Wild Country (1947)

[bunniefuu]

What do you say,

caxton?

Not yet.

But it's getting late,

and they're going

back to the big house

in a minute.

Stop bellyaching,

will ya?

I promised to get US

out of here, didn't I?

Sure.

Now, look,

you pick a fight

with one of the men.

When the guards

come over to break it up,

I'll make my get-away

in the dirt wagon.

Sure, caxton.

Take me with you,

won't you?

We're partners in this,

ain't we?

Guard:

All right, everybody,

line up!

We'll go back

to the pen.

Now.

What's the idea of rattin'

to the guards on me?

Who says I've been

rattin' on ya?

I say so,

you're a stool pigeon!

And I say

you're a liar!

Come on,

get out of the way!

Come on, move!

All right,

break it up!

Take this guy

off me!

I said

break it up!

Caxton:

Yah!

Hey, caxton,

wait for me!

( Bang! )

Eddie, I don't mind

telling you I'm worried.

This rip caxton

is the worst outlaw

we've ever had in the west.

When did he break out?

Which break-out

do you mean?

He's been in the pen

five times,

and he's got away

every time.

I don't get any idea

the guards were ever

at fault.

Caxton's clever

as they come.

Looks like we'll

have to outsmart him.

If you can.

When was the last check

you had on him?

We got a report

that he was operating

somewhere around the town

of silver spring.

Silver spring...

An old friend of mine

is sheriff out there now,

bill devry.

That's right.

Bill devry's the one

I was going

to ask you to see.

He sent caxton up

the last time.

Knows all his tricks,

and he should be able

to help you.

The way

you've been talking,

it looks like I'll need

devry's help

don't make any mistake

about it...

Caxton's mean, ornery,

tough, a good shot,

and he likes to k*ll.

Got any pictures of him?

Caxton has

a complete disregard

for the law.

Even goes so far as to wear

a polka-dot band on his hat

so he'll be sure

to get full credit

for all his crimes.

An eccentric sort

of a fellow, I'd say.

Polka-dot head band, eh?

Shouldn't be too hard

to round him up.

Don't be too sure.

Caxton can spot a law man

ten miles away.

You'll have to figure

some way to draw him out.

I'll figure something out.

Good luck, Eddie.

So long, marshal.

Hope the next time

I see you

we'll have this caxton

back where he belongs

for good.

What's cookin', Eddie?

We got a tough one

this time, soapy.

Hey, where do you think

you're going?

See bill devry.

Save your breath,

Joe spindle.

Ain't no lawyer

gonna do him no good.

He was framed

and you know it.

And when you've been sheriff

a little longer, hutkins,

you'll learn that you can't stop

a lawyer from seeing his client.

All right, go ahead.

Hold his hand...

'Til sundown.

How're things going, Joe?

Not enough time.

Well, at least my daughter

will be home before...

Before anything can happen.

I don't know

how she's going

to stand up under this.

I'll take care

of tellin' Martha.

Who would want

to do this to me, Joe?

And why?

It's got me ripped.

A man of forty years' service

with the law.

A man that's been sheriff,

once a judge...

A man like that

isn't going to turn around

and hold up a stagecoach

and k*ll a guard.

Everybody knows that.

Joe, will you open

that window over there?

It's awfully stuffy

in here.

Sure, bill.

You...

Yeah...

Take a good look,

bill devry,

it's me all right.

I took a lot of trouble

breakin' out and framin' you.

But I swore I'd do it.

How do you like

being locked up

behind bars?

And how do you

like this?

( Bang! )

( Bang! )

Whoa!

Martha,

don't go in...

Joe, what's wrong?

I want to see dad.

It's too late.

What's happened, Joe?

It was

a dirty rotten frame-up.

Your father was arrested

for holding up a stagecoach

and k*lling

a shotgun messenger.

And then he was shot down

right in front of my eyes.

Who did it?

An escaped outlaw

your father sent up

a long time ago.

He had a mask on,

but there's one thing

that makes me certain

it was rip caxton.

What was that?

They say this rip caxton

always wears

a polka-dot band

on his hat.

So did the k*ller.

Has anybody ever seen

his face?

Nobody around here.

Then all we've got to do

is find a man

who wears a hat...

With a polka-dot band.

* my home is wild country

* with rimrocks to the sky

* in the solitude

* I never feel alone

* wild country

* I'll ride it 'til I die

* for there a man

* can call his sole his own

* the mountains meet

the sunset *

* until they meet the plains

* rainbow-tinted valleys

* green with summer rain

* for they're in my country

* it's mother nature's best

* wild country

* my home, the west

* where life is well

worth living *

* and men are really men

* where there's less take

than givin' *

* I'm headin' there again

* for they're in my country

* it's mother nature's best

* wild country

* my home, the west

Soapy, we've been

on the trail two whole days,

and you haven't peeped

about where we're heading'

this trip.

Well, Eddie,

anytime I ask you,

you always give me

that look

and say,

"you'll find out."

So I decided

not to ask you anymore.

You know bill devry?

Heard of him,

sheriff of silver spring.

And one of the nicest

old crook spotters

I ever met.

The u.S. Marshall says

there's an escaped convict

prowling his section

of the country.

That I reckon'

without too much brain work

is why they sent you

up here.

Ol' soapy Jones,

he just goes along

for the ride.

Not this time, soap.

Fact is, I don't expect

a real fist fella

without you swingin'

your share of the loop.

It's rip caxton.

Rip caxton?

Say, that's the man that wears

the polka-dot hat band

on his hat.

So that's why you dressed me up

like a fly-trap salesman

in these fancy duds, huh?

Oh, no, you don't put

me out for any hunk of bait.

All you gotta do

is walk around town

behavin' yourself.

Caxton'll get curious,

show his face

and we nab him.

That sounds fine

spieling it off like that,

but will it work?

It oughta work

without a hitch.

It oughta work,

but will it work?

Or the hitch'll be a noose

around my n-n-n- throat!

Thought I told you

to stay away from here.

I was gettin' kinda lonesome

hidin' out in that shack.

I thought I'd like

some company.

People are beginning

to talk about you

being around town...

You and that polka-dot hat band.

You want to get picked up

and have the whole story

come out?

Nobody's pickin' up

rip caxton.

Lock the door.

Look, caxton, I'm doing

all right in this town.

And I'm not jeopardizing

my control

by having you

doggin' me around.

Sit down.

All right.

Why'd you k*ll bill devry

in the first place...

Instead of involving me

in that stagecoach holdup

and the m*rder frame?

Because I wanted

to do it my way.

Make him sweat behind bars

for a while,

like he made me sweat.

Well, he's finished off now.

What more do you want?

Bill devry's ranch.

What are you going

to do with his place?

Fella could live

in clover on that place.

It'd be easy pickin's.

Nobody'd know I was

up to anything

but tendin' cows...

Maybe churnin' up

a little butter.

Look, caxton...

I'm runnin' this town,

and it isn't big enough

for the both of US!

Look, varney, you're wanted

just as much as I am...

Only you were smart enough

to keep outta sight.

Oh, yeah,

and change your name.

Now, if you don't want

to play along with me

until I get

what I want...

You win!

What's up?

I'm hangin' back.

You ride into town

and head

for the main saloon.

But, Eddie, alone?

I'll be there

in a little bit.

Now quit lookin' like

an old moss horn

with a shake.

We've got work to do.

Work to do...

And, remember,

don't let on you know me!

Look.

That hat band,

rip caxton.

Rip caxton's comin' in.

Look out, boys,

rip caxton's comin' in.

Watch your step,

rip caxton's comin' in.

Bartender!

Give me

a glass of sandwich

and a ham of milk!

Yes, sir!

( Gasps )

( Bang! )

Do you see what I see?

Yeah, I see it.

What do you want to do,

go out and yell fake?

They think

that chump cow hand

is me!

Get your sheriff

and lock him up.

What a break!

Everybody'll think

the law has rip caxton.

All right,

but --

never mind the talk!

Put away that phoney.

( Gargling )

See the fella

with the polka-dot hat band?

Arrest him.

I said arrest him!

Hey, that's my g*n --

hi, ya, sheriff,

my name's --

I know who you are!

My name's hutkins,

sheriff of silver spring.

Get up!

Hutkins? What happened

to bill devry?

I said get up!

Oh!

Eddie!

Oh, Eddie.

Do you know

this man?

Sure, it's rip caxton.

I've heard plenty

about him.

He seems to know

who you are.

It's me, soapy Jones,

remember?

They'll hang me!

So what!

You shoulda thought

of that before.

Take him away!

But, Eddie,

you don't understand.

They'll break my neck!

( Chuckling )

Oh!

Sam.

Find out

where he's headed.

Beg your pardon, mister,

but can you tell me

if I'm on the right trail

to cascade falls?

Cascade falls?

That ain't

where you're headin'

and you know it!

Hand over your hardware.

By the belt.

Is this the devry ranch?

That's right.

I'm looking

for miss Martha.

This ain't no time

for visitin'.

Miss devry's father

was k*lled this morning.

Bill devry k*lled?

Martha:

Who is it, ace?

Are you miss devry?

Why, yes.

I'm Eddie Dean.

I was an old friend

of your father's.

I just heard

the news.

How'd it happen?

He was framed...

And then k*lled

in cold blood!

Do you know

who did it?

Well, we have

an idea.

Yeah, I think

I have too.

It's just possible

this job I'm here to do

and this business

about your father

might tie in.

Would you mind

tellin' me all you know?

Not at all.

Won't you sit down?

Come on, now, confess.

I know your record

a mile back --

killin', arson,

holdups...

Even framin' bill devry.

Me?

And even killin'

ol' bill devry right here

in this cell!

When the u.S. Marshall

hears about me takin'

rip caxton single-handed,

it oughta be good

for a nice reward.

Yeah, it should.

Say, you got

any money on ya?

Money? What good

would money do me here?

Where could I spend it?

Well, I know

a lawyer in town,

smart one too.

Thanks.

But you have to send him

his fee in advance.

Yeah, I could use

a good lawyer too.

How much you think

he'd be?

How much you got?

Oh, uh...

I've been robbed!

You're doin'

the right thing, caxton.

Thanks.

This lawyer

will be perfect for ya.

You see, he's

the undertaker too.

Well, sooner or later,

we're all going to need

a good under- t-t-t-

huh?

( Chuckling )

Sucker!

Ah...

Must have been horrible.

What an awful way

for him to die...

Bill devry would make

a mighty big fuss

if he saw you actin'

this way.

* there's a saddle

with a golden horn *

* way up high

* in the sky

* just as sure

as you were born *

* there's a saddle

with a golden horn *

* there's a pinto

who was my ol' pal *

* way up high

* in the sky

* in the boss's big corral

* there's a pinto

who was my ol' pal *

* settle down, you doggie

* day is nearly through

* and we have had

a long, long ride *

* there's a range for doggin'

and for cowboys too *

* beyond the great divide

* rest my pinto

in a martingale *

* I'll be there

'round the morn' *

* and I'll ride

the glory trail *

* in a saddle

with a golden horn *

* there's a range for doggin'

and for cowboys too *

* beyond the great divide

* rest my pinto

in a martingale *

* I'll be there

'round the morn' *

* and I'll ride

the glory trail *

* in a saddle

with a golden horn *

* way up high

* in the sky

* there's a saddle

with a golden horn *

you know, from what

you've told me,

I think I'll start

by having a little talk

with varney.

For some reason,

I don't like his looks.

Keep your chin up.

Find out

what I told you to?

He rode off

to the devry place.

Are you sure

of that?

Well, he was headed

in that direction.

What happened

to you?

My horse

broke his leg

mm-hmm, must be

a pretty smart horse.

He patched up

his own leg

and trotted back here.

He's down

at the gypsum place

four miles

the other side of town.

Now suppose you walk

down there

and bring him back.

Can I have

a little talk

with you?

Sure.

Sit down.

How's business,

Mr. Varney?

Fine. Fine.

Good whiskey, clean games.

I'm showin' 'em

how to run a business

strictly on the level

and still make money.

Got any sideline?

You mean like

the hotel part of the saloon?

I mean like avoiding

a sheriff

who takes his law

from someplace besides

the law books.

I don't get you.

Varney, you knew all along

the man you locked up

wasn't rip caxton.

So somebody must've ordered

you to do it.

Who was it?

Look, cow puncher,

you can't come in here and --

I can if the u.S. Marshall

sends me.

You've got nothing

on me.

I run a strictly

legitimate place!

It looks like

somebody else has.

Maybe when I round up caxton,

you'll have

a little company

on that long trip.

How long have you been going

under the name of "varney"?

( Bang! )

( Smack! )

Maybe that'll teach him

to keep his nose

out of other

people's business.

What happened,

Mr. Varney?

Never mind!

That cow hand

you arrested

and this hombre

are both working

for the Marshall.

Tie 'em up good, Sam,

and lock 'em

in the office.

( Thump )

( Thump )

I told you

there'd be trouble!

Now we've got

the u.S. Marshall's men

on our tail!

Cool off,

Barney.

What's the matter

with your sidekick?

He ain't scared,

is he?

Take it easy.

We're still

in business.

Only you're too jumpy

to run it anymore.

From here on out

I'm callin' the plays.

Sit down.

Now, look...

What happened to you?

Run into

a rattlesnake's nest.

Serves you right

for lettin' me down!

It was

a bad deal, soapy,

but I couldn't let on

I knew ya.

Well, you didn't

have to put on

such a good act!

You've got me believin'

I am rip caxton.

Listen, soapy,

bill devry's been framed

and k*lled.

Yeah...

I know.

But what I want

to know is...

How do I get out

of here?

I'll get you out

as soon as I find

the sheriff.

You better hurry up

and find him quick!

All right.

Now, you wait right here

'til I locate him.

Your darn right

I'll wait right here

until you locate him.

Where else could I go!

I tell you

I don't want any part

of a k*lling!

All you have to do

is like I said

and leave the rest

to me.

Count me out!

You've got

an awful short memory,

varney.

You're forgettin' I know

who you really are.

So that's why

I couldn't find

either of 'em.

That Marshall's man

got away, boss.

Thought I told you

to tie him up good!

I did.

I'll bet you did!

You know what to do

but watch your step.

That Marshall's man

is on the loose.

We better get out

to that shack

in cobra canyon

right away.

Well, you're a free man,

Mr. Jones.

Your partner

straightened me out.

You're to meet him

at the shack

in cobra canyon.

Do you know

where that is?

That's mighty nice

of ya, sheriff.

Yeah, I know

where cobra canyon is,

but I don't remember

any shack.

It's down the first road

after you get into the canyon.

You can't miss it.

By the way,

your horse is out back.

Thanks again,

sheriff.

Don't mention it.

Oh, sheriff,

I'm sorry for the way

I stepped on your toe

coming out of the saloon.

Oh, that's all right.

Here's your g*n.

Thanks.

And as I was sayin',

sheriff,

I am sorry the way

that I stepped on your toe

coming out of the saloon.

I didn't step on it

hard enough!

Oh! Oh!

Something's happened

in that jail,

and I'm gonna find out

what it is.

( Bang! )

( Bang )

Five.

Six.

Where's your prisoner?

I don't know.

He got away.

Don't give me that.

Varney was just here.

You two fixed up something.

What was it?

He found out

he wasn't rip caxton.

Said to let him go.

Found out?

He knew all along

he wasn't rip caxton.

Now start talkin' fast.

Varney made a mistake,

that's all I know,

I swear!

( Smack! )

Now, what did you

and varney fix up?

I don't know.

Don't ask me.

I don't know!

( Smack! )

All right.

Rip caxton's fixin'

to get rid

of the devry girl

and frame

your partner for it.

Where's all this

takin' place?

At the devry ranch.

Varney rode off

the other way!

In case you were watchin',

he figured it'd throw

you off.

If you're lyin',

hutkins...

I swear I'm not lyin'.

I told you everything.

( Door creaks )

It's him.

( Knocking )

Hi, gentlemen.

Say, where's Eddie?

He'll be around.

Just relax.

How can I relax.

There's somethin' fishy

goin' on here.

See that the gent's

made comfortable, Sam.

Say, where's Eddie?

What's this all about?

Just a little surprise party

put on especially for you.

Miss devry.

Oh, miss devry!

That Marshall man,

is on to US!

Who told him?

He beat it

outta me!

We're gettin'

outta here.

You're stayin' here.

Rip caxton told US

he's giving the orders now,

and I'm seein'

they're carried out!

Where's miss devry?

Me and the boys

were on the way back

from the north 40

when we saw miss Martha

and four men ridin' off.

Who were the men?

Couldn't tell,

but they sure looked like

they were up to no good.

We followed them

for a piece,

but we lost 'em.

Come on!

Well, here it is.

It ain't

like your place, miss,

but, to me,

it's been home.

Looks like you need

a little persuadin'.

Well, go ahead.

That's no toy p*stol

you've got strapped

to your hips.

Use it!

You won't get a way

with it, caxton.

There's a Marshall's man

in town.

He knows who you are!

Everybody knows

who I am, miss.

Only nobody around here's

ever seen my face.

When they do, they'll see

a smart lookin' gent

who moved

into the devry ranch.

You'll have to k*ll me

before you can move

into my ranch!

Well, that was

the original idea, ma'am.

Sit down

and make yourself

comfortable.

They must've taken

a shortcut.

Don't you understand?

It won't work!

The Marshall's man knows!

You told him?

But I didn't know --

save it!

I'll take care

of you later!

You ain't

backin' out now!

Oh, no?

Maybe my men

will have something

to say about that!

Your men?

Double-crossin' me,

huh, varney?

Did he tell ya

who you were workin' for?

Sure, he told me

and the boys

to ride for him

and nobody else.

He's a liar.

I knew trustin' you

was like pourin'

good whiskey

down a drain pipe.

You dirty, double-crossin' --

( bang! )

Don't tell me

you couldn't help tellin'

that Marshall man

everything you knew!

Let me go, caxton,

I swear I'll get

that Marshall's man

I know where he went!

You're stayin'

right here!

I've got some use

for you later.

Where's Eddie?

Where'd ya see him last?

Over at the jailhouse.

Said he'd meet me here.

At least that's

what the sheriff told me.

You oughta know better

than to believe anything

he told ya!

Miss devry, come 'ere.

Caxton:

I said come 'ere!

The shack!

Yeah.

And a good place

to hide out in.

Sam, put her

on her horse

and let her ride.

I'll give her three

to get goin'

before I draw

and fire.

Listen, caxton,

take this rope

off me

and let's go

at it fair.

Those are the men

all right.

( Bang! )

( Bang! )

Watch your fire.

Miss devry's in there.

Drop your hands

and come out, caxton.

Eddie:

Come on out, caxton.

We've got you covered.

Don't sh**t!

I'm givin' up!

You're finished, caxton.

Come on out,

or we're coming in!

Stay close to this g*n,

or you're a dead woman!

Start walkin'.

Stay close.

Make another move,

and I'll k*ll the girl!

Ugh!

I thought

you'd seen enough

of that polka-dot

head band, soapy,

injun's wear scalps

in their belt, don't they?

Sure...

And you had a hard time

cuttin' this one down,

didn't you?

Ah, shucks.

It was a cinch!

I think it was

a little more trouble

than you both expected.

Things didn't

look too promising

for a while,

but when the u.S. Marshall

gives US our orders, why,

we try to do

what we can.

Eddie, why don't you

and soapy stay on

in silver spring?

We'd like to,

but we have work to do.

Well, you can work here

now that dad's gone.

Hmm, settlin' down

kinda frightens me, ma'am.

Especially with a right,

smart lookin' girl

around the place.

I should think

some day you'd like

to settle down.

With a right,

smart lookin' girl.

Someday maybe,

but right now...

* ain't no gal

got a brand on me *

* no, sirree, I'm too smart

* ain't no gal gonna

get my heart *

* yippee ki-yo

* ain't no gal

got a brand on me *

* no, sirree, bet your life

* ain't no gal

gonna be my wife *

* yippee ki-yea

* with a pretty little gal

* I love to Terry

* but pretty little gals

* all love to marry

* ain't no gal

gotta brand on me *

* no, sirree, I should say

* ain't no gal

gonna get my pay *

* yippee ki-yo,

comma yippee ki-yea *

* ain't no gal

gotta brand on me *

* no, sirree, this I know

* ain't no gal

gonna get my dough *

* yippee ki-yea

* yippee ki-yo

* ain't no gal

got a brand on me *

* no, sirree, bet my horse

* ain't no gal

gonna be my boss *

* yippee ki-yea

* comma yippee ki-yo

* with pretty little gals

* I wanna woo so

* but pretty little gals

* all want a trousseau

* ain't no gal

got a brand on me *

* no, sirree, wait and see

* ain't no gal

gonna hog-tie me *

* yippee ki-yo,

comma yippee ki-yea *

* with pretty little gals

I never mingle *

* cause pretty little gals

all know I'm single *

* ain't no gal

got a brand on me *

* no, sirree, I should say

* ain't no gal

gonna get my pay *

* yippee ki-yo,

comma yippee ki-yea *

* comma yippee ki-yo,

comma yippee ki-yea *