01x32 - The General's Disgrace

[bunniefuu]

[thudding]

♪ Jim Bowie, Jim Bowie

♪ He was a bold, adventurin' man ♪

♪ Jim Bowie, Jim Bowie

♪ Battle for right with a powerful hand ♪

♪ His blade was tempered and so was he ♪

♪ Indestructible steel was he

♪ Jim Bowie, Jim Bowie

♪ He was a fighter, a fearless and mighty adventurin' man ♪

- [Jim] In the spring of 1830 a band of outlaws

had nearly paralyzed the movement

of produce into New Orleans.

The situation had gotten so bad the Army

had to be called in to patrol the roads.

I'd been notified that the troops would meet me

at Gregory Corners and escort me into New Orleans.

But the outlaws didn't wait for that.

[soft quartet music]

[punching]

[thudding]

[bell ringing]

- Yes, sir?

- I've sent for my son.

Show him in when he arrives. - Yes, sir.

- I'm sorry, sir, we failed again.

We were attacked two miles north of our rendezvous.

- How many?

- We didn't see them, sir.

- What'd they get?

- About two wagon loads of sugar.

- Jim, Jim Bowie!

- General.

- It was your wagon train?

- It sure was and I got a lump on my head to prove it.

- That'll be all, Captain.

Let me have a written report.

I'm sorry, Jim, trying to catch

this g*ng is like fighting smoke.

- Well, sir, I got a notion that--

- You sent for me, father? - I did.

Oh, this is Mr. Bowie, my son Phillip.

- Howdy.

- Jim Bowie? - That's right.

- Your papers came this morning, Phillip.

Now, sign them.

Phillip's going to West Point next fall.

I hear that's developed into a great school, Jim.

I wish I could have gone there.

- Father, I don't want to go to West Point.

I don't want to be a soldier.

- We'll discuss it later, Phillip, that'll be all.

- Yes, sir.

Excuse me, Mr. Bowie.

- Kid's got a wild idea he wants to be a rancher in Texas.

They'll knock that out of him at

the Point, make a man out of him.

Being both mother and father,

it's like fighting a w*r on two fronts.

- Getting back to our own little w*r, General.

That clout on the head's given me an idea.

- I can use one.

What is it?

- You're not gonna like this.

But has it occurred to you that

those outlaws have had amazingly

good luck in avoiding your patrols?

- What does that mean?

- If someone had that kind of luck against me

in a poker game I'd ask to look at the deck.

I think that someone in your staff

is leaking information to the bandits.

- You're right, I don't like your idea!

- Well, I don't like what happened to me this morning.

- Good day, Mr. Bowie!

- Look, General, don't order me around.

I don't wear your chevrons.

There's a rotten apple in your barrel and I aim

to find out who it is, whether you like it or not.

Good day to you, sir.

[soft quartet music]

[bell dinging]

- Oh, why it's Mr. Bowie!

- Good afternoon, Lulu.

Is your mistress awake yet?

- Yes, sir and ringing for her breakfast.

I was just taking it up to her.

- I'll save you the trouble, Lulu.

- Lulu, have you heard anything about Count Marcek's wife?

Says here she's only four feet tall.

He owes me a thousand dollars and,

obviously, she's the one with all the money.

Lulu!

- The way I heard it, ma'am,

she can walk right under a table.

- You!

- Hello, Delly.

My, I like your hair like that.

All down and curly.

- How was the cigar?

- Cigar?

Oh, yeah!

Well, I can explain about that.

See, the shop I went to, I meant to come right back,

but they didn't have my brand, so then I had to go looking.

- Where, Havana?

- No, Texas.

And then I had a very narrow escape.

I almost ended up having to marry a little Cherokee girl.

Two lumps, right, Delly?

She had a real funny way of kissing.

Like this, let me show you.

Man, I ought to be horsewhipped for staying away so long.

- You're back, that's what counts.

- Ouch!

- Jim, you're hurt.

- Just a little bump.

- Cherokee?

- No, bandits.

- Bandits, what happened?

- We got ambushed this morning.

They made off with two wagon loads of sugar belonging to me.

The Army was supposed to be protecting us

but somebody let out the information.

- Who was it?

- I have a feeling that the tip came

from one of General Rodgers' officers.

- Get out.

- Huh?

- I might have known it would only be

something like this that would bring you back.

- I came back to see you, Delly.

- You came back to find your sugar.

- Why, you're my sugar.

You got such a pretty neck.

- And I intend to keeping it that way.

- You mean you do know who did it?

- I didn't say that.

Look, I run a gambling casino.

Any information that comes my way is strictly confidential.

If it weren't I wouldn't stay in business for five minutes.

- Miss Delly, Mr. Phillip is downstairs.

He wants to see you right away.

- Oh, take this tray, Lulu.

I'm not hungry.

Mr. Bowie is just leaving.

- But I'll be back.

- Out.

- Goodbye, Lulu.

- Bye, Mr. Bowie.

- Send Mr. Phillip up.

- Yes, Miss Delly.

- Well, hello.

- Oh, Mr. Bowie.

- Mr. Phillip, Miss Delly said for you

to come up to her room, please.

- Excuse me.

- Sure.

Just a minute, Lulu.

Does he come here often?

[Lulu giggling]

[Jim mock giggling]

- Oh, Phillip, those were Jim Bowie's

wagons they ambushed this morning.

He's no redneck farmer, he's dangerous.

- You didn't tell him?

- Of course, not.

I can't tell him.

I can't go to your father and I can't make you stop.

What am I going to do with you?

It's just that I don't want you to keep

on gambling and borrowing from Moret.

What do I have to do, tell my dealers not to let you play?

- If I want to gamble, I'll gamble.

- What brought you here, Phillip?

- Papers came from West Point this morning.

- Did you sign them?

- No, but he'll try to make me.

- I wish that old ramrod would come in here sometime.

Doesn't he know that he can't

raise a boy like he runs an army?

If you want to go to Texas I'll give you the money.

- No, I won't take it.

- I'm going out to buy a new carriage.

Want to come along and help me pick one out?

- Yes.

- Alright, wait downstairs.

- [Jim] That afternoon I turned bloodhound

and found myself buying drinks and cigars for the Army.

But I learned that the officers were a steady-going bunch.

All married except one, and he was a chess player.

So, I headed for the warehouse district.

Nothing there, either.

As a blood hound, I was turning out to be a fine lap dog.

So I gave up for the day and headed to my hotel.

The last place I'd expect to find a clue.

And there, naturally, I found it in a pail of soap suds.

Howdy, Aunt Jenny!

- Why, Mr. Bowie!

- Where'd you get this piece of sack?

- My boy, he brung it home last night from where he works.

- He did, did he?

Where's that?

- He works for Mr. Hyman Moret, the big gambling man.

Say, why are you frettin' so over

an old sugar sack, Mr. Bowie?

- Well, you see this word written right there?

See that word? - Yes, sir.

- You know what that says? - No, sir.

- That says gold. - It do?

- Yes, ma'am.

[soft quartet music]

- Evening, Delly.

- You get out of here.

- Now, it's not very ladylike to be your own bouncer.

- I don't want you pestering my guests.

- I only want to pester one of them; Mr. Moret.

[crowd chattering]

Sam, which one is Mr. Moret?

- Gentleman over there with the cigar,

Mr. Bowie, at the Faro table.

- Oh, yeah, thank you.

- Just a moment, boy.

Don't you want to settle with me?

- Phillip?

- Goodnight, Miss Delly.

- Just what does the boy mean to you, Delly?

- Enough not to want to see him hurt.

[soft quartet music]

[knocking]

- Is General Rodgers at home?

I-- [door opening]

- Mr. Bowie.

- Hello, Phillip.

- The General's out but I'm expecting him right back.

Is it something special?

- I owe him an apology.

I thought I might as well make it tonight.

- Come in.

Can I offer you some brandy? - Thanks.

- Was it an argument?

- It was a humdinger.

I had a hunch that one of his officers was

a spy for the wagon train bandits.

- Oh? - But I was wrong.

His officers are everything he claimed them to be.

Funny the way it worked out.

I'd never suspected who it was.

- You know who the spy is?

- Found out tonight.

- How, who told you?

- Delly.

- Delly?

I don't believe it, she wouldn't do that to...

- To whom, Phillip?

- To anybody, she's not like that.

- You mean she thinks too much of you.

- Me?

Why would I be a spy?

- To get yourself a stake to go to Texas.

- She did tell you.

- No.

No, she didn't, you just did.

Why, son?

Why would you do a thing like this

to your own father of all people?

Such a wonderful man-- - Wonderful?

Do you know him?

- Yeah, I know him.

- I doubt it, Mr. Bowie.

I doubt it very much.

- How did you get into this mess?

Moret?

- I went to the Bonne Chance one night

with some friends of mine.

I'd won a little at roulette.

That's how I met Delly.

I talked her into letting me sit

in on a high stake poker game.

I thought, I thought I might win enough to get me to Texas.

But before I knew what had happened

I'd lost everything I had.

And $500 I didn't have, to Moret.

That was,

that was just about the time that my father

was given the duty of protecting the roads.

Well, I couldn't pay.

I couldn't let Moret go to my father.

So I had to agree, I had to agree to tell him

where the soldiers were protecting the roads.

- Orderly?

- [Orderly] Yes, sir?

- Send Captain Anderson here. - Yes, sir.

- You heard our conversation, General?

- Enough.

Where are you staying? - Hotel Trianneau.

- I'll send you a check in the morning for your sugar.

- No, sir, that's not necessary, it wasn't your--

- Kindly allow me to conduct my affairs as I see fit.

Phillip, go to your room.

- No.

No, I won't!

- Yes, General?

- Prepare an order for my signature,

my resignation from the Army of the United States.

- I'll deal with this, sir.

You don't have to ruin your career.

- You're dismissed, Captain.

- General, I beg you, don't do anything you'll regret.

I know who's got the sugar and I'll take care of him.

- This is a matter between my son and myself.

We needn't burden you any longer.

Goodnight, Mr. Bowie.

[grim music]

- If he knows about it, Phillip,

running away won't solve anything.

Try talking to him.

- I have tried, it'll just be the same thing all over again.

Delly, come with me, we'll go together.

- What?

- You can start a new gambling house there in Texas.

I'll help you. - Oh, Phillip, I--

Oh, thank you, Lulu.

- Money to run away on?

- None of your business.

- How about it, Delly?

You can sell this place, buy another one there.

We'll catch a boat for Galveston first thing.

There's too much competition here anyway,

you said so yourself.

- Now I've heard everything! - Why shouldn't I?

Why shouldn't I go with him?

- Because he's just a boy.

He's wet behind the ears!

And he's up to them in trouble.

- Has he sent a corporal's guard for me, yet?

- No, if you want to know,

your father's writing out his resignation.

- His resignation?

- [Delly] Why?

- Because his whole life has been a model

of honor and service and integrity.

Now he's ruined, he's in disgrace.

- It's his own fault, he had it coming.

- No, Delly.

- I wouldn't treat a dog the way he treated you.

- He's right.

I have to stay.

Face what I have to face.

I have to, Delly!

We'll go to Texas when this is over.

- That's more like it.

Now tell me, Phillip, did you give

any information to Moret tonight?

- I told him about a wagon train in the morning.

- You did, huh?

- The patrol will meet at a mile above the train.

Let's go. - No!

Let the Army set the ambush.

What are you trying to do, get yourself k*lled?

- No, I think he's trying to become a man.

On his own terms and by his own act.

- I'll be back, Delly.

- If so much of a hair of that boy's

head is harmed, Jim Bowie--

- Look, Delly, you run your gambling house

and stop playing mother.

- Lulu, have my carriage brought around, hurry!

[soft quartet music]

- General Rodgers? - Yeah, who are you?

- I run a gambling house, Casino Bonne Chance,

where your son has been spending his time.

- Phillip?

- He had to go somewhere with his troubles.

He couldn't go to you. - What troubles?

- He doesn't want to go to West Point!



- What? - Not that he likes Texas

so much, but he's lonely.

He's lonely for warmth and all the things

that a mother could give the boy.

He even wanted me to go with him.

- What is your name? - Delly Hartford.

There was something very touching about it, tragic even.

A young boy so starved for affection that he had

to find it in an old turnip like me.

- Where is he?

- Out with Jim Bowie, headed for Partrain

to set a trap for the outlaws.

Trying to get himself k*lled to prove

to you that he's a man.

- My boy. - Yes.

If you were any kind of a father

you'd go out there and help him.

Go on!

[soft quartet music]

[galloping]

- There's a stretch of heavy cover up ahead.

- That's it, now you make sure that p*stol does its work.

[wagon creaking]

Steady.

[g*n firing]

[thudding]

[punching]

[galloping]

[thudding]

[punching]

- Wait, General, wait! - The boy's unarmed!

[soft quartet music]

[g*n firing]

[bell dinging]

- Ooh, why, it's Mr. Bowie!

- Good afternoon, Lulu.

Is your mistress awake yet?

- Yes, sir, and ringing for her breakfast.

I was just taking it up to her.

- I'll save you the trouble, Lulu.

[giggling]

- Lulu, do you know anything about Indians?

It says here Chloe Finch is part Blackfoot.

I don't see how they can tell when

she wears those high shoes all the time.

Lulu--

- Oh, it's easy to tell a Blackfoot, ma'am.

Shall I show you?

- Oh, hello, Jim dear!

- Hello, Delly.

Now, I can explain.

See, the way it was I wanted to come

back here right away after Moret was caught.

You see, I had to wait around and see

the General straightened out with the Army.

- Oh, I know you've been busy, dear.

- Yes, I have and then there was Phillip's trial,

that took an awful long time.

Two lumps, right?

- Thank you, very much.

- And then there was...

What's the matter, Delly?

You're being so soft and squashy.

- Look over there.

- Huh?

Where you going?

- On my honeymoon.

- Who's the lucky man?

- Someone who doesn't think I'm an old turnip.

He was very angry at me for saying so.

He came over to tell me specially.

- Who?

- You've been to Texas, Jim.

I'll like it, won't I?

- Hey, you're not marrying that young kid?

- No, but he'll be with us.

I'll be known as Mrs. General Rodgers, U.S. Army Retired.

- You're marrying General?

Well, dog my cats! [clattering]

[laughs]

♪ Jim Bowie, Jim Bowie

♪ He was a fighter, a fearless and mighty adventurin' man ♪