- 3 months ago
A corrupt marshal from outside North Fork goes after an outlaw with a price on his head. However, he sees an opportunity to make some extra money.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The Rifleman, starring Chuck Connors.
00:30Morning. Morning. You the lawman here? Marshal Torrance. I'm Jay Jefferson. Yes, I know. What do you want in North Fork? Your cooperation. What? I'm looking for a man. A fellow named Pete Dawson.
01:00Forty years old, blue eyes, bald. Five foot seven. I don't know any Pete Dawson. Does anybody in this neighborhood fit the description? That description can fit a lot of men in this town, as well as most any other town. I'm asking about this town. You heard my answer. Plenty of men. Five seven, blue eyes, bald. And none of them the men you're looking for.
01:24Marshal, I don't like to brag on my name, but it usually meets with more respect than you're showing.
01:31Maybe that's because the legend about the name don't fit the truth as I know it.
01:42That's what you're aiming at, isn't it?
01:43Do you think he's really from Borneo, Paul?
02:09Uh, that's what the poster says. You don't have to believe it, son. But it makes it more fun if you do.
02:15Round, round, all those shells going. Where the beehives, nobody knows.
02:20Ah, it's too bad for other than luck next time.
02:23Oh, too bad.
02:24Once more, go. Because the hand is slicking in the eye or isn't.
02:28Now, why don't you double your money and see if the hand is quicker than the eye.
02:32Oh, ho, ho. I'll watch it very carefully. Just as easy as shooting face in a rain barrel.
02:36Too bad, mister.
02:44Uh-oh. I saw where the pee went. All right if I bet my darn?
02:48That's a game of chance, son.
02:49But there ain't no chance to it. I saw it. It's a sure thing, Paul.
02:53Are you prepared to lose just in case it's not a sure thing?
02:56Sure. But I know the eye's quicker than the hand.
02:59You know, huh?
03:01Well, that's your money, Mark.
03:02And who's next to see if the hand is really quicker than the eye?
03:08I'll bet my done.
03:10And the young man bets a dime.
03:12Now, here's the pee and here's the shell.
03:14Now, watch it very closely and see if the hand is quicker than the eye.
03:18All right, young man. Where's the pee?
03:22That one.
03:24Sorry, son. You lose.
03:26But I saw it go under there, Paul.
03:33You saw it or you thought you saw it?
03:36But I dug five post holes during that money.
03:39Well, you'll just have to dig five more, huh?
03:43Hiya.
03:46Want to try this?
03:47No.
03:47Now, just a minute, son.
03:50In a way, you were lucky back there.
03:52It only cost you a dime to find out what a lot of men spend a fortune learning.
03:56Learning what?
03:57Well, unless you don't figure to get anything in this life free and easy.
04:00You've got to work for it.
04:02And even when something seems free, well, you just found out it's not.
04:07How about this?
04:12Once forward we go. Double your money.
04:15How about 20 dollars?
04:16Well, now, that's a sporting bet, partner.
04:18Sir, these yokels have been diming and quartering me near to death.
04:22Now, keep your eye closely on the little peel as the shells move around.
04:26And where is the little pee?
04:29Well, now, let's see.
04:31My guess is the pee is under the middle shell.
04:36What are you picking up two shells for?
04:38I called the middle shell.
04:40The pee has to be under it, if the game is honest.
04:42What are you trying to say, mister?
04:45Nothing.
04:45Just pay me my money.
04:47All right, well, now, just take it easy.
04:50Here, you can have your bet back.
04:53The truth for here that the hand is quicker than the eye.
05:07Wait a second.
05:24That's not your money, mister.
05:26You better get back to your game.
05:27You better get back to your game.
05:57All right, that's enough.
06:05Now, you men, pack up your game and get out of town.
06:11You all right, Paul?
06:12Yeah, I guess everything's in the right place.
06:14That was sure some humdinger of a fight.
06:22What's it all about, Lucas?
06:23Well, the usual, Mike.
06:24Are some of the carny boys carrying a good thing too far?
06:27Help!
06:34Leave him alone.
06:35You tin-horned chiseler.
06:37You heard my orders.
06:41Now, pack up and get out.
06:42And we'll never come back.
06:48All on a day's work, eh, friend?
06:54Recognize him?
06:55Should I?
06:56It's Jay Jefferson.
06:57Oh, so that's him, huh?
06:59You mean Jay Jefferson, the famous lawman?
07:02The same, son.
07:04Gosh, can I go talk to him, Paul?
07:05Go ahead, son.
07:06I'll meet you in the lunchroom.
07:08The great man himself comes to our town for a visit, and let's hope a short one.
07:13Why do you say that, Micah?
07:14I'd think the town would be on it to have him around.
07:16You don't know him.
07:18Well, only by reputation.
07:20Didn't he clean up Cedar Grove when six men before him had failed?
07:23He cleaned it up all right, but you know how he did it?
07:25Killing off the opposition.
07:27If anybody got out of line, he didn't stop the argument.
07:29He just shot him.
07:30So?
07:31I'm ready to see the Russell gang the same way.
07:33Ambushed, too.
07:34Shot the third one in the back.
07:36I didn't know that was his style.
07:37That's the trouble.
07:38Public's got to believe in that Jay Jefferson's a big man on the side of the law.
07:42But those of us who get paid for keeping the peace know him for what he really is.
07:46What's for him here in North Fork?
07:48What's for him anyplace?
07:49Blood money.
07:50He's looking for an outlaw called Pete Dawson.
07:53Five foot seven, blue-eyed, bald.
07:57That could be Curly Smith.
07:58Frank Hardy.
07:59I don't think it's either one of them.
08:01Frank's had his ranch here eight or nine years, and you know Curly.
08:04Still.
08:06Well, I'll see you later, Micah.
08:12Hawker?
08:15There'll be a game, sir, as soon as we get a few more players.
08:18Got a room up front?
08:22How about a little cutthroat?
08:24I usually don't play two-handed, but it's all right to kill time.
08:28Sit down, sit down.
08:30My name's Colonel Beauregard Smith.
08:32The folks around here call me Curly.
08:34How are you?
08:35Sit down, sit down.
08:42Anything wrong, boy?
08:46Well, no, sir.
08:47I just wanted to ask you a question.
08:49Go ahead.
08:52Ain't that sort of a funny place to wear a gun?
08:56It isn't how or where you wear a gun that's important, son.
08:59It's what you do with it when you need it.
09:01In a hurry.
09:04I keep the gun barrel greased.
09:06That way she comes out slick and fast.
09:09Would you mind me having one of your bullets?
09:13Well, just show the fellas at school.
09:19Thanks.
09:21My compliments, boy.
09:24Nice little lad.
09:27If that boy's daddy seen you draw on him, he'd cut you in half.
09:30I didn't hurt the boy.
09:32Well, his pa just don't like people pointing guns the wrong way.
09:35Well, I'm sure his pa knows the difference between a friendly move and an unfriendly one.
09:39You're a deal.
09:47Jay Jefferson's quite an impressive man, huh, Mark?
09:50Bet he's faster on the draw than Wild Bill Hickok.
09:52Well, you know, son, being fast with a gun isn't a talent to be especially admired, unless it's tied up with good intentions.
09:59Give me one of his bullets.
10:01Take your hat off.
10:04Well, thank you.
10:05You lived around here long?
10:17Oh, four or five years.
10:19Why, is something wrong?
10:21Just remind me of someone I used to know.
10:28Jacks are better.
10:29How many dollars?
10:46Well, I'll stay.
10:49You can't win every pop.
10:50Why not?
10:51Is there a law against it?
10:53Well, law of averages.
10:55Give me the top card.
10:57Then I'll take one.
11:19Open your bets, 20.
11:24Poke is going up.
11:26I'll raise your 20.
11:38I'll call.
11:41All pink, the heart flush.
11:44Not good enough.
11:46Full house, kings over tens.
11:50Just a minute, sir.
11:51You didn't show me your cards.
11:52Cards were there for you to look at.
11:53But you didn't show them face up.
11:56I think I've had enough for now.
11:58I didn't see your card, so as far as I'm concerned, I've been cheated.
12:04Would you mind repeating that?
12:07Are you old fraud?
12:09You can play poker, but you can't afford to pay back the $20 you owe me, huh?
12:13What are you talking about?
12:14Well, maybe I'll take it out of your heart.
12:18Bye.
12:20Sir?
12:22Your pa's a pretty smart man.
12:24Yes, sir.
12:25There are no flies on my pole.
12:27There sure aren't.
12:30Son, you know I'm a law enforcement officer, don't you?
12:33I sure do.
12:33Sometimes, my job makes me ask people questions that maybe they don't think they should answer, you know?
12:41But it's their duty to answer.
12:42You understand that, don't you?
12:44Yeah.
12:45I'm looking for an outlaw.
12:48You might live right around here.
12:54What's the meaning of this, Lucas?
12:56I'm sorry I had the man out of your curly, but you were just about to get yourself hurt.
12:59I'm not exactly a prairie flower.
13:01Or I could have taken care of myself.
13:03So who is that card shark?
13:05Well, his name is Jay Jefferson.
13:09Jay Jefferson?
13:09Mm-hmm.
13:11Well, that's different.
13:13I guess he really did have a full house.
13:16You suppose I ought to go back and apologize?
13:19Now, you just make yourself scarce.
13:20I'll apologize for you.
13:22Thanks, Lucas.
13:29He looks like him.
13:30He's bald, too.
13:31Uh-huh.
13:32Where does this man, Frank Hardy, live, lad?
13:34Five miles out of town, past the post road.
13:37That's enough, Mark.
13:39You often look to youngsters for help?
13:41I'm a peace officer, friend.
13:44The law says every citizen must aid me in the performance of my duty.
13:47The law doesn't specify the age.
13:49Forty years old, huh?
13:51Frank Hardy's 50 if he's a date.
13:53Well, that handbill was printed ten years ago.
13:55Well, that's not much of a picture to identify a man.
13:57I don't need the picture.
13:58I used to know Pete does and pretty well back east.
14:02Five miles west of town, eh, lad?
14:04The law says he wants to Acho.
14:14They have a great way to meet them.
14:16They have no choice to enforce them.
14:17They have no choice.
14:18You, sir.
14:19Yeah, they have no choice.
14:22They have to go for it.
14:23They have no choice.
14:24Fairly.
14:25Wait.
14:26They have to come.
14:27The law says he wants to enforce them.
14:28They have no choice to enforce them.
14:30They have to resign.
14:31It is custom- 들어가.
14:31The law says he is reconfigured.
14:32Hello, Pete.
14:59It's you.
15:01Where's your gun, Pete?
15:02I stopped wearing one.
15:07Anyhow, I wouldn't be fool enough to draw against you.
15:11Did you come here to take me back?
15:13What else?
15:15I was hoping that after ten years, you might have forgotten me.
15:19Why didn't you know there was a reward out for you?
15:22No, I didn't.
15:23Sure.
15:24A thousand dollars.
15:26Alive or dead.
15:29And I aim to collect one way or the other.
15:31Frank Hardy.
15:36Respectable citizen.
15:37Ha!
15:38Wonder what the folks here in North Fork would think if they knew this was open season on you.
15:43An outlaw with a price on his head.
15:44You make me sound worse than I was.
15:49I made just one mistake in my whole life, and I've been paying for it ever since.
15:53Up here.
15:55You know, riding in, I looked your place over.
15:58You got a pretty nice spread here, Pete.
15:59I worked hard at it, Jay.
16:04Yeah, it shows.
16:06Making money?
16:08I've had three good crop years in a row, and my cattle tally close to 500 head.
16:12Uh-huh.
16:13Bank statement, huh?
16:16Pete, I got an idea how we might both come out ahead on this.
16:20Come out ahead.
16:23What would it be worth for me to go back and report you as dead and buried?
16:28Well, I don't know.
16:29I figure it should be worth $2,000 to you.
16:34What do you figure?
16:35When are we going home, Paul?
16:47Soon, I hope.
16:50All right, if I go to the stable and watch an house at the forge?
16:54All right, go ahead, but don't get in his way.
16:56Thanks, Paul.
16:57I won't.
17:05He's not back yet, huh?
17:08Oh, not yet, Micah.
17:09You think Hardy's the man?
17:12Well, the description fits him like a foot in a boot full of grease.
17:17You remember when Hardy and me rode together last spring roundup?
17:21One time we were setting night watch, just him and me.
17:24He got to talking about himself, how he grew up and such.
17:28I figured he was leading up to something special when he stopped.
17:31Climbed up, and he didn't say another word all night.
17:33Could be Jefferson's got himself another feather in his cap.
17:40Well, maybe not.
17:47Empty-handed.
17:48Ain't that a shame.
17:49He'll be leaving now and taking trouble to some other town, which I'm everlastingly grateful.
18:08Well, I think I'll pick up Mark and head for home.
18:11Be seeing you, Lucas Ward.
18:12Hey, Dawson.
18:39You're mistaken, sir.
18:42That isn't my name.
18:44It is now.
18:45And I'm arresting you for the robbery of the Eagle Rock Bank in Missouri ten years ago.
18:49Pete Dawson.
19:13Otherwise known as Carole Smith.
19:15You're that right.
19:17You played poker with him this morning.
19:19Why didn't you take him then?
19:20Well, I didn't recognize him then.
19:23Now, you gave me the impression you knew him for a long time.
19:27Well, his chin whiskers and mustache had me fooled.
19:33Excuse me.
19:33You're way down in the hall, son.
19:45Go on.
19:49Micah?
19:52Two bullets right through the heart.
19:54I warned him, son.
19:55I told him not to go for his gun.
20:00But he paid me no mind.
20:02Well, he shouldn't have tried to resist arrest.
20:04Mark?
20:05Go on, son.
20:07All right, folks.
20:08Let's go home.
20:09Marshal.
20:10I'll expect an official report from you as to Pete Dawson's description of his measurements.
20:15Proof for me to take back to Missouri that he's dead.
20:17You know, Paul, I bet if Mr. Jefferson hadn't come to town, no one would have ever known
20:27that Carole Smith was really an outlaw.
20:29Well, we don't know it yet, son.
20:31Huh?
20:32Mark, I'd like to ask you a question.
20:34Go ahead, Paul.
20:36How would you feel if you found out Jay Jefferson wasn't the great man you think he is?
20:42Why, Paul, you shouldn't say things like that.
20:45I ain't like you to go and talk against someone for no reason.
20:50All right, son.
20:52Where are you going?
20:53I'll be back in an hour or so.
20:55You may be here.
20:57All right, Paul.
20:57All right, Paul.
21:15Who's there?
21:20Lucas McCain.
21:22Come on in, Lucas.
21:24Frank?
21:24Huh?
21:25How's your alfalfa crop turn out?
21:27Oh, real fine, Lucas.
21:30It was a good seed you gave me.
21:31Oh, good.
21:32What can I do for you?
21:34Now, Frank, I wondered if you'd mind riding into town with me.
21:36Oh?
21:38There's been some trouble, and I thought maybe you'd help straighten it out.
21:41Trouble?
21:42Yeah, we've got a distinguished visitor from the eastern town.
21:45A fellow named Jay Jefferson.
21:48Know him?
21:51Well, of course I've heard of him.
21:55Ever meet him?
21:59Yes.
21:59Matter of fact, he was out here this morning.
22:01He thought I might be someone he was looking for.
22:04An outlaw named Pete Dawson?
22:09Yes, I think that was the name.
22:11Well, Frank, about a half hour ago, Jay Jefferson shot and killed Curly Smith.
22:17But why?
22:19He claimed Curly Smith was Pete Dawson.
22:33Very nice, Marshal.
22:34I appreciate it.
22:49Franker?
22:51Frank's got something he wants to tell you.
22:52That so?
22:53What is it, Frank?
22:55My name isn't Frank Hardy.
22:56It's Pete Dawson, and I wanted Missouri for robbery.
23:01I guess I'm part to blame for Curly's death.
23:04Let's everyone stay right where they are.
23:07You heard me?
23:08Don't move.
23:09That's it.
23:10Stand nice and easy.
23:11Jefferson, I arrest you for...
23:13Just send the warrant to me in Mexico City, Marshal.
23:15Care of general delivery.
23:16Looks as if I got in over my head this time.
23:20Got a little too greedy.
23:22I'll thank you for your rifle, friend.
23:23Toss it to me.
23:34Jefferson, as I was saying, I arrest you for the murder of Curly Smith.
23:51Well, Mark, I reckon you found out you can't always believe everything you hear about famous people, eh?
24:09I know, Micah, but don't you figure it's more fun if you do?
24:14You'll be having some money coming, Lucas.
24:16Money?
24:17The reward.
24:18Wow.
24:19Say, isn't Curly Smith's son working his way through a law school back east?
24:23That's what I heard.
24:24Well, send it to him.
24:24He can use it.
24:26I'll do that, Lucas.
24:27That's an awful lot of money to be given away, isn't it, Paul?
24:30Yes, it is.
24:31But I don't think we'd enjoy spending money earned that way, do you?
24:34Well, I have to think about that one, Paul.
24:36Come on.
25:06Well, I have to think about that one.
25:36Well, I have to think about that one.
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