?

Well, there usually is a cowhand...

who thinks he wants to gun me.

Yeah. Maybe you should have at least one deputy with you at all times.

I can't spare 'em. We're spread too thin as it is.

You, uh...just let Ben Thompson worry about me.

Stop, where are goin'?

Go ahead. Start, why don't you?

Maybe you think I won't shoot, but I will.

You closed my brother's place.

You put him out of business.

And now I'm going...

I'm shot.

I'm shot.

Shut up, kid. You ain't hurt bad.

Maybe next time you'll believe me.

He doesn't ever shoot, Ben.

You're talking too much.

Doc Fabrique's office is just across the street.

Go on up.

I'm bleeding. I'm bleeding.

Get up.

Am I arrested again?

Ben, you're not supposed to pack a gun on the street.

That kid, he is going to plug you.

Ben saved your life, Marshal.

But Doc Fabrique is going to report a gunshot wound.

I couldn't let you go if I wanted to.

- Oh, but, Marsh...
- Shut up, Jack.

All right, let's go see the judge

Where you goin'? You weren't wearing no gun.

And on your way over, give this to Mayor Hope.

Yes, sir.

What is it this time?

A drunken kid tried to gun me, Your Honor, and, uh...

he shot him in the arm.

And Thompson warned you.

What's the charge?

Carrying guns in violation of a city
ordinance and careless discharge of firearms.

What have you to say to this, Mr. Thompson?

Well, I reckon Marshal Earp was doing his duty.

Well, I don't.

A man saved your life and you arrest him for a demeanor.

Did you ever hear of gratitude, Marshall Earp?

Oh, don't scold him, Judge.

I asked Marshall Earp a question.

Well, sir, I, uh...

I recommend that Ben Thompson be let off this time with a reprimand.

Reprimand? If you haven't the decency

to thank Mr. Thompson, I will.

This court expresses its gratitude for assistance rendered

Marshal Earp, and dismissed his asinine charges against you.

You and Thompson aren't friendly,

yet he saved your life,

at the risk of his own.

Greater love hath no man than that.

You better learn some common humanity, young fella.

Yes, sir.

Sure am sorry, Wyatt.

You, uh...played the hand the way you saw it.

Oh.

What have you done about this girl, Lolita?

Lolita?

You know, I plumb forgot about her.

When I heard that that young Jim North was...

Well, that's all over now.

You take care of that girl.

Yes, sir.

Right away, Wyatt, believe me.

I'm going over to the hotel, and

I want you to send word over to me there that she promised to behave.

I'll marry her.

Anything.

Good.

Wait a minute. You can't marry. You're already married.

Lolita don't know that.

That's bigamy.

Don't get sore.

Well, I'm not sore.

It's just that I want you to stop
making trouble around here, that's all.

Another thing.

Don't go around saying that you love me like a brother.

If you're going to say anything, say that you hate me.

Okay, Wyatt, okay.

Not so loud.

He's after me.

Shut the door.

Come here.

Oh.

Oh, oh.

Oh, wait.

- I can feel...
- Thanks for big stays.

And you stay here. You're under arrest.

I told you I'd get her.

Let me go.

Let me go.

Come on.

Spencer.

Best friend to take sides with that...

But I'm not you, Spencer.

Fine friend you are.

Marshal Earp, what's all this?

Felonious assault, Your Honor. This is, uh, Lolita Ryan.

She cut a girl with a knife.

Oh, next time I really cut her.

That'll do, young woman.

Was the girl badly hurt?

Not too bad, sir.

According to Dr. Fabrique,

it's just a cut in the rib.

And where did this affray take place?

In Wyatt's room at the hotel, Judge.

Really?

- She's not...
- Wait a minute.

Nothing but a dyed hair blond crybaby.

She ran into Wyatt's room to make trouble with Ben and me.

Ben? Not Ben Thompson?

Yes, sir.

I told Wyatt last night he must make Ben get rid of this girl.

But does he heard? Oh, no.

Ben must be a loco.

He picks a John Law for best friend.

Marshall Earp?

Yes, sir?

I was never under the impression that you and Thompson were friendly.

Well, uh, we're...um...

She pretends to be a Ramón in Romulus with Ben.

He let him come in to Wichita and open up the Orient Saloon.

What does he get rid of, Millie? Oh, no.

Look at me, Judge.

If you were Ben's true friend,

would you let Millie make trouble?

I haven't seen Millie.

Well, she's one...

Silence.

Well, I guess we'll have to lock her up.

Deputy?

Lock me up for how long?

Until tonight.

We have no place for female prisoners to sleep.

Okay.

You're a nice man.

You tell Ben Thompson to get rid of that Millie.

And as for you...

That'll do.

Put her in the old court room

and ask Mrs. McGee to keep an eye on her.

Yes, sir.

You take Millie. You can have her.

Allright.

I can make a fair guess as to what happened.

You gave Thompson a break, and he kind of latched to you.

Yes, sir.

Well, it can't go on, Wyatt.

I know it.

I explain matters in a nice way

and suggest that he leave town.

I guess that's the way it's going to have to be.

You don't seem too happy about it.

I just can't order him out of town, Judge.

Well, he's clean as far as the law is concerned.

But with his great devotion to you,

he'll go as a personal favor, won't he?

Yeah, I reckon he will.

I guess Ramón will just have to part with Romulus.

Wyatt's outside.

Says he's got to talk to you.

Did he look sore?

He didn't look too happy.

That Lolita. She ought to be pistol whipped.

What am I going to tell Wyatt?

Tell 'im I'm here. I don't hide from my friends.

Oh, look, Ben. Lie to him just once.

Tell him you ordered Molly and Lolita to get out of town.

This is the best gambling spot we ever had.

I don't lie to my friends either.

Now you get out there and tell him I'm here.

Door is open.

I suppose you heard what Lolita did to Millie, huh?

You got a right to be sore, Wyatt. Real sore.

Bein' sore ain't the point.

The point is this is liable to keep on happening.

You want me to leave.

It'd be a big favor.

- You just think it would.
- I know it would.

Sit down.

Wyatt...

Tomorrow's Sunday.

There's no rush.

That ain't what I mean.

You plan to go to church in the morning or in the evenin'?

I don't know, why?

- Do you aim to go at all?
- Yeah.

Where are your guns?

I don't wear my guns to church.

Wear 'em tomorrow and watch behind every bush and tree.

Look, Wyatt, I'm leveling with you.

That dancehall crowd has brought in two men to bushwhack you.

Ah, that's just talk.

No, it ain't just talk.

Now, that's what you said when I told you about that

north kid gunning for you, too.

And I saved your skin that time,

but you're too big headed to admit it.

You're big headed and you're stubborn,

and you've got some fool idea that you're
going can handle everything all by yourself.

I've done all right so far.

So far.

And you're good with a gun.

Sure, but you can't take on all of Douglas Avenue, all by yourself.

And these men tomorrow...

they ain't going to give you a chance for a stand up gun fight.

They're going to cut you down

as you walk on your way to church.

Now, can't you get that through your thick skull?

Would you mind leaving on Monday?

All right. All right.

I'll leave Monday, and you go right
ahead and get your inside shot out.

And I won't give a hoot.

I won't even send no flowers.

Now you begin to sound like the
old Ben Thompson I used to know.

I ain't your friend, and I never was.

Good.

So long.

Goodbye.

And have a nice long sleep on Boot Hill.

- You and him have a row?
- Yeah.

Hey, that's great.

He tried to order us out of town?

Fat chance he's got of makin' it stick.

He'll be dead tomorrow.

And I can stop it, too.

But I won't.

I'm not even going to lift my little finger.

Let' im...

Let them die.

Wyatt, hold on.

Ah, good morning, Mr. Murdoch.

I see you've been working late again, huh?

I just heard a wild sort of a rumor, but it worries me.

Bushwhacker talk, huh?

Yeah.

An ambush somewhere on this side of town.

Near church.

If you knew about it, where are your guns?

Mr. Murdoch, I thank you for the warning,

but if I was going to look for a hole every time some

drunken cowhand said he was going to bushwhack me, I'd...

I'd have to crawl underground like a prairie dog.

Yes.

Now you go on home and get shaved.

I'll see you at church.

- Listen, Wyatt...
- I'll see you later.

- What if he wears his guns?
- Won't do him any good if he does wear 'em.

Get set. Here he comes.

Wyatt, get down!

So long, Wyatt.

Be seein' ya, pal.

Thanks, Ben.

♪ Well, he cleaned up the country ♪

♪ The old Wild West country ♪

♪ He made law and order prevail ♪

♪ And none can deny it ♪

♪ The legend of Wyatt ♪

♪ Forever will live on the trail ♪

♪ Oh, Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp ♪

♪ Brave, courageous and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame and long live his glory ♪

♪ And long may his story be told ♪

♪ Long may his story ♪

♪ Be told ♪