Dark Mountain (1944)

[bunniefuu]

(dramatic orchestral music)

(siren wailing)

[Radio] 66420 to Sanford.

66420 to Sanford.

Mr. Sanford, hey Chief!

Sanford calling

66420, go ahead Bert.

[Radio] The fire

stopped at the river.

If you keep her backed

up in Buck Saw Canyon

she'll burn herself out.

[Sanford] What about

the ranch buildings?

[Radio] Wind's taking

her right to them,

no use trying to save them.

OK, we'll hold her here.

Better go in.

Hey Chief, we've gotta

try to get through.

You heard what he said,

we can't take any more risks

to save a few old ranch buildings.

What are you doing?

Susie and Joe are still in there,

I'm gonna try to get them.

You're staying here!

Listen, I said you're...

Oh my, the boss.

Move that hose over!

Higher!

To your left!

(horse neighing)

- Come on boy.

(horse neighing)

Come on, Joe.

Come on Susie.

Easy now boy, easy.

(horse neighing)


h*, h*!

h*, Susie, come on

Joe, come on boy.

Easy now boy, easy now.

Come on, Susie.

Higher!

Move in, this way!

Boss, don't you we ought...

Get back to work!

- Yes, sir.


- Go on.

I'm going in to help him.

Come on, Susie.

Hey, he made it!

He made it!

Hey, you're on fire.

Hey what are you

doing, Willy, cut it out.

Let go, what are you doing?

(orchestral music)

Who's this from, Willie,


the little woman?

Yeah, sent me her picture.

Hmm, quite a hunk of woman.

She's awful strong.

Funny, I always went

for strong women.

Where's she now, Willie?

North Africa.

I'll read you what she says.

"Darling Willie boy,

"who'd ever thought


when I met you that time

"on the streetcar that a year

later I'd be writing to you

"from North Africa."

She was a motorman in

Seattle when I met her.

Funny, I got on the car

to go see another girl.

I thought she shortchanged


me, so I told her.

She throws me off the car.

Right then and there something

happened inside of me.

She broke your ribs?

No, love.

Week later we were hitched.

Well, "I know how hard


it is for you at home

"dear boy I left behind me.

"When I get back we'll have

a little cottage of our own

"and maybe a couple of little

WACs running around in it."

Don't she write beautiful?

Yeah, just like poetry.

Yeah.

Well, "I hope you ain't

suffering too much with rationing

"and no gas and all

that, Willie boy.

"Don't worry about me.

"I just put two inches on my chest

"since I started driving

a transport truck."

Gosh, how I love that sergeant.

Sanford wants to

see in the office.

Yeah, what's he want?

I don't know, he's

on a rampage today,

you better step on it.

I guess this is it, Willie.

He hasn't spoken to

me since that fire.

Well, I got one

rule how to get ahead

in the Forestry Service.

What's that?

Never punch your

supervisor in the nose.

I've been avoiding

you since that incident

in Buck Saw Canyon, Bradley.

Yes, sir.

I know how the service feels

about unnecessary risks.

But I've been taking

care of Susie and Joe

ever since they were brought here.

And I felt that I just had...

It's a little late to

apologize now, Bradley.

Yes, sir.

I've waited this long to

talk to you because, well,

I was waiting for this, it

just came from Washington.

It's something I

asked for a month ago.

Your promotion.

My, my promotion?

From now on you'll be in charge

of the Dark Mountain District.

In charge?

Oh, that's great.

Willie Dinsmire goes

along as your assistant.

If that'll be satisfactory.

Satisfactory?

Sure, Willie'll be swell.

Oh, something else.

A week's furlough before you

take over your new position.

A furlough, well I'm just stumped.

It sounds like the furlough

is more important

than the promotion.

Oh no, sir.

Well that is, well I've

been waiting for a promotion

for a long time.

For a very special reason.

And a furlough works out perfect.

You have plans?

Well I don't mind telling you sir,

when I go up to Dark Mountain

I'll be taking along a wife.

That is, I hope so.

Well, congratulations

are in order.

Thank you, sir.

Well, I think so, you see I

haven't quite told her yet.

Well what are you waiting

for, go ahead and tell her,

- and good luck.

- Thank you, sir.

(Stanford laughing)

(gentle orchestral music)

(doorbell buzzing)

Good evening, lady,

could I interest you

in a subscription to

Girl's Life magazine?

Don.

I'm so glad to see you,

when did you get into town?

Came right here from the depot.

Well, aren't you

gonna invite me in?

Of course, come in.

You didn't mention a

furlough in your last letter.

Did I mention a promotion?

Promotion?

Yep, supervisor of the

Dark Mountain District.

Oh Don, that's swell.

Do I have to salute you now,

or is a handshake permissible?

You know the minute I got the news

I told my boss I was coming

right down here and propose

to the most beautiful

girl in the world.

And I wasn't exaggerating, either.

Don, before you say anything...

Don't stop me Kay,

I've been rehearsing this

speech all the way in.

If you stop me now I'll,

I'll forget all the words.

Don, I didn't know you

were that serious about...

Yes, I know Kay.

We've been friends

a long time, and...

I've never given out much

with the romantic talk.

But all the time I was

up there in the woods

I kept thinking about you.

I worked hard and I studied,

just to get that promotion.

I know you did, Don.

And you know why I

wanted it so badly.

Because of you, Kay.

Because when I got it then

I could ask you to marry me.

We have been awfully good friends.

Don, I don't quite

know how to say this.

You'll have to understand.

Kay darling, did you

see my pearl cuff links?

Oh, hello.

Steve, I want you

to meet Don Bradley.

I told you about him.

Steve Downey, my husband.

Well, the forest ranger.

I'm glad to know you.

How do you do?

Don got an unexpected furlough.

He surprised me.

No more than you surprised me.

Oh, you mean me?

Well it was rather sudden, but

that's the way I do things,

isn't it baby?

You got yourself quite

a gal there, mister.

Well I can't disagree

with you there, ranger.

Say, I hope you'll excuse

me, I have to get dressed.

Formal dinner, business

associates, I'm late now.

Well that's all right,

I'll be leaving in a minute.

Oh no, stick around, talk to Kay.

Say, if you're gonna be in town

let's get together tomorrow night.

No, I think I'll be busy.

Well the next night

then, you arrange it Kay.

Say, have you see my...

In the left-hand dresser drawer.

Thanks, well I'll be

seeing you, Bradley.

Make a date with him, Kay.

I was going to write you.

Well I guess you

can't expect a girl

to wait around forever.

Seems like quite a guy.

He is.

Way out of my

class, I can see that.

I hope you're very happy.

Thanks.

How about dinner Friday night?

Nope, I think I'll go

back up to the mountains

and get an early

start on the new job.

Then you won't change your mind

and spend some time with us.

Kay, if anything ever goes wrong.

I know, Don.

I always could count on you.

You bet.

- Goodbye.

- Bye.

Nice guy.

Yes Steve, he is.

I wonder if I could be that

nice if he'd stolen my girl.

I'm going, you stay

till the truck comes.

Steve, you ought to be

here to check them in.

You handle it this time,

my wife has her yokel

relatives in town,

we're having dinner

at the Bandbox.

I'll see you tomorrow.

(big band music)

- Get up, here they come.

- Eh? Oh.

And remember Harvey, no smoking.

Aunt Pattie, Uncle

Sam, you look wonderful.

You look mighty

pert yourself, Kay.

Marriage is good for you.

Thanks, Auntie.

Aletha, Harvey, how are you?

Fine, thanks.

Put on a pound or

two, haven't you, Kay?

Oh, I don't know.

Don't mind me, I'm just a husband.

Steve, I'm sorry.

This is Aunt Pattie, Uncle

Sam, and Cousin Aletha.

Delighted, sit down, sit down.

Yes, please.

I'm sorry we're late.

Bates, Harvey Bates,

Aletha's husband.

Oh, I'm sorry Harvey,

didn't I introduce you?

I'm glad to know you, Harvey.

Would you like to

order now, Mr. Downey?

Oh, I think we should have

something to drink first,

what'll it be?

I could use a nice cold

sarsaparilla, myself.

- Sarsaparilla?

- Uh-huh.

Well, suit yourself Harvey,

but this is kind of a celebration.

Meeting Kay's folks for the

first time calls for champagne.

- Champagne.

- Say...

Your best year, a magnum.

Very good, sir.

I've been looking

forward to meeting you.

Well, we don't get

down to town often.

Randville's over

100 miles from here.

I come down to do some buying.

Oh yes, general store isn't?

Yeah, a little of

this, little of that.

How's business?

Well, I can sell

anything I can buy,

but I can't buy much these days.

(laughing) Cigarette?

Do you like cork tips?

I don't mind if I do.

Harvey, remember your asthma.

You know I wish I could

locate some radio tubes.

Half the radios up the

valley are out of whack.

I promised to bring

back some tubes.

Well, I think I can get your some.

You can?

Mother, he thinks he

can get us some tubes.

He can, our customers

ain't the same

when they can't

listen to Bob Hope.

Where can you get them?

Well if you have

the right connections

you can get anything.

Ain't that the truth.

Kay, whatever happened to

that Don Bradley from up home,

the forest ranger fella?

Oh, he's supervisor the

Dark Mountain District now.

I always thought he

was kind of sweet on you.

Well he was, but I

had more sugar stamps.

Would you like to dance?

Me?

Oh, thank you.

Smart fella you got there, Kay.

What business is he in?

Wholesale merchandise.

And doing mighty well

at it too, I can see that.

I think you made

a hit with Harvey.

That Harvey, there's

a talkative character.

Aletha does the talking

for the two of them.

Psst, hey Steve.

Oh hello, Whitey.

You looking for me?

Yeah, the truck just pulled in.

- It was hijacked.

- Shut up.

What is it, Steve?

Oh nothing, Whitey's always

sh**ting off his mouth.

Yeah, but boss...

Excuse me, honey.

Would you take care of the folks,

I think whitey needs a drink.

I oughta brain you.

The wife, ain't she hep?

No she's not, now watch

this about the shipment?

Bill and Jerry's just

pulled in with an empty truck.

What happened to the furs?

Hijacked, just

across the state line.

Who pulled it?

We're waiting for

you at the warehouse.

Go on, I'll meet you outside.

(audience applauding)

Must have cost a fortune.

I'm sorry folks, but

I'll have to break away.

Some business associates

just got in town.

Steve, at this time of night?

They're checking out in

the morning, Kay, I'm sorry.

Say will you pay the check.

Bye everybody, I'll see you soon.

Run up to Randville sometime.

Thanks, I will.

I'll see you at home

Kay, good night.

Good night.

Sharp fella, Kay.

Yes.

(gentle orchestral music)

Oh, are you still up?

I've been waiting for you, Steve.

Why didn't you tell me what

your business really is?

Darling, I told you...

Don't lie, Steve.

Several things have

made me wonder.

And tonight Whitey said...

Oh, he gets excited

about every little thing.

I'm not that stupid.

That merchandising business

is nothing but a blind

for stolen goods.

One of your trucks

was hijacked tonight.

Well?

Why didn't you call the police?

Because it's none

of their business.

Now look darling, you know I

couldn't buy you those clothes

and those diamonds if I were

some two-bit shoe clerk.

I'm smart, and I get what I want.

Not always, Steve.

Hey.

Where do you want it?

Wait'll I get the door closed.

- Morning, boss.

- Hiya Whitey.

Over by the office, Hunk.

Customer waiting to see you.

What?

I told you never to let

anybody in here we didn't know.

He's OK boss, he's got a

letter from Dutch Huyser.

Oh Dutch Huyser, huh?

All right.

- Are you Steve Downey?

- Check.

I'm Dave Lewis.

The emporium up at Five Points.

Glad to know you.

Got a letter for

you from Dutch Huyser,

good friend of mine,

said you could fix me up.

Ah, sweet setup you've got here.

What's your interest?

Silk yardage.

Silk, huh?

Yeah, Dutch Huyser wrote that...

I'm afraid you made a

little mistake, Mr. Lewis.

[Lewis] What?

Dutch Huyser can't write English.

I guess I did make a mistake.

Now what's the phony front?

Oh, copper huh?

City's being flooded with

stolen merchandise, Downey.

Especially textiles.

[Steve] So I hear.

[Lewis] And you have quite

a large stock of textiles

over there.

[Steve] I bought them.

[Lewis] Then you perhaps

could explain to the DA

where and how much

you paid for them?

You know,

man like you probably has

a nice wife and family.

That's right.

A city job would pay

about 70 or $80 a week.

- 65.

- Oh.

Take a long time to

save a thousand dollars.

Living costs being what they are.

Oh, nice wallet.

Alligator skin.

My wife gave me one for Christmas.

Shall we take a

walk, Mr. Downey?

[Steve] I'm not in

the mood for walking.

[Lewis] It's only four

blocks to the courthouse.

You know a man like you

could have an accident.

(dramatic music)

Get that case off him

and back that truck up.

Mr. Lewis is going

to have an accident

on the highway tonight.

Hit-and-run driver.

Hello honey, you have a nice day?

Say, what's all this?

I'm leaving.

Oh come on Kay, forget

all that will you?

I'll ask you just once more.

I can't give it up, Kay.

What's more, I don't want to.

Then there's nothing

more to discuss.

Well you're not leaving.

Let go of me.

You love me.

You married me, what

kind of a dame are you?

You lied to me.

You think I'm sucker

enough to let you walk out?

So that's it, your pride.

No Kay, I'm crazy about you.

But you won't do

anything to hold me.

Well what do you want me to be?

Honest.

A broken down sap,

that's what you mean.

Now listen honey, relax, I'll

give you anything you want.

When you're on top nobody

asks you where you get it.

I can't live that way.

Well I'm not going to let you go.

(door knocking)

Better see who it is.

I told you never to come here!

Steve, they got

Hunk, it's curtains.

Stop sputtering, who got Hunk?

The coppers.

We went through a red light.

[Steve] Of all the crazy tricks...

[Whitey] It was a tough

break, we had the stiff with us.

Shut up!

It's curtains, they

got Hunk, he'll sing.

Where have they got him?

I don't know, I lammed.

The DA's office, I guess.

If they make him

spill, it's the works!

We may have to make a

quick trip, pack me a bag,

I'll be back here

in a half an hour.

What are you going to do?

Never mind what I'm gonna

do you, you start packing.

(suspenseful music)

[Kay] Steve.

I won't let you do it.

Keep her quiet.

(g*n firing)

(g*ns firing)

Let's get moving.

Steve, get me out of here!

If they sweat me, I'll

squeal, so help me, I'll rat!

Well darling, here's

where you and I part company

for the time being.

You won't get very far.

Don't worry, I've

got it figured out.

Now you take the car, find

some place you can hide out

for a couple weeks

till the trail's cold,

then get in touch with me.

Now remember this, Joseph Johnson,

care of general

delivery New Orleans.

I'm not running away,

I haven't done anything.

Tell that to the cops.

How do you mean?

You're tied up with

everything I've done.

Your signature's on the lease

to the warehouse, remember?

You were on the spot

back there tonight,

how far do you think an

innocent plea will get you?

I don't believe you.

OK, it's a m*rder rap.

Life in prison wouldn't be

very nice for a girl like you.

What do you want me to do?

What I told you, lay low.

In about a month write to me.

In another town, a new name,

our whole life ahead of us.

And remember this Kay, I love you.

And wherever you are

I'll come and get you.

All right, get going.

Don't worry about the license

plates, they're phony.

(dramatic music)

[Radio] Be on the lookout

for Downey and his wife Kay.

23, attractive, brown

hair, five feet five.

Approach with caution.

Downey considered dangerous.

(orchestral music)

Hey Luther, get the ball.

Go on, get it.

- You know he won't get it.

- Oh no?

How long have you been

teaching that dog, four years?

And he won't even shake

hands with you yet.

He's just particular

who he shakes with.

Yeah, then how come he

won't get your yarn for you?

You make him self-conscious.

He doesn't want to show

off in front of you.

Willie, how many cases of

dynamite did we haul up here?

Well, how many?

How many times have I told...

Six.

- Six?

- Cases of dynamite.

Stand up, will you?

Do you mean to tell me

your sergeant is that big?

Yeah, that's about it.

Hey, when's Joe and Ben been

gonna relieve us up here?

Thursday.

Oh, I'll have it finished by then.

She'll love it.

You know those nights in

Africa are pretty cold.

(telephone ringing)

Hello?

Huh?

Yeah, just a minute.

Hey a chick for,

uh, a girl for you.

What'll I tell her?

Bradley speaking.

Don, Don is that you?

Who is this?

Kay.

Yes.

Is something wrong?

I'm on duty here at

the lookout station.

Please, can't you get

away, just for an hour?

I've got to see you.

Where are you?

Briar Lake, at the

service station.

I'll be there in 20 minutes.

Hey wait a minute,

who's gonna take care

of the station here?

You.

Now lookit, hey watch me,

this is what I want you to do.

Here, look, ruff!

(Willie barking)

Maybe I should have stayed,

maybe I should go to prison,

I don't know.

Everything's so mixed up.

I know I shouldn't have come here,

but you said if

anything ever happened.

That's right.

I'm glad you're here.

I'm frightened, Don.

I don't want them to

find me, not yet anyway.

Maybe, maybe when I

get over the shock,

maybe I can face them,

but now I've got to hide.

Hide?

Let me think.

- Yeah, that's got it.

- What?

Up near the peak there's a cabin.

The folks who own it never

use it this time of year,

you'll be perfectly safe there.

Thanks, how do I get there?

Just follow me,

it's about a mile across

from the lookout station.

The road's straight up and

narrow, so take it easy honey.

(gentle orchestral music)

Kay.

Don't let them find me, I...

Now take it easy, you're safe.

Don't try to get up

unless you feel like it.

I'll make it.

Well, this is all there is.

Just this room and

the bedroom, in there.

It's fine.

I hate to leave you here

alone, but I've got to get back.

I've kept you here

long enough as it is.

Oh, you'll need some food.

I'll bring some back.

No, not tonight, I'm not hungry.

OK, first thing in the morning.

If you need any blankets you'll

find them in the bedroom.

I'll be quite comfortable.

Hey, I better leave you this.

Oh...

You can use it to

call if you need me.

Just step outside, point

straight up, and fire twice.

I'll come a-running.

Fire twice.

I'll remember.

Well, I guess I'd better be going.

- Don?

- Yeah?

You know how grateful I am.

Maybe someday I can repay you.

Look Kay, you're here where

I can see you and talk to you,

and take care of you, I don't

have to be repaid for that.

Hiya, Donsie.

Why aren't you asleep?

Oh, we were restless.

Don?

Yeah?

That lady that called.

Well?

Was that Kay Downey

you told me about?

What about it?

We were listening

to the radio and...

Well, what'd you hear,

come on, give out give out.

She's in trouble.

Yeah, I know.

Her husband's wanted

by the police.

He knocked off a couple of guys.

[Don] He what?

He k*lled two guys, that's all.

The police want him dead or alive.

She didn't tell me that.

It's a good thing

you didn't marry her.

Imagine you being

married to the wife of...

What am I saying?

If you was married to her,

she wouldn't be the wife...

Well, anyway, it's

none of our business.

- That's what you think.

- Huh?

I'm hiding her out in

the cabin up on the cliff.

Oh well, that's a

very good place to...

Wait a minute, you can't do that.

Why, she's a fugitive from...

Well she's a fugitive.

You know what that would mean

to you if anybody found out?

She hasn't done anything.

There's no reason for

them to hound her.

Don't get mixed up in it.

We're already mixed up in it.

We?

What do you mean we, I

don't even know the dame.

Oh, go to sleep and

let me think, will you.

I've got to work this thing out.

[Willie] Don, you're still

in love with her, aren't you?

Go on, go to sleep will you.

You know, Luther.

Love's a wonderful thing.

(suspenseful music)

(door closing)

Who is it?

Don?

Hello, darling.

Steve.

Well you aren't going to

let me stand here are you?

It's cold.

Well, very cozy.

What are you doing here?

Aren't you glad to see me, baby?

How did you know I was here?

Now wait a minute, you

didn't believe that line

about us splitting up, did you?

I knew you'd head for here and

use that ranger for a chump.

You married yourself a

guy with brains, Kay.

I know he wouldn't hide me out,

so I figured you'd get yourself

set, then baby'd walk in...

You've got to leave here.

(chuckling) You know honey,

you're much prettier

when you're angry.

You're gonna leave

here, I won't let you...

Give me that!

Drop it, I don't want to hurt you.

That's a fine way to greet

your husband, with a g*n.

I was going to call for help.

Oh, the ranger, fire

two shots I suppose.

It's an old gag, forget it.

You're gonna hide me

here till the heat's off,

now come on, be a good girl.

- Don't!

- Well, all right.

For now.

You're upset.

But you're my wife, and

when I'm ready to leave,

we leave together.

No, Steve.

May take you a couple of

days, but you'll see it my way.

I'm crazy about you Kay,

but get this straight.

You give me away to the

boyfriend and I'll k*ll you both.

All right, let the pigeon in.

And watch yourself.

Groceries.

Good morning lady,

any vitamins today?

We'll get these

things out of the way

and you can whip

up some breakfast.

Here's some fresh eggs for you.

It's enough food for a week.

Take it easy, eggs

are scarce up here.

Sorry to be so clumsy.

Kay, you're shaking,

what's the matter?

No I'm not, you're

just imagining things.

Don't worry,

they'll never find you

unless you want them to.

(big band music)

Good reception for a battery set.

I hate to deprive you of it.

Oh we've got another

one over at the post.

If you get tired

of the soap operas

you can tune in on shortwave,

just press this button.

[Radio] Police are still

searching for Steve Downey

and his wife, who

disappeared yesterday

amid circumstances which

point to their indictment

for the fatal sh**ting

of two of his...

I'm keeping you from your work.

Oh no hurry, I'm

just dynamiting stumps

out of a firebreak.

I brought you another blanket,

that other one probably

scratched the hide off of you.

Oh don't go in there.

What?

I'll take care of it.

No trouble, I'll just

toss it on the bed.

Please, I, I didn't get

a chance to straighten up

before you came.

Afraid I'll be shocked

by your housekeeping?

I wouldn't want

to disillusion you.

- Get rid of him.

- I'm trying to.

Well shake it up.

I feel guilty about

keeping you from your...

You don't have to

fix my breakfast.

Our breakfast you mean,

I haven't had anything but

a stack of wheat cakes.

Don, I can fry eggs.

I'm the best egg man

in these here parts.

The secret is shaking them

so they get plenty

of hot butter, see?

And so he says Don, you

know what I'm gonna do?

And I said what, go to

Africa to keep her warm?

He says no, I'm gonna

knit her a sweater.

And would you believe it, he's

been doing that ever since.

Well, I'll wash these

and be on my way.

Are you trying to make

me feel completely useless?

No, I'm just making

excuses to stick around.

I guess you know that.

You'd better go to work.

OK.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Think you can manage till then?

No, but I will.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

I thought that gilpin'd

talk your ear off.

I says this to him,

and he says that to me.

What a dope.

Well he's gone now, fix me

some chow, will ya honey?

Things are working out

just the way I figured

if we can keep that

squarehead from getting wise.

He's coming back.

Ditch the eggs.

Kay?

[Kay] Did you forget something?

- I found this outside.

- What is it?

A half-smoked cigarette.

You know you ought to be more

careful where you throw these.

Oh, yes.

One snipe like that can start

the whole mountain blazing.

The woods are pretty

dry, you know.

I'm sorry Don, I'll

try to be more careful.

When'd you start

smoking cork tips?

Oh I, I picked them up somewhere.

Oh, I'm fresh out,

have you got a cigarette?

Yes, of course.

I guess I'm fresh out, myself.

[Don] That's all right,

I'll bring some tomorrow.

Thanks.

See you then.

What did he want?

You heard, watch those cigarettes.

That guy's too dumb to

come in out of the rain.

A couple more days

and our trail will be

as cold as an iceberg.

Then we can scram.

(dramatic music)

(orchestral music)

[Kay] Steve, stop,

stop that eternal pacing.

This place is driving me nuts.

Cooped up, nothing to do.

- Like a prison?

- What?

You didn't have to come here.

Never mind.

I figured it out right.

Couple more days, that's all.

(suspenseful music)

Coffee?

No!

Coffee, coffee, coffee!

My nerves are like wires already.

I'm gonna miss these little

twosomes when you're gone.

You'll be leaving

pretty soon, won't you.

In a day or two.

You've made up your mind?

You know you always

were a good cook.

Remember when we were kids

up at your Uncle Sam's,

you made the strawberry shortcake?

Yeah.

[Don] And I got

the strawberry rash.

You said I got it on purpose

just to make fun of your baking.

Say, I'd better bring

in some more groceries.

Oh, there'll be plenty.

The amount of food you

put away, it's phenomenal.

[Kay] It must be the mountain air.

Yeah, it must be, you're

eating enough for two people.

Well, I guess I'd better be

getting back to the post.

You know Willie's

getting jealous of you.

I'd like to meet

Willie, he sounds nice.

I'll try to arrange it,

one of us has to stay at

the post all the time.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

(suspenseful music)

There it is Luther,

ain't it the cat's?

(Luther barking)

Oh well.

Maybe I shouldn't

have said that, huh?

Oh, she'll sure be

warm nights in this.

You know I wish I was the sweater.

Oh, hiya Donsie.

I got her finished.

Good, it's about time.

I'm glad you got back,

let's play some checkers.

Not right now Willie, I

got to work something out.

Every time you see that girl

you come back here looking

like a wet blanket.

Come on, checkers will relax you.

No thanks, Willie.

OK then.

(whimsical music)

I had my hand on it all the time.

He's on your side.

Ha ha.

How do you like that?

Ha ha, that does it.

- Who won?

- Who do you think?

Here.

Oh, no.

Ah come on, please try it on.

I can't send it if

it don't fit right.

All right, but this is

positively the last time.

Cross my heart.

A little tight.

Yes.

Willie, what would

you say if I told you

I thought her husband was

up at that cabin with her?

I'm her husband, how

could I be up at...

It's been bothering me for days.

Little things.

You're just jealous.

I found a cork-tip cigarette.

She doesn't smoke them.

And she's used more food

than she could

possibly eat herself.

Gee, if she's hiding him...

Yeah, I wonder.

Well then she's still

in love with him

and she's been using

you for a chump.

No Willie, I don't

think she'd do that.

Oh boy, if he's there I'd

hate to be in your spot.

He's a k*ller.

Look, why don't you come

right out and ask her?

If he's there and she's shielding him,

she won't tell me.

And if he's not,

well I wouldn't want

to put her on the spot.

If there was only some way

we could get him to

come out in the open.

Uh, don't get me mixed up in it.

Well it's a cinch your

WAC'll never get into this.

Something's wrong.

You know, I got all

the measurements...

(suspenseful music)

What's that?

Only the wind, Steve.

(dynamite booming)

That eternal blasting,

what does he think this is,

the fourth of July?

It's his job.

Well, why don't he cut it out?

Why are you staring at me,

you think I'm losing my grip?

Well I'm not, see?

Got more brains in my

foot than a dozen coppers.

They're never gonna take me.

We're getting out

of here, and safe.

Why don't you leave, then?

I will, when the

time's right, believe me.

(dynamite booming)

(thunder rolling)

I'm sorry I can't

stay for dinner tonight,

but my state

supervisor's coming up

and I'll have to

make out a report.

Your supervisor, is he staying?

No, he's going right back.

He's sending up our relief to

the lookout station tomorrow.

Then you'll be leaving.

Kay, I'm worried about you.

I've made up my mind, Don.

I'm going to face it

and take my chances.

You know if there's

anything I can do...

(thunder rolling)

Hope we get some rain, we need it.

You know, there's an old legend

about the thunder up here.

It seems that when the

first Indian settled here,

all was peace and plenty.

(thunder rolling)

And then another tribe heard

about the place and tried to...

Uh, what do the

racketeers call it?

Racketeers?

Well they tried to muscle in.

Well, this blitzkrieg

might have worked.

But the local medicine man

started praying to

their tribal god.

- And he answered.

(thunder rolling)

Just like that.

It all started with a

terrific clap of thunder.

(thunder rolling)

Just about like that.

And then the first lightning

bolt struck the enemy chief.

Ever since then, whenever

there's thunder up here,

someone on Dark Mountain

is doomed to die.

At least that's what they say.

Nice bedtime story.

Well the old-timers here

claim it never misses.

But we don't have to worry,

we're not Indians or racketeers.

No, no of course not.

What's the matter,

your supervisor due?

No, I've got a program

I'd like to hear at six.

Hillbillies, you like them?

Some of them.

Kay.

If I don't see you again,

I want you to know that it's

been swell having you up here,

even for a little while.

I realize what a

terrible mistake it was.

Last month when...

I hurt you and I hurt myself.

If it weren't too late...

It's not too late.

Six o'clock, Don.

Your hillbillies.

Oh yeah.

You'll like these boys, they're

from way down in Arkansas.

[Radio] Calling all state police,

calling all state police.

Regarding Steve Downey.

Oh, I turned on the

shortwave by mistake.

Well let's hear it.

[Radio] Concentrate

on all highways

leading out of southern

part of the state.

Downey has been traced to Ferndale

and is believed headed

for the Mexican border.

Watch southern roads for a

dark gray convertible coupe.

Downey is five feet

10, broad-shouldered,

light complexion, curly hair.

May be accompanied by

his wife, Kay Downey.

Five feet three,

attractive, brown hair.

Approach with caution.

That is all.

If he gets over

the southern border...

Don, I've got to tell you...

What?

Nothing.

Well, I guess I'd better

get back to the post.

I've got a truckload

of dynamite out there

and I'd hate to drive

home on slick roads.

It's liable to start

raining any minute.

Don.

If I don't see you.

Well I'll be up

to town pretty soon.

Goodbye and don't be afraid.

Bye.

(dramatic music)

What was all that jabbering

about thunder and Indians?

It was just...

You don't believe that bunk,

that every time it funders up

here somebody dies, do you?

No, no of course not.

OK, get your things

together, we're leaving.

Leaving?

Right now.

You heard the radio, didn't you?

They're following a

false trail down south.

I told you I'd outsmart

them, we go north.

Now go on, get started.

I'm not going.

I told you we're leaving together.

I'm not leaving, Steve.

You've fallen for him, is that it?

You're hurting my arm.

You haven't squealed

to him, have you?

No, you wouldn't dare.

I'll make his thunder

story come true.

Steve!

He's in love with

you, he'll come running

if you're in trouble, won't he?

(chuckling) Fire two shots,

that's the signal isn't it?

Now we'll just wait for him.

(suspenseful music)

Here he is.

Steve don't, I'll go with you.

Don, don't come in!

Kay, you fired the g*n...

No, I fired it.

Oh hello, Downey.

I knew you were here.

- Yeah, with my wife.

- Don.

Now I'm going to take

care of you, ranger,

then we're leaving.

No you won't.

You plug Don, I'll

plug you, Downey.

All right smart boy, go ahead.

And I'll let Kay have it.

Take it easy, Willie.

So long, rangers.

(dramatic music)

I'll hit the tires.

That truck's loaded with

dynamite, you'll k*ll them both.

Come on.

(dramatic music)

(Luther growling)

(g*n firing)

(door knocking)

Come in.

Your relief arrive?

Yep, all set, are you ready?

This is my wardrobe.

Hey, come on.

I thought I told you

to wait out in the car?

Well, shall we be on our way?

Come on, Luther.

(everyone laughing)

(dramatic music)