The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955–1961): Season 5, Episode 2 - The Trail to Tombstone - full transcript

Whiskey.

It's good.

Better be.

No fight.

Remember, they'll get you in the back room, start a poker game

accuse you of cheating, and try and shoot you in the back.

Try?

Who's gonna stop 'em?

Me.

Against all these Arizona hoodlums?

Better take another look around.



Of course, I realize it's risky.

You can back out if you want.

No.

No, I guess I've lived long enough.

♪ Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp ♪

♪ Brave, courageous and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame and long live his glory ♪

♪ And long may his story be told ♪

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O'Brian.

When Wyatt Earp left Dodge City for Arizona Territory,

he believed that his career as a peace officer was finished.

He wanted to hang up his guns and earn a modest income

as a rancher or miner.

Wyatt and his brothers were soon to learn



that Arizona had become the last stronghold of the outlaw.

A terrifying wilderness in which sheriffs and marshals

were open allies of cattle thieves and stage robbers.

Hey, there!

Mind if I talk to you a minute?

Hi, uh, is this your party?

I'm looking for Wyatt Earp and his brothers.

What's your business?

Hey, uh, you must be Wyatt Earp.

I've got your picture here with that long barrel 45.

I'm Vick Bywater with Wells Fargo.

You could be a Wells Fargo agent.

Here's my, uh, old-timers' ring. It, uh, it fits you'll notice.

Alright, Mr. Bywater.

These are my brothers, Virgil Earp, Morgan Earp.

My friend, Dr. John H. Holliday.

- Mr. Bywater.
- Howdy.

I've ridden all the way from Tombstone.

Company sure needs you back there.

- Well, we've got other plans.
- We're heading for Prescott.

Now, wait a minute, wait a minute.

I, uh, vote we give the horses a rest and...

give Mr. Bywater here a chance to speak his piece.

Well, thank you, marshal.

Well, I'm not a marshal of Dodge anymore.

Of course, I'm still US deputy marshal

but I'm turning that badge in, too.

That looks like a good spot over there.

We can talk there, Mr. Bywater.

And you can't ranch in Arizona

because the Clantons and other rustlers steal your cattle.

Mining's not much good either.

Road agents heist the ore and bullion.

Fremont, the Territorial governor,

he doesn't seem to care much what goes on.

You're exaggerating a little, aren't you?

No, Mr. Earp. If you think so, pay a visit to Bootjacks,

the first town over the line.

What's so tough about Bootjack?

You ever hear of Mysterious Dave Mather?

- Mather?
- Is he in Bootjack?

Why, he runs the camp.

What's so special about Mather?

I want him for murdering a man named Mike Degraff in Dodge.

Let's head for Bootjack, Wyatt. I want Mather, too.

Now hold on, Doc.

We're heading for Prescott, remember?

We're two days late now. My wife's gonna be worried sick.

You go on and take the trail to Prescott. You and Morgan.

Doc, go picket our horse.

The company really needs you in Tombstone.

- Mather could wait.
- No, sir.

DeGraff was Doc's partner.

Mather shot him in the back.

I thought you buried that star.

It isn't gonna take Doc and me long.

I'll catch up with you tomorrow.

But we've already got an undercover man in Bootjack.

And he knows I'm looking for you to get you to come to Tombstone.

The company wants to give Mather enough rope, we can close in.

He's had enough rope.

It's no use arguing with him. Once his mind is set, that's it.

Wyatt and Doc won't need help in the two-bit hoodlum camp.

Come on, let's push those wagons along.

Alright, attend to it, Wyatt.

We'll be crossing Apache country tomorrow.

Yes, sir, big brother.

I'll ride along with the wagons if you have no objection.

- What's the idea?
- You want the solemn truth?

Wells Fargo wants all the Earps I could find.

I'm still hoping to hire you.

We might consider it.

Nope. Arizona Territory isn't as bad as he lets on.

Wells Fargo can handle their own trouble.

Come on.

Well, that settles that.

Uh, Mr. Earp.

Our, uh, our man in Bootjack is Fred Dodge.

He's a husky blonde boy with an Apache tomahawk

tattooed on his left forearm. He's a member of Mather's gang

so let him make the first move to help you.

Alright. Don't worry. We won't give him away.

You better check that Buntline with Virgil.

Yeah, that's right.

Mr. Bywater, could I, uh, trade your guns for a day or so?

Of course. It's company issue, but it's a good one.

Thank you.

Doc, I want Mr. Mather alive.

You'll be lucky to get him dead. This is not Kansas, Wyatt.

Just climb on your horse and start to pray.

- King of clubs.
- Ten of diamonds.

You know that tomahawk still bothers me.

That? It's good luck for me, boss.

Look, cards ain't been so good lately.

I got away from the Apaches, didn't I?

Cut them.

Let him in.

Dump it.

There ain't no five thousand here.

We cleaned out the stage. That's all of it.

No... you're holding out.

You calling me a liar, Dave?

Yeah..

And a cheat.

Tell the other boys, I want the rest of that money.

Yes, sir.

Well... it looks like Mather had a busy week.

Yeah.

You ride into town first.

Check and see whether Mather's wearing a star.

Isn't that a technicality?

No, we'll take him either way. But if he's wearing a star

it'll cause complications.

Why? Let's just ride into town and kill him.

Not unless we have to.

Wyatt, this is not Kansas.

- Alright. I'll go in myself.
- No.

No, one man starts yelling Wyatt Earp

the whole camp will go to shooting.

Besides, I probably have more friends in Bootjack than Mather has.

May I remind you that most hoodlums like me?

And this is definitely a job for the scoundrel.

So I will see you later.

- Who is it?
- It's me, Whitey.

Yeah.

You know a Dr. John H. Holliday?

- Mm-hmm.
- He just rode into town.

- Alone?
- Yes, sir.

He wants to start a faro game he says.

Ah-huh?

Doc and me ain't exactly friends.

Alright. We'll run him out.

No. Doc knows too many people.

We gotta play this smart. Come on in.

Hi, Doc.

Hiya, Doc, remember me? Slim Cunick of Amarillo.

- Hello, Slim, sure I remember.
- I thought you'd be dead by now.

Red Dog Connor. It's good to see you. Let's have a drink.

Ah, bartender, these are all fine friends of mine.

I wanna buy for the lot of 'em.

Come on, Doc, sit down.

Red Dog what have you been doing yourself? You're looking real healthy.

- Oh, I've been around.
- Here you go, Doc.

Bartender. Where is Dave Mather?

- Well, he's in and out.
- In and out?

Well, I wanna open a faro game here

and the boys tell me I should talk to Dave.

Well, I gotta get word to Whitey. He's Dave's right-hand man.

I wish you would. I-I'd be mighty obliged.

- Thank you, Doc.
- Doc, lemme pour you a little drink.

What do you mean a little drink?

Yeah, that's the way it goes.

My last dental case was a longhorn steer valued at 300 dollars.

Took eight men to chloroform that steer

and then I found out he had an impacted molar.

Well, when I'd told Lander, the owner,

I was gonna have to use chisel and a hammer

I thought he'd throw a conventional fit.

Alright, excuse me, boys.

- Doc.
- Yeah.

- Well..
- Well, what?

- How'd you get the tooth out?
- Get it out?

Son, I took all of them out.

Just what do you want here?

Well, nothing drastic. I-I just wanna open a faro game.

- Not rob the establishment.
- Mather doesn't like you.

Take my advice and get out of town.

What if I stay?

Somebody will accuse you of cheating

and you'll be shot in the back.

You know that's right to the point.

But why?

We have enough trouble

and you seem friendly with a lot of the boys.

Sounds logical.

I know Mather. Get outta town.

Well, I'll think about it.

By the way, what name do you use other than Whitey?

Just that name.

Holliday didn't leave town.

He's opened a big game at the roadhouse.

Go tell Lucas and Gennero I wanna see 'em.

Doc isn't here for trouble, Boss. He knows you run this camp.

If he wanted a fight, he'd come straight to you.

I don't want any chatter.

Tell Lucas and Gennero I wanna see 'em.

Yes, sir.

It's tough luck, Red Dog, that tray is unhappy for you.

Wait a minute, I'm playing here too, Doc.

What's the matter, Slim? Aren't you losing fast enough?

Almighty, it's a six, and pay is six.

Well, you're finally getting lucky.

Doc, you sure are lucky.

Yeah, that's why I'm in the business.

Here's a full, and we pay another full.

Let's try that queen one more time.

- Hold it, Doc.
- Let's see that deal box.

Sir, are you suggesting I might resort

to some form of subterfuge?

I think that this box is...

Alright, everybody, just take it easy.

Mather's in the shack. Go on, I'll cover you.

- Hurry up.
- Hit the floor!

He wants Mather, come on.

He's on the roof, surround the place.

Get around.

Come on down, Earp, you ain't got a chance.

Can you see him?

No, he moved on the other side of the house.

Ho, ho, go on. Ah-h, go on.

Whitey, Whitey, I..

Go on, ah-h, ho-ha.

You'll never catch him now.

Somebody turned him loose.

Well, never mind, where's Doc?

Sounds like he's putting up a fight.

Stupids, we'll have to do it ourselves, come on.

Hold it.

Lift your hands.

- I said lift your hands.
- You win, Doc.

That's better.

- You had no cause to do that.
- Never mind.

Move toward the shack.

What are you aiming to do?

I can't think of everything. I forgot some cord to tie your hands.

What's all that shooting down there?

Well, now, maybe it's 4th of July. Get inside.

He's back inside, come on.

Sparks are flying in there. He'll set the place on fire.

It's just a trick, he's still on the roof.

Alright, you men inside there..

You throw your guns out on the porch

and come out with your hands up, or I'm coming in after you.

Mather and Whitey will take care of you, Earp.

Now, there's six men scattered around here

with bullet holes in 'em. I'll take care of Mather.

You men take care of your friends.

That makes seven.

Now get busy.

Kill him, Doc. He wasn't at Dodge with me.

No, I won't kill him, can't afford to.

Cartridges cost almost a nickel apiece now.

Eh, Apache tomahawk.

Nice fella.

Two of these men need a doctor.

Now, go find one and bring him here as soon as I leave town.

If you don't, I'm liable to come back here

and then two of you won't need a doctor.

- Yes, sir.
- 'Wyatt?'

Found your horse.

You throw bullets around like a drunken millionaire.

They had me cornered.

Don't you ever do your own fighting, Mather?

You and Doc ain't outta this, yet.

Shut up. I'm for hangin' him right here in Bootjack.

No, he gets a trial.

Besides, I want him to think about that rope for a few weeks.

You're too kind, Dr. Holliday. You're much too kind.

Well, we missed the wagon.

Yup, about ten miles ahead of us will be my guess.

We will rest the horses here, make some breakfast

then catch up with 'em.

You aiming to feed Mather?

That's right.

Come on, light down from there.

Wyatt, where do you figure

you'll find any John Laws in Arizona?

I favor shooting him right now.

And I favor turnin' him over to a John Law

even if I have to take him all the way to Prescott.

No.

Stand aside.

Wyatt, Mather's a no-good murderin' skunk.

Before we know it, we're gonna have his gang from Bootjack on us.

I'll ask you just once more, step aside.

Doc, you are sick.

Give me that flask.

You have a drink first, Doc..

Then if you like shooting me

that's what you gonna have to do.

Why didn't you draw on me?

Because the truth is I'm still fond you.

You can stop hiding, Mather.

I guess we're all bait for the buzzards now.

I'd rather die fightin' beside Wyatt than against him.

Doc's right you know.

If Whitey and Bootjack boys won't take me

the other outfits will.

There ain't no law in Arizona, Earp.

Yeah, I'm commencing to find that out.

But at the moment, I'm concerned about brewing some coffee.

That could be Earp's campfire.

Now let's get one thing straight.

I want a chance to talk some sense into Earp.

He's a born Johnny Law. He'll never be nothing else.

Sure.

But Earp and Doc Holliday could kill Dave before we got close.

Now, how about it?

You want Mather and some of us to get killed?

or do you wanna try to make a deal first?

Make a deal.

That makes good horse sense to me, Whitey.

Alright, now fan out, and I'll do the talking.

Hya hya.

Wyatt, listen.

That's either Mather's boys or Apaches, you wanna run for it?

No, let's get Mather in the rocks, come on.

Leave the horses here.

Hold it. Hold it.

Wait right here but cover me.

Hey, Earp? Wyatt Earp, I wanna talk to you.

- We'll hold our fire.
- That's Whitey, my best man.

- I told you he'd come.
- Let's fight it out, Wyatt.

No, I'll talk to him.

- Marshal Earp?
- That's right.

I'm Fred Dodge of Wells Fargo.

I can't give you any proof that unless Vic Bywater found you.

If he did, that tattoo on my left arm is enough.

- He found me.
- Good.

Then I can give it to you straight.

You're never going to get Mather to a jail

and you'll be dead within the hour if you try.

I'm sorry, but you'll have to turn him loose.

I can stay undercover, keep close track of him

and continue my reports.

When are you gonna turn him over to the law?

You got all you need on him now.

As soon as there is a law.

Right now, a handful of Wells Fargo agents can't do very much.

Isn't there any law in Prescott, Tucson?

One honest Sheriff, and you'll never get Mather that far

even if you got him away from here.

He's in cahoots with old man Clanton and the Tombstone crowd.

- Well..
- Mr. Earp, I..

I-I don't lie to you when I tell you

that outlaw gangs in Arizona are thicker than Apaches.

You haven't got a chance of takin' him in.

We stall too long now. Give me Mather, my life depends on it.

And so does yours.

Alright, I'll turn him loose.

Hold your fire! He's turnin' Dave loose!

- Doc?
- Hmm?

Maybe, Whitey was lying to us.

There must be some law in Arizona.

Well, I never heard of any.

Wyatt, you ever hear the story of Deshead Jones?

The patron saint of Arizona Territory?

No.

Well, they tried to hang Jones three separate times

and each time the rope broke.

Forth time they tried to hang him

the devil appeared on the gallows.

Oh!

Devil said, "Boys, there ain't no sense tryin'"

"to hang Jones again cause I don't want him.

Just send him to Tombstone, Arizona."

Of course, it's only a story,

but it might give you some idea.

Tombstone, huh?

Well, I don't know what Virgil and Morgan are gonna do

but, uh, I think I'll take a look at that little city.

Yes, sir, I'm headin' for Tombstone.

♪ 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 ♪