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01x02 - Mr. Earp Meets a Lady

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "The Life & Legend of Wyatt Earp". Aired: September 6, 1955 – June 27, 1961.*
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Series is loosely based on the life of frontier marshal Wyatt Earp.

01x02 - Mr. Earp Meets a Lady

Post by bunniefuu »

♪ [humming]

♪ Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp

♪ Brave, courageous,

and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame

and long live his glory ♪

♪ And long may his

story be told ♪

♪ [humming]

[Narrator]

Wyatt Earp,

against his will,

is Marshal of

Ellsworth, Kansas.

The year is ,

and Ellsworth was one

of the wild cow towns

of the Western frontier.

Bill Thompson had k*lled

Earp's close friend

Sheriff Whitney,

and Earp had arrested Bill,

who escaped.

This pursuit

of Bill Thompson

was the key to Wyatt Earp's

success in Ellsworth.

Wyatt, I put this

ordinance through

because you insisted,

but it's a new

and radical idea.

Well, I'm a new and radial

peace officer, Ed.

You've got along fine

without trying to make

them check their g*ns.

You've calmed

this town down.

Look at it. It's like

a village back East.

Well, don't

fool yourself, Ed.

It's still Ellsworth, Kansas,

just two jumps from

the Chisholm trail.

Well, I may be stupid,

but I don't see

what the "No g*n" law

has to do with catching

Bill Thompson.

Well, his brother Ben's

bound to come back into town

sometime or another.

Oh, you mean

to decoy Bill by

throwing Ben in jail.

That's right.

But that's not the only

reason for the "No g*n" rule.

Packing g*ns in town

is a tradition of the cowhands

we've got to break.

But that's an old

tradition, Wyatt.

They feel they

have to go armed

in self-defense.

Sure.

But like a lot of old customs,

it just isn't logical.

If they're not wearing

any g*ns, nobody's

gonna sh**t at 'em.

It's the code.

sh**ting at a man

that isn't armed

is like sh**ting

a fellow in the back.

It just isn't done,

right?

Yes, but you can't

change a cowhand.

You'll see.

Howdy, gentlemen.

Howdy.

Does that mean a man can't

pack a g*n in this town?

That's right.

I've set up check racks

at the saloons,

the hotels,

and B.B.'s store.

We posted signs like this

all over town.

We're trying to

keep you healthy.

They tell me

you're pretty good,

but you're not good enough

to enforce that stupid law,

not in Ellsworth.

Easy now, mister.

No, let him talk.

I've been carrying g*ns

since I was a kid.

It got to be a habit.

And I aim to keep on

carrying 'em.

Well, not in

Ellsworth, mister.

You and your friend

start for the nearest

check rack...now.

Make your move!

Now drop your g*n.

Left hand!

You know where the jail is.

Start walking.

Pick up your hat.

Get the g*ns, Ed.

♪♪ [humming]

They wouldn't check

their g*ns, Mike,

so lock 'em up

for ten days.

Don't we get a trial?

Sure, if you insist.

And you get

more days for

resisting an officer.

Still want a trial?

Mr. Earp, sir?

This is Miss Abbie Crandell.

She wants to, uh--

Miss Crandell, meet my friend

Marshal Wyatt Earp.

Well, Bat really

does know you.

How do you do,

Mr. Earp?

I'm in good health,

thank you, ma'am.

I came all the way in

from the cattle camp

just to meet you.

My dad says I'm a born

hero worshiper.

I guess I am sort of

cheeky about it.

Would you mind

just shaking hands?

Not at all.

Thank you very much.

Well, Bat, I believe

everything you told me

about Mr. Earp.

We already heard how

he cut down the Thompsons.

I didn't tell

the half of it.

Well, now hold on.

All this gush you talk

isn't needed.

I'm not President Grant.

Uh, now what favor

can I do for you?

Favor?

Well, I would guess that

one of your relatives

was in trouble

or something.

Oh, no, Mr.--

Miss Crandell's dad runs

a big cattle spread.

Is your father

Tom Crandell of

the Oklahoma Territory?

Mr. Earp is

suspicious of me,

but all great marshals

have to be that way.

You see, I've met

Mr. Hickok of Wichita,

Mr. Bassett of

Dodge City,

Mr. Luke Short

of Abilene--

She specializes

in marshals.

And now I can brag

that I met the great

Wyatt Earp.

Well, thanks for

introducing us, Bat.

Hope I meet you

again real soon.

You, too, Bat.

Same here, Miss Crandell.

You weren't too polite,

Mr. Earp.

I wasn't

intending to be.

Well, she's the nicest girl

I ever met.

No paint and powder

or no swear words.

I thought you'd like her.

Mr. Masterson, I'd wish

you'd stick to poker.

You wouldn't get

hurt so bad.

Sir?

Did it ever

occur to you

that Miss Crandell

may not be telling

the whole truth?

No. What do you mean?

Well, she smiles

with her mouth,

but there wasn't any

smile in her eyes.

Or didn't you

notice that?

No.

And that story about

her riding all the way

into town

just to shake my hand.

Uh-uh.

Well, you're famous,

Mr. Earp.

That's just local

notoriety, that's all.

I'm not trying to say

that she's gonna lead you

into a life of shame.

A life of shame?

With her?

Why, Mr. Earp...

Why, Mr. Masterson...

You know, I think

the time has come

for you and I to have

a serious talk.

Excuse me, Wyatt.

I just heard the new

prisoners talking.

They say Ben Thompson's

in town.

Where?

The Red Dog Saloon.

I sure hope he's

wearing his g*n.

No, you stay here.

♪♪ [humming]

Hello, Wyatt.

Hello, Ben.

How's the marshaling business?

Quiet.

Hope it stays

that way.

Don't expect any

trouble from me.

I'm back in this

poker game here.

Care to sit in?

No, thanks,

not right now.

You forgot something,

didn't you?

Forgot what?

There's the sign.

There's the check rack.

Take 'em off.

Now let's go

see the judge.

Judge Osborne ain't

gonna back you up

on that g*n-checking

monkey business,

and you know it.

Well, let's see

what the judge says.

Well, all right.

I think it's a fine

state of affairs.

A man can't sit down

into an honest poker game

without you coming

around pestering him

all the time.

I got a big

investment here.

I got a heavy

investment, too, Ben.

In what?

This town.

I got my whole hide

put up for security.

♪♪ [humming]

Teague, will you ask

Judge Miller to come

in here a minute?

Yes, sir.

Judge Miller?

Where's

Judge Osbourne?

We don't have

Judge Osbourne anymore.

He left town last night,

Ben, for good.

The governor made him resign

and appointed me.

Judge Miller,

I found Ben in the Red Dog

wearing his g*ns.

Did he try to resist you?

[Wyatt]

No, sir.

Very well. That'll be ten

days in jail, Mr. Thompson.

Just name the fine.

I'll pay it.

The jail sentence

is mandatory.

Lock him up, Mike.

This is the second time

you've tried this trick.

You don't want me,

you want my brother.

That's right.

You think Bill's

fool enough

to come walking into

a trap like this?

Twice now, I've let you

run it over me, Wyatt.

Next time,

I'm gonna g*n ya.

I'll keep that

in mind, Ben.

Put him in a clean cell.

Is it gonna work?

[cell door closes]

Ben wasn't play-acting.

He knows Bill's a fool.

That's what

made him so mad.

You think Bill will come in

and try to break Ben out?

Sure. He'll come into

town with his whole g*ng

and aim to blast

his way through.

Then we better swear in

some special deputies.

Yeah, we sure had.

♪♪ [humming]

Here are the deputies.

Wyatt, do you know

all these gentlemen?

Mr. Daly.

Mr. Davidson.

You, sir?

I'm Jim Richards, Marshal.

I met you at

Sheriff Whitney's funeral.

Oh, that's right.

Well, now, to explain this,

I better tell you

what I know about

the Thompsons first.

With the exception of

Bill's escape last week,

they've only pulled

one other jail delivery.

That was in Hays, Kansas,

March of ' .

Now, Bill was in jail

for robbing a stage,

and Ben and about

gunslingers

rode up to the jail

and started a big palaver

with the sheriff.

Undercover of this,

two men on foot

sneaked around back

and blew a hole in

the wall with dynamite.

They yanked Bill out,

put him on a horse,

and the job was done.

But, Wyatt,

what makes you so sure

they'll try

the same thing here?

Ben's the brains

of the outfit,

and we got him

locked up.

Bill is too stupid to think

up a plan of his own.

He admires Ben

too much to even try.

I don't want to seem

too positive about this, Ed,

but you're the boss.

No, I think you've

figured it pretty close.

Well, then here's the layout

the way I see it.

We station men

at these points,

here, here, and here.

We let Bill make his

fight talk right here.

But we don't do any

sh**ting till the dynamite

has been spotted.

I hope we can drop them.

By that time--

Mr. Earp,

can I see you a minute?

Yeah?

Uh, it's Miss Abbie,

she's outside.

She told me something

you should know, sir.

Gentlemen, you go ahead

and pick your stations.

Bat's got something

that might be important.

All right, Richard,

you take this station here.

Daly, you're here.

Does he believe me now?

Sure he does,

Miss Crandell.

Look, I really want

to help you.

Maybe I did sound

a little too romantic

about peace officers,

but I recognized

Ben Thompson when you

were taking him to jail.

I can identify him.

Now just let me

get this straight.

You think it was Ben

that pulled that Wells Fargo

job in Topeka.

She saw Ben

and the others

before they put on

their masks.

Just give me one good

look at him, Mr. Earp.

Are you still afraid

I'm trying to lead Bat

into a life of shame.

Well, that was a joke

that shouldn't have

been repeated,

and I apologize.

Then we're friends?

It's no use, Bat.

You rode shotgun for

Wells Fargo, Mr. Earp.

Don't you wanna solve--

You've said enough already,

Mr. Masterson.

Yes, sir.

Do you mind if I frisk you?

What?

You're wearing pants,

aren't you?

Mr. Earp!

You saw you want a close

look at Ben Thompson.

Well, all visitors in there

must be searched.

All right.

Nothing personal, ma'am.

All right,

we'll go see Ben.

Well?

Hey, what is this?

Life's full of

questions, Ben.

Was he the one you--

She just left.

Did she identify him?

Mm-hmm.

There. That proves

she's all right.

And you insulted

Miss Crandell

by searching her.

Mr. Masterson...

Oh, I'm sorry.

You didn't really have

to search her, though.

Look, if you expect to be

a peace officer someday,

you're gonna have to

deal with suspicion.

What?

One of the oldest dodges

a woman can use

to gain confidence

is to identify someone.

You see, this puts her

on the side of the law.

You still

don't trust her.

She may be everything

she says.

On the other hand,

she may have used that

identification trick

to find out exactly

where Ben's cell is

to let him know

by her appearance

that Bill in on his way.

Miss Abbie mixed up

with the Thompsons?

Well, I may be doing her

a great injustice.

Well, you sure are,

Mr. Earp.

Well, in that case,

I'll apologize, in writing.

We better be getting

to our stations.

If Bill's coming today,

he'll want to work it

before sundown.

Yes, sir.

♪♪ [humming]

Mr. Earp,

they're coming!

Sp quick?

Are you sure?

Yes, sir. I saw them

stop to get organized

in the picnic grove.

Well, you better

go tell Jeff Miller.

Wait.

Remind them we don't

want anybody k*lled.

They'll give us

no information dead.

Tell them not to hurt

Bill's horses, huh?

Yes, sir.

Hey, Earp! Wyatt Earp!

You hear me?

Open that door

and turn Ben loose.

[g*nf*re continues]

[g*nf*re continues]

It's no use, Bill.

We got two men down.

The deputies got them

from the roof.

I'm gonna take

Ben out myself.

Get out of my way.

[g*nf*re continues]

Ben! I'm coming

to get you out!

Pick up the g*ns.

Teague! Get in there!

Teague, bring the keys!

Bill, you stupid idiot.

Go on, get in.

And take real good

care of him, Ben.

[laughs]

No use trying to beat you.

I vote

we call it a night.

That suits me.

What's your hunch?

You think the Thompson

crowd will come back?

No, not tonight.

I'll let the special

deputies go home, all right?

Mm-hmm. Oh, Mike,

will you check the cells

again for me?

Right.

I suppose we'll

have to hang Bill.

Yeah, I suppose.

What else but hang him?

You don't sound

too enthusiastic, Wyatt.

I'm not.

If I were the judge,

I'd take Bill's

mental condition

into account.

I saw his eyes when

he k*lled Sheriff Whitney.

I got another good look

at them again today.

We ought to

think about it, Ed.

Well, we'll see.

Good night.

Good night.

You know, you could

have been k*lled taking

Bill they way you did.

Now you don't think

he should be hanged.

Not if he's crazy, no.

But he m*rder*d

Sheriff Whitney.

Mr. Masterson,

I hope Bill is sane

and gets the rope.

But if he's a lunatic,

the law says you

can't hang him.

The law says.

Oh, I thought you wanted

to be an officer of the law.

Well, yes, sir,

but I sure don't--

Then you better learn

it'll be your job

to protect

every man's life,

even when you think

he deserves to die.

By the way,

what happened

to Miss Crandell?

She leave town?

She went back to camp

before the fight.

Why?

Well, I wish I knew exactly

what she was up to.

Look, Miss Crandell is

absolutely on the level.

A woman disillusioned.

She likes you, Mr. Earp.

She says you're

the best-looking

and most capable of all

the marshals she's met.

She's met

a lot of marshals.

That's what you said.

They're all

sound asleep, Wyatt.

Good. Can you and Bat

think you can stay awake?

Sure. We both slept

from after supper

till almost midnight.

Good. I'm gonna run

over to the hotel

and get a little sleep.

Now, no visitors.

If anybody knocks,

I don't care

if it's the governor

with a prisoner,

you keep him outside,

and one of you

come on over to

the hotel and get me.

Right.

Yes, sir.

Good night.

Oh, Mr. Masterson.

Don't take what

I said too seriously,

about women.

I'm no expert.

Come to think of it,

no man is.

♪♪ [humming]

[knock on door]

Bat, let me in, quick!

Miss Abbie,

what's wrong?

They're after me

'cause I told on Ben.

Is Mr. Earp here?

No, at the hotel.

Who's that?

Oh, it's Mr. Teague,

the deputy.

[Teague whistling]

Put 'em up,

both of you.

Miss Abbie!

You with a g*n?

Take his keys.

You, drop your g*n belt--

With your left hand.

You must be loco,

treading with

the Thompsons--

Shut up.

Now through

that door,

both of you.

Go on.

Good girl!

Open up

that door.

All right, you two,

inside.

You better tie them

up and gag them.

No, strangling's quicker.

Ben!

Get over there!

You, outside,

you idiot!

Any more of that,

and I'll leave you

right here in this cell.

Why don't we?

I don't like you!

You've done a good job.

Now where's the Marshal?

He's at the hotel.

The horses are right

around the corner.

We better get out

of here fast.

No, we got

business first.

What do you mean?

I promised to g*n Wyatt.

And that's just what

I'm gonna do.

♪♪ [vocalizing]

Hey, Earp!

Marshal Earp!

I just traded places

with your friends, Wyatt,

so get your g*ns

and come down here

and make your fight.

If that's the way

you want it, Ben.

Not in the back!

Let go and stay

out of this!

You crazy fool!

I told you this was gonna

be done in a fair fight.

He won't

let you do it.

You better get him

out of here.

I'm gonna

k*ll Earp myself!

Now get on that horse!

Go on!

I gotta get him

out of here.

Well, go on, then.

I'll try and keep

Earp here.

Thanks, honey.

I'll see you later.

Bill wouldn't let Ben

make a fair fight.

And don't start

for your g*ns.

You're fast,

but all I gotta do

is pull a trigger.

I didn't quite

guess it, did I?

Not quite.

So you're one of

Ben's girls, huh?

I'm his girl.

The only one.

Oh.

Well, what about his wife

in Wichita?

You're lying.

Then there's Anita Dreeves

in Amarillo,

Jean Prentice

who lives in Dodge.

I don't believe you.

What about Alice Mayberry?

She, uh-- She lived

right here in Ellsworth.

She went to Denver

and k*lled herself

when Ben left her.

Old Ben gets around

living this kind of life.

It comes in handy having

a love-sick girl like you

in every town

in the circuit.

No, I did guess you wrong.

I thought you had brains.

But to think that

Ben Thompson cares for you

is just plain stupid.

Pretty, young girl like

you getting yourself

mixed up with

a dishonest gambler

and road agent.

Don't you see what

a fool you made of

yourself, Miss Abbie?

Keep your sermon

to yourself.

I'll look out for me.

You look out for you.

All right.

So let's start walking.

Where?

To jail.

♪♪ [vocalizing]

♪♪ [humming]

Women.

I know 'em now.

Well, now, Mr. Masterson,

that is a regular statement.

There are subjects that can

occupy a man all of his life.

Yes, sir.

What's gonna happen

to Miss Abbie?

Come here

and I'll show you.

You're welcome,

Miss Abbie.

Hey, is Judge Miller

turning her loose?

Mr. Masterson,

when a woman is young,

she's too young to know

right from wrong.

And if she's pretty,

well, then there's

no law or man that can

touch her bonnet strings.

Yeah, but didn't you raise

a holler, Mr. Earp?

No. No, I didn't.

I got other things

more important on my mind.

There's an insane k*ller

running lose.

And this time when

I arrest Bill Thompson,

he's gonna stay like that.

Say, Ed, by the way,

when's Miss Abbie's

trial come up?

Oh, I, uh...

I wanted to talk to you

about that, Wyatt.

As a matter of fact, I--

You let her go, huh?

Well, that was wise, Ed.

Just because

she was a woman?

Well, that and the fact

that, uh...

Well, you see, actually,

we don't have

any facilities for women

in this particular jail.

Yeah, that's it.

That's it exactly.

No facilities.

♪♪ [vocalizing]

♪ Well, he cleaned up

the country ♪

♪ The old Wild West country

♪ He made law

and order prevail ♪

♪ And none can deny it

♪ The legend of Wyatt

♪ Forever will live

on the trail ♪

♪ Wyatt Earp,

Wyatt Earp ♪

♪ Brave, courageous

and bold ♪

♪ Long live his fame

and long live his glory ♪

♪ And long may

his story be told ♪

♪ Long may his story

♪ Be

♪ Told

♪ [humming]