Painted Hills, The (1951)

[bunniefuu]

[overture music]

[male narrator]

Who of us will ever know what

it's in the heart of a dog.

This is the story

of a great love.

The love of a dog

for one man.

A love that was to prove even

stronger than life itself.

[wind howling]

[man whistling]

[male #1]

'Hello!'

'Shep.'

'Hello!'

'Shep.'

'Hello, Shep.'

[dog barking]

[rocks cracking]

[male #1]

'Shep!'

'Where are you, girl?'

[dog barking]

'Hurry up!'

'Get me out of this mess.'

Hey, hey, never mind eating me.

Just get me out of here.

Start diggin'.

Go on!

'That's it.

Start diggin''

'Atta girl,

keep her flying.'

Hey, hey, the other way.

The other way.

'The other way, Shep.'

No, no. Dig, dig.

Dig. Keep diggin'.

That's a million dollar dirt.

We've hit it this time, Shep.

'We've hit it sure.'

No. Keep going.

'I forgot to pier the shaft up.'

I'm darn near being the

richest corpse in the territory.

[chuckling]

Come on, girl,

we're heading for town.

Just wait till you see

Frank Blake's eyes

when we tell him

he's a millionaire.

[mellow music]

[Shep barking]

[barking continues]

- Bye!

- Bye!

So long! Merry Christmas.

'Hello, Steve.'

Well, Jonathan, how are you?

Merry Christmas.

How about it?

On the house.

- No.

- How about you, pup?

[barking]

'They can't call you pup

anymore, can they, fella?'

You can't call her

fella neither.

Say, that's right.

Excuse me, beautiful.

Well, how's it going, Jonathan?

Shep and me

ain't complainin'.

Uh, Steve, has Frank

being around tonight?

Frank? Frank Blake?

Be right back.

Thanks, Steve.

I'm out.

Jonathan Harvey?

- That's right.

- I'm Lin Taylor.

Sorry, we couldn't

let you know it, Jonathan.

Martha wanted to. There was no

way of finding you in time.

Time for what?

Frank's death, Jonathan.

Over a month ago,

in the morning.

Tommy worries me,

Jonathan.

Do you know

that he's never once cried?

If he could

just let it out.

We'll work it out, Martha.

We'll find a way.

Well right now, what about

this fella Taylor?

Lin's a fine man.

He's been wonderful.

Why did Frank take him

in his apartment?

He had to.

Lin's buying in when he did kept

us from losing everything.

I see.

Does that make him a partner

of grubstake rights?

Yes, why?

Jonathan, you've made a strike!

I've got something

to show you.

[knocking on the door]

- Lin.

- Hello, Martha.

Come in.

Jonathan's inside.

I'm glad you're here. Jonathan

has something to show us.

Yeah.

Look at this.

I found a vein of that.

If it's deep enough,

it could be the biggest strike

this territory

has ever seen.

That's why we got

to file a claim and quick.

File before it's approved?

You file now and word gets out

that you struck ore like this?

Every claim jump in

the territory

will be on

those hills in a week.

Before you're sure

that you've hit the main vein.

By God, you're right.

Thirty years of much scrabbling

and when I do find

a glory dust,

I go off half c*ck.

Mr. Taylor,

Martha's right about you.

Right now, you can start workin'

at being a partner

by lining me up

some supplies.

Of course, Jonathan,

anything you need.

Meet you in the store

in a half hour.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Lin.

If it's alright with you,

I'd like to talk with, Tommy?

Alright, Jonathan.

If there's anything

you can do..

[melancholic music]

Tommy.

Tommy.

Hey, Jonathan.

Jonathan. Oh, Jonathan!

Why did he have to die?

Easy, boy.

'I want my pa, Jonathan.

I want pa!'

Sure you do.

But there's something's

we can't answer, Tommy.

The Lord's got his ways of doing

things, we just can't answer.

I didn't wanna cry.

You go ahead and cry.

I used to do it

myself sometimes..

...before my tears

all dried up on me.

Now, how about Shep here?

Those hills up there..

..that's no place for a dog.

At least not Shep.

- It isn't?

- No, not too lonesome.

She likes folks around.

In fact, she's just

plain ain't happy up there.

Uh, as for me,

I'm better off alone.

Lots of times, the dog is

nothing but a darn bother to me.

A bother to you?

Shep?

What ails you Shep?

Go on.

Now, you go on, you go on.

Now, you get away.

Now, go on, get away!

What, I'm saying is washing

up to with all is this.

How about

taking her off my hands?

Will you do it, Tommy?

Will you?

You're a liar, Jonathan.

I can't take Shep from you.

She's your dog.

Nobody else's till she dies.

Thanks, anyway and look don't

tell anybody I bawled.

Will you, please?

Honest to Christmas.

We didn't do so good.

Alright, it's Christmas..

...and givin'

is part of Christmas.

'Anyway,

you are a bother to me.'

Oh, be quiet.

And don't

look at me that way!

[church bell tolling]

Hey, ma! Wake up,

it's Christmas.

Oh, gee, that Jonathan.

- Merry Christmas, Tommy.

- Merry Christmas, ma.

- Look!

- Yes, dear, I know.

"Dear, Tommy, I put it up to

Shep

"She agreed with me.

She's yours.

Merry Christmas.

From, Jonathan."

Where is Jonathan?

- He's gone.

- Gone?

Is it alright, ma?

Can I really keep her?

That's what he wanted, Tommy.

'I'm sure it's alright.'

[melancholic music]

[music continues]

[thunder rumbling]

[Shep barking]

[whining]

[Tommy]

'Shep. Oh, Shep.'

Shep.

What's the matter

with you, Shep?

Ma. Ma, something's wrong

with Shep.

[Tommy]

'What's wrong with him,

Mr. Bald Eagle What's wrong?'

[speaking in foreign language]

He say, dog Shep not eat

because she want to go home.

To Jonathan?

[speaking in foreign language]

He say, dog starve till die,

if not go Jonathan.

Thanks, Mr. Bald Eagle

Thanks.

- Goodbye, Red Wing

- [speaking foreign language]

Ma, we've got

to get her to Jonathan.

Please, say, I can take.

Please, ma.

Well, I don't know, dear.

- How could you ever find him?

- Shep could.

She knows where the claim is.

But you still

couldn't go alone.

I'll take him, Martha.

I'd be glad to.

Gee, thanks, Mr. Taylor.

Did you hear that, Shep?

We're gonna take you

back to Jonathan.

Now, you've got to eat

and get strong for the trip.

Here. Take some.

You've got to.

Thanks, Lin.

Ma, look! She's eating.

She's gonna be alright.

[Shep barking]

Shep, what is it?

Jonathan.

- Jonathan?

- 'Here, Tommy.'

[Tommy]

'Jonathan, what's wrong?'

[Jonathan]

'Fever.'

Hit me a week ago.

The worst is past.

So weak, I couldn't

get food any longer.

That's what was wrong

with Shep.

She knew. She wouldn't eat.

She made us bring her here.

Ma was right, Jonathan.

Shep's your dog. Nobody else's.

So, I'm giving her

back to you right now.

Never mind the dog, Tommy.

Tommy, you rustle up some wood,

I'll see about the food.

I'm alright, girl

and thanks.

Taylor, guess you wonder

how our partnerships been going.

You were right.

I had been a fool

to file that claim.

They ain't petered out

in a week.

So, I just kept

looking upstream.

Surface stuff..

Hardly worth

a man's time.

I'll show you.

Tommy, go on over there

by the shelve.

'Now, slide that chest out.'

'Forward underneath

and lift up.'

'Take 'em out.'

Look inside, Tommy.

How much is it here,

Jonathan?

Oh, not much.

Only around about six thousand.

Six thousand dollars?

[Jonathan]

'And plenty of more to come.'

Six thousand?

That's just from gravel? Still

haven't found the main vein?

No, but it's up there.

I aimed to just

work up stream until I find it.

And I will as sure

as your name is Lin Taylor.

Jonathan, do you realize

what this means?

Means we're rich.

All of us.

Sure we are but that's not

what I'm talking about.

You need help. I'm starting

back to town tomorrow.

I'll take this gold and deposit

it in all our names.

Be safe and I'll be back.

With proper equipment,

we can take that gold out

ten times as fast.

All my life I've waited

for something like this.

'And I'm not taking any chance

on losing it now.'

[water gushing]

We'll run the inlet channel

across there

and build a sluice box

below the rapid.

[Jonathan]

'Let her go, Tommy.'

Well, you see, one day's take

from this baby, Taylor.

Just wait.

[mellow music]

[music continues]

[barking]

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

How can you lie there?

I tell you I heard somebody.

Somebody's out there.

[Jonathan]

'Sure. The same fellas you've

been hearin' for three days.'

You said there're other

prospectors over in Oak valley.

What if they've got word somehow

that we've hit it?

Sure. A little bird

flew down and told them.

So, they came running

right back here

so as to they could

dig up all our pretty gold..

...right in the driving rain.

You may think it's funny

but I don't.

We'll keep a guard here

while we're up at the mine.

We've got to!

Alright, Taylor.

Then you stand guard.

Tommy and me

will work the mine.

Or maybe

that would worry you too.

You'd be wondering

if we were losing some of it

before we got here.

'Ease up, Taylor.

Stop worrying.'

The richest dust

in creation is no blame good

if you k*ll yourself

getting it.

Now, go on

and get some sleep.

I'm going too.

[intense music]

[dramatic music]

Go get it. Go get what you've

put in that saddle bag.

For days you've been watching us

but you didn't fool me.

I knew you were out there.

You heard what I said.

Move!

[music continues]

Go on. Go get

what you've put in there.

Taylor,

what's going on here?

You keep out of this.

I know what I'm doing.

Will you get or don't you?

You crazy fool.

I ought to lay you low.

Make him show you

what he put in that saddle bag.

I took something from there

for this house.

He's lying.

Look for yourself.

No, Taylor,

you look.

But he was inside,

searching around, snooping.

For food.

I would have prepared the table

in the presence of my friends.

This is Padre Pete.

If you'd been

longer in these hills

you've never had

made that mistake.

Don't make it again.

Come on, Pete.

Let's see about that supper.

Are you a regular person,

Mr. Pete?

Regular? No, son.

Reckon I'm as irregular

as it comes.

Got to have roots

to be a regular person.

Me? I ain't got

the roots of a tumbleweed.

Two things I love

above all else.

The Lord's mountains

and the Lord's sentence.

So, I spent my time in one

looking for the other.

And I sure find..

[snapping finger]

'Here, lady.'

You better leave

Shep alone.

She never makes up

to strangers.

She don't?

Here. Here, lady.

Here, lady.

Well, you got it wrong,

brother Taylor.

"Thou sawest the beast that was

and is not." Revelation 17:8.

'What a plenty of love in this

dog for them that loves her'

'ain't there, Shep?'

Or maybe she just

likes my stew.

[all laughing]

Pete, this is from all of us.

Well, in his name

I thank you, Jonathan..

..Tommy, Mr. Taylor

and you too, lady fair.

The Lord be with you

in all your labors.

Lay not up for yourself

treasures on earth

but lay out for yourselves

treasures in heaven.

Matthew 6.

Giddy up, Gabriel.

- Goodbye, Mr. Pete.

- Goodbye, Pete.

Goodbye.

♪ Work for the night

is coming ♪

♪ Work through

the morning hours ♪

♪ Work while

the dew is falling♪♪♪♪♪

Tommy, you go down to work.

I'll be along.

Well, you gave him dust.

That's a dirt give away.

We struck pay dust.

- If the old fool talks--

- He won't.

Pete knows

the law of these hills too.

He lives by it.

You could try

doing the same.

Until you do,

I'm taking that g*n.

I keep my own g*n.

You're edgy, Taylor.

Getting worse every time more

gold goes under that floor.

It ain't being scared someone

would steal it, neither?

It's having to split it

with Martha and me.

You're crazy.

Only a quarter, you keep

thinking to yourself.

I only get a quarter

and Jonathan gets half.

That keeps eating at you,

Taylor.

I've been watching you

and I know.

That's why

I'm taking that g*n.

No, you won't do that.

There's two reasons why you

won't sh**t me, Taylor.

The first, you won't find

that vein without me.

And the other,

the other is just a hunch..

...that you haven't

got the guts.

[dramatic music]

[intense music]

[music continues]

[Shep growling]

[growling continues]

[music continues]

Good girl.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Tommy, I want you

to take this to your mom.

Tell her I said for her

to file it, right away.

It's a description of the claim.

Made up all our names, hers,

Taylor's and mine.

Is there anything wrong,

Jonathan?

Oh, this is just in case

someone gets the bright idea

of filing

only in their own name.

Oh! Mr. Taylor.

Remember, whatever happens, not

a word to anyone about my doubt.

Even your mom.

Promise?

Now, come on.

High tail it. Hurry up.

- Tell your mom not to worry.

- I will. Bye, Jonathan.

Shep? Where are you?

Shep, what is this?

What ails you?

You're know between us,

we gotta take care of that boy.

He don't know

these trails like we do.

Oh, it ain't

for good this time.

You're comin' back.

Now, go on, get him.

[barking]

[Taylor]

'Jonathan!'

Jonathan, where are they going?

I sent Tommy home.

The kid's getting lonesome

for his ma.

What's all the excitement?

That thing we've been looking

for. What would it look like?

- Well, uh--

- No, I'll tell you.

A sheer face off the cliff.

White cords,

the whitest you ever saw.

And in it, jagged like

lightening, a vein of pure gold.

Gold, Jonathan.

That white.

It's up there, so help me.

I found it, it's waiting for us.

- Where?

- At the head of the canyon.

Well, let's go.

[barking]

[pleasant music]

[dramatic music]

[barking continues]

[music continues]

Alright, Shep, go on back.

'Off girl, go to Jonathan.'

[barking]

[music continues]

You were sure right

about the mountain goat.

Yeah.

[water gushing]

Go ahead.

[barking]

[music continues]

[intense music]

It's the ledge just beyond.

Let's go.

[music continues]

[intense music]

Well, where is it?

It's-it's down over the ledge.

[screaming]

[Jonathan]

'Taylor, help me.'

Taylor, for God sake

you can't. Help me.

I haven't the guts.

Remember, Jonathan?

Shep! Shep!

[Jonathan]

'Shep!'

[intense music]

[Lin]

'Hello, Shep.'

Here, Shep, come here.

What's the matter with you?

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

Hello, Shep.

Where have you been whole day?

Looking for Jonathan?

I'm afraid

he won't be back, Shep.

That doesn't mean

you and I can't be friends.

How about it?

Better be my way, Shep.

I rather not have

anything happen to you.

Might make things

harder for me to explain.

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[Shep howling]

Shep?

Get away from there.

Get away I tell you.

I said get away from there.

[growling]

Yeah, well, you'll

get what he got.

[growling]

[Shep barking]

[screaming]

[intense music]

[Shep whining]

Hungry huh?

[whining]

I figured,

that'll bring you around.

And I got something

all ready for ya.

[intense music]

Not hungry enough yet, huh?

You will be.

[dramatic music]

This what you want?

[Shep barks]

So, that's the way it is huh?

Here.

More?

Now, get out of here. Get out.

Remember you asked for it.

[music continues]

[whining]

[whining]

[whining continues]

[Shep barking]

[mellow music]

[whining]

[whining continues]

Ha!

[dog barking]

[speaking in foreign language]

[speaking in foreign language]

[music continues]

[male #1]

'Bald Eagle in town.

Find quick. Maybe, he save dog.'

Ha! Hiya!

[intense music]

[dog barking]

'Hiya! Hiya!'

[speaking in foreign language]

[speaking in foreign language]

[speaking in foreign language]

[dramatic music]

[speaking in foreign language]

Please, Mr. Bald Eagle, isn't

there anything else you can do?

[whinning]

[music continues]

Shep, Shep girl.

Gee, Mr. Bald Eagle,

you're wonderful.

Thanks!

[speaking in foreign language]

[female#1]

'We take her your house.

She's doing well.'

[Tommy]

'Don't you worry, Shep.'

'I'm gonna find out

about that poison.'

Nothings gonna

stop me till I do.

[thunder rumbling]

[dreaming]

These hills ain't bad?

But always remember, one good

storm could start a slide

that would cover

the gold forever.

[thunder rumbling]

[intense music]

[Tommy]

'Shep! Come here.'

'Where're you going?'

[music continues]

[Shep howling]

Shep!

[whistling]

[Shep barking]

- Jonathan.

- Tommy, what're you doing here?

Where's Jonathan?

He's gone.

He's been gone for three days.

- Where?

- I don't know.

Over towards Blue Mountain

somewhere he thought he might

pick us up a deer for meat

through the winter.

- But I heard his whistle.

- You couldn't have.

Shep must have too.

She was barking.

When did you see Shep?

The Indian kids found her.

She was almost dead.

- From poison.

- She's alright now?

I knew Jonathan would wanna know

so I brought her back.

Mr. Taylor,

are you sure he's not here?

'I know I heard.'

I told you, Tommy,

he's not here.

Shep.

Shep.

Shep, here, Shep.

Why don't she come here.

I know she's out there.

Don't worry about her, Tommy.

You're tired and upset.

A goodnights sleep and you

start home in the morning.

Sit down and rest.

I'll fix you some supper.

I'd better unsaddle

my horse, Mr. Taylor.

- I'll be right back.

- 'Alright.'

[dramatic music]

[whinning]

Shep, what is it?

What is it, Shep?

[whinning]

Jonathan.

[Shep barking]

Shep, be quiet.

Shh!

[Shep barking]

It is.

It's Jonathan's.

[Lin]

'Tommy.'

'Tommy.'

[intense music]

Tommy.

Tommy, you out here?

[twig snaps]

Tommy.

Tommy, is that you?

No, no, let me go.

Let me go.

Where'd you get it?

Shep found it.

It's Jonathan's.

You lied,

he isn't away. He's dead.

You k*lled him. He's buried over

there and you k*lled him.

Shut up, you here me.

No, I won't you k*lled him

and I'll tell everybody.

You're wrong, Tommy.

You're not

gonna tell anybody that.

- Shep, help.

- Shut up.

- 'Help, Shep.'

- 'I said, shut up.'

[growling]

[intense music]

Tommy.

Come on, Apache.

Jump it.

'Please, Apache.

You've got to jump.'

You've got to boy.

You've got to.

Tommy, come back here.

Come back.

[music continues]

You little fool..

[music continues]

[mellow music]

Tommy.

Come on, now.

Drink it.

You're alright now. Here.

Drink, Tommy.

Drink it.

That's right.

That's fine boy.

[music continues]

Get away from me.

Leave me alone.

Listen son.

You've got to listen to me.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

You're here perfectly safe

and I brought you here.

Now listen.

You've been scared, Tommy.

I know that.

And it's my fault.

But that's, that's

because I was scared too.

So scared that

I-I almost lost my head.

A man can be scared too, Tommy.

Even of a kid like you.

Especially if that kid get's

a wrong idea in his head.

And you've got

the wrong idea son.

You lied.

- You said he was hunting.

- Yes.

Yes I lied.

You know why?

Because I knew you

loved Jonathan, Tommy.

Almost as much

as your own father.

So I, well, I didn't know

how to tell you just like that.

Jonathan is dead, son.

He was working up

in the canyon and he fell.

Was an accident.

Two days ago I found his body,

well, I buried it where you saw.

I was coming in tomorrow

to tell your mom.

Shep.

Where is Shep?

Shep's alright, I saw her

outside a while ago.

Shep was like you son.

She got the wrong idea too.

So, let's both of us forget

about what happened tonight.

Shall we?

I, I guess so.

Sure we will.

Now, you get some sleep and

you'll be fine in the morning.

[dramatic music]

'Just sleep son

and forget the whole thing.'

[birds chirping]

[Pete]

'Oh, Jonathan.'

'Hello!'

'Hello, there!'

Tommy, wake up.

you've got company son.

And don't forget what we

talked about last night.

About the accident to Jonathan.

Better let me

do all the explaining.

- Alright?

- 'Hey, Jonathan.'

Hi, Mr. Taylor.

Uh, Mel Styner

and Carl Crain.

This runaway come in

to their camp last night.

I thought,

I remembered he was yours.

They were breaking camp

for winter anyway

so on the way into to town

figured we cut across

the ridge and fetch

'em back.

Why, hello, there, Tommy boy.

Hi, Mr. Pete,

Gee I'm sure glad to see you.

We both are Pete, mighty glad.

And thanks for bringing

the horse back.

Sure, where's Jonathan?

It's a good thing

you men came along.

Come inside I'm afraid

I got some bad news for you.

[Pete]

'And in thy

heavenly kingdom Lord.'

'Let him find peace.'

'That peace which

passes understanding.'

'Let the gold he sort

on earth be his in heaven.'

'The pure and shining

gold of thy holy grace.'

We ask it Lord in his name.

Amen!

[mellow music]

Come along, Tommy.

Come on, Shep.

Thanks, Pete.

And I'll count on you

to explain everything in town.

That I will.

As long as you can take

Tommy and the dog back

for me I'll probably

stay on up here till spring.

'For ever one's sake I'd like

to prove Jonathan was right.'

'You see he was sure

there was real pay dirt here.'

'So far we've never found it.'

'Pete, do all you can

to help Tommy will you?'

'You know kids some times

imagine all sorts of things'

'and Jonathan's accident

hit the boy pretty hard.'

'I'm sure you understand.'

[Pete]

'I do indeed, Mr. Taylor.'

Pete, he's lying don't believe

him, please don't believe him.

It wasn't an accident.

Jonathan didn't fall.

He k*lled him.

I know he did.

He's lying.

He's lying about everything.

Tommy. The boys hysterical.

He hated Jonathan

and he k*lled him.

Last night when I found out

he tried to k*ll me too.

- He's lying, Pete.

- Tommy, listen to me.

You say I wanted to k*ll you?

Where did you sleep last night?

Who picked you up on your horse

and carried you to the cabin?

Why, Tommy, you slept six feet

from me the whole night through.

Safe and well.

Does that sound like I wanted

to hurt you, answer me?

Pete, don't believe him,

he did do it.

Shep knows too that's why

he tried to poison her.

You don't believe me.

He said the claim

didn't pay out.

But it did. There's bags

full of gold in that cabin.

A dozen of 'em.

If that's true,

guess you can show us son.

I will. Come on.

There was more.

A lot more.

'He's done something

with the rest.'

You better take

these back to Martha.

I was holding this hoping to

have a bigger haul by spring.

There is more now.

A lot more.

Mr. Crain,

can't you see he's lying.

Mr. Styner, don't believe him.

Please, don't believe him.

Guess, we'd better be going.

Please, Mr. Pete.

Come along, son.

[dramatic music]

'Come on, Shep.'

[intense music]

Lady, come on.

Come on.

[dramatic music]

Lady, come on.

[grunting]

[Tommy]

'Shep, Come back. Shep!'

[dramatic music]

[snoring]

[barking]

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

[barking]

[g*nsh*t]

[water flowing]

[dramatic music]

[g*nsh*t]

[g*nshots]

[barking]

[g*nshots]

[dramatic music]

[intense dramatic music]

[growling]

[growling continues]

[intense dramatic music]

[barking]

[panting]

[dramatic music]

[growling]

No. No, Shep.

I surrender.

No. I didn't

do it. No, Shep.

Don't do it.

Don't do it, please.

I didn't mean to.

I swear.

Please, Shep. Please.

'Please.'

God! Good God!

I didn't mean it.

[screaming]

[dramatic music]

Shep! Here, Shep.

She's lost, Pete.

- We'll never find her.

- We'll keep tryin', son.

[wind whistling]

[dramatic music]

Shep. What's wrong?

It's alright, Shep.

I'm sure it is.

[whimpering]

Oh, Shep.

Hey, Shep.

[instrumental music]