( theme music playing )
**
Nope, I won't sign it. I've made up my mind.
Now, Frank--
I don't care what you're offering, Cappy.
There won't be another contract.
This is my last match for you.
Frank, I got you this match for the title.
I could keep you champ for years.
You're making a big mistake, Frank.
The biggest mistake of your life.
You'll wind up a bum.
Maybe, but it's better than putting up with you.
I don't like the way you operate.
Frank.
I'm telling you...
you'd better sign this.
**
471, please. Yeah.
Pilbeam? Cappy Donald.
Does your offer still hold?
Then you'd better come over here right now.
I'll wait.
1,000.
2! You said 2,000!
Cappy, you wouldn't have called me here to sign with you.
You're in no position to bargain.
One.
Well, then, it's no deal.
No deal at all.
Expect me to dope a drink
and give it to that 250-pound ape?
That's dangerous.
It could kill him.
And that's dangerous for me, too.
No, I won't do it for less than 2,000.
**
All right. 2.
And I want my money now.
You'll get your money the day of the fight,
like I told you.
You'll get paid when we're in Casper.
( sighs ) All right.
I'll be staying at the Casper Hotel.
I'll see you there.
**
( crows )
Is he ready?
In a minute.
Son? No.
No what? No, you can't take my place.
He picked me.
That's a long, long ride, son.
Yep. With Casper, the liveliest town in Wyoming
at the end of it.
That little dump?
Wasn't such a dump last night
when you thought you were goin'.
Tell you what I'll do. No.
I don't care what it is. No.
You know, I'd hate to see that stubborn streak
developing in you, son.
People are gonna start avoiding you after a while.
What I don't want is a lot of drinking and foolishness out here
while the cat's away.
I can tell you there'll be drinking and foolishness
on the Fourth of July,
whether the cat's here or in Timbuktu.
Wagon's outside.
I'll be back Saturday with that bed.
Why don't you just tell them to ship it down
at their own expense. It was their own fault--
shippin' it to Casper instead of Medicine Bow.
It's close. I'd rather transfer it myself.
Maybe sometime you'll explain to me
why you wanted to go ahead and order a bed from Italy anyhow.
This isn't just a bed.
This is a masterpiece, made my master craftsmen.
Carved headboard, silk canopy.
Silk what? Canopy.
Never mind.
You're gonna spoil that little gal rotten
before you're through.
Spoil her?!
It was supposed to be a Christmas present. It's July!
But, Judge, she asked you for a hammock.
Oh, well... Betsy's got taste.
She'll like this better.
Where's the invoice? Can't collect anything without the invoice.
Steve's got it. Steve?
You gave it to me, I gave it to Steve.
Judge, if you'd rather stick around the ranch while I--
No. Well, I could--
No.
**
Tell Betsy not to wait up for me in case I'm late.
You know she will.
And keep the men busy. And if anything goes wrong--
Nothing's going wrong.
In case anything does.
We'll pray a little and struggle through somehow
till you come home, Judge.
Steve boy, you stay away from them Casper women, you hear?
Yeah.
Bye, Judge.
Good luck, Judge!
**
We're wakin' everybody up.
High time.
Boy, I had a laugh with Trampas this morning.
He was bound to come along.
I guess they really blow the lid off a town like Casper,
especially on the Fourth of July, huh?
If Trampas had one chance, just one chance--
Hey, Judge!
TRAMPAS: Judge!
Whoa, whoa.
Hey, Judge! Judge!
Whoa!
What happened?
I'm glad I caught up to you before you had to turn back.
Turn back for what?
This.
That's the invoice.
I had it! How'd you get it?
Steve boy, I found it outside on the ground
beside the house, where you dropped it.
I swear, Judge, I had it right--
You got it when you bumped me.
I swear, Judge. I had it right here in this pocket.
I know, I know.
Well, I guess I--
All right, come on ahead.
Yes, sir. Ha ha!
**
( firecrackers popping, children shouting )
( firecrackers popping, dog barking )
Friend. Can you tell me
where the Wyoming Freight Transfer Company has moved to?
Straight down that street, turn to your left.
Can't miss it. Thanks.
Well, now, that's a sweet welcome.
"Today. Casper Park. Wrestling Championship of the World."
Judge, I don't suppose we could stay over, could we?
Even to see a big international exciting, important event?
No.
That's what I figured. Come on.
Whoa! Whoa.
MAN: Hyah! Hyah!
( bell ringing )
( overlapping chatter )
Frank! Frank!
Judge! Ha ha!
I just can't believe it! What are you doin' in Casper?
I was about to ask you the same thing.
We can't talk here. Come on, help put the fire out,
then I'll buy you a drink.
I got to pick up a bed.
A bed? What for? It ain't even noon yet!
No, I-- Oh, never mind!
Come on. It'll be out before we get there.
What about my wagon? Oh, leave it.
Nobody's gonna steal a thing that looks like that.
Ha! Let's go!
**
( overlapping chatter )
Come on, the bucket!
TRAMPAS: Judge? Is that what you call a canopy?
**
( whistling )
Whoa, whoa! Whoa, now!
I'm sorry, mister. I didn't see you.
Git.
( piano music playing )
Well, happy days.
Wagon all right?
Yeah, I brought it around back.
I'm comin' down the alley,
and this clown comes runnin' out of the back of the Casper Hotel
right in front of me. I missed him by about one good inch.
Sit down, son.
Have some holiday cheer.
Oh, thanks. I can use it.
Your daughter really had her heart set on the bed, huh?
Eh, it's my fault. I built it up, built it up, and--
Well, Frank, it's been a pleasure.
Where you off to?
Home. Today?
There's no reason to stay around here.
You can't leave Casper on the Fourth of July.
What about my match with Muldoon?
What match?
Why, the match-- the championship.
Wait a minute. Are you one of the wrestlers?
Yeah.
Well, of course. What's the matter with me?
That's why you're in Casper!
I finally caught up with the champ, Judge.
Now all I've got to do is beat him.
Oh, you'll beat him.
That's the first thing you said to me the day we met.
"Someday I'm gonna be champeen!"
Yeah. A long time ago.
Ha ha. Rawboned kid, straight off the farm.
Where'd you meet?
In his courtroom.
They hauled him in for disturbin' the peace.
It was my first morning in town,
and I'd hit my first saloon, you know?
( laughs ) I never saw anything
so draggle-faced in my life!
Lumps under both eyes, clothes torn, face cut.
They called his name, he stood up straight
and said, "My name is Frank Krause!
I'm gonna be champeen of the world!"
( laughs ) Right, and then he gave us all five days.
( all laugh )
Is that the last time you two saw each other?
No, no, I stuck around for about a year.
I didn't have a dime, but the Judge saw to it
that I got fed.
No.
Had a roof over my head
to sleep under, of course.
I wanted to wrestle, but I didn't know how to get started.
Judge here got me my first match.
He even trained me for a while.
I looked up the holds in a book,
show 'em to him the next day.
He tried 'em out in the ring.
It's a wonder you weren't killed!
FRANK: You were a good teacher.
I didn't know any more about wrestling
than you did.
( both laugh )
Maybe I didn't earn much money,
but I just had a stubborn streak.
I finally caught up to the champion-- this Peter Muldoon.
I've been on his heels ever since.
It's been ten years now, Judge.
JUDGE: It's a great day for you, Frank.
Judge, you only know about half of what's happening today.
How's that?
Well...
I'm getting married this afternoon.
Married?
Who to?
Who else?
That's why I had them have the match here in Casper.
Pearl?
You mean she's still workin' here at the Palace?
Still here.
She sings, kind of puts the shows together, you know?
Well, boys, you're about to see
the West's longest courtship come to an end.
How long you and Pearl been goin' together?
Whew. About 15 years, I guess.
15 years?
I always wanted to marry her.
Always meant to, but I never had a dime.
I'd take matches all over the country.
Whenever I'd come back here to Casper,
I'd always be scared to death she'd be gone.
She was always here, waitin'.
Wonderful little girl.
I say "little", but you know Pearl, Judge.
She always was kind of healthy. Heh heh.
( laughter )
Mrs. Krause-- doesn't that sound nice?
Yeah, it does. It does.
I don't know.
It seems my life has come to a peak
all in this one day.
When's the marriage take place--after the match?
No, before. And when that's done,
I go down to the Park and whip Muldoon for the title,
and then we all come back here for the wedding supper.
Poor old broken Muldoon and everybody.
( laughs )
Well, what happens if you lose?
If I what?
Well, he is champion.
I can't lose.
You know, it's a crazy feeling.
You dream, you work,
and then one day you look down and you got it all in your hands,
and you know nothing can take it away from you.
FRANK: Not even your own manager.
You ever meet Cappy?
No.
You're not missin' much.
He's a real cockroach amongst men, that one.
Why let him manage you?
He's through today. Contract is over after this fight.
Who are you gonna have instead?
I haven't thought about it much.
Hmm? No.
No. No. Listen to me, now.
Now, listen.
Judge, I'll be the champion.
We'll travel all over the world.
Judge, look, you're retired.
Frank, I've got a ranch to work.
Well, at least you can stick around this one day
and work my corner.
For old times' sake?
For old times' sake.
Ha ha ha! Good.
( piano music playing )
( laughs )
Hey.
Judge! Pearly!
Oh, Pearly!
( both laugh )
Why didn't you tell me he was here?
Why, you're thin as a ghost.
You haven't been eatin' right.
Pearly, I've put on 25 pounds!
Don't you think he looks peaked, Frank?
Oh, I think he'll live, with a little luck.
How's your chest feel? Been coughing any?
Trampas, Steve-- Pearl Dodd.
How do you do, ma'am? How do you do?
They're both skinnier than he is.
( laughter )
Now, come on, dig in-- all three of you.
Go on. Eat, eat.
Oh. Oh.
This is like old times.
Ohh!
Did Frank tell you? He did.
You can give me away. Up till now, I didn't have anybody to do it.
Will you, Judge? Sure.
You better not let her see you put those sandwiches away.
I, uh, I wasn't hungry.
What does that matter?
"Eat, eat!"
( laughs )
Hey, Max, come here.
Honey, I want you to meet the one human being
I ever thought was pretty nearly as good a man as my Frank.
This is Judge Henry Garth-- Maxine.
Hello, Maxine.
Judge.
His friend Trampas.
How do you do there, honey love?
How do you do there yourself?
Steve.
MAXINE: Steve and me, we've met.
Yes. We've, uh, met.
I've known this little rascal since before she was born.
Is that right?
Her mother and Pearl used to work together
right here in the Palace.
And here she is now,
following right in her mother's footsteps.
Wouldn't Adelaide have been proud, Pearl?
Oh, she sure would.
Yes, sir. I used to ride her on my knee
when she was no bigger than a coward's bet.
Now, Frank, you don't want to strain yourself before the fight,
so I can take over that little task for you, if you want.
( laughs ) You dirty devil.
You got room on there for me?
The more, the merrier.
You boys are all alike.
( laughter )
Frank. Who's your friends?
Aren't you going to introduce us?
Judge Garth, Trampas, Steve--
this is my manager Cappy Donald.
How do you do?
You were the one I had a mind to meet.
Nothin' easier. I'm Maxine.
Care to dance, Maxine?
Sorry, mister. She promised this one to me.
Sorry.
Cappy, come on and have a drink with us.
It's a reunion. Frank's buyin'.
Right.
All, set 'em up for everybody, huh?
**
She wanted to dance with me.
I had my mouth open to ask her.
Well...ask another one.
There are plenty around.
Not like her.
Not like that one.
That's the girl I'm gonna marry.
You're a pretty good dancer for a cowhand.
This is a step I learned in New Orleans.
You mean, "New Or-leans", don't you?
( both laugh )
You been there?
Honey love, I been all over the world.
San Francisco, Nome...
Alaska? Sure, Alaska.
Oh, I'd just about give my right arm
to travel like that.
But I don't know about Alaska.
Oh, there's gold everywhere you look.
They're gonna strike it big.
I got my eye on a special section.
What's it called? Klondike.
I never heard of it.
You will!
How about takin' me there with you, huh?
I could use some gold.
Honey love, you just say the word.
In the meantime, would you settle for a drink?
Well, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
That's right. Sit over here.
You stay right here.
Oh, my. Whew.
**
I hate to see a lady dance alone.
Mister, I'm busy.
Faster, Wilbert!
Quit it. I don't want to dance with you!
I said quit it!
( grunting )
Leave him alone!
Leave--
Now, that's what I call a gentlemanly act.
He must've seen I had my hands full.
You all right?
Yeah, I guess so.
You figure he did it for you, huh?
He's my friend.
He kicked you.
Oh, that don't hurt.
Steve boy, that was pretty.
It's kind of close in here.
It sure is.
Have you seen our park? Mm-mm.
They've got canoes to rent
and a lake to swim in. It's a real pretty place.
Sounds fine.
Now, Steve boy--
No need to be ashamed of runnin' second, Trampas.
What's gotten into him?
Love. Ah.
He's the one I feel sorry for.
He doesn't understand that kind of a girl.
She'll take him for every penny he ever makes.
If he ever makes a penny.
Why don't you watch out for him?
He's a grown man. I'm not his keeper.
( fanfare playing )
Frank! Frank!
Muldoon's here!
At the depot?
Right outside, coming down the street.
( people cheering )
( fanfare playing, firecrackers popping )
Muldoon?
Muldoon.
Big man, huh?
If you want to count blubber, yeah.
Who's the bald head belong to?
Pilbeam. Ain't that a name?
Muldoon's manager.
You know, he is a little thinner than the last time we saw him.
You mean Pilbeam and Muldoon just got into town?
That's what I mean. Why?
Um, no reason.
Listen to that. Why didn't you hire me a band?
You've got dignity, Frank.
You wouldn't want to do anything as flashy as this.
I wouldn't?
And it's a good day to you, George!
And the same to you, Mulcahey!
It's Muldoon.
Yeah! And it's Frank!
I'm warning you, Cappy Donald--
you'd better keep that wild ape of yours under control.
What's the matter, Pilbeam--afraid?
I'll show you who's afraid.
Gentlemen, gentlemen-- this is for the press.
The whole world will be watching.
Just one pose?
For the world?
A souvenir of Casper's greatest day.
Everybody back, please. Will you all edge off a little there, please?
PHOTOGRAPHER: Gentlemen, gentlemen.
Stay absolutely still.
The whole world will be watching.
Judge, that manager of Muldoon's--Pilbeam--
he was in town earlier today.
I don't care what Cappy said.
What?
After the fire, when I was driving the wagon
around the back of the Palace,
I nearly ran a man down in the alley.
I told you about that. Well, it was him.
He was comin' out the back door of the Casper Hotel.
Who was?
Pilbeam, Muldoon's manager.
I couldn't mistake that head of skin.
PHOTOGRAPHER: This is for the press. Gentlemen.
Are you stayin' at that flea trap behind me,
or were you just in there testin' the liquor?
I'm stayin' there.
Pity there's no room for you,
but they're very particular about the clientele.
Good I brought me own room with me.
How so?
Private railway car.
Private car?!
I always travel by private car.
It says "Champion of the World" on it.
Gentlemen.
Mr. Krause, please.
By the way, I'm throwin' a victory dinner
down at the depot after the match.
You're invited to come if you got the strength left.
If I got the--
Hold it!
Hold absolutely still!
One, two...
three...
Four, five.
Thank you.
Heh.
At least we didn't break your camera.
Half--Uh, half of that picture
is gonna be a very pretty picture.
This your second honeymoon?
No, not exactly.
What do you mean?
What do you mean, askin' a question like that?
What do you mean, second?
I never even saw anybody like her.
I never even asked anybody like--
What do you mean, second?
Sorry.
You send one copy to the Oriental Palace
and another one to that address in Medicine Bow I gave you.
Yes, I sure will.
Let's go have another orange freeze.
I don't want you spending all your money on me.
What's money for if you can't spend it on a beautiful girl?
Why do you keep saying I'm beautiful? I'm not.
Maxine, you're the prettiest girl I ever saw in my life.
I swear, you make me sick to my stomach.
( laughs ) Oh.
Uh, I mean--
Come on, let's go back down to the water.
All right, yeah.
**
Isn't this better than the Palace? Huh?
Sure is.
Ohh.
I love to come out here
and get a little fresh air once in a while.
( sighs )
What in the world is that?
Hey, Max! Steve boy!
It's your friend!
Hey!
Want an umbrella? It's a beauty!
Hey, he rented one of the umbrellas.
Isn't that cute?
Uh!
Steve boy?
Oh, no! Ha ha ha!
( laughs )
Ohh, no.
Just about the kind of a cute thing he'd do.
( laughs )
I was just paddling by, thought I'd drop in.
( laughs )
Don't laugh too hard, Steve boy. You might bust something. Ha ha!
I know what I'd like to bust.
You don't act very glad to see me, son.
Were you invited?
Oh, now, both of you, behave.
Come on and sit down.
I mean, as long as he's here,
he might as well stay.
Come on.
I'll put up the umbrella.
Wouldn't want to burn that pretty skin.
Just keep your hands off her pretty skin.
What's been happening at the Palace lately?
Muldoon came by.
Frank Krause is tradin' him drink for drink
and threat for threat.
I think The two of them train on beer anyway.
( laughs ) Um...
how long are you two gentlemen gonna be in Casper?
We'll probably go back tonight after the match.
Oh, so soon?
We don't want to.
It's on account of the bed.
What bed?
Haven't you heard about the Italian bed?
Uh-uh. ( laughs )
Well, that's a very funny story. You see, we--
What would you do if I told you I wasn't gonna head back at all?
We gotta go back today.
Maybe you have to go back.
But I don't.
For a long time now, Maxine,
I've wanted to head down towards Texas,
try and start my own ranch.
Well, I think I'm ready now,
and I'd like you to go with me.
You want me to go with you?
I'm asking you to marry me.
**
I'm sorry. I-- I never had anybody sober
ask me a question like that before.
Well, I'm sober, and I'm asking you again.
Will you marry me?
Excuse me. I'm going back to the bathhouse
and change my clothes.
I have to have an answer before you leave, Maxine.
I'll have to think about it.
**
She's gonna think about it.
Did you ever hear anything that amazing?
She's gonna think about it.
No. The most amazing thing I ever heard
was you asking her.
Look, you don't know one thing about her, do you?
Not one solitary thing.
It doesn't matter what I know about her.
Well, it matters what she wants out of life,
where she's goin', how she means to get there.
She's like me-- she wants fun, a lot of it.
When I look into her eyes,
it's like lookin' into a mirror.
She isn't gonna need a place like the Palace
when she's got her own kitchen to cook in
and her own kids to feed.
Ah, she'd go screamin' crazy in a week.
You're wrong. You know it and I know it.
You don't know anything! You met her this noon.
Well, so did you. But you got it all down pat, haven't you?
I got her down pat.
And I think I know why you're jumpin' around
like a puppet on a string.
Yeah. Yeah, that's her name--Luella. Gimme that.
The minute I laid eyes on her, I knew I'd seen her before.
It just hit me now while I was talkin' to her.
She could be the girl in this picture.
Oh, they don't look anything alike.
They could be sisters. As long as I've known you,
you've carried that photograph around in your wallet.
Why? Who is she?
We were gonna be married.
Did she turn you down?
She died.
Ah, Steve. Don't you see it?
It's that girl in the picture you're after.
Not Maxine.
( thud )
You know what's the matter with you, Trampas?
No. No, you tell me, son.
You're so jealous, it's about to kill you dead.
I'm jealous? Yeah.
'Cause I'm gonna marry her.
So you put that in your pot and cook it...
son.
( man singing, piano playing )
* Always take Mother's advice *
* She knows what is best for your good... *
And I'm tellin' you it was Philadelphia!
It was Boston!
Philadelphia!
Boston!
Will you be quiet?
Well, let me say something.
Your tongue's been waggin' like an old woman's.
I'd like to make a serious toast.
You couldn't make a serious toast
if it was Christmas and Santa Claus was sitting at your table.
Go on, spit out your ridiculous nonsense.
* ...is the nearer
* To you in this world...
To my mother.
God bless her.
To Muldoon's mother!
* ...her grief is severer
* So don't cause her sorrow and pain *
( sniffs )
Now, now, Muldoon.
You know, Frank...
every time that I think of the dear little old gray-haired soul...
Buck up, man, buck up.
( crying ) And the things she did for me,
and the years she slaved...
I know, I know.
Frank...
you were big enough to drink to my mother.
Now I'm going to be big enough to drink to yours.
Ha! Al!
( singing continues )
Judge?
Hey. Hmm?
Any time you want a drink, you just yell.
A little snort?
No, I'm all right, Pearl. Thanks.
Oh, you were a million miles away there.
I was thinking about Frank,
wondering why he'd tie in with a man like Cappy.
Frank's wondered the same thing himself more than once.
What kind of a manager is Cappy?
Terrible. This match with Muldoon
is more than ten years overdue.
Well, it must've been a difficult deal to put together--
a lot of last minute arrangements.
No, no.
They hammered the whole thing out in Denver.
And he and Pilbeam haven't seen each other since?
Not that I know of. Why?
Where's Cappy staying?
Casper Hotel. Why?
Trampas says he saw Pilbeam in the alley
behind the hotel at 1:00 this afternoon.
There's no proof they were talkin' to each other.
Even if they did, they couldn't rig anything without Frank.
But, well...
I'm just givin' you a rumor secondhand.
Well, this has to be checked into.
This is too important a business to Frank.
Pearl.
Let Frank talk to him alone.
Frank.
I hate to break up the party,
but you've got a wedding to dress for.
Time to get back to the car anyway, champ.
So early?
It ain't early, it's late.
They're right, Muldoon.
We got a lot of serious business ahead of us.
MULDOON: That we have.
Until we meet in the ring, then.
Right. Till we meet in the ring.
Frank. Yeah?
Can I talk to you a minute?
Go ahead, I'll be right with you.
What?
Well, what did she want?
Who? Pearl.
Frank.
You all right?
I don't know. Am I?
( chuckles )
Here. I thought we ought to have
one farewell drink together.
Where were you at 1:00 this afternoon?
1:00? I don't know I--
Well, I was downstairs with you.
No.
I wasn't?
Well, I just can't remember.
Anyway, what does it matter?
Pilbeam was seen coming out of the Casper Hotel at 1:00.
Yeah?
Coming from your room, Cappy?
Uh--
Now, what would he be doing coming--
Oh, Frank, for heaven's sake.
Was he there? No.
Now take your drink and get dressed.
Did he want me to throw the match?
Oh, now, Frank, for heaven's sake.
You'd never throw a match.
Even Pilbeam would know that.
Then what was it?
Nothin'. I tell you, I never saw him.
What's in this?
Huh?
What's in it-- sleepin' powder?
Nothing's in it!
How much, Cappy?
Just enough to see me through the wedding
and then knock me over in the ring?
What did he pay you?!
Nothing! I told you--
I haven't seen Pilbeam since...Denver.
Then turn your pockets out and let's count your money.
Frank, you're acting like a fool.
Now, if there's a little dust in your glass--
It isn't dust! That's all it could be!
Then you drink it.
**
Drink it!
Sure, Frank.
I'll drink it.
( thuds )
Frank!
He put a sleeping powder in my drink.
What happened?
I asked him if he'd seen Pilbeam.
He said no. I told him to turn his pockets out.
How much does he generally carry?
$20, $25.
Must be a couple of thousand here.
Well, at least I brought a good price.
Cappy--he pulled it on me when I asked him about the drink.
Could Muldoon be mixed up in this?
No, no, not Muldoon. He's a champion.
Judge--
Frank, there's nothing to worry about.
A jury could sleep through this one.
It was self-defense. I saw him with a knife in his hand.
I'll wait here. You get the sheriff.
Why the sheriff? I didn't murder him.
It's a matter of legal procedure.
You'll probably be charged with manslaughter.
Will they lock me up?
No, no. At least not for long.
I'll talk to the judge.
He'll probably fix bail and--
There ain't none.
We only got a circuit judge here,
and he's in Twin Rivers-- three days away.
Well...maybe the sheriff can stretch the rules a little.
That's allowed when there's no court available.
Not a chance.
You see, the sheriff and me--
well, we don't exactly get along together.
He'd be happy to lock me up.
Judge.
The wedding will take place in a half an hour.
At 6:30, I'll meet Muldoon at Casper Park
for the championship of the world.
It's now or it's never for me.
I'm almost 40 years old.
Muldoon's off for Ireland tomorrow.
I haven't time to chase him down again.
I'm asking you to...
close your eyes to this till after the match.
I was only protecting myself.
You said yourself a jury would never convict me.
Who are you trying to convince? I can't judge you.
You have to.
I need your help again, to tell me what to do.
All right, what would you do?
Never mind.
I know what you'd do.
Well, I can't do that. There's too much at stake.
There's--
Judge, help me.
How?
Say you understand.
You know I do.
Then you won't turn me in?
I won't turn you in.
Judge, I'm right. It has to be like this.
I can't throw it all away.
I'm right. Say it.
Never been champion.
Let's go.
**
Look.
There's the sheriff.
Go on, girls. Get busy.
What happened to Cappy?
We, uh, had a little talk.
Everything's straightened out.
( sighs ) Good, good.
Judge? How do you like the dress?
I like it fine.
You know who picked it out? Him.
I chose the first one I came to.
( laughs ) He's ashamed of his own good taste.
Pearl-- Why should you be ashamed
in front of your own best friend? He did it all on his own.
Got the dress, the rings,
arranged for the minister and the decorations
and the music.
The girls used to laugh at me.
They say, "Oh, he's just stringing you along, Pearl.
He's not the marryin' kind."
But I knew he'd do it up right when he could.
And I knew it'd be worth the wait.
It was. Pearl--
Judge, did you ever hear of a more wonderful day?
Never.
I'll die remembering it.
This and...when they hold up his hand
and he's champion.
( crying ) What am I standing here for? I have to get dressed.
Pearl-- Let her go.
There isn't much time. You'd better get dressed yourself.
Yeah, hurry up, Frank.
Go on.
What about the sheriff?
Well, he's busy.
You'll see him after the ceremony.
I'll need somebody to help me with my tie.
I never could tie it right.
I'm an expert.
**
Three hours, 75 cents.
Is it that hard to decide?
Can't you make up your mind?
No, it's not that.
I just can't believe you really mean it.
But I do.
But you don't know me.
I know that I love you.
You don't know what I'm like.
You don't know what I want out of life.
Well, then, I'll find out.
I'll find out everything about you.
What you want,
what you like, do,
and then that's what I'll like.
That's what I'll want, that's what I'll do.
I want everything you want.
Ohh. I think you're crazy.
But I'll marry you.
**
Uh...
I gotta get that license.
Now? But it's a holiday.
That's all right. I'll get it.
You'll be surprised how many closed doors
an extra $5 will open, even on a holiday.
Oh, Steve. Let's make it a double ceremony--
with Pearl and Frank--
and Trampas can be our best man. All right?
Right. ( laughs )
Oh. I'll bring the license over to the Palace.
And you make all the arrangements with Pearl.
Pearl, can I talk to you?
Yes, hon.
How would you feel about us having a double wedding?
Hon!
He asked me.
Steve asked me.
PEARL: Where is he?
He's out looking for the country clerk to get us a license.
On the Fourth?
He said that $5 extra
opens up a lot of closed doors, even on the holidays.
( laughs )
Oh!
Well, hurry up!
We've only got 15 minutes to get dressed.
( knock on door )
If it's Steve, you can't come in,
'cause you can't see the dress till the ceremony.
Well, how about me?
Oh, it's you. You don't count.
Well, thanks.
How do you like it?
It belonged to my mama.
Beautiful.
I was beginning to wonder if I ever would get to wear this.
I'm 20, you know.
Oh, that's old.
Sure is around here.
Hey, I meant to tell you.
Steve wants you to be his best man.
That your doin'?
Mine? No, why?
Well, last time I saw Steve,
he wasn't thinking too highly of our friendship.
Well, maybe I did suggest it.
I mean, I don't approve of girls
who go along and break up everybody
after they've been friends for years.
Come on. Will you do it?
I'd be honored.
Isn't it unbelievable?
A man like Steve wanting to marry me?
Heh.
Yeah.
Maxine, how are you gonna like ranching?
Oh, come on, now, mister.
Well, that's what he wants to do.
Well, I imagine I can talk him out of that.
Well, he wants to get you away from places like this.
What's the matter with the Palace?
Well, nothin', as far as I'm concerned.
But Steve--he's a different kind of a man.
Yeah, I know he is.
I wish he was--
What?
No, nothin'. I'm not gonna tell you.
What? Tell me.
Well, I wish he was just...
a little bit more like Frank Krause is.
( laughs )
I mean, ranchin'-- is he serious?
Oh, he sure is.
Well, I can work on him some.
You mean, fret him into a different kind of a man?
Coax him into it.
Won't work, Max.
Not in a million years.
You don't know me when I set my mind to something.
Oh, I know him.
And I know you've got about as much chance
of changing him into a Frank Krause
as you have of fryin' a snowball. Hmm.
How many men are there like Frank?
Why don't you wait a while?
Maybe you'll find somebody you won't have to change.
Like me, for instance.
Heh.
Cut him loose, Max.
He isn't for you.
Not for you.
What are you tryin' to say to me?
Well, if you wanted to see New Orleans,
you come with me.
Get out of here.
We'd have some bad times, Max,
but we'd have some high ones, too.
If we ran out of money, it'd be because we spent it laughin'.
Come on, Max.
Come with me, Max.
You come with me.
**
Uhh!
Steve!
Steve, let him alone!
Let him alone!
You'd better get out of here, Trampas.
One more time. If I see your face around here once more, I'll kill you!
Go on, get out of here!
This is what you're gonna wear?
It's as white as your skin, Maxine.
Not like what you got on now.
Black death.
So white.
I'm gonna build you a little house...
that's gonna make every other woman in Texas just die from envy.
We'll be on the school board.
We'll join the church.
They play good poker in your church?
Does the school board know the latest dances?
Is that what you want?
Yeah. I guess it is.
All right, we'll have it.
Where? On a farm?
I don't care. Anywhere you say.
Right here in Casper, if you want.
You mean that?
I love you.
I love you so much, Maxine. I'd--
I'd turn into a toad frog if you wanted me to.
No, you couldn't.
But I could bust my back tryin'.
No.
Max...
What's the matter with us?
What were we thinkin' about?
Max.
Clear out of here!
I don't want you!
**
Friend.
Whether you believe it or not, Max,
I'm sorry.
It had to be this way.
For your sake...
as well as his.
You'll find him someday, Max.
I swear you will.
And he'll be the right one.
( sobbing )
( music playing, overlapping chatter )
( cheering )
**
When I give you the cue, start the music.
Pearl, there's no need to wait.
He just couldn't get the license.
Maybe we could wait another half hour.
No. I'll have my turn.
All set?
I guess so.
( playing Wedding March )
Dearly beloved,
we are gathered together here
in the sight of God
and in the face of this company
to join together this man and this woman
in holy matrimony.
Into this holy estate,
these two persons present now come to be joined.
If any man can show just cause
why they may not lawfully be joined together
let him now speak
or else hereafter forever hold his peace.
Frank, wilt thou have this woman
to thy wedded wife?
FRANK: I will.
Pearl...
wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband?
I will.
The ring, please.
And repeat after me.
With this ring, I thee wed.
Now, I pronounce you man and wife.
( all cheering )
Can we get out of here now?
I can't.
( cheering continues )
Now, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.
Good luck!
Well, Frank,
we've had our run-ins,
but since you married my favorite girl,
congratulations.
( cheering )
Listen, everybody! Listen, everybody!
Now, quiet, everybody. Ed, I--
Listen to me. I got a little speech to make!
I want to say...
I just kissed the happiest bride in the world.
( cheering )
Now, that's not all! That's not all!
The man she just married, before this day is over,
is gonna be the new world's champion!
( cheering )
Ed...
Cappy Donald's up in my room.
He's dead.
I killed him.
You what?
We got into a fight. He pulled a knife on me.
I didn't mean to kill him.
Sheriff, it was self-defense.
I can testify to that.
**
Mike, hold him.
I'm going upstairs.
MULDOON: All right, all right!
Where's that dirty four-flusher Krause?
So, I'm not good enough to be invited to your weddin'.
So, you're going to throw me out of here
if I show my face?
Well, here's the face.
And it's an ugly one. Now, what are you talking about?
Don't deny you didn't write this note.
Nobody else would start it "Dear Mulcahey".
Who do you think you're yellin' at?!
I'll let you know who I'm yellin' at!
You keep your filthy mug away from my wife!
Who are you pushin'?!
**
You got somethin' to say?!
About what?!
( grunting )
About Pilbeam! He's a crook!
Well-- Well, thanks, mister.
Looks to me like you overmatched yourself.
I don't believe I've seen you around here before.
Where are you from?
Last stop was New Orleans.
Come up to see my cousin wrestle.
Your cousin?
Your name wouldn't be Krause, would it?
That's right-- Harry Krause.
Harry!
Say, Harry, what do you say we get out of this mess, huh?
Hey, that suits me fine.
( laughs )
You know what makes me the maddest?
What?
That you were right.
Well, you know what makes me the maddest?
What?
Well, you just don't get it, do you? What?
You still don't understand why I went after Maxine.
Oh, I get that, all right.
You still think I was tryin' to cut you out,
that she was just some pretty face I couldn't resist.
Well?
You really think I was interested in her.
Come on, Trampas.
I've never seen a girl that you weren't interested in.
Well, for the first time in my life,
I try to do something for a friend, not wanting anything for myself.
Just to keep you from ruining your life.
And what happens? I get a punch in the jaw.
( fighting continues )
You do all that for me, and I...
punch you in the jaw.
Don't hardly pay to have friends, does it?
( laughs )
Hey, what about the title?
Why not now?
Are you willing, Muldoon?
For the championship? Are you afraid?
Of him?!
Well, then...
Why not? Now! For the title!
( cheering )
Look at those two, Steve. You know what they're doing?
Yeah. They're beating each other's brains out.
No, they're wrestling for the championship of the world.
Here? Yeah, here.
And for free. Yeah!
Great, huh? Yeah!
Frank!
Come on, Frank! Come on, Frank!
Get him, Frank!
Not me! Frank! Come on, Frank!
( cheering continues )
Now, who do you suppose sent him a nasty lyin' note like that?
I can't imagine.
You?!
( laughs )
Whew!
Ooh!
( cheering )
ALL: One, two...
three!
( all cheering )
The new champion of the world!
( cheering )
You know what we did, don't you? What?
We lost the gate.
And I had every penny counted.
Now I'll have to sell every stick of furniture I own
to pay for that railroad car.
Furniture? Yeah.
You got a bed? A what?
A bed!
Sure, I got a beautiful bed.
With a big, brand-new canopy on it.
Judge! Judge!
( laughs )
All right, Ed. I'm ready to go now.
Is that so?
Sheriff, since the judge is away,
could you fix bail, let him go on his honeymoon?
After all, it was self-defense.
Self-defense, huh?
How long are you two gonna keep this up?
Keep what up?
Ed, what is it?
Could someone tell me-- a dethroned champion--
exactly what's going on?
ED: Shut up.
Not only did you marry Pearl,
but in front of everybody, you tried to make a clown out of me.
**
The joke's over, Pearl.
You and I can laugh down here.
Dethroned or not, I demand to know.
Shut up.
It's the law tellin' you, not me.
The other room.
There should be laws against practical jokers.
Mr. Sheriff? What is it, son?
Dr. Blaine wants you right away.
He tell you why?
He's got someone there, hurt bad.
Told me to tell you that.
Thank you.
Whew.
Doc?
Dr. Blaine?
Shh! Please!
If you please...
you'll disturb the patient and Dr. Blaine.
Dr. Blaine sent for me.
Oh? About the man with $2,000
and the concussion?
He's in there.
Don't you dare go in there.
He's had an opiate. He's sleeping.
The best thing for concussion.
In fact, the best thing for concussion--
That'll be all, Martha.
Thank you very much.
Glad you could come, Ed.
What about this, Doc? One minute.
Congratulations. Thank you, Doc.
Felicitations.
Doc, is he really in there...alive, asleep?
Yes, and doing very well
for a man with a severe concussion.
Somebody caught him fainting on the street,
brought him in here.
Will he live? He most certainly will.
Frank! Do you understand?
Do you understand what this means?
Of course I do.
When Cappy comes through, you arrest him
for trying to poison me, Ed.
Leave me alone, Frank.
I know what to do.
I think I'll stick around, Doc.
When your patient comes to, I'd like to say hello.
We're free to go, Ed?
Why not?
I don't understand, Doc. I thought he was dead.
I felt his pulse, listened for his heartbeat. Nothing.
When a man's knocked unconscious,
his heartbeat is often difficult to detect.
That's what we use these for.
Well, you know what that means.
Honeymoon! What are you waiting for?!
Get going! Come on!
Thanks, Doc! You're more than welcome.
**
( fireworks )
What a day.
Yeah.
( theme music playing )