Texas Terror (1935)

[bunniefuu]

[music playing]

Hello, Dan.

How are you, John.

Where you been hiding out?

Sit down.

Tell me all about yourself.

Well, ain't nothing

much to tell, Son.

Been doing some repair

work around the place.

Kind of expected you out.

Well, I was figuring on

getting out tomorrow night.

Thought I'd try and even

up that Cribbage score.

Ha, ha, ha, come ahead.

I've got to run over

the King City tomorrow,

but I'll be back for dinner.

Just drawing out all my money.

I'm going to restock the ranch.

Now that you're sheriff,

I reckon the rustlers

won't be so active.

I want the old place to

look tip top before Bess

gets home next year.

She's all I've got, John.

And I'm going to see

she's comfortably fixed.

I understand, Dan.

I'll do all I can to help.

I owe you a lot.

You've been as close to me as

my own father would have been.

Shucks, Son, you

don't owe me nothing.

It's been great to see you

grow up into a real man.

You don't know how proud I was

when you got elected sheriff.

I reckon I'll be drifting along.

Well, you better

no flash that roll,

or you might not get home.

Oh, I'm all right.

Nobody's going to hold me up.

Where's your horse?

Got him tied back at

the express office.

Oh, well don't

forget tomorrow night.

I'll be waiting

for you. [chuckles]

There goes old Dan.

[rooster crowing]

We'll wait till he's

well out of town.

We'll slip in the back

way when Pete's alone.

[dramatic music]

[g*n shots]

There was three of them, John.

Did you recognize any of them.

They wore masks.

They came in the back

way, surprised me,

got me in the shoulder.

Boys, get Pete to a doctor.

I'll try and round them up.

Yah!

[music playing]

[g*n shots]

[g*n shots]

Drop that money bag, Martin.

[g*n shot]

[dramatic music]

Hand me that bag.

Work your way down the

creek back to town,

and ditch that stuff.

I got a slug in the arm, Joe.

We'll take care of that

when we get back to town.

Dan--

[music playing]

You were only doing

your duty, Higgins.

Why take it so to heart?

When duty makes it

necessary to take

the life of a man

like old Dan Matthews,

well then I'm through with duty.

Well, there was positive proof

that he was one of the g*ng.

Clem here saw him tie his

horse behind Wells Fargo.

The evidence is too

strongly against him.

Circumstantial evidence has

convicted many a man, Dixon.

And I still believe that

Dan Matthews is innocent.

I'd like to see you at

the office, Mr Williams.

I'll be right over, John.

Well, Williams, I guess

you get your old job back.

Well, my eyes are not as good,

and my hands are not as fast.

But I'll take the job until

you can get a better man.

ALL: That's right.

Fair enough, Williams.

We need a good man.

He can take care of it.

[multiple voices murmuring]

Sit down, Ed.

I'd like to explain something.

When Dan Mathews left

here, he'd just drawn

all his money out of the bank.

He was going to

restock his ranch

and get it in shape

for his daughter who's

coming out this next year.

This money was on

Dan when I found him.

I wish you'd see that

his daughter gets it.

It's rightfully hers.

I'll keep it for her, John.

No one will ever know.

Thanks.

Been about a year since

Higgins left town now.

I saw him about six months ago.

He was in town cashing

in some nuggets.

He's turned desert

rat, you know.

Mmm, must have hit him

pretty hard, sh**ting old Dan.

Never saw anything like it.

He's like a dead man, walking

around with the weight

of the world on his heart.

What about Dan's daughter?

I had a letter from

her a few weeks ago.

Said she's figuring on

coming out here soon.

Huh?

I think she'd be better

off back east with her aunt.

Same as I think John's

better off out yonder.

Um huh.

He's a strange feller, Bob.

How he hates outlaws.

Says they're to blame

for him sh**ting old Dan.

Yeah.

[DOOR CLOSING AND SPURS

JANGLING]

[dramatic music]

Mr. Johnny!

[non-english speech]

[non-english speech]

A broken leg, eh?

[non-english speech]

Well, don't try to talk, Son.

I'll have you in

camp before night.

Black Eagle!

[non-english speech]

[non-english speech]

[NATIVE AMERICAN

ACCENT] Big storm come.

Three, four, k*ll-um horse.

Boy hurt-um leg.

Oh, I see.

[NATIVE AMERICAN

ACCENT] Sun go quick.

You stay.

We talk.

All right, Black Eagle.

I don't know anyplace

I'd rather be.

Mighty nice of you to give

me this ring, Black Eagle.

[NATIVE AMERICAN

ACCENT] You keep-um.

Me, my people, your friends.

Well, thanks.

I won't forget.

I'll be awfully

glad to get home.

You see, I'm Bess Matthews.

And I own the Lazy M ranch.

There must be

thousands of cattle

and at least 100 cowboys.

And just think, I

am going to be boss.

Oh, look at those wildflowers.

[dramatic music]

[dramatic music]

[engine starting]

[dramatic music]

[g*n shots]

If you value your

life, keep down.

[g*n shots]

[dramatic music]

Can you drive?

The town is about

three miles ahead.

just stay on this road.

I don't understand.

You're an outlaw, a k*ller.

And you're letting me go?

Yes, and you better hurry.

And the last I

saw of him, he was

standing in the middle of the

road watching me drive away.

Can You describe

this, uh, bad man?

Well, I couldn't

see much of his face.

It was so dirty-- only a

pair of steel gray eyes

that seemed to look

right through me.

He had a heavy beard, a slouch

hat, and faded overalls.

He was the most horrible

creature I've ever seen.

And his voice, do

you remember it?

Well, he only

spoke a few times.

And I was so excited.

I don't know.

Well, Miss Bess, you certainly

have had an experience.

But you must be hungry.

There's a good eating

house down the street.

After you've finished your meal,

I'll take you out to the ranch.

I've got to get my boys

started after Blake.

All right, Sheriff.

I'll be glad to get home.

Hello, Sheriff.

Kind of surprised you, eh?

John, I'm sure glad to see you.

I just brought Blake in.

The boys are taking care of him.

There's your express money.

I might have known it was you.

That young lady whose life was

in your hands just left here.

She told me everything.

John, you and I are going

to have a very serious talk.

Sit down.

John, that young lady is none

other than Bess Matthews.

She's coming back here shortly.

I'm going to drive

her up to the Lazy M.

She thinks there's an

income from the ranch.

The money that

we've got here will

need a cool head to spend it.

John, that's your job.

Oh, no.

I'd never get away with it.

Who's going to tell her?

She'll find out sometime, yes.

But in the meantime, let's

put the old Lazy M back

on its feet, just the

way old Dan would like.

What do you say?

I'll try, Sheriff.

Good.

There's your room,

clothes, and everything

just as you left them.

After you shave and clean up,

no one will ever know you.

Come on out to the ranch

tonight about, oh, 8 o'clock.

All right, Ed.

I'll be there.

You've got the finest

springs, the best

grazing ground in the valley.

With John Higgins as foreman,

why you'll have the old Lazy M

back on its feet

in six months time.

[knock on door]

That's him now.

Good evening, Sheriff.

Well, hello, John.

Miss Matthews, I want you to

meet my friend, John Higgins.

I'm glad to know, Mr. Higgins.

Thank you.

Won't you sit down?

The sheriff's been

telling me about

your thrilling experience.

Thrilling?

Oh, it was terrific.

That bandit was

the most hideous,

the most horrible creature

that ever was born.

You don't say?

A regular Bluebeard, eh?

Worse.

[knock on door]

That's Aunt Martha,

best cook in the country.

Oh, I remember Aunt Martha.

Sure you do.

She just about raised you.

Aunt Martha.

Bess Matthews,

how you have grown.

And you didn't forget me.

Certainly not.

Well, you shouldn't.

I spanked you a plenty

when you was a brat.

[laughter]

John Higgins, I might have

known I'd have to cook for you.

Bess, you're getting the

best foreman in the country,

but the worst eater.

He's got an appetite

like a cannibal.

What do you mean my appetite?

It's the swell way you cook.

Oh, there you go,

always flapping.

And what's more, he

leans back and breaks

every chair in the kitchen.

[laughter]

My goodness, you

boys are sitting

there without a thing to drink.

Come on, Bess.

We'll fix them some coffee.

See, everything's

working out fine.

Yeah, so far.

But how's it all going to end?

[music playing]

There's the end of the

south pasture, Miss Matthews.

Now I guess you've seen

about all the ranch.

It certainly is big enough.

I'll pick up a couple of boys

and start repairing the fences

and see if I can't develop

some new water holes.

You know, it's strange.

But your voice keeps

reminding me of--

--of Mr. Bluebeard?

Yes.

Well, I, uh, I'm sorry.

I might change it.

[HIGH PITCHED VOICE]

I can talk up here like this.

Don't be silly.

You know, that was the only

thing about Mr. Bluebeard

that was halfway human.

Uh, shall we go

back to the ranch?

If you wish.

Well, Ed.

Hello, Bob.

How's the ex-sheriff

making out at Lazy M?

Oh, all right I guess.

Been there three

months and he's worked

out a deal with the government.

Uh huh?

Gonna raise horses

and sell them to them.

Made some dandy buys too.

And Miss Bess, how does she

like country and ranch life?

-Crazy about it.

-Yeah?

--according to Aunt Martha.

Ha ha, well that's fine.

John, tomorrow

night's Halloween.

Aunt Martha says they're

having the biggest dance

of the year at Bolter's barn.

Let's go.

I guess it has been

kind of lonesome for you.

Three months now, and you

haven't been off the ranch.

Oh, I haven't been

lonesome exactly.

I've enjoyed being with you, our

rides and evenings by the fire.

Oh, I've enjoyed them too.

It's the first

time you've said so.

You've always been so

strange and distant.

Don't you like me?

Well, that's just it, Bess.

I-- well, someday

you're going to hate me.

It's inevitable.

When that time comes,

I'm leaving this part

of the country for good.

Now you tell Aunt

Martha that I'm

taking you two to the dance.

Why for pity sakes, Child, what

on Earth's the matter with you?

You're as pale as a ghost.

I'm all right.

But, Aunt Martha, John says

some day I'll hate him.

What's the matter with him?

Why will I hate him?

Now listen, honey.

All men act like jackasses

when they're in love.

That's exactly what's the

matter with John Higgins.

He's head over heels

in love with you.

But don't worry.

We'll just let matters

take their own course.

Like this fella Spearshake says,

"All's well that ends well."

Oh, uh, John says he's taking

us to the dance tonight.

Yes, I know.

He told me this morning.

He did?

Um huh.

[group chattering]

Howdy, [inaudible].

Ed, they're starting

off like they're

all going to have a good time.

Big night, [inaudible].

I hope so.

Good evening, Ed.

Quite a crowd.

Looks like the whole

country's going to be here.

Got a match, John?

Yeah, I think so.

Where'd you get that ring?

It's a gift from

old Black Eagle.

I thought I'd lost it.

Miss Hawkins,

meet Miss Matthews.

I'm so glad to meet

you, Miss Matthews.

I must [inaudible].

She sure is the belle

of the ball all right.

[crowd chattering]

Oh, Bess, I want you

to know Mr. Dixon.

How do you do?

How do you do?

Miss Matthews is

boss of the Lazy M.

Oh, it's a pleasure to

know you, Miss Matthews.

May I have the honor

of the first dance?

I'm sorry, but

that's spoken for.

But you may have the second.

Oh, thank you.

I'm lucky.

Hmm, I should say so.

[crowd chattering]

Just a minute, everybody.

Just a minute.

Just a minute.

Now, we're going

to start this dance

off with a nice dreamy waltz.

Come on, get your partner now.

I've saved this

first dance for you.

Well, I hope I

don't disappoint you.

I'm not much of a dancer.

[waltz playing]

I'm terribly happy.

I'm glad.

Being in a crowd must

make a difference.

It's not the crowd.

I'm happy because

I'm in your arms.

If it could only be like that.

Mighty strange, dancing

with her foreman.

And he the man what

k*lled her father.

Foreman?

Yes, didn't you know it?

No, that is funny.

Tickets please.

How much?

A dollar a piece.

Hey, Baxter, watch

the door for a minute.

Will you?

Say Sheriff, I want to

see you and John right now.

John.

Pardon me.

Pete wants to talk

to us a minute.

Sheriff, the Martin boys

just gave me this new bill.

Let me see it.

We've been on the look

out for these, John.

That's got the same serial

number as those that were

found when old Dan was k*lled.

What'll we do?

Act like nothing's happened.

This is the first clue

we've had since the robbery.

I'll watch every move

those Martins make.

Yes indeed, Miss

Matthews, your father and I

were very close friends.

Mr. Dixon, I've asked so

many people about my father.

And they've all

evaded my questions.

Won't you tell me

how he was k*lled.

Well, I really think

you ought to know.

You won't hold it

against me if I tell you?

Certainly not.

Well, your foreman k*lled

your father Miss Matthews.

My-- you mean Mr.

Higgins k*lled my father?

You see, he was

sheriff at the time.

He had the law behind him.

They fought it out alone.

There were no witnesses.

So no one ever learned the

truth about the k*lling.

Folks, folks, now get your

partners for the Virginia Reel.

Now salute your partners.

Now bust loose.

[lively music]

Give me that, you loco fool.

You've got to have

your wits tonight.

--yeah, and a little courage.

You don't need any

courage for this job.

Pete's at the dance.

All we have to do is break in

and grab the money and beat it.

Chief said wait till the

milking contest is on.

There won't be anybody

leaving and we won't be seen.

Come on.

[music playing]

[shouting]

Now folks, Jake Abernathy,

undefeated champion of Cowslip

Valley will contest

against Aunt Martha

Hubbard, undefeated

champion of Broken Bow.

You're the only one who's

ever told me the truth.

They've all made a fool of me.

Please excuse me.

Left 10 to 22, turn right.

Now keep the Martins

here until I get back.

John, I must see you alone.

Well, I'm sorry Bess, I

can't see you right now.

Please excuse me.

I'll be back later.

[dramatic music]

Set!

Go!

[crowd cheering]

Now, you're not going

to miss the contest.

Are you, boys?

[crowd cheering]

Why, you ain't

missing the contest.

Are you, boys?

Are you ill, Miss Matthews?

Will you please take

me home, Mr. Dixon?

Oh, why certainly.

[crowd cheering]

Money's in the

sheriff's office, Pete.

Those two will soon lead

me to the third party.

Then I'll wring the truth

out of them about old Dan.

[crowd cheering]

The Cham-peen!

Well you won by a foul.

But by cracky, I'll

get you next year.

All right, Jake Abernathy,

I'll be waiting for you.

Ooh!

Ah ha, I don't care.

All right, Aunt Martha,

that will be just fine.

Aunt Martha, will

you please excuse us?

I want to speak to

Mr. Higgins alone.

I hardly know how to begin.

But when I say I know who you

really are and what you are,

perhaps you'll understand.

Why did you wait months to

wear that ring, Mr. Road Agent?

And tonight with my own eyes,

I saw you rob the Wells Fargo.

You followed me?

I followed you.

And I found out that you're

not only a bandit and a robber,

but a m*rder*r as well.

You k*lled my father.

You can't deny it.

The whole town knows it.

I'm not trying to deny it.

But won't you let me explain?

Explain-- I wouldn't

believe anything you said.

You've lived a lie ever

since you've been here.

You were right when

you said I'd hate you.

There aren't words vile enough

to express my contempt for you.

Now get out of here I never

want to see you again.

[sad music]

Martin boys just went

into Joe Dixon's place.

They went in the back way.

Dixon?

I wonder.

I tell you, Joe, Higgins was

the fella that got that money

away from us three months ago.

He had a beard

and other clothes,

but I knewed him

by the way he rode.

Well, anyhow, I cooked

his goose last night.

He's out of a job by now.

You know, I don't

see any reason why

I shouldn't step in and

marry the boss of the Lazy M.

She's sure a swell looking gal.

And she's got about

1000 head of slick

looking horses in

that south pasture.

Oh, that is news.

Making a quick turnover,

we ought to get about eight

or 10 bucks a head.

And with no stock on the

ranch, the boss of the Lazy M

probably will be glad to marry

a well to do gent like myself.

I'll ride over and get Brokaw.

Him and his g*ng can

help us with the drive.

Yeah, that's a good idea.

Dixon's leaving town.

I reckon I'll just follow him.

[dramatic music]

There's 1000 head of

horses in the south pasture

of the Lazy M.

All we gotta do is

to shoo them off down to Gomez.

He'll give us eight or 10

bucks a head without a squawk.

Mmm, when do we start?

Dawn tomorrow.

No one will ever see us.

How--

Black Eagle, I'm

in great trouble.

Men come tomorrow morning at

sunrise to steal all my horses.

Men no steal horses.

Me, my people, your

friends, we fight.

Good.

[dramatic music]

Here comes Brokaw now.

Take it easy and when

you get them running,

push them through.

Here they come.

Boy, what a surprise

they're going to get.

Starting the first

band out of the corral.

[music playing]

[g*n shots]

[g*n shots]

Now tell me, Martin, or I'll

break every bone in your body.

Who k*lled Dan Matthews?

Ease up.

I'll tell.

All right.

Dixon and me held up

the express office.

You chased us, shot

me off my horse.

I run into the cabin

and old Dan was there.

He threw down on me and

made me drop the money bag.

Dixon saw him through the

window and k*lled him.

Dixon?

Take care of him, Sheriff.

I'm heading for town.

[knocking on door]

Miss Matthews,

I've gotta tell you.

Higgins and his Indian

renegades rustled your horses.

Me and my friends

tried to stop them,

but there were too many of them.

May I use your phone?

Why certainly.

There's no answer at

the sheriff's office.

Drop that g*n, Dixon.

I arrest you for the

m*rder of Dan Matthews.

Blackie Martin just confessed.

Please--

[music playing]

John's been gone

nearly two months now.

I wonder if he'll

ever come back.

Why don't you ask him.

There's one fellow that

might be able to tell

you where to find him, and

that's Chief Black Eagle.

Squibs, your new foreman,

can take you to him.

His place over there.

Thanks, I won't be long.

[rooster crowing]

Bess--

She's been in there

two hours already.

Maybe she gonna live there.

Yeah, women are

sure q*eer critters.

Well, me hungry.

Me too.

Say, what's the sense in

a fellow starving hisself

to death for some loco female?

Let's get the heck outta here.

[music playing]