01x13 - Frontier Journalism Was Fearless

[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]

You're short

in this town, Begley.

You're leaving Wichita.

This ain't legal, Earp.

There's nothing legal

about you.

Cold deck poker,

watered whiskey

and extortion

from dance hall girls.

Now get on your horse.

I'll be back just as soon

as Josh Clanton's

elected the new mayor.

That'll be

a cold day in July.

Now start riding.

And I say to you

there's but one real issue

in this campaign,

and that issue is a scoundrel

by the name of Wyatt Earp.

That's right!

Yay!

Yay!

Only this afternoon,

gentlemen,

he set upon my friend,

my comrade in arms,

Sergeant Jim Begley.

And with his usual

high-handed

and insolent manner,

this man Earp

ordered Jim Begley

to leave Wichita!

[murmuring]

I tell you, my friends,

this man Earp

is the lowest type of thug!

He's become

the willing tool

of Mayor Jim Hope

He sure has.

and this unspeakable editor,

Marsh Murdock.

And I promise you--

Oh, shut up, Clanton.

Get off of that wagon.

I promise you

the moment

that I am elected,

I'll fire Wyatt Earp!

"Shut up," I said,

and get down from there,

or we'll come up

and pull you off.

I advise you

not to try it, sir.

I'm a veteran of the w*r,

and I'm still young enough--

Hold it, Mr. Grimes.

You're interrupting

the colonel's meeting.

But he called

you names, Wyatt.

All right.

Then call him one name.

Go ahead.

Clanton, you're

a dirty...liar.

All right, Mr. Grimes.

You can take your friends

and leave the meeting.

Go on.

Sorry you were interrupted,

Colonel.

The meeting's all yours.

As I was saying,

when deliberately interrupted

by Earp and his hired K*llers,

I do not fear the man.

Any attack upon me

is an attack upon

all Union soldiers,

living and dead!

[applause]

I don't understand, Wyatt.

I was only trying to help.

I appreciate what you were

trying to do for me, Mr. Grimes,

but we got to let the colonel

have his say.

All right, Wyatt.

But you tell Jim Hope

he's liable

to lose this election

if he doesn't show up

to brand this guy

for what he really is.

Well, I think you're right.

And I'll tell the mayor.

Tell Hannigan not to let

that Clanton crowd

keep our papers

off the stands.

Well, well.

Our hero himself.

Our plumed knight.

What?

Read my page one editorial.

Jim Hope's meeting beat

the colonel's crowd -to- .

As our late president said,

"You can't fool all of the pe"--

[mutters]

What's the matter?

Don't you like what I wrote?

It's a little

too complimentary.

This is no time

for modesty, Wyatt.

It's a political fight.

Mr. Murdock,

I like compliments,

but I don't think

defending me

is the line to take.

You think our side

is handling things wrong?

That's what I'm

trying to say, yes.

If you won't stand up

for your record,

I have to.

You want The Eagle

to let Clanton lie about you

without answering?

Yes, sir, I do.

Why?

Because praising me is only

going to make the people

that don't like me

more determined

to vote for Clanton.

I'm not the main issue.

Oh, come now, Wyatt.

No, Colonel Clanton's

the main issue--

the kind of man he is

and the hoodlums

that are backing him.

I've got quite a file

on Clanton.

I was hoping I wouldn't

have to use it.

Tell me something.

You think Mayor Hope

has got it won

for reelection?

He draws the biggest crowds.

He's got all the good people.

Sure. Good-bye, election.

[telegraph clicking]

You can't be

that pessimistic.

Look, Mr. Murdock.

All the nice people

go to rallies,

and they cheer for Jim Hope.

But two-thirds of

the registered voters

in Wichita

live below the line.

I think most of them,

the way things stand now,

aim to vote for Clinton.

Our only chance is to show up

Clanton as such a skunk,

they won't be able

to stand the smell

of him below the line.

I didn't think they had

any sense of smell left

below the line.

Only a few of them

are out-and-out hoodlums.

The rest of them

are good people that are

just too easily bamboozled

by a spotter like the colonel.

If I thought it

would save the mayor,

I'd quit my job.

Now, Wyatt.

I guess it would just look like

I was quitting under fire

and make things worse

for him.

It certainly would.

[sighs]

Well, it's your newspaper.

You do what you want.

I got my own work to do.

Wyatt, I'm convinced.

You'll open up

on Clanton?

With both barrels.

Good. Load with buckshot.

Henry...

Here. Better let me

help you with that, ma'am.

Oh, thank you.

I'm not well.

I came to see Dr. Fabrique.

Isn't--

Isn't his office ar--

It's right there, ma'am.

Here.

Take my arm.

Yes.

That's it.

Now, can you walk?

Yes.

I took too much medicine.

Nothing else.

Please, believe me.

Just take it easy, ma'am.

Of course I believe you.

Watch that step.

That's it.

Doc?

Doc!

Who is it?

It's Wyatt, Doc.

There's a lady here

that's very sick.

All right, all right.

Oh, it's you,

Mrs. Clanton.

Take her in

the office, Wyatt.

Right.

Just take it easy.

Sit on this chair.

How much bromide

did you take, Mrs. Clanton?

I-- I don't remember.

Bromide?

Yeah. I give it

to my patients

to quiet their nerves.

They keep taking it until

they get themselves toxic.

Colonel Clanton's wife?

Yep.

Drink this, Mrs. Clanton.

I know you'll

feel better.

[coughs]

Thank you, Doctor.

Oh, I'm sorry, Doctor.

Getting you up

at this time of night.

No, no.

You forget about that.

But you can't go on

like this, you know.

About the colonel--

When are you going

to make up your mind

and take my advice?

I can't do that now.

This lady

shouldn't be alone.

But I guess there's no use

in trying to locate the colonel.

Oh, no,

you mustn't do that.

I'm-- I'm feeling

much better.

I'm not nearly

so dizzy now.

Yes.

But you still better let

Marshal Earp drive you home.

Marshal Earp?

Are you the man my husband says

such mean things about?

Well, don't let it

embarrass you, Mrs. Clanton.

It ain't her fault,

Wyatt.

Doc...

Now you go on

with the marshal.

But I shouldn't

trouble Mr. Earp if...

And it'll look odd

if we're seen together.

It'll look

a lot odder

if you have

another dizzy spell.

It's going to be no trouble

at all, Mrs. Clanton.

That's it.

Good night, Doc.

Good night, Wyatt.

Good night, Mrs. Clanton.

You should take

the doctor's advice.

What do you know

about that?

Nothing, Mrs. Clanton.

What advice

did the doc give you?

Dr. Fabrique wants me

to leave my husband.

Oh.

Why did I tell you that?

You can go

right to Mr. Murdock

at The Eagle.

Well, I don't work

for Mr. Murdock, ma'am.

Meaning that you won't say

anything about any of this?

Mm-mm.

But why wouldn't you?

You have every reason

to get back at the colonel.

Well, not that way.

I have no course

but to trust you.

Dr. Fabrique and you

are the only men

who've been kind to me

for a long time.

Will you let me drive

the rest of the way myself?

It's only a few houses.

Of course, ma'am.

Whoa!

Look, Mrs. Clanton,

it's none of

my business, but...

Yes?

Well, things are going to get

awful rough around here and...

Well, you're from New York,

aren't you?

Couldn't you go back there

on a visit?

No, Mr. Earp.

My husband's threatened

to k*ll me if I try

to leave him.

Good night.

Have you read The Eagle yet?

No. I worked late

last night.

Well, the pot's been a-bubblin'

in more ways than one.

Oh?

Just listen to this.

"A snake-eyed windbag,

"calling himself

Colonel Joshua Clanton,

"has had the un-honorable gall

to run for mayor of Wichita.

"Until today, The Eagle

"has let Josh rant and rave

"about his great feats of arms

"as commander of

the th New York Volunteers

"in the Civil w*r.

"But now it is time

"that the voters knew

the real facts

"about this knave,

thief, and scoundrel."

[laughing]

Who'd ever thought

that Marsh Murdock

had it in him.

What else does he say?

Huh?

If I find the place. Oh.

"The record shows that

the fearless commander

"of the th New York

"dodged the draft

until ,

"when he

and his dear friend,

"Jim Begley,

"were given the choice

"of prison

"or serving

in the Army.

"They were convicted

of stealing food

"from the wounded

"in the wilderness

campaign,

"and they were both

"dishonorably discharged

from the th"--

That's enough.

But, Wyatt,

it's just getting juicy.

I wanted to talk to you

about Mrs. Clanton,

but I got to go see

Mr. Murdock.

But this is the best

part of it, Wyatt.

I'll talk to you later.

Hold your fire, men.

Hold it.

Let me attend

to Murdock,

then you can wreck

the place.

Ah, Murdock.

I'm going

to horsewhip you.

Hold it!

Stand back, all of you!

You're a brave man

with your hired k*ller

to protect you.

Mention my name in

your filthy sheet once more,

and I'll sh**t you down

like a dog!

Remember, Earp,

you heard what I said.

I gave him fair warning.

Take your men

away from here, Clanton.

Next time,

I'll come back alone,

with a g*n!

Come on, gentlemen.

Never mind that, Henry.

We've got an extra

with a noon deadline.

Hey, you're fighting mad.

That's good.

You, uh-- You just

better wear that.

For that coward?

I've seen men

that are frightened

turn to gunplay

when they're cornered.

All right.

I'm dead serious,

Mr. Murdock.

I kind of talked you into

that rampage against Clanton.

I want you to wear that

at all times.

If it'll make you

feel better, Wyatt.

I've got to send

an extra to press.

Talk about it later.

What's worrying you?

What I wanted to talk

to you about before

was Mrs. Clanton.

She told me last night

you advised her

to leave her husband.

That's a private

communication

between a patient

and her doctor.

Yeah? Well, Clanton

threatened to k*ll her.

That puts it

in my department.

[chuckles]

Josh ain't never had

the nerve to k*ll anybody.

That's what

Marsh Murdock thinks.

But, Doc, this political row

is getting out of hand.

Maybe if I can

talk Mrs. Clanton

into calming

her husband down,

I can ride herd

on Murdock.

Hmm. Murdock was always

a meek and mild man

to make a good editor.

But now,

just when he's dipping

his arrows in poison,

you want to ruin

his whole career.

I can see there's no point

in talking with you.

Certainly ain't.

I'm going to go out

and see Mrs. Clanton.

Good!

I hope the colonel

catches you at it!

Then we'll have

some real sh**ting!

Doc, you have

such a gentle soul.

Mmm.

I'm Marshal Earp, ma'am.

Mrs. Clanton home?

Yes, sir.

But I don't think

she'll want to see you.

[Mrs. Clanton]

Dora, who is it?

It's Mr. Wyatt Earp,

and I already told him--

No, Dora.

I'll talk to Mr. Earp.

Guess she changed

her mind.

It's all right, Dora

If your husband's home,

I'd like to talk to both

of you.

How had you the impudence

to come here

after this article

in the paper?

What article?

I suppose you know

nothing about it.

No, I don't.

It insinuates

that my illness

is a thing

that should be hidden--

that because I'm never seen

with my husband,

I'm a skeleton

in his closet.

It even insinuates

that perhaps I drink.

"A fit mate

for Private Clanton,

a fraudulent warrior."

Oh...

I'm terribly sorry,

Mrs. Clanton.

I-- I just can't imagine

Mr. Murdock printing

a story like this.

Is that so hard

to believe

when you went right to him

with your story?

I didn't tell him

anything about you.

I didn't even mention

that we had met.

Why, then it was

Dr. Fabrique?

No.

No, he wouldn't answer

any of my questions

about you.

Does the story

mention the fact

that you want

to leave your husband,

but you're afraid to

because he threatens you?

No.

Well, politically,

that's even a more

damaging story than this.

Oh, of course.

I'm sorry, Mr. Earp.

I've been so heartsick

about everything.

Well, I don't blame you.

Mr. Murdock will print

a retraction.

I'll go right over

to his office.

[footsteps]

Marshal, Dr. Fabrique thinks

you'd better come right away.

Mr. Murdock's been shot.

Who did it?

We don't know.

It's in the lung,

and Doc won't let him talk.

Is he in any danger of...

Doc wouldn't say.

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Earp.

Really very sorry.

Has your husband

been home today?

I may need to talk

to you later.

Yes, of course.

Excuse me.

"Marsh Murdock,

editor of The Wichita Eagle,

"was shot

and superficially wounded

"at : last night

by Jim Begley,

"a henchman

of Private Josh Clanton.

"Begley was accompanied

to The Eagle office by Clanton.

"Private Clanton tried

to do the sh**ting himself

"but lost his nerve,

and Begley then drew

his own weapon and fired."

It was Begley, huh?

Yes.

Will you get that story

over to my office, Wyatt?

You better

get out of here!

You're making

his temperature go up!

If you don't stop shouting,

you're going to make

his temperature go up.

What?

Forget it.

Would you like

a little nip?

I've been looking

for you, Marshal.

Colonel Clanton

gave me his g*n.

He owns up

that he did it.

Well, do you plead guilty

to the charge?

Proudly.

I shot Murdock

in defense

of my wife's honor.

Take him to jail, Sam.

I demand an immediate hearing

before Judge Jewett.

That's for Judge Jewett

to decide, not you.

Now go on.

I was only .

He was a w*r hero,

an older man,

so I was an infatuated fool

and married him.

All he wanted

was a young wife

and the money

my folks left me.

[sighs]

Well, he'll soon be

a real hero.

He shot my friend

in defense of your good name.

But Mr. Murdock said

it was that Begley fellow.

It's just his word

against your husband's,

unless I find Begley.

But that's terrible,

Mr. Earp.

Why, what does

Josh Clanton care

for me and my reputation?

He's disgraced me

with women.

He keeps me like a prisoner

in my own house.

Well, Mrs. Clanton,

the voters don't know that.

Do you mean he might actually

be elected mayor?

If he gets away with the lie

of the injured husband,

he can't lose.

But he's got to lose!

I'll announce

I'm leaving him.

I'll tell the whole story

of why.

It's too late

for that now.

Oh, I never dreamed he stood

a chance of being elected.

I despised him so,

I thought surely

the public would see him

as I do.

Mrs. Clanton,

I've got to find Begley.

Can you help me?

Oh, I want to.

Really, I do.

But I know so little

about the man.

He brought my husband home

several times, late at night,

but I wouldn't begin to know

where to find him.

Well, if you do hear

from Begley

or hear anything about him,

will you let me know?

Yes, of course.

Good night, Mrs. Clanton.

Can't you explain to Jim

the legal rule

that ties my hand?

He knows the law, Judge.

I'm only asking you

to stretch it a little

and not let that scoundrel

have a chance to strut

in court.

He's pleaded guilty.

He's demanded an immediate

hearing and sentence,

and the law

clearly states

that I must give him

his day in court

to allow him to present

extenuating circumstances

that might lighten

his punishment.

It's no use, Jim.

Marshal, there's a lady here

to see you.

She wouldn't

give me her name.

No, I think

I know her name.

If you'll let me

talk to her alone.

We'll wait outside.

Send her in, will you?

Yes, sir.

Would you come in,

please?

Good morning, ma'am.

It's Begley.

He's at the house.

Oh?

He wanted money-- $ .

I told him I'd have to

go to the bank.

Good.

You think he'll wait?

I was frightened of him.

He knew it.

He's sure I'll come back

with the money.

Good.

He has a g*n, Mr. Earp.

That's wonderful.

That's the best news of all.

Draw.

Go ahead, Begley.

No, draw!

I won't start until

you got your hand on your g*n.

You want to k*ll me.

I ain't drawing.

Earp, you gone loco?

You wouldn't sh**t me

with my hands up, would you?

You shot

a good friend of mine.

Now get outside.

Oh, no.

Stop it! Stop it!

Stop it, Mr. Earp!

I'm sorry, Mrs. Clanton.

I guess I lost my temper.

He'll tell the truth now.

Get him to the court!

Hurry!

You can take my rig.

Thank you, ma'am.

Murdock called

the woman I loved a drunkard.

Dr. Fabrique has testified

that Mrs. Clanton suffered

a nervous breakdown.

She took sodium bromide

by his prescription.

Bromide, sir.

A sedative,

not an intoxicating liquor.

My darling wife

has never tasted

even so much

as a spoonful of wine.

Mr. Clanton,

I take it that

you're offering the plea

of extreme provocation

for this court to consider.

I make no plea, sir.

I did what any

decent husband would do.

Your Honor,

Mr. Begley's got a statement

to make to the court.

I shot Murdock.

Josh tried to,

but he lost his nerve.

That's a lie, sir.

A contemptible lie!

Will you repeat that statement

under oath in this court?

Yes, sir.

[chuckles]

Very well.

Put up your right hand.

This will go on page one.

"The Wichita Eagle

most sincerely apologizes

"to Mrs. Harriet Clanton

and retracts, in its entirety,

"the story printed about her

two days before the election.

"The Eagle bows its head

in shame.

"During the heat

of a political contest,

"The Eagle was

careless in its facts

concerning Mrs. Clanton

"and grossly unjust

in its interpretation

of those facts.

"The Eagle and its editor

"have learned a lesson

we shall never forget."

Is there anything else

I can say, ma'am?

No, Mr. Murdock.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Earp is seeing you

to the station?

It'd be my pleasure.

♪♪ [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]