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01x07 - The Gambler

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "The Life & Legend of Wyatt Earp". Aired: September 6, 1955 – June 27, 1961.*
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Series is loosely based on the life of frontier marshal Wyatt Earp.

01x07 - The Gambler

Post by bunniefuu »

[humming]

♪ Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp

♪ Brave, courageous,

and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame

and long live his glory ♪

♪ And long may his

story be told ♪

[humming]

[Narrator]

Uyatt Earp,

in his first few months as

Marshal of Wichita, Kansas,

had done many things.

And now he was faced

with a recurring problem

of the crooked gambling houses

and their untiring effort

to separate the cowboy

from his money.

Reloading cartridges?

Mm-hmm.

City gives you all

the factory loads you ask for.

They don't have

this new type b*llet.

Made of copper?

Copper-jacketed.

What's the idea,

Marshal?

Well, there are

a lot more accurate

than the lead kind.

They don't smash

a man up so bad.

That's the whole idea

of a . .

Smash a man up

and drop him in his tracks,

ain't it?

That's not my idea.

All I want to do

is discourage 'em

from sh**ting.

And these'll do it.

Mr. Marshal Earp?

Yes'm?

Is it true what they say?

That you're a durn Yankee?

Who says that?

Mr. Billy Joe Omohondro

told me.

Billy Joe's in bad trouble.

I don't suppose

you'd help a Southern boy.

[chuckling]

Are you poking fun at me?

Uh, Mr. Leggett, would you

please go check the jail?

Yes, Marshal.

I'd, uh,

help a Southern boy

just as soon as I'd help

anybody else, ma'am.

Please sit down.

Thank you.

Now,

what's your problem?

My name is

Miss Melinda Carey

and I work at the Palace

on Main Street.

What do you do there?

The boys like me

and when they gamble,

they give me part

of their winnings

for my hope chest.

In other words,

you're a shill, huh?

I am not! I'm a hostess.

What I want

to talk to you about--

Well, let's not

discuss it here.

We'll go over to my office.

Well, then, let me

get this straight.

You say that Billy Joe

sold $ , worth of cattle

and then he lost all of that

gambling at the Palace.

Is that right?

In a crooked game.

And most of that money

didn't belong to Billy Joe?

No, sir.

Most to his family.

Now Billy Joe says

he can't go home

in such a disgrace.

He says he's gonna

sh**t Mr. Dave Bennett

for cheating him and--

and then sh**t himself.

[crying]

And, uh, you wouldn't

want that, would you?

I don't care if he does

sh**t Mr. Dave Bennett.

But us folks take suicide

very serious.

It's dishonorable.

And I am fond

of Billy Joe,

Mr. Earp.

Well, uh, wasn't it you

that shilled Billy Joe

into that crooked game?

No, sir!

I warned him against it.

I don't shill Southern boys.

Oh.

Just "durn Yankees," huh?

Well...

Well, uh, I guess

I better talk to him.

I'm, uh, acquainted

with Mr. Bennett.

If he's running

a crooked gambling place,

I guess I should

know about it.

Now, where can I find

Billy Joe?

He's got a room

at the Texas Hotel.

You better hurry

before he--

Now, don't worry about it.

I'll take care of it.

Come on.

[knocking]

Who is it?

Wyatt Earp.

You Mr. Billy Joe Omohondro?

Yes, sir.

Miss Melinda tells me

you had a little money trouble

down at the Palace Saloon,

and doesn't think you

ought to g*n Mr. Bennett.

Why would you care?

Oh, 'cause you might

botch up the job

and get yourself all hurt.

Just one less Southerner.

You'd be mighty pleased.

I'll tell you,

Mr. Omohondro,

you're just about the age

of my younger brother, Morgan.

I don't care whether

you're from the North,

East, West or South.

But I do care about

crooked gamblers

cheating young fellas

like you out of your money.

Now, I'm not a friend

of Mr. Bennett's.

Oh?

Oh, he tried to

run me out of town.

I had to crack him

over the head a couple times.

Good Yank!

I'm sorry, Mr. Earp.

That's mine.

I had me some new models

like your'un,

but when Bennett

cleaned me out, he--

You don't care.

You just came here

to make small of me.

Now, look, I don't want to

have to fight the Civil w*r

all over again just for you.

Now, do you want

your money back

or don't you?

Yes, sir, I want it back.

All right.

You think there might be

some Southern gentlemen

in the bar downstairs?

I reckon.

Yes, sir.

Let's go have a talk

with them.

Thank you, Joe.

Well, here's our share,

Mr. Earp.

$ .

Well, thank you,

gentlemen, for the loan.

I'll just mark this money,

and then

Mr. Omohondro and I

will push along over

to the Palace Saloon

and prove that Mr. Bennett

was cheating.

Just one thing

worries me, Earp.

I can guess what it is.

I'm a Yankee, huh?

Well, do any of you remember

who threatened to resign

from the United States Army

when the carpetbaggers

wanted try Lee and Davis

for treason?

Well, Grant and Sherman.

That's right.

So, uh, let's have peace,

you all.

[laughter]

All right.

Let's play some cards.

Hope for the best.

on the odd.

on .

And on the red.

All bets down.

Let her go.

black, even.

Mr. Bennett! Mr. Bennett!

It's an old trick.

This brake stops the wheel.

It's hooked up to

a push button on the floor.

What's the trouble, Earp?

You.

You want to explain this

here or in your office?

Explain?

Are you suggesting--

I'm not suggesting.

I'm telling.

Leave it alone!

Put it on the table.

I want your cash box.

Give it to him.

my office,

if you don't mind.

All right.

$ .

All marked money.

All right, Mr. Bennett,

I want $ , more.

You and the kid

are framing me!

Now get the money.

[chattering]

Excuse me.

Billy Joe,

here's your $ , .

Gentlemen, here's the $

you contributed.

Thank you, sir.

I sure do thank you

kindly, Mr. Earp.

May we apologize for saying

you favor Yankees?

Thank you, sir.

You run back to the hotel.

I'll join you

in a little while.

Yes, sir.

But I--

Go on.

Do you need any help?

I think Mr. Bennett's

had enough trouble.

I still say you framed me.

Well, don't say it again.

I'm giving you

a break, Bennett.

If I hear any more

complaints from this place,

I'm gonna close it

and you're gonna leave town.

Gentlemen.

Who tipped Earp off?

One of the shill girls?

None of 'em

would do that.

Let me see who was

shilling the kid.

Give me the chip box.

What was the name

of the Southern girl?

Melinda.

The yellow chips

belong to Melinda

and Billy Joe was

playing with yellow chips.

I'll check on Melinda.

[knocking]

Come in.

Hi, Mr. Earp.

Hi.

Heading for home, huh?

Yes, sir.

But I--

Well, what if Bennett

finds out Miss Melinda

talked to you?

Well, he won't

if you just leave town

and don't see her again.

Yes, I know.

But it wldn't be

gentlemanly.

Sit down, Mr. Omohondro.

I want you

to do me a favor.

To begin with, are you

in love with Miss Melinda?

No, sir.

Well, that is,

I haven't declared

any serious intentions.

I-I'd have to ask

my folks.

Now you think your family's

gonna like the idea

of you marrying a girl

that works in the saloon

and a gambling hall?

No, sir.

Don't reckon they would.

But I've got to do

the right thing, Mr. Earp.

I can't hardly just

ride out of town

if Miss Melinda's

in trouble on account of me,

now can I?

For her sake, it might be

the smartest move to make.

But what will

she think of me?

My leaving town

without even saying "Bye"?

Now, why don't you just

write her a little note

and leave it

in the office downstairs

and I'll see

that she gets it.

Well, if you think

that's the best way

to keep her out of trouble.

I do.

Hope you have a good ride.

And by the way,

if you're gonna

be packing a g*n,

you better get yourself

a new model Colt.

Thing's liable

to blow up in your hand.

[soft knocking]

Who is it?

[loud whisper]

Billy Joe, ma'am.

You shouldn't!

It's compromising.

I know, Miss Melinda.

But I just couldn't

leave town

without thanking you

personally.

Well, you are very sweet.

I was just reading

your note.

Mr. Earp gave it to me

not ten minutes ago.

Yes'm.

I broke a promise.

Sure hope you won't tell

Mr. Earp I came here.

Of course not.

He doesn't understand

us folks from the South.

I bought me some new g*ns.

Colt . s.

If you feel you're in

any danger, I'll--

Danger. You talk

like Mr. Earp.

"Under no circumstances

"should you

admit to Dave Bennett

that you tipped me off."

Oh, dear. You men.

g*ns and danger

and solemn faces.

How come you're so brave?

Fiddlesticks.

Mr. Dave Bennett is

a Yankee crook and a coward.

Would any Southern man

let Mr. Earp

pull his roulette table

to pieces

and call him a cheat

in public?

I declare, honey,

you do try a girl's patience

talking of gunfighting

and doing away with yourself.

I-I'm--

Look what you've done.

Miss Melinda,

will you do me the honor

of becoming my wife?

No matter what your mama

thinks about it?

No matter

what anybody thinks.

Well, you are awful sweet,

Billy Joe.

Still and all,

I'm not rushing into

an important thing like this.

Yes, you are.

I'm riding straight home

and tell the family.

Please, Billy Joe.

I'll be waiting.

Five days it'll take me.

That's all.

Five days.

[horse galloping away]

[knocking]

Who is it?

Dave Bennett.

Go away.

It wouldn't sound good

if I had to kick this door in.

I'll let you in.

Now say what you

have to say and get out.

You're fired.

All right.

And don't think you're gonna

marry this Southern boy.

I'll pin a label on you

and it'll cost you a husband.

If you dare to tell him!

You can pack your clothes

and move on to Dodge.

You're through in Wichita.

I've been hunting

a good cadaver

to send to the medical school

for weeks and weeks.

So what do you

keep bringing me?

Patients like this.

Not serious, huh?

Not a chance

he'll make a die of it.

Wyatt.

Hmm?

Joe Quack will let me

bleed to death

if you don't watch him.

[groaning]

Quack, am I?

Hey, take it easy, Doc.

Tin horn, cold-decking

gambler like him.

Talking about quacks!

I think he fainted.

Good.

Keep his mouth shut.

Helps relax

the deltoid muscles.

Hey. The dang b*llet

went all the way through

and lodged against

the left clavicle.

Have to turn him over

on his back.

Easy now.

No. It bounced off

the clavicle

and is lodged

right under the skin.

See the lump?

You gonna take it out?

I don't know.

I ought to leave it in

and let the ornery cuss

suffer a lot of pain.

But...I'm a doctor.

I never saw one like this.

Copper-jacketed, ain't it?

Copper-jacketed?

Let me see that.

Gold colored.

You awake?

Why don't you faint again?

Wyatt's got a belt full

of b*ll*ts just like that.

Go on, explain it, Earp.

Sure, Bennett,

I gunned ya.

In the back?

Oh, you're kidding.

Very funny.

By the time Earp gets through

covering his tracks,

this town'll be full

of copper-jackets.

I don't think so.

I've got the only ones

like these.

Give 'em here.

Dave's been trying to get

something on you for weeks.

I'll plant this thing

so deep in his gizzard that--

No, Doc!

But thanks

for the offer.

Give me the b*llet.

You gonna accuse me

of gunning you?

Just as soon as I can

get to the courtroom.

And now, Marshal Earp,

there's just one point

in this affair

which we don't seem

to have covered.

Where were you

at about a.m.

on the night

of the sh**ting?

Well, I was just

turning into the alley,

making my regular rounds.

And how far were you

from the rear

of Mr. Bennett's establishment

when this shot was fired?

About yards,

I'd say.

You didn't see

the shot fired

or who fired it?

I heard the shot, sir.

But I didn't see

who fired it. I--

There wasn't anybody

in the alley at the time,

except Mr. Bennett.

I saw him stagger and fall

and I ran over to him--

One moment.

Did Mr. Bennett say anything

that would lead you to believe

he knew who

his assailant was?

No, Your Honor.

Hmm.

Mr. Bennett has made

a grave charge against you,

Marshal Earp.

The evidence is

entirely circumstantial.

But the court has no choice

but to relieve you

of your duties,

pending a full inquiry.

Court is adjourned.

You didn't g*n Bennett

and the judge knows it.

The whole town knows it.

Sure.

Looks like the proof

is up to me.

I'm gonna go up the street.

Put that on.

You're acting marshal.

I'll leave it

on your desk.

Wyatt?

It was those Johnny Rebs,

wasn't it?

Just one of 'em.

You know his name?

Not so sure it was a he.

Why, it's Mr. Earp.

Leaving town?

No.

Just want to have

a little talk with

Miss Melinda.

A private talk.

Tell him

you're not talking.

You've got no star.

You're just

a plain citizen now.

I said in private.

Let's not lose

our temper,

Mr. Marshal.

Wait on the platform, boys.

No.

You get far away from me

and stay away.

Where you heading,

Miss Melinda?

Dodge City.

Mr. Bennett ordered you

out of town, huh?

You really are mixed up.

I decided it wouldn't

be healthy here.

Nick and Pat

came along to guard me,

in case Mr. Bennett acted

difficult about my leaving.

Any more personal questions?

Just two.

Was it you that gunned

Mr. Bennett or Billy Joe?

Wha-- What impertinence!

I declare!

Because if it was Billy Joe,

I've gotta go after him.

It's gonna be a long ride

and I'm not gonna be

in a good humor

when I get there.

You don't scare me.

All right.

I know what the truth

is now.

But you can't prove it.

Melinda, honey.

Mr. Earp.

I thought you left town

hours ago.

Yes, sir.

But I heard on the trail

that you were in trouble

because of Mr. Bennett.

Tell him the truth.

Mr. Omohondro,

I think she's the one

that gunned Mr. Bennett.

That's ridiculous.

I did it.

I'm the one you want.

I don't want

either one of ya.

Mr. Earp,

why are you sore, sir?

I can clear

your good name.

I'll confess and they'll

put you back in office.

You go tell the judge that.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

I will.

Did you really sh**t

Mr. Dave Bennett, Billy Joe?

Well, I'm right

proud of you.

Why on earth would

the marshal think it was me?

Mr. Earp is a Yankee

with no respect

for a woman's honor.

Don't confess it,

Billy Joe!

He's not worth it.

Get on your horse

and ride away.

No, honey.

Us folks pays our debts

of money or gratitude.

You are awful sweet,

Billy Joe.

Judge, Your Honor,

Squire, Sire--

I was so plumb provoked

at that fellow, Judge,

well, I reckon

I just lost my head.

One point, though.

I did ask Mr. Bennett

to turn around

and sh**t it out

fair and square.

But he kept on running

and I shot him.

I see.

[clears throat]

Mr. Leggett,

did you send for Marshal Earp?

Yes, Your Honor.

About minutes ago.

He should be here

any second.

Hmm.

Mr. Omohondro.

Yes, sir?

How old are you?

years, months,

and days, sir.

as*ault with a deadly weapon

and intent to k*ll.

Of course,

you did own up to it

and, uh--

Oh, Marshal Earp.

This young man

has made a full confession.

It clears you

and the court here and now

removes you from suspension.

There's your badge,

Marshal.

Well, I'm sorry, Judge,

but I don't think

Billy Joe did it.

How's that?

No, sir.

I think he's lying

to protect a girl.

Mr. Earp, I must ask you

to be a gentleman and--

You can't

come in here, ma'am.

I can too come in here.

I'm not scared

of Yankee judges

and marshals.

You take your hands

off me!

Leave her go, Sam.

I thank you kindly,

Mr. Marshal Earp.

Melinda, what on earth

are you--

Hush up, Billy Joe.

You the judge?

I did it.

This is the weapon

I used,

and I'm not letting

this sweet boy suffer

for something I did.

It's still got

the empty shell

and two of Mr. Earp's

gold-colored b*ll*ts.

I stole them

from this desk yesterday

because I didn't have any.

A lady can't properly buy

cartridges.

Melinda, please!

Order.

These belong to you?

Yep.

[crying]

I'm coming back to Wichita

and marrying Melinda.

You mean after she's free.

Why down South a judge

wouldn't even sentence her.

Well, I don't think our judge

is gonna be too tough on her.

Why not?

Because it just so happens

that Judge Jewett's wife

is from Charleston,

South Carolina.

No fooling?

Please, sir,

tell Mrs. Jewett

that I forgive her

for marrying a Yankee.

[chuckling]

That's the proof of it.

The good Lord,

he loves the South.

So long, Mr. Earp.

So long, Billy Joe.

♪ 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 ♪

♪ 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

[humming]