[Instrumental music]
When I was a boy, I grew up
In the ozarks of oklahoma.
My folks were poor,
And the parcel of land
We lived on
Was allotted to my mother
Because of the cherokee blood
That flowed in her veins.
Except for one thing,
I was the happiest boy alive.
But it's hard for any boy
To be completely happy
When you want something so bad,
It gnaws on his heart
And gets all mixed up
In his dreams.
[Instrumental music]
♪ In the morning of my life,
I ran through the hills
♪ And the whippoorwills sang
Their songs just for me
♪ And each brand new day
Was a sweet melody
♪ In the morning of my life
We'd swim in the creek
♪ Playing hide and seek
Like the wind wild and free
♪ And each brand new day
Was a sweet melody
♪ But now the world
Has grown so old,
♪ The songs have been sung
♪ There's no one left
For me to hold,
♪ But all of my memories
Remain so young
[Instrumental music]
♪ In the twilight of my life
I dream of the hills
♪ And the whippoorwills
Who once sang just for me
♪ The day is fading fast
♪ And now at last,
The evening is near
♪ Evening is here
♪ How I'd love for
One more song
♪ Out of the sweet,
Morning of my life ♪
[Instrumental music]
[Dogs barking]
[Dogs barking]
[Dogs barking]
[Running footsteps]
[Car rumbling]
[Car rumbling]
Howdy.
Howdy.
You will colman?
That's right.
I'm ben kyle and this
Is mr. Bellington.
This is my wife, jenny.
Howdy, ma'am.
And these are my daughters,
Sarah, alice.
We're all from tulsa.
Tulsa. We got kin folk
That live up there.
Your uncle fred, he's the one
That sent us out here.
He said you had the best
co*n huntin' in the ozarks.
You hear that, jenny?
Uncle fred sent 'em.
How's he getting on?
Feed and grain business
Doin' right good.
He was talkin' about sellin' out
And going back to vermont.
We heard about that.
We're hoping to make
Him a fair offer
For his business someday.
Hope you can do it.
It sure would be a fine thing
For a family like yours.
You stay for supper.
It's mighty kind of you, ma'am,
But if we going to get
Any huntin' done,
We gotta get camp
Set up before dark.
There's a nice spot
Just down the river.
It's called drippin' springs.
This wagon road'll
Take you right by it.
In towns like these,
You are bound to catch
A passel full of c*ons.
Mr. Bellington bred
Them hounds himself.
They're sure fine ones,
Mister.
Thank you.
They're champions.
Won the co*n huntin' competition
Three years runnin'.
Is that right?
Got any huntin' dogs
Of your own, son?
No sir.
Ain't that a shame.
All this fine huntin'
And no dogs.
Yes sir.
We better get goin', kyle.
It's getting late.
Sure enough, mr. Bellington.
Mighty nice meetin' you folks.
I'll say hi to your uncle fred.
We'd be mighty pleased
If you would.
[Car rumbling]
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
I've never seen anyone
Hunger after anything
They way that boy did
After them dogs.
Well, I just don't want him out
Nights huntin' with hounds.
I mean, it's bad
Enough having him
Prowling the riverbeds
In the daytime.
He's a boy, jenny.
A boy ought to have a dog.
And you ought to have
A new mule.
I know, but I can't help
Wantin' it for him.
He's country bred,
Jenny, like me.
A boy living in these hills just
Ought to naturally have a dog.
[Dogs barking]
[Rooster crowing]
Billy?
Yes, papa?
I was up at grandpa's
Store yesterday.
He told me old man statton's
Collie's about to have pups.
I thought maybe we could...
Papa, I don't want
Any old collie dog.
I want huntin' dogs.
I know what you want, son,
But huntin' dogs cost money,
And that's something we
Don't have very much of.
Well, right now there's
A blue tick pup for sale
In front of grandpa's
Store for $35.
There is?
Can I go see him?
Did you hear what
I said, boy? $35.
Well, I can at least go
Look at him, can't i?
Please, papa.
Well, I guess it ain't
Gonna hurt nothin'.
But listen, you be
Back here at noon.
Gotta fix that fence down
On the south end.
[Puppy whining]
I don't know.
$35 Is a hell of a lot to pay
For a dog like that.
He ain't worth more
Than 20, pa.
Not even that much.
If you don't like the price,
You talk to jed parker.
It's his hound, I'm just
Tryin' to sell it for him.
Hey, billy.
[Puppy whining]
Oh, well, we'll take it.
That ain't no $35 dog,
But I promised these boys a dog,
And I'm gonna get 'em one,
Even if it's a poor one.
Here's $5 and $25, $35.
Come on, boys,
Let's get to the house.
I sure have seen better
Dogs in my day.
It'll be hard, but we'll make
Somethin' out of him.
[Wagon clanging]
Makes me mad, folks like that
Getting such a fine hound.
As sure as I'm alive, it'll wind
Up bein' as mean as they are.
Sure would've liked to
Bought it for you, billy.
I ain't much better off
Than your pa.
Oh shucks, you'll have your
Own hounds before long.
I don't know, grandpa.
Sometime I think god don't
Want me to have any.
Is that so? Why?
Well, I've been askin'
Him for dogs
As long as I can remember
And nothing's happened yet.
It could be that you ain't
Doin' your fair share.
Well, what do you mean?
Well, if god was a mind,
To get your dog's as slick
As cuttin' line.
He'd be doin' all the work.
That wouldn't be good
For your character.
I don't want character,
I want dogs.
You want dogs bad enough,
Billy, you're gonna get dogs.
But you want his help, you're
Gonna have to meet him halfway.
What does that mean?
What does that mean?
Well, you think about it.
[Bell ringing on door]
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
You know, I really didn't
Understand what grandpa
Was trying to say to me
In the store that day,
But as the months passed,
I thought a lot about what he
Meant by meetin' god halfway.
And I was willing to do anything
To get myself some hounds.
I was just plain tired
Of all the heartache.
Slowly a plan began to form.
I'd earn the money myself.
The more I planned,
The more real it became,
And out of the clear blue sky,
I realized what my
Grandpa had meant.
My share was to do the work,
And god's share was
To give me the heart, courage,
And determination.
So all through the following
Season,
I worked at about every
Odd job that was possible
For a 12-year-old boy livin'
In the ozarks to do.
Papa wondered where
I found the energy
To work at the jobs
I had found
And still do my
Chores at home.
I didn't tell him I was
Savin' for a hound
Because I knew he could
Use another mule.
Many times I got discouraged
Because it seemed
Like it would take forever
For me to earn enough money
To buy the hounds I had
Seen advertised.
But when I went to bed at
Night, I could see puppies,
Feel puppies, smell puppies,
And even dream about puppies.
That was enough
To keep me goin'.
[Instrumental music]
Where in the blazes
Did you get all that?
I saved it, grandpa, so I could
Buy two hound pups.
Will you order 'em for me?
Huh. How long you
Been savin' that?
A long time.
I did what you said, grandpa.
You know, about meeting
God halfway.
He's the one that helped me.
Does your papa know
You got all this?
Grandpa?
Papa needs a new mule
Real bad.
I want those dogs
Real bad too.
Been wrestlin' this problem
For some time, ain't ya?
Am I doin' right, grandpa?
Oh billy, there ain't
No person on this earth
That got a right to make
That decision, exceptin' you.
Well, see, when one side
Wrestles another side,
Only one side can win.
Billy, that's your money.
You earned it.
You worked hard.
You want them dogs, you're gonna
Get them dogs be damned.
Be damned.
[Instrumental music]
I don't remember much about
Those weeks of waitin'
Except how sick
And nervous I felt.
I couldn't eat or sleep,
And mama was real worried.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Hello, son.
Howdy. Want me to help
With that feed?
That's all right,
I can get it.
I just dropped that
Cordwood by grandpa's.
Said he had somethin' for ya,
So I told him this evenin'
That you might drop by...
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
We got oats, we got salt,
We got some rice...
Hey, billy!
Now we get the tonic.
There we are, tonic.
There you are, folks,
I believe that does it.
I'll put it all down.
Okay.
Thank you kindly.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Did they come? Did they come?
What come?
Oh wait a minute, I believe
Somethin' did come, billy.
Now where'd I put that thing?
Wait a minute, I believe,
Yes, there you go.
Grandpa, where are they?
Tahlequah.
Tahlequah?
Yeah.
Doggone, that's halfway
Down river.
Why didn't they
Come here?
The mail buggy don't
Deliver dogs.
Tahlequah, doggone it.
Don't get so excited.
I already talked to jim hedges.
He's goin' in saturday.
He'd be glad to take ya.
Saturday?
Now look here.
You just chew on one of these
And stand on your head
And, well, it'll calm
Your nerves.
Oh, wait a minute, I believe
This might help some.
Ten dollars.
What's that for?
The price of everything's
Goin' down these days,
Including hounds.
That's your change.
A whole week.
Well, you've waited
All this time,
Now surely a few more
Days ain't gonna hurt.
I'm through.
Oh, okay.
Alice, now that's lovely.
It's a baby, mama.
I know...
Will.
Look at mine, mama.
Oh, now sarah,
That's very good.
Will?
That's, that's beautiful,
Sarah.
Would you like to tell us
How this means love?
It's a red fern, mama.
A red fern? What's that
Got to do with love?
Alice, do you mean to tell me
You've forgotten
The old indian legend
About the red fern?
Well, that's a symbol of
The strongest kind of love.
Remember, alice, how the little
Indian boy and girl
Were lost in a blizzard
And froze to death?
And the next spring
When they were found,
A beautiful red fern was
Growing between their bodies.
I didn't know you knew
That story so well.
Grandpa tells it to me all
The time and I believe it too.
Come on.
It's getting late,
Time for bed.
Billy, I want you
To finish the sums.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Where are you going, billy?
Shhh. Not so loud, sarah.
But where are you going?
Oh, all right.
Promise me you won't
Say anything
And I'll tell you
A secret, okay?
I'm going to tahlequah.
Tahlequah?
Shhh!
Why are you going
To tahlequah?
To bring back a surprise.
Promise me you
Won't say anything
To mama or papa or anybody.
You want me to say,
"Hope to die?"
No.
What's that for?
To bring back
The surprise in.
Remember, not a word.
I'll bring you back
A treat, okay?
Okay.
Now, go back to bed.
[Instrumental music]
Alice, I got a secret.
Don't ask me to tell you
'Cause I promised.
[Instrumental music]
♪ Where the wild blue play
Easily through the pines
♪ I hear the sounds of love
♪ Where the sun breaks out
Over the hill and sky
♪ I see the signs of love
♪ Where flowers bend
With summer rain
♪ Where the seasons blend,
There must be love ♪
[Instrumental music]
[City sounds}
[City sounds}
Well, I declare.
[Instrumental music]
Can I help you, sonny?
Yes sir.
Can you tell me where
The depot station is?
Right over yonder
Across the tracks.
Thank you, sir.
You're welcome.
[Snoring sound]
[Telegraph tapping]
Mornin'.
Mornin'.
Sure is a hot day today.
Yes sir, it sure is.
Might be fixin' to rain too.
We've had a lot of rain
Up where I come from.
Oh, where's that?
Up the river a ways.
You know, I got a crate in
The baggage room back there
Makin' some strange noises for
A boy who lives up the river.
Name is billy colman.
Ever heard of him?
Yes sir, that's me.
I thought it might be.
Come on, they're back here.
[Puppies whining]
Well, there they are.
What do ya think of them?
[Puppies whining]
[Instrumental music]
Well, aren't ya gonna
Pick 'em up?
[Instrumental music]
(Laughs) well, they
Already know you.
Well, if you're gonna to
Carry 'em in this sack,
We'll cut it a couple holes
In it so they don't smother.
Do I owe you anything?
Oh, there's a small feed bill,
But I'll take care of that.
It ain't much anyway.
I'm sure obliged.
Now, just slip the first one
Right in there. (Laughs)
And now the next one in will
Come right out through here.
There we are.
[Puppies whining]
(Laughs) well, ain't that
Somethin' now?
There we go.
Well, thanks again.
That's all right.
Good luck and good huntin'.
[Instrumental music]
[Puppies whining]
[Glass breaks]
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Hey, what do we got here?
He's got a sack of dogs.
How come?
You in the dog business?
Yeah, these dogs belong
To a rich millionaire
And he's holding them
For dog ransom.
(Unison) yeah!
Somebody oughta call the fbi.
Tell them we caught public enemy
Dognapper number one.
Do you guys mind
Lettin' me by?
Hey, this guy's
Tryin' to escape.
Grab the dogs.
I got 'em.
Don't do that again.
You wanna fight, huh?
No, but don't touch
My dogs again.
[Kids yelling]
Ow!
[Crowd of kids yelling]
All right break it up,
Break it up.
Come on, get, get.
Get off him, come on,
Come on, come on.
Come on, get, get.
Come on, get.
Come on, shoo, get!
You all right, son?
Yes sir.
I wouldn't have fought him,
But they deviled my dogs.
Hey, those sure are
Fine lookin' dogs.
Where'd you get 'em?
From a dog kennel
In kentucky.
They cost me $40.
You paid for them yourself?
Yes sir.
Hey, you must have cleaned
A lot of hog pens,
Cut a lot of cordwood
To save up that much.
I sure did.
Forty dollars...
Well, there ain't a kid in that
Bunch with that kind of grit.
Hey, what's your name, son?
Billy, sir. Billy colman.
Is there a store in town that
Sells things like... Overalls
And candy with mushy centers?
Right over yonder.
You goin' shopping, huh?
I got ten dollars left over
And I figured there's some
Things my family might like.
I'll tell ya what.
I'll tote half that load and
You tote the other half, huh?
[Instrumental music]
[Wolf howls]
How'd you like a biscuit
Or some beef jerky?
[Instrumental music]
Pretty good, huh?
[Instrumental music]
At last, I got what I've always
Wanted, two co*n hounds.
[Instrumental music]
And I promise to make you
The two best co*n hounds
In these ozark hills.
[Instrumental music]
Hey, that tickles.
[Owl hooting]
[Puppy whining]
What's the matter?
What do you see out there?
[Mountain lion growling]
[Mountain lion growling]
It's all right.
It's all right.
The fire'll hold him off.
It's all right.
[Mountain lion snarling]
[Waterfall flowing]
[Waterfall flowing]
Dan and ann...
Dan and ann!
[Puppies whining]
Little ann, come back here.
Doggone, she already
Knows her name.
[Puppies whining]
[Puppies whining]
[Puppies whining]
Morning, mama, papa.
Well, what are you carrying
In that sack, son?
Dogs, papa. Hounds.
I've been to tahlequah
To fetch 'em...
I know, grandpa told us,
So it wasn't hard to
Figure out where you went.
Are they your dogs, billy?
Billy, is that
The secret?
Why didn't you tell us, billy?
I should have, but I was afraid
You wouldn't let me go.
What's this other
Stuff, billy?
Billy, is this my treat?
(Whispers) I didn't
Say a word.
This sack's for you
And alice.
Wait!
They're fine hounds, son.
I figure they'll do.
This is for you, papa.
Well, thank you, son.
This is for you, mama.
Well now jenny, lookie here,
And just in time too, son.
My old overalls are
Barely keeping me in
And the breeze out.
Well by golly.
Jenny, you've been
Wanting a new dress.
Looks like enough material
To make a dozen.
You like it, mama?
Are the colors all right?
Thank you, billy.
It's, it's perfect.
Yes son, thank you.
That was mighty thoughtful.
Thank you for the candy
Too, billy.
Thank you, billy.
What's their names, billy?
Well, this is old dan,
And this is little ann.
I'd say that just
Fits them both.
What do you think, jenny?
Well, I think it's about time
The boy had a decent meal.
[Instrumental music]
♪ If I could only go back again
To the places where I have been
♪ Feeling love as we did then
If I could only go back
♪ Crystal waters of yesterday
♪ Golden rainbows
Were washed away
♪ Lonely clouds that can only
Say if I could only go back
♪ To live in your arms again,
To love as we did then
♪ To run free as the wind
Forever more ♪
♪ To run free as the wind
Forever more ♪
Hold them tight so
They don't run away.
[Dogs whining]
That kid.
Alright, let them go!
[Dogs barking]
[Instrumental music]
[Dogs barking]
Come on, old dan!
[Laughter]
[Barking]
Come on, ann,
Come on, little girl.
Get out of there.
Billy colman!
Uh-oh.
Ugh!
[Dogs barking]
[Metal grinding]
That's it.
Grandpa says in new england,
Everyone's going crazy
Over coonskin coats.
Is that right?
So we should be getting
A good price.
I tell you what.
I'll let you have one whole
Wall of that smokehouse
If you think you and them
Dogs can cover it.
It's not hardly
Big enough, is it?
(Laughs) what're you gonna
Do with all your money?
Well, you've been saying
We could use another mule.
Well, I want you to be very
Careful with this ax, son.
Put a fine edge on it, but it's
For cutting down the trees
With c*ons in 'em
And that's all.
Sure, papa. Thank you.
[Dogs barking]
Look at that, would ya?
They know they're going
Huntin', sure enough.
Here's some biscuits
And some hard boiled eggs.
You're gonna get hungry.
Mama, no need for you to worry.
I'll be all right.
Here, put this on,
I just don't understand
Why you have to do
Your huntin' at night.
Because that's when c*ons
Are up and around.
Well billy, you
Better get going.
They'll be stirrin' soon.
Good luck, son.
[Instrumental music]
I'll be looking for
A big coonskin
On the smokehouse wall
In the morning.
Bye, billy.
Bye, billy.
See ya in the morning.
It would make a fine
Cap for a hunter.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
All right, I taught you
Everything I know.
Now we're gonna see if you
co*n dogs or if you're not.
All's I'm asking is
For you to tree a co*n
And I'll do all the rest, okay?
Go get 'em.
Whoo-ee!
[Dogs barking]
[Instrumental music]
Whoo!
[Instrumental music]
[Raccoon squeaking]
[Instrumental music]
[Raccoon squeaking]
[Instrumental music]
[Dogs barking]
Whoo-ee, get 'em,
Dan, get 'em!
[Dogs barking]
[Instrumental music]
[Dogs whining]
I am ashamed of you,
Little girl.
If you let that ring-tail
Fool you this way,
You'll never be a co*n hound.
Now get goin'.
You'll never fool 'em again,
Old co*n, not ever!
Whoo-ee!
[Instrumental music]
[Dogs barking]
[Dogs barking]
Is he up there?
Doggone.
[Raccoon squeaking]
[Dogs barking]
[Chopping]
[Chopping]
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Billy. Billy.
Billy, I thought you'd
Had an accident.
I've just been worried sick.
I couldn't come home, mama.
My dogs had a co*n
Up this tree.
He sure picked
A big sycamore.
Biggest one in
The whole river.
That's alright.
The bigger they come,
The harder they fall.
Well, there's no sense
Chopping down
A tree like this
Just for one co*n.
Come on billy,
We gotta go.
I can't, papa.
Why not?
I made a bargain
With my dogs.
I told them if they'd put one
Up a tree, I'd do the rest.
They did their part,
It's up to me to do mine.
Well, you're quitting
And that's that, so come on.
Let's go.
Billy, do I have to whoop you
On top of all the punishment
You already brought
On yourself?
Do i?
Yes, ma'am.
A man can't keep
His word, jenny,
He's not much good,
Especially to himself.
I'd say amen
To that, jenny.
Look at those hands.
You gonna chop down
A tree like this, billy,
You need a man sized ax.
Here's my gloves.
Thank you, papa.
Before you, uh,
Swing that ax,
I want you to eat
These two eggs.
You can, uh, share the biscuits
With the hounds.
You know, billy,
I believe every boy
Oughta have a tree like
This to chop down...
At least once in his life.
[Instrumental music]
Giddy up, hah!
Bye, billy!
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
It's no use, little girl.
I just can't do it.
My strength's all gone.
Haven't I done my
Fair share, god?
Can't you just
Help me a little?
[Wind blowing]
[Tree creaking]
[Tree creaking]
[Dogs barking]
We did it.
We did it!
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Mama made me a cap out
Of that first co*n hide,
And she said afterwards
That she wished
She hadn't have
Made it for me,
Because in some way,
It affected my mind,
And I became completely
co*n crazy.
By the time the second
Season came around,
My dogs' fame had spread
All over the ozarks.
No co*n hunter came
Into grandpa's store
With as many skins as I did.
[Men talking excitedly]
Here is the mighty hunter
Right now, gentlemen.
Hey, billy.
Uh, mom needs a big sack
Of corn meal.
All right, son, I'll be
With you in a minute.
[Men talking all at once]
Anything else?
Umm,give me two plugs
Of tobacco.
You're a little young
For that, ain't ya?
Oh, it's for my pa.
Hey colman, wanna
Make a bet?
No.
What's the matter,
You chicken?
No, I just don't wanna.
[Laughter]
[Clucking like a chicken]
Here's tobacco for your pa.
Billy, I'll take you out back.
I got that cornmeal
Out in the shed.
You get out of here,
Get out, get.
[Laughter]
Skidaddle.
You know, you gonna have
Trouble explaining to your pa
How he got charged for
Two plugs of tobacco
That he never
Even seen.
Chicken, chicken,
Chicken...
Bet you come from a whole
Family of chickens.
I bet them hounds
Ain't hounds either.
I bet they're chickens too.
Here, here, is that all
You pritchards ever do
Is go around lookin'
For a fight?
We ain't lookin' to fight him,
Just bet him.
Bet him on what?
We got a co*n
Up in our country
That no dog's been smart
Enough to tree yet.
We call him the ghost co*n,
And we got two dollars says
Your dogs can't tree him.
I know my dogs can tree him,
But we don't hold to bettin'.
[Making clucking sounds]
Two dollars, billy's gonna
Take your bettin'.
Grandpa!
Here, you're gonna hold your
Money, and you hold yours.
Grandpa, you said
The good book says
A wager's a fool's argument.
Well, the good book never had
To deal with no pritchards.
Now it's gonna be
Fair and square,
Or I'm gonna be
Talkin' to your pa.
It'll be fair and square
All right.
We'll meet you tomorrow night
Down by our pasture gate.
(Laughs) rubin, I was wrong
About the colmans.
They ain't chicken,
They're suckers.
[Making clucking sounds]
Billy, I never asked no man
In this world for nothin',
But I'm askin' you to
Get that ghost co*n.
This is one bet
I want you win.
[Dog barking]
There he is, well,
I'll be doggone.
Shut up, old blue!
[Dogs barking]
I'm really depending
On you two tonight.
You've gotta tree that
Ghost co*n for grandpa.
It really means a lot to him.
These are the hounds we've
Been hearing so much about?
They don't look
Like much to me...
[Dogs barking]
Cut it out, rainie.
Rainie, you must smell
Like an old co*n! (Laughs)
Oh shut up, rubin!
You better cut it out, or I'll
Knock the fire out of you.
Let's get goin'.
[Dog barking, whining]
Come on, turn 'em loose.
Yeah, turn 'em loose.
Go get 'em.
[Boys yelling]
[Dog barking]
[Dogs barking]
It's the ghost co*n.
He's crossing at buck ford
Just like he always does.
[Dogs barking]
Sounds like the old ghost
Has got your hounds goin'
In circles back and forth
Across the river.
You might as well hand
Over your money.
[Dogs sniffing]
[Dogs barking]
[Boys yelling]
Looks like he's headed
For that golden mill!
Sure he is.
That's where he
Always heads,
And once he gets there,
He just disappears.
And your two dogs'll disappear
Right along with him.
[Dogs barking]
[Dogs barking]
The ghost co*n's gone.
Sure he is, that's why
He's a ghost co*n.
We told you
He'd disappear.
Pay up. We're not
Staying here all night.
Come on.
Come on, pay up.
Hey, half of that's mine!
(Two boys arguing)
Come on, little ann
And old dan, come on.
After we get home.
I want mine now, rubin!
[Boys arguing]
[Dogs barking]
[Boys arguing]
[Dogs barking]
[Instrumental music]
What do you think's
Up there?
I think the ghost
co*n's up there.
Does that mean
We lose the bet?
Shut up.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
[Raccoon squeaking]
Is he up there?
He's up there all right.
What are ya comin'
Back down for?
Chase him out so your
Dogs can get him.
No, I don't want
Him k*lled.
Are you crazy or somethin'?
What's the matter with you?
That's the ghost co*n.
I don't care.
Up until now he's outsmarted
Every coonhound in these hills.
I just can't k*ll him.
Get out of my way,
I'll poke him out.
I won't let my dogs k*ll it.
Beat him up, rubin.
Bloody his nose,
Beat him up, rubin!
[Dog baying]
What is it, ann?
[Dog baying]
Something's movin' in the brush
Across the creek.
Maybe it's a mountain lion.
Let's get out of here.
Shut up, it ain't
No mountain lion.
Look.
It's old blue.
There's your mountain lion.
How did he get lose?
[Dogs barking]
Dan! Dan!
[Dogs barking]
Dan! You better get
A hold of him.
There's gonna
Be a fight.
I ain't worried about old blue.
He can take care of himself.
Yeah, he'll take care of
That old ghost co*n too.
Just give me back
The two dollars
And I'll go home.
I don't have to
Stay and watch it.
Don't give it to him, rubin.
He ain't won the bet.
He hadn't k*lled
The ghost co*n.
The bet was that my dogs could
Tree him and they've done that.
Now give me
The two dollars.
What're gonna do if we don't?
Go cry to your grandpappy?
I don't want to fight you,
But I will if you
Don't give it to me.
Fight?
Now we don't wanna fight ya.
We better give him
His two dollars.
What!
Give him dollars.
[Dogs fighting]
[Dogs fighting]
Help me, rubin!
Choke him, smash his head!
[Dogs fighting]
Rubin, they're
Killin' old blue!
[Dogs fighting]
I'll k*ll them damn hounds!
Oh!
[Instrumental music]
Please, take it out.
[Instrumental music]
Go get help...
Go get help!!!
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
"Yea, though I walk
Through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff,
They comfort me.
Thou preparest
A table before me
In the presence
Of mine enemies.
Thou anointest
My head with oil.
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy
Shall follow me
All the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house
Of the lord forever."
Amen.
[Instrumental music]
[Thunder rolling]
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Son, there's no need
In you going on
Blaming yourself
Like this.
I tripped him, papa.
I'm the reason he's dead.
If anyone's at fault, it's me.
I was a stupid fool
To call that boy's bet.
It was purely an accident.
Nobody's at fault.
Mama, you can stop worryin',
'Cause I ain't never
Gonna go huntin' again.
[Instrumental music]
Giddy up.
[Instrumental music]
Sarah, what are you
Doin' in there?
Getting grandpa
Some flowers.
Well hurry up, we're late
And grandpa's waitin'.
You know, I got an idea that
We're goin' to somethin' more
Than just a sunday dinner.
What else could it be?
I don't know, but knowing
Your daddy, it's somethin'.
Jenny, have another
Piece of pie.
No, papa, no.
Will, come on.
I'm done, grandpa.
Kids, how about some more pie?
How about some more ham?
Sweet potatoes?
Oh, come on now,
You ain't eatin' enough
To keep a bug alive.
I'm gonna have to
Throw it in the creek.
Papa, we are stuffed.
All right, grandpa,
Let's have it.
What's on your mind?
Mind? What would
I have on my mind?
Well now, you must have
Had some purpose
For laying out
A feed like this.
Well, I wanted jenny to
Get out of her kitchen
And sample some of my food.
Papa, will you stop
Your teasing.
Now you got something up
Your sleeve, and what is it?
I got nothin' up my sleeve.
I got somethin' in my pocket.
Go on, billy, read it.
What does it say?
"Championship co*n hunt
To be held."
I always wanted to be a part
Of one of them big co*n hunts
And this is our opportunity.
We can enter little ann
And old dan.
I told you grandpa, I ain't
Never gonna hunt again.
I didn't say I was gonna
Enter you, billy.
I said I was gonna
Enter the dogs.
Billy, them dogs got
A right to prove
They're the best co*n hounds
In the whole state of oklahoma,
Not to mention arkansas.
Can all the dogs around here be
In the championship, grandpa?
Not all of the dogs,
Missy, the best.
They gotta prove they're
co*n huntin' marvels.
Why, I've got a record of every
co*n that billy's dogs tree'd
And I had to take it down
To the courthouse
To old h.b. Mccullen.
He had to notarize
An affidavit.
All right grandpa,
That's enough.
Enough?
The dogs belonged to billy.
He worked for them.
It's gotta be
Billy's decision.
That wasn't a very good
Thing to do, billy.
Sarah? Alice? Are you sure
You wouldn't like to have
Another piece of
Grandpa's pie?
I think I'll have one more.
No, no, you've had
Three slices already.
Grandpa, can I take
A piece home...?
You sure can darling,
You surely can.
How 'bout you, jenny?
I'll have a little,
Thank you.
I'll do it.
What?
I'll do it.
Billy, are you sure?
Mama, grampa's right.
Dan and ann are the best.
They have the right
To prove it.
Whoo-ee!
[Talking excitedly, laughter]
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
I knew there was going
To be some folks here
But I didn't know it was going
To be anything like this.
There's some fine looking
Hounds here, billy.
Hey, there's mister
What's-his-name up from tulsa.
Going up to chris dartsmouth
Place last spring.
I don't know him.
I guess he's here to win
His fourth championship.
Oh, is he?
Well, we'll just see about
That, won't we billy?
Hey, there's mr. Kyle.
[Dog barking]
[Instrumental music]
[Dog barking]
Afternoon, folks.
Howdy.
I'm, uh, collecting
For the cash pool
If you're interested.
Cash pool?
Howdy, sheriff.
Well, well, if it
Isn't the young man
Who tried to fight every boy
In town at the same time.
Don't tell me these
Are the same pups.
They sure are.
They sure are turned into
Fine lookin' hounds.
Thank you.
Grandpa, pop,
This is the sheriff
I told you about
From tahlequah.
Howdy, sheriff.
Hope my boy didn't cause
Your town too much trouble.
Oh, well nothin' we
Didn't recover from.
Sheriff, you said somethin'
About a cash pool.
Oh yeah, each contestant
Puts up two dollars,
And the winner gets to keep it
Along with a gold cup.
Two dollars.
Oh, well I can go
Along with that.
It's like finding money.
Two dollars in the name
Of colman.
Colman.
I suggest you folks get
Settled as soon as you can.
Gonna have the drawings
In about thirty minutes.
Drawings?
We can't have all the hunters
Going out the same night,
So we got a split them up
Into three nights.
And we're gonna
Have the draw
To see which night
Who goes out with who.
Well, we better get our
Camp set up here, billy.
You gonna be a judge,
Sheriff?
(Laughs) you might say that.
Well I got some more
Collectin' to do,
So I'll see y'all later at
The get-together tonight.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Seven c*ons in one
Night, mr. Hattfield?
Billy, is your grandpa
Pullin' my leg?
Well, maybe just a little.
[Laughter]
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Listen to them hounds
Singin' now.
Sounds like somebody's
On one already.
Well, howdy folks.
Hey, mr. Kyle.
This is our grandpa.
A pleasure.
You remember my boy,
Don't ya?
Sure do, them your
Dogs, son?
Yes sir.
I knew you'd get
Some dogs one day,
But I didn't figure they'd
Be such fine ones.
What night you draw?
Third.
Say, you are in luck.
We drew the second.
What do you mean luck?
Why, mr. Bellington
Got his hounds
In the best shape ever,
And they are spoilin' to go.
Well you better tell bellington
Not to polish that award
Until he's got it
In his hand.
These hounds are fixin'
To smell out every co*n
From here to arkansas.
[Applause and cheers]
Can I have your attention?
Can I have your attention?
Like they say on the radio news,
Here's a special bulletin.
Carl brown's hounds have
Treed the first co*n
Of the contest not
Ten minutes ago.
[Cheers and applause]
And they're trackin'
Their second.
It looks like old carl's
Gonna beat you folks
Before you even
Get started.
[Crowd booing]
You hear that, grandpa?
That fellow's almost
At two c*ons already.
Well, just don't go losin'
Before you've even started.
I don't know though,
Grandpa.
There's some mighty
Fine hounds there.
I know, but you're gonna
Lick 'em, billy.
You're gonna lick 'em.
[Instrumental music]
My dogs worked together
With a skill
That was uncanny
That first night.
I felt certain we would
Make the finals.
[Dogs barking]
[Dogs barking]
[Cheers and applause]
All right, give me
Your attention.
Give me your attention,
Everybody.
Now, the eliminations are over,
And, and the hunters who are
Gonna compete in the finals
Are sam bellington...
[Applause]
Carl brown...
[Cheers and applause]
And billy colman.
[Cheers and applause]
All right, now we're
Gonna start at sundown.
Now the hounds that bring back
The most coonskins by morning
Is gonna get the gold cup,
Not to mention the cash pool.
[Applause]
All right, now it's
Gonna be a big night,
So you contestants best rest
Your dogs and yourselves.
All right, that's it.
Good luck to ya.
[Dogs barking]
Yeah, these, these dogs
Are raring to go.
Good luck, mr. Bellington.
Well thank you young man,
But I'm not relying on luck.
I'm relying on the best pair
Of hounds I ever owned.
Let's feed 'em, cobb.
Sure thing, mr. Bellington.
Come on, dogs.
Come on, billy.
Let's get some breakfast
And sleep.
It's gonna be a long night
For all of us.
We're gonna need our rest.
Let's go on, billy.
[Horse neighing]
[Dogs barking]
It doesn't look good up there.
It looks like a storm's comin'.
Yeah, I bet it gonna
Be a cold one too.
We're in luck!
Huh?
Because all game stirs
Just before a storm.
Well, what are
You waitin' for?
[Dogs barking]
Go get 'em.
[Dogs barking]
Hey, they're on
One already!
Whoo-ee!
[Dogs barking]
Go to that tree!
Boy, that was fast.
[Dogs barking]
Well son, you ready
For number two?
Ready as we'll ever be.
I don't know.
It's getting worse fast.
I think they've got
The wind of another.
Let 'em go, billy.
Let's go.
[Dogs barking]
[Heavy winds and thunder]
Keeps up like this, that
Old co*n won't run long.
He'll head for his den.
Well, if it gets much worse,
I know some old co*n hunters
That ain't gonna be
Runnin' very long.
Gonna be frozen stiff.
[Heavy winds and thunder]
[Horse neighing]
I don't think we can take
Much more of this.
Can't see fifteen feet now.
Think we can even find
The buggy?
I think so.
Can anybody hear
The hounds?
No tellin' where they are now.
Think we better go in?
I'm sure they're closer
Than you think.
Probably treed a co*n by now
And we can't hear 'em
Because of the wind.
A man can freeze to death in
This kind of weather, billy.
Anyway, your dogs will be
Givin' up soon and comin' in.
No they won't, papa.
Old dan would die before
He left a co*n in a tree.
[Dogs barking]
I hear 'em.
The way that wind
Is whipping up,
That sound could be
Comin' from anywhere.
Off in that direction.
[Heavy winds blowing]
Hey, slow down, I ain't
That young no more.
[Thunder, heavy winds]
How'd you and mr. Bellington do,
Carl?
Well, we got three of 'em before
This damn storm blew in.
That's what you had?
Browne here, he got stuck.
Is that right?
How's the boy doin'?
They haven't come in yet.
But if I know that boy,
He won't quit.
[Heavy winds, thunder]
Sounds like they're
Right up ahead.
[Dogs barking]
Billy!
Bill!
[Heavy winds]
Bill!
[Thunder, heavy winds]
Billy!
[Thunder, heavy winds]
[Thunder, heavy winds]
[Dogs barking]
I just knew they'd be treed,
I just knew it.
[Dogs barking]
[Dogs barking]
A treed co*n!
I don't believe it! I really
Don't believe it.
[Dogs barking]
Grandpa?
Grandpa? Grandpa?
I thought he was right
Behind you.
I did too.
Grandpa! Grandpa!
Take it easy billy,
We'll find him.
I don't know, will,
In this kind of storm.
Let's keep our heads
And we'll find him.
The dogs will find him.
Come on, let's go.
We don't have time to
Get these c*ons, billy,
And these dogs ain't
Gonna leave till they do.
They will for grandpa.
Come on, little girl.
Come on, old boy.
You gotta find grandpa.
It ain't no use, billy.
Come on now, we gotta go.
Come on!
You gotta come find grandpa.
You just gotta.
Come on! Come on!
[Heavy winds]
[Heavy winds]
[Dogs barking]
[Dogs barking]
They found him!
They found him!
[Dogs barking, wind blowing]
[Dogs barking, wind blowing]
There he is! I told ya!
[Dogs barking, wind blowing]
Grandpa!
It looks like his leg.
Grandpa!
He's gonna be all right.
He's gonna be all right, billy.
[Wind blowing]
[Cheers and applause]
I think he busted his leg just
To get attention, don't you?
[Laughter]
All right, now I can
Always say this has been
The most exciting hunt
I've ever been on.
I say amen to that.
[Applause]
Where's billy?
I thought he was here.
They're about ready to
Give out the trophy, billy.
You comin'?
I just assume not
Go over papa.
All right, if that's the way
You feel about it.
I'm not be tellin' ya
Any different.
You're a man, billy.
You proved that last night.
...and the acme feed company.
[Cheers and applause]
Now we've come to the moment
We've all been waiting for,
The presentation of this
Beautiful gold cup.
Now I declare the winner
Of the 20th annual
Seventh district co*n hunt
To be sam bellington.
Sam.
[Clapping]
[Applause]
Thank you, young man.
That was a sportsman-like
Thing for you to do.
I know how you feel
About winning this cup
Because I know how you
Feel about your dogs.
Now his dog treed three c*ons
And he had to give up
And go find his grandfather.
Now those hounds might have
Got those three c*ons,
And then again they might not
Have, but that's not the point.
The point is I don't
Want my dogs winning
A championship that
Wasn't theirs clear.
So I declare billy colman
And his fine pair of redbones
The champions and winners
Of the gold cup.
How about that?
[Applause]
Take it, son.
You won it fair.
[Applause and cheers]
But, you better be ready
To give it up next year,
Because me and my
Walkers are gonna beat
The britches off of you
And them redbones.
[Laughter]
The cash pool.
[Applause]
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Well jenny, there it is.
The full amount you've
Been praying for.
Enough money to move us lock,
Stock, and barrel to tulsa
And take over uncle fred's
Feed business.
I figure we'll be able
To go this spring.
You're, uh, you're not havin'
Second thoughts, are ya...
About leavin'?
Well, how're we gonna
Be able to tell him?
I mean, we can't take
These dogs from these hills
And what they've
Been bred to do.
It would be like puttin'
A man in prison
For the rest of his life,
And it'd break billy's heart
To leave 'em behind.
Well, there's always grandpa.
What's grandpa got
To do with it?
Billy and the dogs, they could
Stay with grandpa for a while.
Besides, he could use some help
Over at the store anyway.
And separate our family?
I'm not gonna hear of that.
[Dogs barking]
[Dogs barking]
The winning of the gold cup
Brought me and my dogs
Even closer than before.
We became an inseparable team.
And although I'd always known
Their love for me was great,
I never realized
How deep it went
Until the night of their
Greatest sacrifice
As we hunted together in
The cyclone timber country.
[Dogs barking]
What is it?
What do you see up there?
I don't see anything.
[Dogs barking]
[Mountain lion growling]
[Animals fighting, snarling]
Go away!
Get away from there, dan!
[Animals fighting]
[Animals fighting]
[Dog whimpering]
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Oh, I've never seen
Such a wound.
Get me some more water, will.
Mama, will he be all right?
Well he's, he's hurt
Pretty bad, billy.
He saved my life.
The lion tried to get to me.
We're doin' what
We can, son.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Come on, little girl, let's go.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
It was hard to make myself
Believe that old dan was dead.
The pain was almost more
Than I could stand.
But as the days went by,
I began to feel grateful that
I still had my little ann.
Come on, little girl,
Please eat.
The life seems to have
Just gone out of her.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Little ann! Little ann!
Little ann!
She's not in the barn, billy.
Look in the house.
I've already looked there.
Little ann!
Oh, little ann.
Why did I have to lose you
Too, little girl?
I prayed for both my dogs.
Now both of my dogs are dead.
Your mother's had some
Prayers too, son.
Now, because of your dogs,
Them prayers have been answered.
Billy, your father and I knew
How hard it would be
To separate ya
From your dogs.
Why, we even thought
About maybe leavin' ya
With your grandpa
For a while.
But I guess the lord doesn't
Like to see families split up.
[Instrumental music]
Well, I guess we better
Get started fixin'
A proper resting box
For little ann.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
Mama, do you think god made
A heaven for all good dogs?
I'm sure he did, son.
Only it's much more beautiful
Than it is here.
I'm supposed
To be there.
Well, I was here first.
I don't wanna hear
Any more of that.
I want you to sit
Just where I told ya.
That's everything,
Papa.
All right.
Papa, can I go down to the river
For just a few minutes?
All right, son.
But don't be long,
We gotta get goin'.
[Instrumental music]
Mama, papa, come here!
Hurry!!!
[Instrumental music]
What is it, billy?
What's wrong, billy?
Oh, a red fern.
All my life I've
Wanted to see one.
Why it's just,
It's just beautiful.
Maybe it's god's way
Of explainin' to billy
About his dogs.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
I've never been back
To the ozarks.
All I have left are my
Dreams and memories.
But some day, if god is willing,
I'd like to go back
And walk again in the hills
I knew as a boy.
And I'd like to touch
The heart that's carved
In an old sycamore tree
That says, dan and ann.
And I'll look for that
Sacred spot by the river
Where the red fern grows.
[Instrumental music]
[Instrumental music]
♪ Gone away, couldn't stay
Didn't say where she was going
♪ Said goodbye, tell me,
Lord, why did she cry
♪ Close your eyes,
Make me realize
♪ And all the time
I thought she was happy
♪ Must she go?
♪ Still there's so much
That I owe
[Instrumental music]
♪ Gone away, (gone away)
♪ Couldn't stay
(Why can't she stay?)
♪ She's gone and now's the time
That I'm needing her.
♪ A thousand tears, a thousand
Years won't bring her home
♪ She's gone away ♪
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