Range Feud, The (1931)

[bunniefuu]

When men are k*lled,

not only the mauled man

but the law of God is broken.

"Thou shalt not k*ll,"

thunders the voice of God from Mount Sinai,

and, "Thou shalt love

thy neighbor," says Matthew.

If I were to deliver a sermon,

I would make that my text,

but you are in no mood for sermons.

Perhaps the law of man

would impress you more

than the law of God.

Therefore, I call upon one

more fitter than I to address you.

Our Sheriff,

Buck Gordon.

Thank you, Brother Gordon. Thank you.

I represent the law of man.

The law of God is the law of man.

But that law has been abused.

I've done many things in this town.

I was born here.

I went to school here.

I fought and played with a lotta you

fellows ever since we were kids together,

and what I've got to say

isn't to my liking.

Dad Turner...

you raised me as if I were your own son,

and your son Clint

is just like a brother to me.

But the same man that raised me,

and all of you men I grew up with,

elected me to be Sheriff of this county.

And I took an oath

to uphold the law.

And I intend to stand by that oath.

Mr. Turner,

you were forcing your cattle over land

that Mr. Walton leased from the government.

You were trespassing.

Gentlemen, the open range

is a thing of the past.

Mr. Walton has a perfect right to that

land and nobody can take it away from him.

In trying to stop you,

Mr. Walton took the law in his own hands.

A man was k*lled.

It's going to stop right now!

There isn't going to be any more range w*r,

and if there is,

you'll have me to deal with.

Now, if there's any of you

who've got anything to say,

say it now.

Speak up, Turner, you

got plenty to tell him.

You bet I have, Vandall.

Our Sheriff informs us

that range w*r has got to stop.

Just as he said,

I raised him,

but if that doesn't make

any difference to him,

it doesn't make any difference to me,

and if he's going to side

with a bunch of coyotes

that would let my cattle starve

for the lack of grazing land,

then he and they are heading for trouble

and plenty of it.

I only got enough grazing

land for my own cattle.

Well, that's mighty funny.

There used to always be

plenty of grazing land.

Where are all the new cattle coming from?

I've been buying them!

Got more cattle than you'll ever see.

Yeah.

I'd make a bet that I've seen some of them.

Take that back, Turner.

No man can accuse me of rustling.

Well, I'm accusing you.

Hold on!

I'll sh**t the first man that draws.

Now, gentlemen,

I think we understand each other.

Remember, we're in the house of God.

Brethren, let us pray.

Our Father who art in heaven,

send down your shining light,

that it may show the dangerous path

we are following.

That it may show us

the path of righteousness

and brotherly love,

of mercy and peace.

That its glorious light may drive out

the thought of hatred and bitterness

that has been making us

flounder to destruction.

Amen.

Amen.

That speech helped out a lot, Buck.

Things ought to be quiet now for a while.

Maybe.

Still, you better stick around

and keep your eye on things.

Yeah, where are you going?

I'm going out to Walton ranch.

Judy Walton's all alone.

Somebody ought

to be with her. This is no time

for a Turner to be out to the Walton ranch.

Kinda looks like trouble.

Turner and Walton are

headed for the same saloon.

Thanks.

If you're headed for the saloon,

I wouldn't go in there

if I were you, Dad. Why not?

It isn't Sunday.

I've just come from what some

people call a "Peace meeting,"

and I don't like the taste of it.

So, I figure to wash it out with a drink.

Any objections? None,

as long as you keep the peace.

Walton's in there, Dad.

Yes, I know,

and I've got something to tell him,

and I'm going to tell him right now.

How do you like that?

Well, boys,

I've been living in this

country for more than 40 years,

but this is the first time

I ever knew Charlie

to feed his liquor to a polecat.

Maybe I'm doing wrong by the polecat.

Never heard of one stealing land or cattle.

That's enough out of you.

You're inviting trouble and

you're heading right for it.

You've been losing cattle, so have I.

But I ain't been running

around accusing my neighbors.

I've been hunting the rustler.

Yes, and I'll make a bet

you didn't have to go far.

Maybe not so far as you think.

Are you aiming to say that I'm the rustler?

Maybe,

maybe not.

Anyhow, it's somebody we all know.

Root beer, Charlie.

And in 24 hours I'll tell you who he is.

Looks like there's gonna be some fireworks.

Well, I guess, you'd better go home.

You better let me in on that, Walton.

That's my job.

Maybe it is.

But when I tell you who it is,

there'll be no squirming out of it.

Just what do you mean by that last remark?

I mean that I don't trust you or anybody

that's got anything to do with you.

Rustling cattle ain't nothing

compared to running a

man off his own property.

I've been using that

property for over 40 years.

I don't have to fix it

so's you get run out.

I'm going to run you out myself.

You're taking on a big job.

You come on my place

and I'll sh**t on sight. Wait a minute.

You better not, Dad.

Put it away, Walton.

You've had your little drink,

I'm asking you to go.

Come on, men. Let's go.

Remember, Turner,

I'm sh**ting on sight.

Hold it.

You're not leaving here

till Walton is out of town.

Well, there isn't gonna be any excitement.

I might as well ramble home.

So, long, boys.

Good-bye.

Sorry, Dad, I... had to keep you apart.

Buck Gordon,

you've turned against your own kind.

From now on,

I don't know you

and you keep out of my way.

Boss, you sure done a

fine piece of work today.

I guess that'll keep 'em quiet for a while.

I'm not so sure of that, Jack.

Old man Turner, looked

like he meant business.

He sure did, boss.

That old man was hotter than a firecracker.

It's a good thing Clint

wasn't in that saloon,

or there'd have been

fireworks, as sure as sh**ting.

Clint's out to the Walton ranch right now,

and if they meet...

I'll be seeing you, Jack.

The only thing that counts

is that we love each other,

and if our marriage won't

settle matters, we can go away.

Besides, there's plenty of open country,

we can get started some place else.

Perhaps, Clint.

But I hate to leave Dad like that.

And I know he'll never give his consent.

Well, he's got to.

There he is now.

Oh, Clint, let's wait.

Hank,

I want you and the boys to

keep your eyes on them cattle.

I don't want them out on the range.

Right. You hear that, boys? MEN: Yes, sir!

Say, Mr. Walton

why are you so particular about

keeping this stock in the corral?

That's the lot I bought from Biggers.

I'm keeping them in till

he gets here to identify 'em.

Oh.

I'm going to ask your father right now...

and I won't take no for an answer.

All right.

Young Clint Turner's been

hanging around here quite a lot lately.

I'll put a stop to that right now.

What are you doing here?

I've been waiting here to talk to you.

What about?

Judy and I are gonna get

married. We want your consent.

You get out. Get out of here and stay out.

Daddy, please listen,

it means so much to us. Go to your room.

Daddy, please. Judy, I want you

to go to your room.

I told your father I'd sh**t him

on sight if I saw him on my ranch,

and that goes for you, too.

You better get

moving, partner. I'll handle this.

You can turn in if you want, Hank.

All right, boss. Just as you say.

Oh, Mr. Walton, why don't

you give me a chance?

I ain't giving any Turner a chance.

No whelp of the Turner

litter can marry my daughter.

Unless it's over my dead body.

That'd be one way of doing it.

Daddy. Daddy!

What is it, Miss Judy?

Something's happened to Dad.

Mr. Walton.

Mr. Walton!

Oh, Daddy!

Hey, what's all the excitement?

We heard a shot. Sounded

like it came from the house.

What happened?

Somebody shot Mr. Walton.

Who did this, Judy?

I don't know.

Well, I do.

It was Clint Turner.

How do you know? I just left him,

fighting with the boss.

Was Clint here, Judy?

Yes, but he couldn't have done it.

Clint wouldn't do this.

Come on, boys. We know

who it was. Let's get him!

Wait a minute!

If there's any hanging to

be done, I'll take care of it.

Oh!

I suppose that you would arrest

your best friend to do that, eh?

I'd arrest anybody who breaks the law,

and I'll sh**t anybody

who tries to interfere.

Do you understand that?

All right, Mr. Sheriff.

We'll give you until tomorrow

morning to put Clint Turner in jail,

and if you don't get him, we will.

Do you understand that?

That'll be just about enough out of you.

Judy.

You better go on upstairs.

You're not going to arrest Clint,

are you, Buck?

I'm afraid I'll have to, Judy.

But why?

Because he's directly accused

of the m*rder of your father.

You don't think he did it, do you?

Whether I do or not,

I gotta go get him, Judy.

It'll be the toughest thing

I've ever had to do in my life.

Don't you worry about it.

Everything will be all right.

Now, you run on upstairs, Judy.

I don't know whether I was right or wrong.

All I know is that we're

heading for a lot of trouble.

Well, what do you want?

I told you to stay out of here.

I know you did,

but I have to see Clint.

Clint ain't talking to you no more.

I've got to, Dad.

"Dad," nothing. Get out.

Come on, Clint, I want

to talk to you a minute.

Can't it wait until morning, Buck?

If you step outside this

house, you needn't come back.

I'm not gonna have any son of mine

in cahoots with a double-crossing dog.

Whether you like it or not,

I'm going to take Clint with me.

Just what do you mean?

Walton was k*lled tonight.

I'm arresting Clint for the m*rder.

You don't think I did it, do you Buck?

No, Clint,

I know you didn't do it,

but if I don't take you,

Walton's g*ng will.

Nobody's taking my boy.

I think its best.

For who?

You and your law?

Why, you'd hang your best friend

because you're packing a badge.

But you're not going to do it this time.

Get going, Clint.

Take the south road

and head for the border.

I'll hold this double-crosser

here till you get away.

I'm gonna make a break for it, Buck.

Don't come after me.

You're making a mistake.

Running away will make

everybody believe he's guilty.

I've got to get him.

You are not going to put anything

over on me after what happened today,

Mr. Sheriff.

Dad I... I don't think you believe me. No!

Stay where you are, Buck.

You better come out of there, Clint.

Stay where you are, Buck.

Nobody is gonna stop me.

You're coming with me.

Don't come any closer, Buck.

I'm gonna get out of here even

if I have to sh**t my way out.

I'm taking you back, because

it's the best thing for you.

Put it away, kid.

Let's get going.

Sure was a dirty trick when

old man Walton got bumped off.

All I can say is that

he was a grand old man.

Sure was.

Why, look. There comes Buck.

And he's got Clint with him.

I reckon we can go now, boys.

Sorry to do this.

Oh, that's all right.

Always wanted a bunk like this.

Nice and quiet,

peaceful.

There's only one thing I don't like.

There's no drapes on the windows.

Hey, Sheriff.

Yeah?

You forgot something.

So I did.

Remember this?

You're wrong, Buck.

I know what you're thinking.

I didn't k*ll him.

I took a shot at a coyote

on the way out to Walton's ranch.

I swear, I did.

Get him?

No.

He got away.

Too bad.

I'm telling you, Buck

will never hang Clint.

He'll let him get away, sure as shootin'.

You think so?

Why, sure. Why?

They're pals, aren't they?

Well, how about that sermon

Buck made about upholding the law?

The law don't count when it

comes to the Turner family.

And specially with that sheriff.

Well, let me tell you something.

If Clint Turner is found

guilty of this m*rder,

I'll guarantee there'll be a hanging.

Well, we'll see.

We'll see.

So long.Bye-bye.

Another drink, Charlie.

Sheriff, that hombre Vandall's

over there in the saloon,

making some mighty

unkind remarks about you.

Yeah?

Is he drunk? No, just nasty.

Nasty, huh?

Yeah.

That's just about my style of fella today.

Hello, Sheriff, how are you?

Clint is supposed to go to trial today,

but I bet that yellow sheriff

never goes through with it.

You didn't mean that, did you, Vandall?

Why, yes, I did.

You didn't mean that, did you, Vandall?

I guess not.

Here's your hat, Buck.

Sorry I wrecked your joint.

I lost my temper.

That's all right, I'll send

you the bill next election.

Okay, Charlie.

Attaboy, Buck.

I wouldn't do that if I were you, Vandall.

Come on, boys, name your

poison. The drink's on Charlie.

Hey, Buck.

Find out anything?

No, Clint.

What the devil's the matter with you, Jack?

Why don't you get cleaned

up? Shave. Put on a clean shirt.

Do something. You sit

around like a bump on a log.

You know the trial's in a half-hour.

I'm awfully sorry, boss.

I can't go.

I got lumbago.

I'm awfully sick.

Sick, huh?

The only thing that's gonna keep you away

from that trial is a broken back.

Here comes the jury now, fellas.

They've been out just two hours.

It's 12 minutes after 5:00.

Gentlemen of the jury,

what is your verdict?

Guilty.

Clint Turner,

for the m*rder of John Walton,

I must sentence you to

hang by the neck till dead,

tomorrow morning, at sunup.

I wonder how old man Turner likes that?

I reckon he'll just

naturally have to like it.

Won't you sit down? Thank you.

I'm sorry I was delayed, Miss Walton.

It just seems like every time I...

It's all right, Mr. Biggers.

The Sheriff isn't here yet.

But he ought to be, any minute.

Well, it seems to me like them cattle

must have had something to do with it.

Now, if he thought they was rustled...

That must be him now.

Excuse me.

Oh, hello, Buck.

That's fine.

This is Mr. Biggers, the man Dad

bought that last lot of cattle from.

Howdy, Mr. Biggers. Howdy, Sheriff.

Aren't you gonna see Clint?

Buck, you won't let

them hang him, will you?

Not if I can stop them, Judy.

What was the matter with that last

bunch of cattle you sold Mr. Walton?

Nothing that I know of,

but Walton seemed to think

they was rustled.

Now, I buy and sell a lot of cattle.

Being as how I didn't

know which steers they was,

I told him I'd be over

today to look 'em over.

Wrote that in a letter, didn't you?

Yes, how did you know?

Found the letter in Mr. Walton's

hand the night he was shot.

Sort of figured it had something

to do with the sh**ting.

Maybe so.

I wrote him I'd be up

to identify the cattle.

I see.

Mr. Walton said he'd bring

in the rustler in 24 hours.

That'd give you time

to get here, see the cattle

and tell him who sold them to you.

And the man that sold you the cattle

wanted to get rid of Walton

before he could point him out.

I wonder what that was.

He's hit pretty hard. Let's get him

in the house, Miss Walton.

All right.

I'll get a basin and some water.

I just called the doctor

and he'll be right over.

Someone was sure in a hurry

to get them steers out of that corral.

You fellas sure pick a fine time

in the morning to come fishin'.

Come on, open up.

What do you want?

It's time for the hanging, Jack.

Can't be, Buck ain't here.

What's that got to do with it?

Buck's Sheriff and ain't nobody gonna be

hung around here unless he says so.

Buck isn't gonna get out of

hanging Clint Turner this way.

You're his deputy, aren't you?

I was, until y'all woke me up.

Then get started. If Buck

isn't here to do his duty,

his deputy's got to do it.

But... Never mind any buts.

You're gonna bring Clint Turner out here

or we're going in to get him.

Start moving.

Come on, Clint. I guess

they've come after you.

Where's Buck?

Dad-blamed if I know.

He should've been here to take care of

his business himself.

I kinda expected Buck

would be standing by me,

for my last ride. Oh, you won't be

lonesome, Clint.

A few of Walton's friends are here

to keep you company on that last ride.

Now, come on. Get going.

Well, here's a good hat

I won't be needing, Jack.

Oh, gee.

Thanks, Clint.

Ain't that swell?

Come on, Jack. We got horses.

All right, get through there.

Let's ramble, boys.

Take him away.

Where you going, young fella?

I've a mind, I... I got things to do.

Why, Buck, the doctor

said for you to be quiet.

Who got me, Judy? I don't know.

I found this on a nail

down by the corral gate.

Thanks.

I'll be needing that. You mustn't

go now, Buck.

You're too weak.

What time is it, Judy?

Almost 5:00.

Almost 5:00?

Sun-up.

Clint!

He ain't in no shape to

ride. I'm going with him.

Wait, I'm going, too.

Boys,

you all know the chances

you're taking on this.

And you all know what it means to me.

Yes, sir.

Now, I don't want any slip-up on this.

Is everything ready? ALL: Yes, sir.

Let's go.

You're too late, Buck. They've

already taken him to Twin Oaks.

Reckon you figured on

being kinda late, didn't ya?

You don't look like you got much to do.

Why, what do you mean?

I need another deputy. Would you like

to come along?

Sure thing.

Climb on that old pony

of yours and let's drift.

Buck, where's Clint?

They've taken him out

to Twin Oaks. Let's go.

All right, Al, toss it over there.

You hadn't ought to be doing this, Hank.

Shut up.

Anything you want to say, Clint? Yes.

You're about to hang an innocent man.

Yeah? Well, 12 men didn't think so.

Get on that horse.

They've taken Clint to Twin Oaks already.

We gotta get him.

Make a hitch in that rope.

All right.

Look.

That's Turner and his

buds coming to stop us.

Slim, come on up here and put it on him.

Wait, fellas.

Buck's with 'em.

Hold on, men.

Hold on, nothing. I'm moving that

horse out from under him right now.

Stand back...

Slim, take that rope off of Clint's neck.

I'm arresting this man

for the m*rder of John Walton.

Why, man, you're plumb crazy.

Of course, he is.

You're not going to pin that

m*rder onto somebody else

in order to save your pal's hide.

Keep out of this, Vandall. The next time

I plug you, it'll be in a different spot.

I chased you away from

Walton's corral last night

and you shot me.

That ain't true.

Found that on the corral gate last night

after the sh**ting.

It's off of the pants you're wearing.

I never had these

pants on till this morning.

Vandall gave 'em to me.

Well, he's lying. I never saw them before.

I'll get you for this, Vandall.

I ain't gonna swing for you.

You told the right story, Sheriff.

Only you've got the wrong man.

Vandall's the one that's

been rustling all the cattle

and he's the one that k*lled old Walton.

I never had anything to do with it.

Yes, you did.

You sold me them Turner steers

that Walton was holding in his corral,

and I've got a bill of sale to prove it.

Oh, no, you don't.

Put these on him.

Too bad I can't fix them around his neck.

What a fine double-crosser

you turned out to be.

Now, don't start to cry, Judy.

Everything's all right now.

That was a mighty close call, son.

It sure was, Dad. It was.

Here you are, Clint.

You might meet a coyote

on the way into town.

Get him this time.

Thanks, Buck.

Ah, that's all right.

Buck, I don't know how to thank you.

Don't.

Looks like the end of the

range w*r to me, Buck.

Yeah.

Well, it's just starting for them.