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01x32 - The w*r of the Colonels

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.

01x32 - The w*r of the Colonels

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]

On the Western

frontier of ,

a tragic phase of lawlessness

was the range w*r.

A range w*r started

when two owners

of large cattle outfits

had a personal dispute.

Then it spread

to cowhand retainers

of the cattle barons,

with professional gunfighters

hired by both sides,

making the w*r

hot and deadly.

Thus, when the Wades

and the Fentresses

invaded Wichita,

Marshal Earp had no choice.

He must break up the fight

or the city streets would

become their battleground

and every Wichita citizen

might suffer the fate

of the innocent bystander.

[grunts]

[Wyatt]

Hold it!

Break it up!

Break it up!

What's the matter

with you fellas, anyway?

You know better than that!

All right, come on.

Come out of there!

Back up there.

Back up. Come on.

Get back.

[shouting]

Get back!

Stop it! Stop it!

You Wades

better stop it!

You Wades better stop it

or I'll get a g*n

and I'll sh**t

every one of you!

[Wyatt]

Break it up!

Break it up!

Break it up!

Come on--

Stay out of this!

I said break it up!

Break it up!

Should I take 'em

all to jail?

Any of 'em drunk?

Well, they don't

seem to be.

I want him and him

and him arrested!

Arrest all six of them.

They're Wades from the Bar W.

They jumped three of our men,

and it just wasn't--

Hold it!

Any of them are hurt

take them to Doc Fabrique.

Turn the rest

of them loose.

Marshal Earp, are you

on the Fentress' side

or the Wades'?

Who are you

and where do you live?

I'm Mary Ellen Fentress.

I'm staying here in town

at the Wichita Hotel.

You'd better get

inside to cool off.

Let me have this.

Go on now.

Now you sit down

and cool off.

And I suppose you'd like

to know what makes me tick.

You must be Colonel

Fentress' granddaughter.

Lazy H outfit, hmm?

Yes, I am.

And there's gonna be one

real sure-enough fight

when my grandfather

gets to town.

Oh?

He put up with old man Wade

for years and years.

Haven't you any sense

of justice, Mr. Earp?

Well, there's two sides

to every argument,

Miss Fentress.

Those Wades jump our range,

they rustle our steers,

they bribe

the cattle agents,

so they can load first

at the freight pens,

now they bought up

all the rooms

at the Texas House.

Colonel Wade's coming

into town, huh?

Don't call him a colonel!

He was only a brevet colonel

and a plum coward.

Well, I never argue

with ladies.

I'm sorry.

I hope you'll forgive me

for losing my temper.

But it was

six against three,

and, well, my blood

just about boiled.

Yeah, I know.

I bet you've lost

your temper a few times.

A few times,

but, uh, you know,

that's one of the worst things

a peace officer can do.

Peace.

Can't be any now.

The Wades are loading g*ns.

They've come into town

for the finish fight.

Wyatt? We're gonna

need some more men.

The Wade boys just went

into the Texas House

and cleaned the g*n rack.

You see?

Where are

the Fentress men?

Well, Doc Fabrique's

patching them up.

All right,

let's go down there.

Just the two of us, Wyatt?

That'll be plenty.

We'll go

in the back door.

I'll go, too.

No, you stay here

and start trying

to act like a lady.

[chatter]

All right, put your

hands on the bar!

You put yours

on the table.

Come on, move!

Get their g*ns, Ollie.

I gave your men

a break on the streets.

Now you're gonna

go to jail.

That Fentress girl

put you up to this, Earp?

Same law goes

for the Fentresses.

Been enough trouble

from both outfits.

Now go on.

Get moving.

Come on. Move.

[men griping]

[Wyatt]

Go on! Move!

[Man]

Hold it.

Mary Ellen said they beat up

on three of our boys.

Oh, you're Fentress men, huh?

Climb down, both of ya!

Oh, sticking up

for the Wades--

I said climb down!

Now follow with the Wades.

Go on! Move!

Marshal Earp,

are you sure

you haven't made

some dreadful mistake?

Mistake?

Well, it was all right

to arrest those Wade cowhands,

but you arrested

two of our men, too.

Mr. Broaddus here doesn't

think it was quite legal.

I am John H. Broaddus,

attorney-at-law.

Howdy.

Miss Fentress,

your men were arrested

because they were drunk

and wearing g*ns.

They also told me

that you incited them

to get even

with the Wades.

Why, I never!

All I did was tell them

how the Wades beat up our boys.

Now all of this

is a little irrelevant.

Oh, it is, huh?

Yes, it is.

You know, ever since

my arrival in Wichita,

I've been quite concerned

over your high-handed

tactics, Mr. Earp.

I've been retained

by Miss Fentress, here,

to see that her

grandfather's employees

are released immediately.

You got a writ

of habeas corpus?

Not necessary,

young man.

All Miss Fentress need do

is to tender bail money.

I've got more than

a hundred dollars

right here in this purse.

Don't bother.

I intend to keep those

prisoners for hours.

The law gives me

that authority.

Now look, if the Wade

and Fentress people

aim to start a private w*r,

they're not gonna start it

on the streets of Wichita.

But you have no proof--

And I don't waste

any time on shysters,

so you'd better

get out of here.

B-But--

You dare call me a--

A shyster and a fool.

Now I told you to get out.

I'm going to see

Judge Jewett!

Well, you do it.

You'll find him right over

at the courthouse.

You know what's

wrong with you?

You're a girl.

You've never been

punched in the nose.

Girls seldom are.

So a few of them grow up

to be spoiled brats.

You're insulting.

But perhaps you're not

gentleman enough to know that.

You haven't got enough brains

in your stupid little head

to know what you're

trying to start.

A range w*r

isn't romantic,

Miss Fentress.

You've see a lot of men beaten.

You wanna see them k*lled, too?

Yes. Every one

of those Wades.

Oh.

And where will you be?

Ringing your hands

in the parlor, I suppose.

Sniveling about

all the Fentress men

that are k*lled.

Well, you make me sick.

You get out of here, too.

My grandfather

will sh**t you.

He's got more brains

than to try it.

And you tell him for me,

if he shows up in this town

wearing a g*n,

he'll wind up in jail.

I'll tell that

to Wade, too.

What did she do

to ruffle your--

Forget it!

How many deputies

have we got?

Seven, counting me.

[sighs]

All right. Send five of them

over to the Texas House.

You tell them

to arrest every Wade

that shows in town

wearing a g*n.

Yes, sir.

I'm going over

to the Wichita Hotel.

Old Fentress will show up

this afternoon.

You and Paul join me

over there later.

Right.

Oh, Grandfather,

thank heaven you've come.

You having trouble,

Mary Ellen?

Oh, it's that Marshal Earp.

He says we can't

fight the Wades.

Three of our men

got beat up.

Then he arrested two more

and took them to jail.

And when I got a lawyer

to try and get them out,

why, he said just dreadful,

insulting things to me.

He did, huh?

He treated me like

a poor, trashy nobody.

Then he took our lawyer

and just shoved him out

of his office.

I reckon we'll drive straight

to the calaboose, Curly.

That Earp has needed

a teaching for a good spell.

Hold on! Hold on--

[yelps]

You Colonel Fentress?

I am, sir.

Then you're

under arrest, sir.

Don't you dare try to--

You stay out of this.

She's been trying

to start a free-for-all

ever since this afternoon.

And you think

you can stop it?

Well, if you and Colonel Wade

haven't got enough sense

to stop it yourself,

then I'll have to do

the job for you.

The jail's

right this way, sir.

I won't be there long.

No, you won't,

Grandfather.

Mr. Broaddus is seeing

the judge right now.

And why don't you

arrest Wade?

I intend to as soon

as he shows in town.

It's too bad I can't

arrest you, too.

Now let's get going.

Don't worry, honey.

He'll pay for this.

I don't know why you acted

with such severity.

Colonel Wade

and Colonel Fentress

may be just

blowing off steam.

Not this time, Judge.

They told their men

to fight it out.

But you don't know that!

Well, Fentress

is right in there.

Go ask him point blank.

Oh, hang it all, Wyatt.

A man's intent doesn't

constitute a breach of law.

Broaddus has been

after me to release

all the prisoners on bail.

Well, you wouldn't do that.

Well, why not?

A pitched battle

in the streets?

Innocent bystanders

being hurt?

It's a condition

of priority criminus.

You're asking me,

as a judge,

to assume that Wade

and Fentress' men

will actually sh**t

at each other.

That's right.

Broaddus is a shyster,

but he knows enough law

to realize that you put me

in an embarrassing

position.

Why-- Why, old man Wade

isn't even in town.

No matter what

Fentress threatens,

it takes two

to make a quarrel.

Don't you see that

I'm stretching the law?

[grumbles]

Don't lose

your temper, Wyatt.

Oh, I think

I'm doing right well,

considering

there's a range w*r

about to bust loose

in this town.

And you quote Latin.

Let me tell you--

Wait a minute, Judge.

You listen to me.

You grant those men bail

or sign writs

of habeas corpus,

I won't honor the papers.

Indeed!

Now you're the judge,

but I'm the marshal.

If Broaddus gets

you to sign papers,

they have to be enforced.

Well, I won't enforce them,

and neither will my men.

Are you-- Do you realize

what you're saying?

I took an oath

to keep peace in Wichita,

and that's

what I aim to do.

As long as you're marshal.

Well, sir, in order

to remove me,

you'd have

to have a trial.

Mayor Hope is out of town,

so you can't fire me.

Wyatt, don't put--

Excuse me, Wyatt.

Old man Wade

just got in.

Where is he?

Sitting over in the lobby

of the Texas House,

and he's just loaded

with sh**ting iron.

We didn't want to tackle him

without you knowing about it.

Looks like a gunfight.

Yeah.

Wade is right peaceful,

isn't he?

Well, maybe you'd

better come along,

and find out what

his priority criminus

condition is for yourself.

No, no, no.

If he refuses

to surrender his weapons,

you arrest him.

Thank you. I will.

And another thing.

Earp didn't throw

Fentress and his boys

in jail to stop a fight.

He threw them in the calaboose

to protect them from my boys.

And I hear he's sweet

on Mary Ellen Fentress.

What kind of a law is that?

A short-horn marshal

taking sides with Fentress.

I ask you--

Colonel?

Now don't get scared, son.

Just keep your hands

away from your g*n.

Marshal Earp says

you'll either have to check

those weapons

or be arrested.

Well, well.

So that's what Earp says, eh?

Yes, sir.

Well, you just tell him

to come here and

try and arrest me.

That's what

I'm waiting for!

What's the matter?

Didn't you hear me?

I said tell--

I'm right here, Mr. Wade.

Yeah, that's just

what you'd do, Earp.

Sneak up behind a man.

I didn't wanna

have to k*ll you.

A typical sneaky Earp trick.

Come on, stand up.

We'll take a little

walk to jail.

I'll have a lot of my boys

here around sunup.

How long do you think

I'll stay in jail?

Just as long

as I want you.

Now get your hat.

Yeah, I heard about you.

Well, I declare.

It's Brevet Colonel

Yellow Jack Wade.

You just better

stay in jail,

if you know

what's good for you.

Let's go.

Marshal Earp. Please.

I was wrong.

You did arrest Colonel Wade.

I'd might well

like to apologize.

All right.

Please.

Can't we be friends?

Why?

Well, I just might be

able to persuade Grandfather

to call off the fight.

And why would you do that?

Well, in all my life,

no man ever talked to me

the way you did,

and it started me

to thinking.

If you'd escort

me to the lobby

of the Wichita Hotel,

I'd-- I'd might well

like to talk it over.

All right.

And then I got to thinking,

what's all this

awful fussing about?

Just because Grandfather

says Wade didn't support

the th Virginia Regiment

at the Battle of Malvern Hill.

That was years ago,

Mr. Earp.

And that's what started

all the trouble, hmm?

Uh-huh. Truly, it did.

See, Wade was in charge

of a Carolina regiment.

But he turned yellow,

and he ordered

his wonderful men

to turn back,

exposing

Grandfather's position.

I know it was a terrible

thing for Wade to do,

but, all the same,

it just doesn't seem right

that Grandfather should

nurse revenge all these years,

now does it?

No.

But what you said about me,

that I'd weep

crocodile tears

in the parlor

while our men and theirs

were getting shot.

Oh, it made me see myself

as a mean, cruel person.

Am I really

that wicked, Mr. Earp?

Well, I don't know

any saints in Wichita,

Miss Fentress.

Would you like me

to prove I've changed

by getting them

to call off the fight?

Your character's

none of my business, but...

though you might win

a big star for your halo

if you could

put an end to this row.

But I'll need your help.

How?

Well, just getting Grandfather

to call off the w*r

wouldn't settle it.

You'd have to agree

to let him and his men

out of jail.

And hold the Wades, hmm?

Uh-huh. That'd give us time

to get out of town.

Everybody'd have

a chance to cool off.

All right.

You and I'll have

a little talk

with Colonel Fentress.

And if things

work out peaceable,

we'll be friends?

Mmm.

Well, that's right

fine of you, Mr. Earp.

You know,

you're the first man

that ever told me

the truth about myself.

Yeah, well, uh,

let's go find out

what your grandfather

has to say.

I'm sure Grandfather

will listen to me.

I hope so.

Mary Ellen!

What are you doing here?

Grandfather, I've come

to an agreement with Mr. Earp.

He's gonna

turn us all loose

if you promise

to stop fighting Wade.

Oh, I thought so.

Earp is a good-looking scamp

and he's turned your head.

Grandfather, how can you

say such a thing?

Forget it, Miss Fentress.

The Colonel is determined

to have a w*r.

I make no deal

with you, Earp.

I don't have to.

[Wyatt] No?

My brothers have

telegraphed the governor,

and the governor

is a personal friend of mine.

Grandfather,

I've given my--

Mind your manners,

Mary Ellen!

No lady would associate

with a fellow like Earp.

You go on back

to the hotel.

Immediately!

You and that small-town judge

will soon be out of jobs.

Paul!

Send Colonel Wade in here.

I'm gonna make you

the same offer

I made to Fentress.

I'll keep him and his men

in jail here for a while

and let your crowd go free

if you'll promise

to get out of town.

And make peace,

I suppose?

I don't care

what you and Fentress do

outside the city limits,

but I'm not gonna

have any g*nf*re

in the streets of Wichita.

You're bluffing

with a poor hand, Earp.

A pair of deuces.

Oh, I am, huh?

Yes, you are.

Of course, if Fentress

wired the governor,

we'll be out of here

by morning.

And so will you, sonny.

Wyatt, a Fentress cowhand

and a Wade gunslinger

are making showdown talk

on Douglas Avenue.

They've hid their g*ns,

so we just can't arrest them.

Let's go down

and get them.

[chatter]

You gonna let them

run us out of town?

Come on.

Get out of the way!

You've been doing enough talk.

Why don't you draw?

This one's dead.

This one's still breathing.

Wearing Bar W spurs.

First blood

for Colonel Fentress.

All right, you men,

take them on over

to Doc Fabrique's.

Give them a hand.

Lift them careful.

Oh, Wyatt.

The jig's up.

I've written a mandamus

from the court in Topeka.

We've got to release

both Wade and Fentress outfits.

According to what

the court says.

Now, Wyatt--

They said it.

Let them enforce it!

I'll be impeached.

And you'll be fired.

Look, there's one man dead

and another man

so badly wounded

he'll be crippled

for life.

And do you know why?

Because years ago,

Fentress accused Wade

of being cowardly

at the Battle

of Malvern Hill.

Ollie, bring Fentress

and Wade in here.

Judge, I'm gonna

say something to them

that you won't want to hear.

Will you leave us alone?

But you don't understand.

I've written a mand--

Judge, please.

Good night, Wyatt.

Good night, sir.

Have a seat, gentlemen.

Thank you, sir.

Colonel Wade,

one of your men was just

k*lled in a gunfight

down at the Texas House.

Oh, that's too bad.

Yeah.

Colonel Fentress,

your man was shot up so badly

he'll be crippled

for life.

I'm sorry to hear that.

No, neither one of you

cares a hoot.

They're both just nobodies

in your own private little w*r!

All right, gentlemen,

come morning,

you'll have your own

little private w*r

and your own little

private b*ttlefield.

b*ttlefield?

What do you mean?

I mean that you

and Colonel Fentress

are gonna fight

the next battle

all by yourselves.

These are your g*ns.

Are you suggesting

a duel, sir?

I don't care

what you call it.

But tomorrow morning,

my men and I

are gonna take you

to Denby's horse barn.

There's nice, thick walls,

so that no innocent

bystander can get hurt.

This is your fight,

isn't it?

Uh, yes.

Of course.

Then I assume

you have no objection

to fighting it out

personally.

Or would you rather

have it fought by boys

who never even

saw Malvern Hill?

No. I'm ready.

So am I.

Good.

I just hope you're both

as brave as your hired hands.

Oh, and don't worry,

if either of you is k*lled,

your great attorney,

Mr. Broaddus, can appeal it

to the Supreme Court.

Have a good night's rest,

gentlemen.

Good night.

All right, gentlemen.

Here are your g*ns.

There are

three b*ll*ts

in each.

Check the cylinders.

Now, Ollie'll

open the doors.

You'll walk in

side by side.

Then you'll make

your own arrangements

as to when to start

the fight

and the distance

between you.

You understand?

Anytime, gentlemen.

[horse galloping]

Grandfather!

Where's my grandfather?

Take it easy.

Your grandfather

and Colonel Wade

went inside the barn

to sh**t it out.

Are you mad?

He's an old man.

He doesn't see very well.

He's no older than Wade.

But he'll be k*lled!

[g*nshots]

That's six, Ollie.

Open the door.

[coughing]

My grandfather--

you k*lled him.

He's dead, you m*rder*r!

Grandfather!

Grandfather,

thank heavens.

I'm all right, honey.

Wretched bad shootin'.

Take them

to Doc Fabrique's.

I hate you!

Whoa there, Mary Ellen.

The w*r's over.

Jack and I decided

we've had enough.

Come on, Jack.

Go ahead, Colonel.

Thank you, Colonel.

Haa! Hya!

I'm sorry.

I lost my temper.

I lost my temper, too,

but I'm not sorry.

Just for once, the old fools

who started a range w*r

had to fight it out

themselves.

Please...

Can't we be friends,

Mr. Earp?

The w*r's over

for you, too, huh?

You know, the courts

are not gonna like

any of this.

Would it be all right

if I sort of

fell in love with you?

Nope.

I'm under a writ

of mandamus.

A writ of--

What's that?

Well, it means

I can't get married

for years and years.

♪ 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]