*
Next stop, Medicine Bow, twenty minutes.
Next stop Medicine Bow, twenty minutes.
Medicine Bow, twenty minutes.
I beg your pardon, ma'am, but, uh,
I've been admiring you ever since I got on at Omaha.
My name's Charlie Dorsey.
Women's fine sale clothes and undergarments.
Ma'am...
I've got the finest undergarments
in the medium-priced field,
and they're guaranteed to withstand innumerable washings.
I'm sorry, but I don't want to buy anything.
Ma'am, did I say anything about buying?
I only take money from stores.
Lovely acquaintances like you get, uh... free samples.
Well, ma'am,
did you know that you have a very, very nice little waist there?
No more than two hands around, I'd say.
I-I don't want to seem rude, but--
Ma'am. Ma'am, I've got just the thing for you right here.
I have the latest style in corsets,
and they're all guaranteed.
And here's one just for you, ma'am, right here.
Now, how about that one? Hmm?
And remember, all you have to do is remember the name
when anyone wants to know what kind of undergarments you have.
If you don't leave at once, I shall call the conductor.
It wouldn't look half as good on him.
Hey--
that's pretty good, isn't it?
I'll have to remember that one.
Ma'am, if you'll notice the work--
You're annoying the lady.
I suggest you go back to your seat, and stay there.
Oh...
you do, do you?
Unless you want me to throw you off the train.
Well...
it's getting to be so a guy
can't even be friendly anymore.
I don't think he'll annoy you any more, miss.
I do thank you.
I can't imagine what possessed him to suddenly--
I think it was his bottle that gave him the nerve.
( train bell ringing; indistinct chatter )
Welcome home! Hello, Father!
I missed you. Did you have a good time?
Wonderful. Everybody sends you their love.
As long as your aunt stays in Minnesota, I'll accept it.
Mr. Martin, this is my father.
How do you do, sir?
How do you do?
Mr. Martin was most helpful on the train.
Oh?
It was my pleasure, I assure you.
Well, pleased to have met you.
Could we give you a lift to the hotel?
That's very kind of you, but I don't want to impose--
Not at all. Come along, Mr. Martin.
Thank you very much.
What happened? Did you lose your ticket?
I'll tell you about it when we get home.
Whatever it is I'm indebted to you for, accept my thanks.
Oh, take those home in the buckboard.
We won't have enough room in this rig.
You all right, Mr. Martin?
Fine.
Will you be in Medicine Bow long, Mr. Martin?
It all depends. A week, maybe longer.
Are you here on business?
Yes, I'm interested in land.
You couldn't find a better investment than right around here.
I've seen Medicine Bow grow from two stores and a livery stable,
and it's still growing.
Looks quite prosperous.
Well, here we are.
Help Mr. Martin with his luggage.
If they don't fix you up right,
tell 'em I said to take care of you.
Well, thank you, sir, but being a bachelor,
one room look pretty much like another to me.
Perhaps you'd like to come to dinner some night.
Well, that's very kind of you.
Saturday night?
Fine.
See you then.
Thanks again for the ride.
Aren't you being rather forward?
You just met the young man.
I was merely being courteous to a stranger in our town to whom I'm indebted.
Oh? Is that the reason you're blushing?
Now, Father-- All right, all right,
I was only joking.
Besides, he seems like a gentleman.
Come in.
Your linen, sir.
Thank you.
I thought you would never get here.
You're a pretty fresh young lady.
Suppose someone came in that door.
Well, they'd just have to knock it down, because I locked it.
Did you have any trouble getting the job?
What do you think?
I think you're the prettiest chambermaid this town ever saw.
You're annoying the lady.
I suggest you go back to your seat...
and stay there.
There must be something awful interesting
down there in those rocks and bunchgrass.
Yeah. Jenny says he's got all kinds of scientific books in his room.
And a microscope.
Jenny? Yeah.
Who's Jenny? Well, she--
uh...she's the new maid at the hotel.
Prettiest one they ever had.
When I was talking to her last night, she mentioned this fella.
I figured it was the same one I saw yesterday on the way in.
I thought you went into town to pick up a new saddle.
Well, yeah, but I figured while I was in town
I might as well drift over to the hotel and...
And have a little chat about the new guest.
Well, that's not all we talked about.
Ain't you got any curiosity?
About Jenny?
No, about him.
Watch carefully, gentlemen.
The closer you look, the less you see.
Hey--
Whatever he was looking for, he found it.
Yeah.
Good afternoon, Miss Turner.
Nice to see you again.
Good afternoon, Mr. Martin.
It begins to appear I may stay here
a little longer than I had first planned,
so I thought I'd open up a small account,
just to take care of incidentals.
Say, two thousand dollars.
Well, we are honored to welcome you as a depositor...
and I'm delighted you plan to stay longer.
Yes, I'm delighted, too.
Oh, good afternoon, Mr. Martin.
Good afternoon, sir.
Mr. Martin is going to open an account with us.
Just a small one.
Well, that's a relative term, Mr. Martin.
Here you are.
We'll see you tomorrow night, then.
What?
Oh, yes. Yes, of course. I'm looking forward to it.
Oh, by the way, I invited Judge Garth to join us.
Since he's our largest land owner,
I thought you two might have something in common.
Now, Father, you're not going to talk about
banking and ranching all night, are you?
I'd enjoy it.
I'm very interested in the world of finance.
I'm afraid I don't understand the complexities of your business,
but I'm a great admirer of your product.
See you at six, then.
Good afternoon.
Oh, uh, you can put the glasses back on now.
The bank can't afford too many mistakes.
Right on schedule, so far.
Tomorrow night when I have dinner with the town's richest men,
I'll be ready to bait the hook.
The question is, will they be on it when you pull it in?
I made a quick study of oil,
but I made a lifelong study of people.
Never underestimate the power of greed.
It's a very strong emotion,
it's common to rich and poor alike.
The only difference is, the rich can indulge in it more fully--
with my help.
Yeah, but this thing's a lot bigger than anything we've ever tried before.
Your trouble, Charlie, is that you think small.
The field's too crowded down there where you are.
Everybody's trying to scratch around for his next meal.
This way, you score once and that's it for a long time.
Then you live big.
San Francisco, New York.
You really live.
Come in.
Well, just put them down, my good woman.
The service around here leaves something to be desired.
Well, I think we can fix that.
That's more like it.
How is my favorite geologist?
I think it's about time we got this in circulation.
American Journal of Geology.
Look at page 12.
"Oil genius."
I still don't see how you did it.
Let me see it. It's simple.
Just had a new page printed with my picture on it.
Broke down the magazine and had it rebound.
It was a great improvement.
You should have seen the picture of the real Dr. Martin.
Nobody would trust a man with a face like that.
I've got to admit, it looks real.
I want that big rancher Garth to see it.
Well, that should be easy enough.
He's got a cowhand working for him
thinks I'm cute as a little ol' heifer.
Well, that's good.
I've got an in at the bank.
I know.
Are you jealous?
She's really quite an eye-full,
if you like ladylike spinsters.
Ah, but don't worry about her.
She's just my entree into high financial society.
Does she know that?
She has been suffocating in this wilderness all her life,
gasping for a breath of culture and sophistication.
Is it so terrible if I bring a little sunshine into her drab life?
That depends on what happens after the sun goes down.
Hi, Jenny. Hey! How are you?
How's everything going? Oh! Fine.
Two-oh-eight checked out,
and two-sixteen spilled whiskey all over the rug,
and the couple in two-twenty had a fight.
Very interesting.
Now I got some news for you.
Don't tell me, let me guess.
One of your cows had twins.
No.
You remember that fella you told me about,
the one with the microscope? Mm-hmm.
Well, I saw him again today.
He was collectin' rocks. Had a whole satchet-full.
You don't say.
I figured out what he was doin'.
Prospectin' for gold.
You wanna bet?
What do you mean?
What else would a fella be doin' picking rocks?
You just wait right here and I'll show you.
Hmm?
I found it in his room.
"Oil genius." Mm-hmm.
Holy jumpin'--
So that's what he was doing here.
Mm-hmm.
Wait'll I show this to the judge.
You can't take that with you. I sneaked it out of his room.
I'll get it back to you.
Well, you better. It'll get me in trouble.
Oh... now, don't you worry.
I just want the judge to see it.
Mmm. Hey, these are good.
Well, help yourself.
No thanks, I'm full.
See you Saturday night?
Why not?
That's a good question.
I better leave before you think of an answer.
Miss Turner, if you ever tire of banking,
I can guarantee you a job at any restaurant in the world,
bar none. It's really very simple.
It's very simple. Just start preparing three days in advance--
Father.
Every minute of the time was well spent, believe me.
If you gentlemen would like your coffee in the parlor?
Fine.
Thank you.
Can I help you?
Yes, thank you, Betsy.
Oh, isn't he an exciting man?
Who?
Mr. Martin.
He's so refined and polished and...
well, worldly.
Yes, he is.
He's awfully taken by you, Olivia, I can tell.
You can tell nothing of the sort.
Mr. Martin is very gallant,
and he has good breeding and drawing room manners.
But I'm sure he pays every woman the same respect
and charming little compliments.
I think he's using a little extra charm on you.
Betsy, like all young girls,
you are an incurable romanticist.
I'm not that young.
Well, I didn't mean you were infantile.
I just meant you were young... comparatively.
Well, compared to what?
Well, compared to me, for example.
You're not that old either.
Thank you, Betsy.
Mr. Martin informed me the other day
he's going to be staying on a while.
Well, it takes time to decide
whether or not to drill for oil.
How did you know that, Judge?
I owe you an apology, Mr. Martin.
I've known all evening who you are.
Well, I'm sorry to hear it.
Why? I've seen it happen so often in other places.
You go there on the thousand-to-one chance
that it may prove geologically interesting,
and when people find out what you're there for, the fever starts.
Outsiders swarm in, friend turns against friend--
it's like the gold rush all over again.
Well, if it'll ease your mind,
the news is not all over town yet.
And I'll see to it that it doesn't go any further.
You know, that's the kind of man I'm going to wait for--
the right one, the kind you always dream about.
One word of advice: Don't set your sights too high.
Don't be completely unrealistic.
The years go by so fast,
and one day you suddenly realize
that you're too old or too set or...
something...
to have what you want even if you find it.
But you found it.
I mean, Mr. Martin is the kind of man
you'd always hoped to find, isn't he?
Well, there's another important thing, too.
Even if you find the man...
he's got to find you.
Tell me, have you found anything,
um, "geologically interesting" so far?
Interesting, yes.
How interesting, it's still too early to tell.
You see, geology is still an inexact science at best.
You study an area for outcrops and structural indications,
vestiges of hydrocarbons in the soil and so forth,
but the best you can ever say with any assurance
is that your findings suggest the presence of oil.
Only the drill can prove it.
Where do you get the money to drill?
Providing it looks good enough.
I have a syndicate which finances any deal I recommend.
I'm sorry, gentlemen, but--
You misunderstand. I was only questioning you out of a general interest
in a business I know nothing about.
Personally, I'll stick to banking.
And I to cattle.
Of course, I didn't mean-
Are you gentlemen ready for coffee?
Yes, indeed.
Well, this has certainly been a pleasure for me, Lydia.
I mean, Miss Turner.
Lydia, I haven't heard you play the piano in a long time.
Won't you favor us with a selection?
Oh, Judge, now, I'm sure Mr. Martin-- I mean, Will--
Please do! I'd love to hear you.
Well...
*
***
*
( laughter; indistinct chatter )
* ( honkey tonk piano continues ) *
***
( song ends; patrons applaud )
Here.
Uh, this one, right here.
You're a pretty good dancer.
Well, it's just a gift.
And so are my big feet.
But you're good. Thanks.
Well...
You know, I've been worrying about that magazine I gave you.
You didn't go around telling everybody about it, did you?
No, I just showed Judge Garth.
And he promised he wouldn't let on how he found out.
Good. Good.
Mud in your eye.
Cheers.
*
***
Well...
That was beautiful, Lydia.
You play with real sensitivity.
Well, thank you, but I'm sure heard it played much better.
Never. I swear it.
Well, we better be getting back home.
Thank you, Horatio and Lydia,
for a most enjoyable evening.
Our pleasure, Henry.
Good luck with your geological work.
Thank you. Good night.
You know, Henry, I don't know enough about the law
to understand that Hanson mortgage.
GARTH: Tuesday at the latest.
Good night, my dear. Good night, Henry.
GARTH, BETSY: Good night.
Well, I'm afraid I've monopolized
enough of your time with business talk.
You and Lydia would probably like a chance to, uh,
chat about other things for a change.
I'm afraid I've overstayed my welcome.
Not at all.
Good night, Mr. Martin.
Good night, Mr. Turner, and thank you.
Good night, my dear.
Father, I'm afraid, is rather obvious.
What do you mean?
He's trying to withdraw tactfully so that we can be alone.
I assure you, I'm in complete agreement with him.
You don't have to be gallant.
I'm being truthful.
I'll say good night now because my presence embarrasses you...
but I assure you, your father and I think alike.
Morning.
Good morning. Can I help you?
Yes. Could you change this for me?
Yes. How do you want it?
Oh, it doesn't matter.
Ten, fifteen...
sixteen, seventeen,
eighteen, nineteen, twenty.
Is that all right? Yes, that's fine, thank you.
What are you doing here? I was just getting some money.
That's what banks are for, isn't it?
Except that you don't have an account here.
Well, I just wanted to see what our ladylike spinster looked like.
Did you satisfy your curiosity?
Mm-hmm. I saw her.
Ladylike, yes.
Spinster is not what the word brings to my mind.
I told you it was business.
Just don't enjoy your business too much.
It wouldn't be good for either of you.
Good morning, Will. Hello, Lydia.
How are you? I'm fine.
I'd like to withdraw some money.
Certainly.
I had a fine time out at your house the other night.
Well, we enjoyed having you.
Five hundred dollars.
I'm going back to Chicago.
You're leaving?
Only for a few days. Oh.
That's why I haven't kept in touch with you.
I've been working day and night.
You don't have to explain.
I wanted to.
You better count it.
I'll just pay my respects to your father.
Good morning, gentlemen.
Good morning. Good morning, Will. What can I do for you?
I just dropped by to say that I'm going to Chicago for a few days.
Oh? With good news for your backers, I trust.
I'm afraid I can't answer that question until I report to them.
All I can say is that I'll be back.
Would it be ethical to ask if your report concerns any of my land?
I'm afraid it doesn't.
You understand that's all the information
I'm free to give at this time.
I guess I'll have to be satisfied with cattle.
Well, goodbye, Judge.
Good luck with your backers.
There won't be any problem there.
Mr. Turner? Goodbye, Will.
I hope everything turns out well.
Take a good look at Medicine Bow, gentlemen.
You may not recognize it in a couple of months.
Well, it seems to be in order.
You know what I think?
I think you ran into a couple of guys
that are just plain smarter than you are.
We should have stuck to big cities.
That's where the real hicks are.
You get discouraged too easily.
Actually, they were just a little more conservative than I thought they'd be.
I like good, hard-headed businessmen.
It makes the ultimate victory more satisfying.
Oh, boy, you talk big, don't you?
Hanging around here, running up a big hotel bill...
but I don't see anything coming in to pay for it.
Charlie, you lack the two things necessary for the big time:
patience...
and class.
Uh-huh. You know what?
You can't eat either one of 'em.
The way you throw towels around, I should ask for a raise.
Well, you better.
Somebody's gotta bring in some money around here.
What's eating him?
He's disappointed because the fish didn't
jump out of the water after the bait.
But I've cracked harder nuts than these.
I guarantee you when I come back
with the glad tidings there's $50,000 open,
they're gonna fight to get in on the deal.
And how are you gonna bring it up again
when they've already told you they're not interested?
I'm not gonna see them again.
I've got other channels.
Like his daughter, for instance?
How'd you guess?
Who's guessing?
I know you.
Such a lovely night.
People back east think of this country
as being unbearably quiet...
and lonesome...
especially at night.
I've always found there was an excitement to it.
Does that sound very foolish?
Not at all...
but it takes someone who's not afraid of being alone with himself
to appreciate it.
I never thought of it that way.
Is that why you became a geologist?
That must be a terribly lonely profession.
Very.
But interesting, too.
New places, new people...
Well, that can be a drawback, as well.
What do you mean?
A man can get tired of new places and new people.
You stay just long enough to make a few friends,
and then you've got to move on.
I never minded before.
Now, I--
I thought you said you were coming back.
Until the wells are in.
I shouldn't have said that.
I didn't even tell your father and Judge Garth we're going to drill.
Although I'm sure they guessed it.
Will it take long to drill the wells?
That depends.
Geologist has to stay with the driller every foot of the way.
Tell him when to core for samples
and examining the sludge for signs of oil-bearing sandstone and so forth.
It all sounds very technical and way over my head.
It's a fascinating science.
Well, when you discover something big,
it gives you the same feeling I imagine a painter must get
when he creates a masterpiece.
Have you found something big here?
Lydia...
if I know anything about geology,
this'll be one of the biggest finds of the century.
I'm only sorry that your father-- and you--
can't share in it.
Father understands you're not free to do anything about it.
I was tempting to try to persuade my backers to let him in on it.
But after the other night, I was afraid to say anything to him about it.
Why? What happened the other night?
We were talking oil deals, you know,
and I think he misunderstood me.
I got the feeling he thought I was trying to get him to invest
in some sort of wild gamble.
But bankers are suspicious,
or they wouldn't be good bankers, I guess.
You're the one who misunderstood.
Father likes you very much.
Well, he's a hard man to do a favor for.
I only hope he doesn't hold it against me later.
I think it was wonderful of you to have thought of him.
I wasn't just thinking of him.
It was for you, too.
Please don't feel he doesn't trust you.
I couldn't have you leave here feeling that way.
Promise me.
You're very sweet, Lydia.
And very lovely.
You got a hotel in this town?
Yeah, right down the road.
Gonna be here long?
Just long enough for that train to get to Chicago and back.
Father, breakfast is ready.
Coming, Lydia.
Ah, this looks good.
Is that all you're eating?
I'm not very hungry.
Seems to me you haven't had much of an appetite
ever since Will Martin left town.
Father-- Don't "Father" me.
I know the symptoms.
Don't forget, I was young once myself.
You talk as if I was a schoolgirl. I'm simply not hungry.
You do like him, though, don't you?
Yes, I do.
Do you think maybe...
maybe you're in love with him?
Why do you ask?
Because I love you very much,
and I want you to be happy.
With the right man.
You don't think he is?
On the contrary,
I like your young man.
Anyway, he's not exactly my young man.
He will be.
Don't you worry.
I'll get it.
Oh, Mr. Griswold.
Good morning.
This telegram just came in.
I thought I better get it over here as fast as I could.
Thank you.
It's... for your father.
Oh.
Well, goodbye.
Goodbye.
Who was it?
Telegram for you. Oh?
You know, your mother never got over being frightened every time a telegra--
What is it?
"Confidential.
"Sharp increase business failures
"has caused alarming run on eastern banks.
"Suggest you keep liquid as possible
in case panic spreads."
Make sure you get that bottom sheet tight.
How would you know the difference?
You never had sheets till you came here.
That's for openers.
That's for closers.
You don't seem to mind when he does that.
That's him.
Look, honey, someday he's gonna walk out on you.
You know that, don't you? Mm-hmm.
It doesn't bother you? Unh-unh.
When the fire goes out, why should the fire department hang around?
See what I mean?
Good morning, Ezra.
You've come to make a deposit?
Well, not exactly.
I read the telegram, too.
I know you did. And you're being very foolish.
Maybe so.
It took me a long time to save up my money,
and I'd feel better about having it where
I can look at it till this blows over.
There's nothing to blow over.
Sure.
Just make out a withdrawal slip.
Lydia will take care of you.
Fine.
Oh, Ezra.
That telegram was marked "confidential."
Don't worry.
Will.
I told you never to meet me out in the open.
Well, don't worry.
Nobody's gonna be looking at us. There's a bank panic on.
It's got this far?
The people been making a run on Turner's bank since noon,
pulling their accounts.
And the bank is giving out the money hand-over-fist.
You take this and get over to the hotel. And stay there.
I'm going to the bank.
TURNER: All right, all right...
It's Friday afternoon and past closing time.
This bank will open as usual on Monday morning.
But how do we know?!
And the rest of you can draw out your money if you wish...
if you're determined to let panic and hysteria
ruin your better judgment.
Hey, banks are closing all over!
Hold on.
Maybe some banks are shaky.
But a great many others that are perfectly sound
will be ruined by runs such are you're determined--
Well, maybe your bank is shaky too, Turner!
We don't want talk, we want our money!
We want our money! That's right!
Quiet! Quiet!
You're acting like a bunch of spooked cattle!
Well, what are you doing in there? Taking your money out?
How 'bout that, Judge?
I'm leaving every cent I've got on deposit right where it is.
Does that answer your question?
Sure, and you got plenty more where that came from!
Listen!
It's past closing time,
and this bank will not open its doors again
till Monday morning, same as it always does.
If you still want your money then, you can have it.
Every cent of it!
Now, please go on home.
Bought yourself a little time, anyway.
May I come in?
If you want the rest of your money, you'll have to wait till Monday morning.
No, sir, that is not what I meant.
I'm sorry.
I should have known better than to say that.
Oh, Will. I'm so glad to see you.
You ought to be very proud of your father, Lydia.
At least we have the weekend to reason with 'em.
Ah, you may as well face it, Horatio.
They'll be back Monday morning.
The only think they're interested in is getting their money out.
I'll pay as long as I can,
and then I'll have to close the doors.
How much of a run can you handle?
At the rate they were withdrawing today,
we'd have to close the doors in two hours.
To meet the rest of the demands,
we'd have to call in loans, foreclose mortgages--
it'll ruin the whole area.
Well, there must be some way you can get them to realize it.
Reason with them!
But you can't reason with hysteria.
We'll try, of course, but...
Well, I'll stay in town, see if there's anything I can do.
You can reach me at the hotel.
Thank you, Henry.
Well, I'll clean up the paperwork.
Oh, I forgot to ask in the excitement...
did you have a successful trip?
What?
Oh, yes.
Yes, I did.
Lydia told me about your talk with her.
I want to thank you. It was most generous of you to think of us.
I guess there isn't much you can do about it now
even if you wanted to, is there?
Hardly.
It won't be very gay, I'm afraid,
but if you'd like to dine with us tonight--
I'd better not. You two have had a very busy day.
I'll see you tomorrow.
You know...
I never thought this would happen to me.
Something will happen.
Has to.
What?
A miracle?
Believe me, Lydia,
nothing less will do.
Yeah, fine. Just fine.
It's not enough the deal goes sour,
but he's gotta leave $1500 of our hard-earned money in that hick bank.
I couldn't be expected to know there'd be a bank panic!
"Think big," he says.
"You gotta spend money to make money."
And we sure did, didn't we?
Well, there was nothing wrong with my plan.
We'll just have to ride out the panic
and start again somewhere else when it's over.
We still have until Monday morning.
Maybe things will smooth out.
Oh, they won't.
When people get hysterical about their money,
they want to see it, feel it.
That's the answer.
Let them see it...
feel it.
What are you talking about?
Thinking big, that's what I'm talking about--
real big!
Now, wait a minute.
You're not figuring on robbing that bank, are you?
Oh, nothing so unimaginative, Charlie.
Now go away, you bother me. I've got to concentrate.
This may sound crazy at first, but bear with me.
I wouldn't have come here if I didn't believe in what I'm about to propose.
Go ahead. I'll listen to anything.
I hope this won't sound presumptuous, Mr. Turner,
but how much is your bank worth?
Our total assets are over a millions dollars,
but we have only a few thousand left in cash,
the rest in long-term notes, mortgages...
Well, suppose you could make people think
you had a million in cash,
enough to pay every last one of them off.
Would that satisfy them and stop the run?
Mr. Martin, I wouldn't believe any banker
who told me he had a million cash on hand.
Neither would I, if he simply told me.
But if he showed it to me,
I'd have to believe my own eyes, wouldn't I?
There's an old Oriental saying:
"One picture is worth ten thousand words."
What are you driving at?
Could you borrow $150,000 from another bank
if you guaranteed to have it back in 72 hours?
Under normal circumstances I could pledge enough collateral
for perhaps 50,000, but...
Well, under normal circumstances,
I could borrow 100,000 on my signature
from Fred Andrews at the Denver State Bank,
but these are not normal circumstances.
But you could probably get it if it meant saving your bank, couldn't you?
Possibly, if I knew what it was to be used for.
Well, you mentioned a million, not 150,000.
What I said was, suppose you could make people think
you had a million dollars.
I recently saw a fishbowl in a shop window.
It was filled with beans.
Anyone who could guess the total won a prize.
But nobody came close.
It had a false center.
Are you suggesting we stuff a fishbowl with currency?
Not quite, but that's the general idea.
Let's say you build yourself a wire cage,
a cage out of chicken wire,
so the people can not only see their money,
but fingers through and feel it.
You put a false center in it so the money's just around the outside,
only as deep as their fingers will reach in.
And you tell them it's a million dollars--
to see, to feel, to be reassured.
If this is a joke, I'm afraid I--
I assure you, I'm serious about it.
Mr. Martin, if you're serious, I'm afraid--
I know what you're going to say: It's crazy. It's theatrical.
It isn't sound banking practice. And I agree with you.
But the same goes for what happened in your bank today.
It was crazy. It certainly wasn't sound banking practice.
What it was, gentlemen, was human nature.
They don't want to hear logic
or a lecture on how sound your bank is.
They want to see their money.
All right, I propose that you show it to them.
Suppose they still want to draw it out.
Well, then you'd have to close your doors.
But that's what you'd have to do anyway, isn't it?
I appreciate your motive, Will, but--
All I'm saying is, fight fire with fire.
The panic is psychological,
so you use psychology to lick it.
How could I go to the Denver State Bank
and propose such a thing?
You can't. As soon as you were seen leaving town,
they'd break in the bank right then and there.
Well, gentleman, I have only one more thing to say.
What other choice do you have?
Do it, Father. It'll work.
JUDGE: Now, look, I know all the arguments against it.
It's crazy. Theatrical.
You couldn't possibly call it sound banking practice.
The only thing in its favor is, it might work.
In all my years of banking, I--
I haven't time for reminiscences, Fred.
Turner and I personally pledge more than that as collateral,
right here in black and white.
But I don't want to have to attach your ranch or Turner's holdings
if anything goes wrong.
It can't go wrong!
If our bluff works, fine.
If it doesn't, we close the doors.
Either way you get your money back in 72 hours.
You know Turner's bank is sound, so it's absolutely ethical.
Well, I guess it must be catching.
All right, Judge, you've got a deal.
It's Monday morning! We want our money!
JUDGE: This bank is going to open! Just listen to me for a minute.
We're not here for talk, we're here to get our money!
You said Monday morning!
You all know Horatio Turner, he's an honest man!
He's been running a sound bank for years.
This bank has assets of over a million dollars!
Well, I want to see the million dollars!
Most of you helped build it to that!
That's why we're here!
Wait a minute.
Your money is all here, right inside.
I sure hope so, Judge.
You can have it if you demand it.
Wait a minute!
I don't believe Turner's got all our money inside!
So I'll just take mine while there's still some left.
All right.
Just step inside in an orderly fashion
and shake hands with one million dollars.
Is it real? Yeah, it sure is real!
These are $50 bills.
Make out a withdrawal slip and you'll get your money.
Take it home with you...
and worry day and night about somebody stealing it.
Get in line, everybody, if you want your money.
All right, keep it orderly, folks.
Move along in line.
Most money I ever seen at one time.
How much if it's yours?
Over 2700 dollars.
Make out a slip and take it home.
That's what I intend doing.
I'd hate to have that much money
laying around the house.
...sixteen, seventeen,
eighteen, nineteen...
Three hundred and fifty dollars.
How are you, Mr. Evans? Oh, I'm fine.
Ten, twenty, thirty..
You really think everything's going to be all right here?
In the bank, yes.
I can't vouch for its safety when it gets outside.
Took me a long time to save that up.
It's your decision, Mr. Evans.
One hundred...
Oh, never mind.
I've got along with your father
ever since the bank started.
I guess he knows his business better than I do.
Oh-- well, I, uh--
Don't hold up the line, please.
Forget it.
Sorry, Horatio.
I guess I got kind of carried away.
That's all right, John.
Well, I... feel kind of foolish.
Possibly because that's they way you're behaving.
Would you... would you take it back?
We always welcome new depositors.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jim,
and we'll go over those deeds first thing in the morning.
Every single depositor put back what he drew out.
Will, I owe you more than I can ever repay.
The whole county does. It's a shame they can never know what he did for them.
Only someone totally ignorant of sound banking practices
would have ever thought of it, I assure you.
I must say, it's a wonderful feeling
to be safe and secure again.
Oh, no, not until we get this money back to Denver.
Oh. I'd almost forgotten it wasn't ours.
Well, Steve and Trampas are ready to take it back on tonight's train.
I'm leaving for St. Louis tonight on business.
I'll ride along with 'em as far as Denver,
just for added protection. Oh.
Well, my excursion into banking was strictly temporary.
I'm still in the oil business, you know.
Yes, I know, I just--
Well, gentlemen...
goodbye and good luck. Goodbye.
Goodbye, sir.
Will I see you before you go?
Of course. I just have a few odds and ends to clean up first.
Well, you men have certainly worked around the clock these last few days.
We'll get a few hours sleep at the hotel.
That bank don't open till nine.
You can actually go to sleep with all this expensive luggage around you?
That don't bother him none.
He can't count past a hundred anyway.
Uh...
well, I owe you an apology, Mr. Martin.
For what?
Well, I wasn't quite sure of this whole thing at first.
But after what you did for the bank and the Turners
and the whole community, my hat's off to you.
Thank you, but... I simply had an idea.
Didn't cost me any time or effort or money.
Not many strangers would worry about a place
they were stuck in temporarily.
I believe I'll go to the smoker a moment.
You'll pardon me?
He's sure a nice guy.
Yeah. Hey, uh, pinch me if I go to sleep.
Boy, oh boy, oh boy.
Am I ever glad to get out of that hick town.
I thought you were gonna keep a close eye on our bank account.
It's in good hands.
Do we have to stay cooped up in here the whole trip?
Yes. I don't want anybody to see us leaving town on the same train.
Something strike you as amusing?
Yeah, this deal, the whole deal.
You know what?
This is gonna go down in history.
What's the matter with you?
Have you lost your sense of humor?
Lay off me, Jenny. I'm tired.
I'm sorry I've got to go on to St. Louis,
but good luck to you, men.
CONDUCTOR: All aboard!
Well, I'm not gonna look forward
to carrying this load all around Denver,
but I don't see any buggies for rent.
( train pulling out of station )
You men from Medicine Bow?
You're returning something to the First State Bank, I believe.
In the morning, yeah.
I'm John Dales, assistant to the president.
The bank has decided that it's better
not to have that money floating loose around Denver
till morning.
Now, they're here with an armored wagon
to take it directly to the bank tonight.
We were told to deliver this in the morning, in person.
Well, a big city like Denver is a lot different
than a small town like Medicine Bow.
No, the bank wants the money safely in the vaults right away.
Makes sense.
Just a minute. You got credentials?
Oh, certainly.
And it's only correct that you should ask.
We'll count the money on the way,
and then I'll give you a receipt.
All right.
Well, here's your receipt.
May we congratulate you on a good, clean job?
The bank appreciates it.
Come on, boys.
DALES: Open up, Pete!
We've got the delivery for you.
Well, I guess we get that hotel room now.
Look...
why don't we take the late train back to Medicine Bow?
We can sleep on the train.
'Cause there sure ain't gonna be nothing happening
in this town tonight at this time--
big city or not.
Good idea.
It went off as smooth as glass.
You shoulda heard him. I'd make a pretty good banker.
Where's Harry? Gettin' rid of the wagon.
You know, the best part of this thing is, we're not even suspected.
The town'll think those cowhands pulled it off,
and by the time they figure it out, we're long gone.
What a beautiful sight!
MARTIN: Don't touch it.
There's been a change in plans.
That money's going back to the bank.
You're joking.
He better be joking.
I'm taking it back to the bank in the morning.
Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
We got $150,000 right in our hands.
And we're not even under suspicion!
It was my plan, and I'm canceling it.
Now, hold it, hold it.
I don't know what made you go soft in the head all of a sudden,
but we got a lot of time and effort invested in this job.
You want to be a hero?
Well, you take your share and take it back. Go on.
But you leave us ours.
It all goes back.
Every cent of it.
All right, hold it!
Stay right where you are.
Unh-unh.
Sorry, I've got to go along with Buster here.
Thanks, Jenny.
Put it back.
Put it back!
Face that wall and put your hands behind your back.
Take those straps and tie their hands behind 'em.
Mail for you, Lydia.
Letter from Will?
Hardly time enough for that, honey.
The man only left last night, you know.
"The American Journal of Geology."
I sent for it.
I wanted to read that article about Will.
I see.
His picture happens to be in that edition, too.
I thought it would be a good idea to read up on his work
so I could discuss it with him intelligently.
He'll be back, honey, sooner than you think.
But I don't think it's geology he's going to want to discuss with you.
You go on down to the bank. I'll be there shortly.
Well, I can always say I made a $150,000 deposit, anyway.
And, like they always say, leave with a laugh.
Are you saying goodbye?
I don't like the sound of the word, but that's the idea.
But Jenny-- You don't have to say anything.
The fire's out. We both know it.
Anyway, you're no good to a girl like me anymore.
You're an honest man now.
Well, one swallow doesn't make a summer.
It was just this last deal that went sour.
Fool yourself if you want to,
but don't try to fool me.
You know why you're through?
You've lost your contempt for the rest of the world.
You like people.
I think you've even gone so far as to have a conscience.
How come I never realized how smart you were?
Maybe some of it rubbed off.
So long, now, and don't you worry about me.
I hear St. Louis is a real live town.
Drive on.
DRIVER: Giddyup.
Mr. Andrews?
Yes?
I'm Will Martin.
I'm returning the 150,000 from Medicine Bow.
Why...I understood that the men who picked it up would be returning it.
It's quite all right. I was in on the whole transaction.
Since I was coming to Denver on business,
I offered to make the return.
Well, I suppose it doesn't really matter
as long as you have the money.
I, uh... I gather that wild idea worked.
Up to a point.
Oh?
However, the money's all there.
Well, I'll count it out and give you a receipt.
Now, if you don't mind waiting here in my office,
I'll try not to be too long. Certainly.
Mr. Martin?
Yes?
These officers have just received a telegram
ordering them to pick up a man
of your name and description.
Well, that's ridiculous. Why?
Something about $150,000.
I just handed the money over to this gentleman here.
Look, I don't know what this is all about,
but you're wanted back in Medicine Bow.
Now, you'll have to come along with us.
I just don't understand it, Will.
Latham.
Roger Latham.
That's my real name.
You mean you conceived the idea of the cage
just to steal the 150,000? Exactly.
But you had it! Why did you return it?
What difference does it make?
It makes a great deal of difference to me.
Just say I changed my mind.
But you must have had a reason for changing it.
If you're a professional at this sort of--of--
Fraud.
I just don't understand it.
You don't have to.
But I want to! Don't you see--
How can I explain it to you when I don't understand it myself?
Maybe I went soft in the head.
Maybe I couldn't do it to a man like you.
I don't know.
Maybe you do know,
and don't want to admit it... even to yourself.
Look, the deal went sour.
I didn't stop to analyze it;
I just did what I felt like doing.
Am I under arrest or not?
You're free to leave...
or to stay.
Then I guess I'll say goodbye.
Good luck. Thanks.
Oh, by the way... you forgot something.
You have $1500 on deposit here.
I must be confused when I forget $1500.
Just make out a withdrawal slip, and you'll get it.
Thanks. I'll need it.
Could you handle it for me?
Sorry, I'm busy. The cashier will handle it.
Hello, Lydia.
I heard what you and Father were saying.
If you'll just fill out that slip.
I've got so much to apologize for,
I guess there's no point in even trying to start.
Nothing to apologize for. You brought back the money.
That isn't what I meant.
No. 20s, 50s, and a 100 be all right?
Fine.
You want to check it?
No.
Will there be anything else?
No.
I guess that wraps it up.
Goodbye, Lydia.
Goodbye.
( train whistle blows in distance )
Oh, darling.
I was afraid I'd lost you.
Your father kept asking me the reason.
Now I know.
* *