Woman They Almost Lynched (1953) Movie Script
"It was in the spring of 1865."
"A great civil war was
raging over the land."
"Driving toward a climax."
"The outcome still in doubt."
"The States divided."
"Brother against brother
on the battle line."
"And in the backwash of that war a
new breed of men had sprung up."
"Quantrill."
"Frank and Jesse James."
"The Younger brothers."
"And a host of others."
"Renegades and raiders."
"Murdering, looting, pillaging."
"Riding, shooting,
slashing their way..."
"Through one of the darkest
pages of our history."
"And in the wake of the fierce
fighting law and order disappeared."
"And lynch-law took its place."
"Towns unlucky enough to be located on
the border between the north and south."
"Suffered most."
"But Border City was different."
"It had a law of its own."
"High in the Ozarks lying squarely on
the Missouri and Arkansas border line."
"It had declared itself neutral."
"And so became a sanctuary for
deserters, cut-throats and outlaws."
"The flotsam and jetsam of humanity."
"A crowded, teaming town."
"Crowded?"
"Teaming?"
Where is everybody?
Up at the lynching.
Come on.
Come on boy. Giddy-up.
I want to see. Will somebody lift me up?
Mister, will you please lift me up?
- Go on.
Malcolm Stuart, you are
to go right straight home.
But Ma, I want to see the hanging.
- You go home this instant.
Why are they hanging them, Ma?
- I'm sure I don't know.
But you go right home because we live
in a town that's wild and lawless.
But, Ma. I ain't never seen a man hung.
Go home.
Lift me up, Mr Boggs.
I say it is a disgrace.
How can you women stand here and watch?
- Shush.
Put me down, Mr Boggs.
I don't care what anybody says.
Lynching is an evil thing.
Border City is...
- It wasn't a lynching.
It was an execution according to law.
Border City is different to any
other part of the whole country.
You mean wilder, Mrs Courtney?
Much wilder, my dear Mrs Stuart.
And why?
Right now my right foot is
in the state of Arkansas.
My left is in Missouri.
Missouri is Yankee. Arkansas is Rebel.
Do you see that?
The border runs right through the
middle of the Lead Dollar saloon.
Before the war, this was a
thriving, decent community.
My mines lay both to
the north and south of it.
When hostilities were declared
I sold lead to both armies.
During that period, men in grey and
men in blue roamed the streets.
It was the most dreadful and
horrible time we've ever spent.
And lawless.
- Yes. That it was.
Until the respectable citizens
appointed me mayor.
No man had courage
enough to take the job.
So I told the two commanders to withdraw
their troops to the 5-mile deadlines.
Or I would blast my mines and
nobody would get any lead.
And you bet they withdrew.
- And good riddance.
Border City is now a neutral zone.
No-one in uniform can
come within five miles.
Without my permission.
- That man wore no uniform.
He was making inflammatory speeches.
Trying to stir up a riot.
You didn't even give him a court trial.
We have no law machinery here.
But this town is neutral and
I mean to keep it that way.
Bravo, bravo.
A very speech, Mrs Courtney.
It stirred me to the marrow.
Are you making fun of me, Lance Horton?
- Me? Not at all, ma'am.
I am strictly neutral.
If you wasn't such a good foreman
I'd fire you for such insolence.
If you wasn't so doggone good-looking.
Come on in.
What is so neutral
about Delilah Courtney?
She still sells lead to the
Union Army, don't she?
Delilah has done more than anybody
else to preserve our decency.
Decency? Why, this town is
crawling with human vermin.
Delilah is only interested
in maintaining neutrality.
She says the vermin will
exterminate each other.
How do I raise my son
among such riff-raff?
And more coming in every stagecoach.
It's so peaceful here in the Ozarks you
wouldn't think there's a war going on.
A Yankee cavalry patrol.
Yeah. The first time we've been
stopped since we left Joplin.
Whoa.
May I see your papers, gentlemen?
- Here you are.
I suppose you heard.
Quantrill and some of his men
are headed into this territory.
Quantrill? I thought he
was operating in Kansas.
He was.
He slaughtered over 182
people in Lawrence.
Kansas is too hot for him now.
Ask your passengers to get out.
Is something the matter, Lieutenant?
- No, ma'am.
I'm just surprised to see a young lady
travel alone in wild country like this.
Sally Maris. Salt St. Marie Michigan.
Sault.
That's a right pretty name, Sue.
Sault St. Marie.
Yes, ma'am.
May I get back in the stagecoach now?
Where are you headed?
Border City.
You got people there?
- My brother.
Your folks?
They're back in Sault St. Marie?
No. Both my parents are dead.
That is why I am out here.
Is he expecting you?
No. I am going to surprise him.
What does he do in Border City?
- He owns a hotel.
I see.
If you like I can give escort to you
to within five miles of the town.
That's as close as we are allowed.
It wouldn't be to keep your eye on Miss
Maris as long as possible, would it?
It could be.
It might be Quantrill.
- A black flag.
Yeah, that's them.
Whip up those horses.
We'll fight a delaying action.
The cavalry hasn't a chance.
They are riding to cut us off.
We lost two men.
Bury them.
Alright. Set that stagecoach
back on its wheels.
My name is Quantrill.
This is my wife Kate.
And my name is Cole Younger.
You and that woman rode down the
soldier who was trying to escape.
Pretty good shooting though, wasn't it?
- It was cold-blooded murder.
It was war.
My husband says if we don't kill
the enemy when we find him...
Someday he may kill us.
I hope so.
You're a stupid
little thing, aren't you.
Is it stupid to hate murder?
You got real spirit, ain't you.
I bet a kiss from you would
be like a kick from a mule.
Leave her alone, Cole.
You've got a lot of room to tell
somebody to leave a woman alone.
We're riding into
Border City on business.
Pleasure comes later.
Alright. I can wait.
Dingus got a saber cut in the shoulder.
Hurt much?
- No.
You think he can ride?
I can ride fine.
Let him go to town on the stagecoach.
- That ain't no use. I can ride fine.
You'll go back to town on
the coach with the lady.
There ain't no need of it.
I can ride my horse.
The kid is girl-shy.
Something nobody can ever
say about Cole Younger.
Dingus will learn in time.
- Alright. Put him in the coach.
You'll let us go on back into town?
We are going to escort you.
Like them soldier boys was doing.
Only with us you'll be a lot safer.
Never mind that.
If that wound isn't cleaned you'll
be infected inside of an hour.
You worry about yourself.
Blood poisoning. Lockjaw.
I've seen men die from it.
Yeah?
- A horrible death.
But maybe you deserve to go that way.
What is that stuff?
Hold this.
It is going to sting a little.
If you weren't so awfully
young I wouldn't even bother.
How old are you?
Twenty-two.
What do you think you are doing?
I just wanted to see
if you'd ever shaved.
How old are you?
Why?
I don't know.
You look sort-of... fancy and clean.
Kinda brand-new like.
Thank you.
You ought to be in school.
No. I had enough of it.
You ought to go back.
No. I had enough.
How did you ever get
tied in with Quantrill?
What is the difference?
- I'd really like to know.
It's not very interesting.
You didn't really have
any reason at all.
Oh, didn't I?
What if you came home to
find your father hanging?
Your mother all cut
up with a broken leg.
Your older brother gone away.
Nobody there at all.
How would you like it?
Who did that?
A bunch of dirty cut-throat
gorillas from Kansas.
I swore I'd get even.
I swore I'd get every one of them.
So you joined Quantrill?
Yes. I joined Quantrill.
He didn't even want to take me.
He said I was too young.
But he took me.
Finally.
Haven't you had enough revenge by now?
I don't want to think about it.
I guess that is the best.
Forget it.
Forgetting comes hard.
You are young.
You still have a chance in life.
A chance for what?
Quit Quantrill and his gang.
Why?
So you will live long enough
to grow up and be a real man.
I am a real man.
Besides, I like fighting.
Join the army.
- We're sort-of an army.
Quantrill is an outlaw and a murderer.
He treats me alright.
What do you wish for?
Wishing is cheap.
Your nicest, shiniest wish. What is it?
Just something silly.
Tell me please.
You would laugh.
And I won't tell anyone else.
A place all my own.
A ranch.
With all kinds of animals on it.
Is that all?
A girl.
With red hair maybe.
One that was...
All clean.
And brand new.
Do you think she would want
to be married to an outlaw?
But I won't be an outlaw.
If you keep on like this you'll
be an outlaw until you're dead.
That is what they say.
There won't be any ranch.
Or a brand-new girl with red hair.
There won't be anything.
I reckon you're right.
You think about it.
I'll think about it.
Quantrill again.
Tell him to come to my office.
- Yes, ma'am.
Go on.
A new dancehall queen.
Ten to one she's a Faro dealer.
- She can play Faro with me anytime.
I wonder if she knows any kissing games.
- Come on, let's find out.
Stand back and keep your talk clean.
This lady came to see a brother
she hasn't seen in ten years.
Who is your brother, ma'am?
- Bill Maris.
Bitterroot Bill?
You are the sisters of Bitterroot Bill?
If she is Bill Maris's sister she
must be a real lot of palooza.
I said shut up.
She is a genuine-article society lady.
Now scatter and let her pass.
Who does this kid think
he is, Jesse James?
That's exactly who he is, mister.
That is...?
You mean that's really...?
- Jesse James.
My brother.
He had a notch on his gun
for every man he's killed.
He's had more than 22 of them now.
I've been thinking alright.
About what you said.
All the time we were riding in.
Jesse James.
And I figured out it is
probably too late already.
There's always something I get mad at.
Like right now.
And I never pull it without firing it.
Come on. I'll take you in.
This young lady has
come to see Bill Maris.
Pay ten.
A visitor for you, Bill.
Young and tender, ain't you.
What makes you think I need
another girl in this place?
Yeah. You will do.
Just as long as you are
real polite to the boss.
And that is me.
That's a real nice way for
a man to treat his sister.
Sally?
Baby.
Is it really you?
If I had any inkling...
The last time I saw you, you were...
I was teaching you to shoot and hunt.
The last time I saw you, you were a man.
I am still a man, Sally baby.
The last letter you wrote
was so full of promise.
Two years ago.
- You said you were marrying.
Sell the saloon. You were just going to
run the hotel. No drinking or gambling.
You were going to be honest and decent.
We'll talk it over later.
I'll get you to a room.
You don't think I'd stay in this place?
Nobody will bother you.
No matter how it might look, ma'am.
But this is the best
lodging place in town.
There is nowhere else a lady could stay.
Don Pablo.
Give my sister the best room we have.
- What to do with your things?
Put my things across the hall.
- Muy bien.
Go with him.
I will be up in a few minutes.
Go ahead.
It will be alright.
She has real quality, that girl.
Pablo.
Who is this woman?
She used to be a singer here.
Is this the one my brother
was going to marry?
Yes.
But she's been gone away two years.
Quantrill snatched her right off.
She was scratching and screaming.
Quantrill?
Si.
Our old friend Bill Maris.
The Honky-tonk man.
Don't draw, mister.
I chased you with a posse of sixty men.
You should have had faster horses.
You've changed, Bill.
He looks like he's aged
ten years in the last two.
Aren't you going to congratulate
us on our marriage?
You are his...?
His wife?
His loving wife.
I hope you are very happy.
I am.
I am very happy.
Were you happy the day he kidnapped
you and carried you out of here?
I like masterful men.
If you've got something
to say Maris, say it.
And get it over with.
Just a couple of short words.
I didn't have a chance
last time to say them.
Let's have them.
Goodbye, Katey.
Pablo.
Play 'All my life'.
What are you trying to do, Kate?
Rub it in?
It's my favorite song.
You used to like it.
Sometimes you can be the most
exciting woman that ever was.
But no man alive can even think
of being as mean as a woman.
Don't you want me to sing?
Sure, sing your song. Drive him loony.
That's what you're aiming to do.
Go ahead and do it.
Come on, Pablo.
Women.
When you smile at me.
The sun appears.
When you are near.
My heart.
Is always standing still.
Your sweet voice is music.
To my ears.
And the touch of your hand.
Is a thrill.
All my life.
I've been waiting.
For you.
My wonderful one.
I've begun.
Living.
All.
My life.
All.
My... love.
Has been waiting.
For you.
My life is sublime.
Now that I'm with you.
All.
My.
Love.
I found a heaven.
So very near me.
I am almost afraid.
To look.
But I adore you.
I place before you a heart.
That's an open book.
All.
My life.
Why don't we take a walk?
Every day, every night.
For two whole years.
Grieving and going crazy.
But always holding out a hope.
- Forget Kate.
You got a sister to take care of.
My love, darling.
A gibbering lunatic hope.
Not satisfied flaunting herself, she has
to dig her grave I made her fall into.
Well, she is mistaken.
I'll give her some of the
pain she has given me.
But quicker. A lot quicker.
Get a hold of yourself.
- Right through the lying heart of hers.
[ Gunshot! ]
Nobody is going to stop me.
Not even you.
Don't do it, Bill. Don't.
No, Bill.
Mister, that was close.
He gets in trouble every
time he takes a drink.
He won't be taking any more drinks.
Satisfied?
I didn't mean to.
Maybe someday you'll turn on me.
Oh, no.
No. I would never do that.
I heard gunshots.
There was some shooting.
- Who was it?
You're brother, ma'am.
- He is dead, Miss Maris.
I did.
Somebody please get the sheriff.
There isn't any sheriff in Border City.
I want this man arrested.
Isn't there any law here?
Delilah Courtney is the law
around here, ma'am.
And she ain't interested
in these kind of shootings.
You had better tell her
how it was, mister.
Self defense.
Your brother tried to shoot me.
He stopped it.
Too bad he didn't kill you.
I still have the letter my
brother wrote me about you.
The one girl in his heart.
You vile, loathsome murderess.
You have stirred up your
quota of trouble for today.
I'm going to blast her head off.
Get out of here until you cool off.
I'll be seeing you, sweetheart.
I like your spirit.
Ma'am, this is your place now.
How about drinks on the house?
We should get things going again.
No. No more drink.
I am asking everyone to please go.
Why do a thing like that?
This place is closed.
For how long?
For ever.
But you can't do that.
This is the only decent bar in town.
Your brother wouldn't want it closed.
We're not going to let you close.
The lady asked everybody
to clear out of here.
What is going to happen to us girls?
You can find other jobs.
So, we are fired?
Take my advice.
Hop the next stagecoach.
This town is too rough for lace
petticoats and pink ribbons.
You get out of here.
You will be in hot water all the time.
I am staying in Border City.
Then I am stuck with you.
Just what does that mean?
As I'm the man who killed your brother.
I'll have to protect you.
And look after you.
Of all the arrogant,
conceited, despicable...
You'll need protection.
And I'm morally bound to...
If you're morally bound to do
anything it's to get out of here.
Before I shoot you the
way you did my brother.
What with, a powder puff?
I'll find a gun. Pablo.
Try this one.
You think I won't?
I am waiting.
You didn't shoot him in self-defense.
No?
It was a cheap common
fight over that woman.
So why don't you pull the trigger?
How long you been handling guns?
You still think I need a big, strong
man like you to look after me?
Yep.
I still think so.
I sent for you over three hours ago.
It's a big town. It took me
three hours to get here.
No need to sit down.
You sound sore.
And serious.
Still getting rich on those
lead mines of yours?
I don't reckon it is
any of your business.
I was hoping to make you richer.
I've got a little Yankee gold that
I'd like to trade for a lot of lead.
So you can shoot up more helpless
towns the way you did Lawrence Kansas?
Nothing doing.
Then what did you want to see me about?
I am mayor now, and we have
a strict military neutrality here.
I am neutral.
I haven't even molested anybody in town.
You've got no complaint against me.
Neutral, are you?
You killed five Yankee soldiers
on your way into town.
Well, they dealt the cards.
And you held all the odds.
Four to one.
You and your boys aren't neutral.
Never have been, the way I see it.
I want you out of this town in 24 hours.
Otherwise, I suppose you are
going to personally kick us out?
Otherwise I'll have the Union
troops come in and take you out.
There is a good-sized garrison
quartered a few miles north.
Ah, they would really enjoy
getting their hands on you.
Especially after today.
Now, git.
That is what I like about you, Delilah.
You don't spit and scratch.
You punch.
Here she comes.
Are you Mrs Courtney?
John Pablo of the Lead Dollar saloon
recommended you for a job in my office.
Yes. That's what I came about.
You see...
- We have no jobs open.
Can you tell me any other place
where a girl might find work?
Spinning a roulette wheel in a saloon?
No.
I mean a respectable position.
You trying to reform, dearie?
I have nothing to reform about.
Oh no?
We've seen you riding into town
with Quantrill and his gang.
And his type ain't exactly...
- I had no choice in the matter.
You and young Jesse James
together in that stagecoach.
I didn't know who he was.
And if I had it wouldn't have mattered.
He's only a boy.
What is it you want us to do for you?
Find honest work.
Is there a schoolteacher in town?
You are asking for the job?
I think I am qualified.
Not for my child.
Nor mine.
You have no children.
You're not even married.
Girly, you might as well know.
We got the best and worst
people in Border City.
And we classify you as...
Because my brother owned a saloon?
We have seen how men look at you.
I am as respectable as any one of you.
I was not my brother's keeper.
And I don't make snap
judgements about strangers.
Or condemn a woman because
she is attractive to men.
And furthermore...
- Good day, girly.
So what's in Joplin?
Nothing but law and order.
And there is nothing I hate worse.
It's too hard to make
a dishonest dollar.
Yeah. Give me a wide-open border town.
Well, well. If it isn't Little Nell
all bathed in tears.
I'm sorry.
Think nothing of it.
Where will you go?
New towns. New jobs.
We have to eat.
Maybe you should stay here.
I'm going to sell the saloon and
probably the new owner will keep you.
What are you going to do? Go back to
your Sunday School class in Michigan?
I will be leaving as soon as I get the
money from the sale of this place.
Oh? You are liable to
be around a long time.
Why?
When you inherited the Lead Dollar
you also took on all its debts.
Debts?
- Uhuh.
Very bad luck.
How much does he owe?
Almost twice as much as you
can get for selling the saloon.
You know, if you're smart,
you'll take off out of here...
Before the buzzards start circling
around with their IOUs.
But I don't have any money.
Not even stagecoach fare.
Well.
Welcome to poverty road.
Well, how about a farewell snort?
Yeah. I could do with a good stiff shot.
We'd take you with us.
But I am afraid you wouldn't like it.
It's a rough road.
Yeah. And a long one.
Here is to the end of a soft touch.
There must be something we can do.
Yeah.
A friend of mine did it once.
With an old razor.
Why don't you reopen this place?
It makes money.
She wouldn't have the nerve.
Oh, wouldn't I?
We will reopen.
Yeah? And who is going to run things?
I will.
What do you serve
to drink, sarsaparilla?
Shut up, Jenny.
Do you mean that?
Of course I mean it.
You could all continue with your jobs.
Yahoo.
And I just spent half an
hour packing my clothes.
You can unpack them.
And the souvenirs.
I'll work hard and pay
off my brother's debts.
So, do you think you are the type
to be a hostess in a saloon?
Well, what do I need?
Besides a fancy dress.
Oh, sister.
You need a painted smile
that don't wear off.
Cheek rouge that don't show tear stains.
A brassy whisky voice and a big hello.
Hello.
Hello. Come right in.
The place is yours, gentlemen.
Hello.
What are you trying to prove?
This place is closed to you.
Find somebody who is man
enough to throw me out.
I asked you. What is going on here?
Can't you see?
Do you know what they call
a woman who runs a saloon?
A Honky-tonk queen.
- Is that what you want to be?
How am I doing?
- No good.
And you are closing up again.
Oh, no I am not.
Look. It's one thing to look out for
a girl with a decent reputation.
But trying to protect a
lady saloon keeper...
So it's yourself you are worried about.
A kid who doesn't know the difference
between a tea party and a drunken brawl.
You are afraid you will get hurt.
Rubbing elbows with
the scum of the world.
For the last time.
I don't need you to worry about me.
Alright.
I've stopped doing it.
You're on your own.
Thank you very much.
Horton.
So long, Queenie.
What is it?
- Quantrill.
What do you want?
Lead.
No.
I had a talk with your boss last night.
She gave me 24 hours to get out of town.
You don't have much time.
One hour.
I'll take a chance though
on another twelve.
Sure.
We'll take a chance.
You can call in the Union
Army in an emergency.
That's her deal.
I wonder what she'd do if she
knew her foreman was selling...
Half the Yankee lead
to the Confederates.
Her southern mines have petered out.
The books balance.
It's a 50/50 deal.
What if she knew he was a captain
in the Confederate Army?
Let's start all over again.
What do you want?
Lead.
And you are going to sell it to me.
For Yankee gold.
Oh no.
You didn't say 'no' two years ago.
Two years ago you and your gang were
considered allies to the Confederacy.
You mean we ain't now?
- Not since General Lee disowned you.
Hold it.
You have used our cause as an excuse
for looting and raiding and massacre.
You keep on and we'll
massacre you right here.
No we won't.
Because he's going to sell us that lead.
You're not with the Confederacy anymore.
You never were.
Why don't we give him a little lead?
We want him alive. Don't worry.
He'll do what I tell him.
You are wrong, Quantrill.
If the Union Army finds out you
are a spy you will be shot.
If the people of this town
find it out you'll be lynched.
Unless you change your tune.
Both the Yankees and the good
citizens of Border City...
Are going to know exactly who you are.
Blackmail, huh?
That's right. Real beautiful black.
I think you will see it our way.
Or you are a dead man.
So, when do we get our lead?
Give me time to work it out.
I'll let you know.
I don't trust him.
He's a real soldier-boy type.
Yeah.
He has got a Confederate
flag in place of a brain.
Don't worry about it.
He'll sell us the lead.
If you're so sure, let's go to the Lead
Dollar saloon and celebrate in advance.
Cole is hankering to see that gal again.
He can't get her off his mind.
He'd better.
Dingus is stuck on her.
No I ain't.
I just know she's real nice
and too good for Cole Younger.
Keep your nose out of this, Dingus.
She's a saloon girl now and they
ain't so nice for anybody.
I was a saloon gal.
That's exactly what I meant.
Easy, Younger.
And don't forget Kate is my wife.
Comes the time to leave this
burgh, I'm getting me a wife.
The same way you did.
Hello. Hello.
Mr and Mrs Quantrill.
My, my. Look who's turned
into a bar room butterfly.
Are you envious?
I used to look mighty nice
in that dress myself.
The men of Border City
must be very happy tonight.
That won't be for long.
Hello beautiful.
The drinks are good and the game square.
Step right along and enjoy yourself.
I like it better right here.
By all means. Stand right here.
Wait a minute.
Not so fast.
You'd better start getting used to me.
Indeed? Why?
- Why?
Because you've got the most
kissable lips I've ever seen.
We don't sell anything
in here but liquor.
I don't buy kisses. I take 'em.
The palms of my hands are
getting mighty itchy.
You had better stay out of this, Dingus.
You'd better have a drink with the boys.
Don't forget what I said, chicken.
We are going to see a lot of each other.
Boys. Let's baptise this place.
There are one too many lights.
Watch this.
You didn't have to hit me.
Just a gal who wanted
some good, clean fun.
What's the matter with you? You've
been edgy ever since we walked in.
It's her. The way she looks at me.
Like I was dirt.
It's not my fault her
brother got killed.
Have your drink. And it was your fault.
I'm real sorry to see you
taking over a place like this.
There is nothing else I can do.
- That sounds like what I told you.
When you asked me why
I joined up with Quantrill.
You can still quit, Quantrill.
- No. I never can.
It is said, if a girl starts work in
a saloon she never can quit either.
Funny. When we first met.
I was trying to save
you from a bad life.
Now it's the other way around.
There is no way for me. There really
isn't. My brother owed debts and...
Alright. If you are going to stay
here then at least do one thing.
Yes?
Keep away from Kate Quantrill.
She hates you. She is real
trigger happy with that gun.
She is a real killer.
She is more cold-blooded than
any man I have ever seen.
I'll watch out.
If you give her the slightest excuse.
She is going to try to kill you.
I'll remember that.
You are my friend and I don't
want nothing to happen to you.
That is why I told you.
Listen everybody.
Listen. Jeb has big news.
Troops from the confederate army are one
mile outside of town and pitching camp.
Looks like they are making plans.
- You got it right?
That will put the Yankees on the run.
- What does that do to us?
Yankees over here.
Rebels on this side.
I have something important to tell you.
Did you hear? The Southern
army is a mile outside town.
I'm drinking to the glorious south.
You're liable to have
trouble here any second.
About half these people are Yankees
and the other half are rebels.
You had better circulate.
Try to calm them down.
The least little thing right now could
turn this saloon into a Bedlam.
Don Pablo.
After the news we just heard I demand
you play Dixie and I'm going to sing it.
Oh no. I won't play that.
I say you will.
Play the battle hymn of the Republic and
we'll dedicate it to President Lincoln.
I'm going to sing Dixie and
dedicate it to President Davis.
Neither song will be sung.
- Who asked you?
You're trying to start a riot
and you're not going to do it.
I am going to sing Dixie
with or without a piano.
Are you trying to turn this
town into a battlefield?
I order you to leave the premises.
This is a better fight than the one
between the north and the south.
Your future bride is quite a wildcat.
You're doing fine, Kate.
Get up.
What's all this about?
When Kate Quantrill heard the Feds were
moving up she started to sing Dixie.
There would have been a war in here.
Sally is trying to keep it neutral.
Well. I was afraid of that.
Pull her hair out, Sally.
Well, it don't look as if
I am going to be needed.
I couldn't have done as
good a job on Kate myself.
Quantrill.
Your 24 hours are up.
I guess my watch must have stopped.
You had better wind it and fast.
Kate is going to want revenge.
I don't think she'll be back.
- You don't know her.
You'd better lay low
until we're out of town.
Close the bar.
That's all for tonight, gentlemen.
This time there is nobody
arguing with you.
There ain't nobody wanting to
tangle with a wildcat, ma'am.
Brawling.
Like a common hussy.
If she had her way there would
have been a lot of blood spilt.
You saved a few lives
doing what you did.
Come on, Sally.
Well, there.
Almost as good as new.
Maybe.
But I don't feel the same anymore.
It was the best cat fight I've
ever seen, barring none.
A raw, rugged rough-and-tumble girl, eh?
Honey, I am proud of you.
[ Door knocks ]
Yes?
Handsome is making signals at us.
Is it alright to leave
you here with him?
You just said I was rugged.
So is he, they say.
If he gets out of line... just scream.
He won't get out of line.
What makes you so sure?
Now I'm a full-fledged saloon girl I
am fair game. Is that what you mean?
No.
I mean, that you are beautiful.
And very kissable, I suppose?
Could be.
I'm sorry.
I am being very bitter.
That goes with the job, doesn't it?
A big smile and a snappy answer.
I owe you an apology.
About my brother.
I have learned that...
The truth. I was unfair to you.
It doesn't matter.
I was pig-headed.
Grief and shock. That's all.
Because you are right.
I do need your help here.
Couldn't we make a business
arrangement on a partnership basis?
You could sort-of police the place.
Kick out the rowdies.
You are certainly man enough to.
Why, what is the matter?
I just lost the business
opportunity of a lifetime.
A partnership with you.
You are turning me down?
I have to leave Border City.
I should have been out
of here hours ago.
I run a risk every second I stay.
Why? What's the matter?
Let's go downstairs.
The place is empty now.
These thin walls sometimes have ears.
- You're in trouble?
Not if I keep on the move.
We will have privacy
here on the balcony.
I am going to trust you, Sally.
May I?
Quantrill has made it impossible
for me to stay here.
Quantrill?
I am an officer in the
army of the Confederacy.
Our lead mines in Arkansas
petered out two years ago.
I was assigned undercover work.
I got a job as foreman of the Union
mines on the Missouri side.
So I could slip lead over to my forces.
You are a Rebel?
Tonight, Quantrill
threatened to expose me.
If he does you'll be lynched.
As a spy...
I sent a signal to my troops to move
in and pitch camp a mile out.
At daylight I'm to
lead them to the mines.
They are waiting for me now.
The Captain won't make
a move until I show up.
You could have been with them
hours ago. Safely out of town.
Why did you come back here?
You know the people of Border City...
Why do you suppose I came back here?
I think I know.
You wanted to say goodbye to me.
If I could take you with me I would.
The thought of having to leave you here
with this bunch of renegades and drunks.
I'll be alright.
I'll be waiting for you.
If we take the town I
will see you right away.
And if you don't?
When the war is over.
And if you are killed?
- I won't be killed.
Please don't be.
I couldn't stand it.
If the Yankees get in here.
You tell them not to kill me
during the war, won't you.
You tell them you couldn't stand it.
Tell them to wound
me if necessary but...
Not too seriously.
It isn't funny, Lance.
Hurry now. You'd better
get to your troops.
You know.
For a Yankee... you are
a pretty wonderful girl.
For a Rebel, you're pretty nice too.
See you, honey.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Lance.
You weren't going any place, were you?
Not particularly.
And that ain't your horse, is it?
All saddled and ready to go.
Boys, I'm sure Mr Horton would
not think of leaving town...
Without saying goodbye
to his old friend Quantrill.
Now would you, Mr Horton?
You really worked fast, didn't you.
Bringing those Rebel troops up.
They're out there now waiting for
you to come and bring them in.
I'm afraid they are going to have
a long wait, Captain Horton.
Because you're not about to join them.
We came here for lead and we
aren't leaving until we get it.
In the morning, you are taking us
to the mine and loading our wagons.
The confederates will
move in before then.
No they won't.
They'll still be there waiting for you.
What makes you think I'll
do your dirty work for you?
Because you want to live.
You making a bargain with me?
- Yeah.
When we've got all the lead we want
you can ride through town with us.
When we're far enough away we'll cut you
loose and then you can join your troops.
Do you think I'd take your
word on a thing like that?
There is nothing else you
can do but take my word.
Alright, boys. Sit the man down.
I've got a little job I am going
to do tomorrow before we go.
What would that be, Kate?
I'm going to kill me a pigeon.
Not my pigeon.
You can have the feathers.
Listen to her. She thinks she is a man.
I can shoot and ride as
good as a man, can't I?
I reckon you can at that.
Then you men tend to your
business and let me tend to mine.
Momento.
One momento.
I got to see Miss Maris right away.
Sorry. She's asleep.
Makes no difference
I must see her. Where is she?
Upstairs. Wait. I will get her for you.
I'll go with you.
[ Door knocks ]
Who is it?
Miss Maris. It's Jesse James.
I've got to talk to you.
Just a minute.
You still look kinda brand-new like.
Is that what you wanted to tell me?
- Kate Quantrill is gunning for you.
Doesn't she know when she's had enough?
I reckon not.
She's got a temper like
nobody you've ever seen.
When she gets crazy mad
there's nothing can stop her.
She is aiming to kill you.
Is she coming here?
Right now, she's steaming herself
up in a bar down the street.
All the people in town have heard of it.
They wait to see what's going to happen.
You'd better go into hiding.
- I'll do nothing of the kind.
I'll never run away from that woman.
But you have to.
She will blast you to pieces.
No she won't.
You mean you are not?
No. I'm not afraid of her.
You are set on facing her?
I certainly am.
Ever shoot a gun?
All my life.
Then do me a favor.
Be as well armed as she is.
No more liquor.
We're doing a lot of riding today.
And I got a job to do first.
Yeah? What?
- Like I told you.
A pigeon shoot.
- Well, forget it.
Do I tell you when to use your guns?
- But she is a woman.
And I'm a woman.
Maybe you'll be the one to get hurt.
- Don't make me laugh.
She is a babe in the woods.
A tenderfoot from the east.
Is that why you're so nervous?
- I probably can't even pull a trigger.
If that was me I'd shoot that
dame right between the eyes.
I declare. If it were me I'd be
hiding in a broom closet somewhere.
Why don't you wait for
her to show up here?
Because if you let a wild animal
think you're afraid of it...
It is bound to attack.
- Well, perhaps you are right.
Back in Michigan we didn't wait
for wild beasts to close in on us.
We went out after them.
The Maris girl just came out of
the Lead Dollar headed this way.
She is, is, she?
And packing a gun.
How do you like that?
Kate really means it.
Alright, boys. Stand back and away.
I'll say one thing for the Maris girl.
At least she has got courage.
You can put that on her tombstone.
'She had courage'.
I hope nothing happens to her.
Yeah. I'm beginning
to like the little boss.
So why don't you finish the job?
Why don't you try acting like a woman?
You are too yellow to kill me.
You were born a woman but look at you.
A bloodthirsty female.
A disgrace to all women.
What about you running a saloon?
I suppose you're a symbol of virtue?
Why don't you give up?
She fights better than you.
She shoots better than you.
She even talks better than you.
Yeah, I and I bet she even
cooks better than you.
Come. I'll see if I can patch you up.
We've got a job to do
before we leave town.
I can't get out of this town too fast.
Honey, you were great.
I thought I would die watching.
Where did you ever
learn to shoot like that?
Anderson.
Wagons ready?
They are waiting a mile out of town.
- Take five men and ride ahead.
Start the wagons for the mine.
We'll overtake you.
Yes, sir.
You two.
Take her out and help her on her horse.
?Alright. Cut him loose.
We head straight for the mine.
And no tricks.
No tricks.
It looks like Quantrill is leaving town.
And good riddance.
I wonder what Lance is
doing riding with them.
Something funny is going on.
Something very funny.
You suppose he's throwing
in with Quantrill?
We'll soon know. I sent for the Yankees.
The Union Army?
Well, we can't let the
Rebels take my mines.
Whoa.
Sergeant.
Take your men around
and head them off south.
Yes, sir.
Company.
Halt!
Draw sabers!
Quantrill, are we heading back this way?
- Of course not.
Go on ahead. I'll catch up with you.
- Where are you going?
I got an errand to do. Me and my brother
can take care of it in two minutes.
Well, don't waste much time with her.
Come on, Jim.
We're having her riding with us?
It looks that way.
- I don't like it.
Nobody asked you.
Grab my guns.
Horton is making a break for it.
Keep your filthy hands off me.
It's going to be real
fun breaking you in.
Let go of her, Younger.
Get those idiots out of there.
What's that?
There it is, Captain.
Sound the charge.
The Yankees.
- We take them on?
Long enough to get the Younger boys out.
Spread out.
It's the Yankees.
I'll be back for you, sweetheart.
Glenda.
Pablo.
- Quickly. He needs attention.
It sounds like a war.
What has happened?
- Lance has been wounded.
Help me get him upstairs.
- Alright. Come on.
Take him to my room.
This way. Come on, boys.
First section, follow me.
Get me a horse. I got to get me a horse.
Too late for that.
- It can't be too late.
The shooting stopped.
Your husband is gone. They all have.
I'll catch up.
- You can't.
Do you realize what happens
to me if the Yankees find me?
They know I'm part of the gang and don't
care that I'm a woman. They'll kill me.
But if you talk first,
they will kill Lance.
Now listen to me and do what I say.
Get up those stairs and hide.
Did you get them?
- A few of them.
The rest rode south.
We'd be ambushed by the Rebels.
What of Quantrill?
He got away. So did the
James boys and the Youngers.
You got here in the nick of time.
Quantrill had my foreman
riding with him.
What was Lance Horton
doing with Quantrill?
That bothered me too.
I don't think he chose to as I saw him
bolt from his horse and run for it.
They were shooting at
him when you got here.
Where is he now?
Over there in the Lead Dollar.
I'll have a talk with him.
Somebody else you may have a talk with.
Yeah? Who's that?
How would you like to get
your hands on Kate Quantrill?
[ Door knocks ]
Stand by the door and
see nobody gets out.
What if somebody wants to get in?
- The bar is closed.
And that goes for all of you.
I'm looking for Lance Horton.
I'm sorry but he's very sick.
- Show me where he is.
Come on, Sergeant.
Search every room on this floor.
Is Horton going to live?
- Shush.
If we could only get a doctor.
There is only one medic and a lot of
men in this town need him right now.
Ask him please to come
as quickly as possible.
I hear he's running with Quantrill.
At gunpoint.
- I figured it that way.
I must ask him some questions.
He's scarcely in a condition
to be questioned now.
Alright.
In the meantime, if you
will produce Kate for me.
Kate?
The bloodthirsty Mrs Quantrill.
If she is here. Your mean will find her.
Are you trying to make
things tough for me?
What gives you that impression?
- Because we know she is here.
You act as if you are
trying to cover up for her.
Now, why would I want to do that?
Are you Sally Maris?
Yes. I am.
Then I don't know why you would.
I heard this morning
she's gunning for you.
That you out-shot her.
I was lucky.
There ain't no outlaw
lady here, Captain.
Are you sure?
Yes. We saw every woman in here.
They wait downstairs.
How many are there?
- Four.
Not counting her.
You try to cover up for the notorious
Kate Quantrill and you're in trouble.
A lot of trouble.
You come on downstairs too.
Who are you that I love you so?
Ask me to follow and I will go.
I will go.
How strange.
How still.
I seem to be losing my will.
An angel is breathing on me.
And it's making me see I'm in love.
I'm in love.
How new.
How grand.
An angel is touching my hand.
I feel like a moon that is new.
And as high as a tide in the night.
In the night.
I sing to the sky.
With a song of my love.
And now my grateful heart.
Has the wings.
The wings of a dove.
How strange.
How dear.
To know that an angel is so near.
An angel that's touching my cheek.
Sergeant.
Yes, sir.
Corporal. Corporal.
Of my love.
For... you.
Why, girls.
Look at the handsome Yankee Captain.
We were wondering when you Yankees
were going to move into town.
Things will be a lot pleasanter now.
What is your name, Captain?
Never mind what my name is.
I am looking for Kate Quantrill.
Kate Quantrill?
Was that who it was?
- Who what was?
You mean, the girl I
helped in off the street?
Then you admit you helped somebody in?
She went up the stairs.
She went down the backstairs. There
was a horse waiting out there for her.
Yeah. She left at a fast gallop.
Are you girls sure about that?
She was wearing men's
trousers, a shirt and a gun-belt.
That's her alright.
Get some riders after her.
Sergeant, get my horse.
- Yes, sir.
Captain. You're not leaving so soon?
We've hardly had time to get acquainted.
I've got to get Kate Quantrill.
- Won't I do?
Why don't you pretend
that I am Kate Quantrill?
I'll be back.
- Please hurry.
I'll be waiting.
She's probably gone by now anyhow.
Then maybe I can take her place.
I must say you got real talent.
Now, at least you've got a
chance to get out of town.
I can't figure you.
You could have shot me dead
this morning and you didn't.
What would I have gained?
- Ringing praise from everyone.
And a bad conscience.
And then you drag me in here
and protect me from the Yankees.
I had a reason.
Yeah. I know. That man upstairs.
But you could have
shot me and killed me.
It would be a much easier way
to keep me from talking.
She doesn't think that way.
I know. That's what mixes me up.
Haven't you ever met anybody
who was just plain decent?
Yeah. Once.
Seven hundred yesterdays ago.
Her brother.
Then Quantrill came and
tore me out of his arms.
At first I fought him.
I tried every way I knew how to escape.
And later on.
I became just like him.
A passion for vengeance and hatred.
Not trusting anybody.
Suspicious of everything.
And all the time.
All the time it was Quantrill I really
hated for what he'd done to me.
So I took my rage out on the world.
All hail the awakening of...
Two years too late.
Two centuries and a dead heart too late.
Why don't human beings ever learn?
You mean... you mean you
are through with Quantrill?
With all of it.
With all that's past.
You know what I would like now?
I don't deserve it and I don't
suppose I'll ever get it but...
I'd like to have a new start.
A singing spot somewhere in a
fancy saloon in New Orleans.
That is where I was born. New Orleans.
Old, warm, lovely, French New Orleans.
I don't suppose you, or...
Anyone else in this whole
world can ever forgive me.
Feeling better?
I suppose things could have been worse.
He has got some bullets in him.
He'll need an immediate operation.
That will be hard to arrange.
John Pablo, will you leave
us alone for a moment?
What are we going to do?
We've got to get you out of Border City.
You are in danger every
minute you're here.
I'll never make it out.
Don't say that.
They must have shot a
few of Quantrill's boys.
Any of them that got left behind.
They're bound to do some talking.
Particularly if he...
Thinks he can wiggle out of a death
sentence from the Union army that way.
Somehow, we've got to
move you out at once.
It will take a miracle to save me.
I'm afraid I'm all out of miracles.
That is foolish talk.
There are other things more important.
Inside my coat over there.
In the lining.
In the left sleeve.
What is it?
The whole key to the lead mines.
It shows everything.
My troops didn't move because
they were waiting for it.
Find somebody and get it to them.
They have got to have it.
Got to have it.
[ Door knocks ]
The Yankee soldiers are back.
That stuffy Captain couldn't
have ridden very far.
What did he want?
- They've come to arrest Lance Horton.
They caught one of Quantrill's men
and he talked. They claim he's a spy.
It isn't only the Captain and his men.
It looks like half the population
is crowded into the saloon.
I think they smell a lynching.
The good citizens are saying that
Lance broke the town's neutrality.
They are practically violent.
You know Delilah Courtney.
She'll see he's executed so she
can say she kept the town neutral.
Wait.
Somebody might recognise you.
You had better stay up here.
That's right.
- Keep watch.
Get this stuff out of the way.
Sergeant.
- Sir?
Clear that stairway.
Two of you men. Forward.
Clear that stairway.
- Yes, sir.
Lance. Listen to me.
No matter which side you were on
when this war started. I love you.
For yourself and for no other reason.
Because you tried to
help me and because...
Now maybe I can help you.
No matter what it costs, it's worth it.
That is the real miracle, darling.
The miracle is love.
Try and get Lance to
his Confederate troops.
Alright. I will.
You can't go up there.
Lance Horton has been mortally wounded.
Wounded or not, we're going after him.
- Remember, Captain.
If the man is a spy it's the business of
the neutrality committee of Border City.
We know what to do with him.
Alright.
You're quite free to go after him.
If he is a spy I sure
don't want him in here.
I'm glad to hear you talk that way.
Not quite so fast.
- Hold her.
Stand aside. Let me go.
Captain's orders, ma'am.
No-one leaves here until
after the arrest is made.
Give me that.
Captain. This should interest you.
I'm only interested
in that spy upstairs.
It appears there ain't any spy upstairs.
No matter what my brother did.
You can't blame me for anything.
What did your brother do?
It seems according to this
he was a Confederate spy.
And with me in town the
whole while he operated.
What is this map?
It's a map of my northern lead mines.
Listen to this.
'To the commander of
the Confederate forces'.
'Here is what you want'.
'The Yankees suspect Lance Horton
and will probably shoot him'.
'If so, they will have
killed an innocent man'.
'The pig-headed beasts'.
I don't suppose that
refers to you, Captain.
'The pig-headed beasts'.
'Have no idea I have taken over the
task of undercover work for my brother'.
It is signed, Sally Maris.
The woman spy for the rebels has
the gall to call us pig-headed beasts?
What concerns me is we may
have lynched an innocent man.
Place the Maris woman under arrest.
- Just a minute.
I'm afraid this is out
of your hands, Captain.
Authority greater than yours...
Has entrusted me with maintaining
the neutrality of Border City.
In the past we have hung any
person who had violated it.
Sally Maris will be no exception.
Take her away.
You can't let them do it, Captain.
- It's out of my hands.
But she is a woman.
And I'm a pig-headed beast.
What you thinking, Sergeant?
I'm thinking he's got a head like a pig.
What will we do?
Get a wagon and horses at the back door.
Get a man you can trust.
Jenny, get old Pete.
Come with me.
You ain't going to let them
do it, are you Captain?
You are out of order, Sergeant.
But to lynch a woman is the
last word in barbarianism.
She broke the neutrality.
Worse than anyone ever broke it.
But she is such a little girl.
It makes no difference.
And you. Shut up.
You fools. You absolute fools.
Sally Maris is not a spy.
Please. Please don't.
It's alright, honey.
We slipped Lance Horton out of town.
He is with the rebels.
He'll get a good doctor.
I demand to know what
you are talking about.
Sally Maris wrote the note
attached to the map.
To take the suspicion off from the
man she loved and on to herself.
She was trying to protect him.
He is a Confederate Captain.
How do you know about that?
This is going to come as an
awful shock to you, Captain.
My name is Kate Quantrill.
Sergeant, get three men and follow me.
Fools, nincompoops, fiends.
You see what you almost did?
What we almost did?
That noble woman who sits there.
That noble woman who was
willing to give her life for a man.
A mere mortal man.
But nearly lynched by you who
claim yourselves to be men.
Lift her down and set her free.
Sally, honey. Come on.
We'll take you home.
This is as far as we can go without
running into a Rebel ambush.
It's too bad we couldn't overtake her.
Sergeant. I believe the less said
about this incident the better.
Yes sir, Captain. But...
But what?
She sure sang pretty, didn't she?
Howdy. I just came in
to congratulate you.
I hear that in a little over a month
you paid off all your brother's debts.
The way you drove the customers
in here we were bound to do well.
Oh, they're just men. Easy to drive.
What will you have? Name your poison.
Thank you. I never drink.
What have you heard from Kate Quantrill?
She is in New Orleans. Very happy.
Singing under the name Kitty McCoy.
Lance Horton. He is in town.
He can't be.
Lance.
You've got a heck of nerve
riding in here in that uniform.
Trying to put your neck in a noose?
You know the town is neutral.
The whole country is
neutral now, Mrs Courtney.
The war ended yesterday
in Richmond Virginia.
Who won?
Nobody won.
We just quit fighting. That's all.
Hey, the war is over!
Carl.
Get an ax and chop down
that hanging tree.
Sure.
This is like a goldfish bowl.
It's kind of crowded up in the north.
Let's go south.
Honey. It's just lovely down south.
Whoopee!
Bartender.
Get me a drink.
..f-s..
"A great civil war was
raging over the land."
"Driving toward a climax."
"The outcome still in doubt."
"The States divided."
"Brother against brother
on the battle line."
"And in the backwash of that war a
new breed of men had sprung up."
"Quantrill."
"Frank and Jesse James."
"The Younger brothers."
"And a host of others."
"Renegades and raiders."
"Murdering, looting, pillaging."
"Riding, shooting,
slashing their way..."
"Through one of the darkest
pages of our history."
"And in the wake of the fierce
fighting law and order disappeared."
"And lynch-law took its place."
"Towns unlucky enough to be located on
the border between the north and south."
"Suffered most."
"But Border City was different."
"It had a law of its own."
"High in the Ozarks lying squarely on
the Missouri and Arkansas border line."
"It had declared itself neutral."
"And so became a sanctuary for
deserters, cut-throats and outlaws."
"The flotsam and jetsam of humanity."
"A crowded, teaming town."
"Crowded?"
"Teaming?"
Where is everybody?
Up at the lynching.
Come on.
Come on boy. Giddy-up.
I want to see. Will somebody lift me up?
Mister, will you please lift me up?
- Go on.
Malcolm Stuart, you are
to go right straight home.
But Ma, I want to see the hanging.
- You go home this instant.
Why are they hanging them, Ma?
- I'm sure I don't know.
But you go right home because we live
in a town that's wild and lawless.
But, Ma. I ain't never seen a man hung.
Go home.
Lift me up, Mr Boggs.
I say it is a disgrace.
How can you women stand here and watch?
- Shush.
Put me down, Mr Boggs.
I don't care what anybody says.
Lynching is an evil thing.
Border City is...
- It wasn't a lynching.
It was an execution according to law.
Border City is different to any
other part of the whole country.
You mean wilder, Mrs Courtney?
Much wilder, my dear Mrs Stuart.
And why?
Right now my right foot is
in the state of Arkansas.
My left is in Missouri.
Missouri is Yankee. Arkansas is Rebel.
Do you see that?
The border runs right through the
middle of the Lead Dollar saloon.
Before the war, this was a
thriving, decent community.
My mines lay both to
the north and south of it.
When hostilities were declared
I sold lead to both armies.
During that period, men in grey and
men in blue roamed the streets.
It was the most dreadful and
horrible time we've ever spent.
And lawless.
- Yes. That it was.
Until the respectable citizens
appointed me mayor.
No man had courage
enough to take the job.
So I told the two commanders to withdraw
their troops to the 5-mile deadlines.
Or I would blast my mines and
nobody would get any lead.
And you bet they withdrew.
- And good riddance.
Border City is now a neutral zone.
No-one in uniform can
come within five miles.
Without my permission.
- That man wore no uniform.
He was making inflammatory speeches.
Trying to stir up a riot.
You didn't even give him a court trial.
We have no law machinery here.
But this town is neutral and
I mean to keep it that way.
Bravo, bravo.
A very speech, Mrs Courtney.
It stirred me to the marrow.
Are you making fun of me, Lance Horton?
- Me? Not at all, ma'am.
I am strictly neutral.
If you wasn't such a good foreman
I'd fire you for such insolence.
If you wasn't so doggone good-looking.
Come on in.
What is so neutral
about Delilah Courtney?
She still sells lead to the
Union Army, don't she?
Delilah has done more than anybody
else to preserve our decency.
Decency? Why, this town is
crawling with human vermin.
Delilah is only interested
in maintaining neutrality.
She says the vermin will
exterminate each other.
How do I raise my son
among such riff-raff?
And more coming in every stagecoach.
It's so peaceful here in the Ozarks you
wouldn't think there's a war going on.
A Yankee cavalry patrol.
Yeah. The first time we've been
stopped since we left Joplin.
Whoa.
May I see your papers, gentlemen?
- Here you are.
I suppose you heard.
Quantrill and some of his men
are headed into this territory.
Quantrill? I thought he
was operating in Kansas.
He was.
He slaughtered over 182
people in Lawrence.
Kansas is too hot for him now.
Ask your passengers to get out.
Is something the matter, Lieutenant?
- No, ma'am.
I'm just surprised to see a young lady
travel alone in wild country like this.
Sally Maris. Salt St. Marie Michigan.
Sault.
That's a right pretty name, Sue.
Sault St. Marie.
Yes, ma'am.
May I get back in the stagecoach now?
Where are you headed?
Border City.
You got people there?
- My brother.
Your folks?
They're back in Sault St. Marie?
No. Both my parents are dead.
That is why I am out here.
Is he expecting you?
No. I am going to surprise him.
What does he do in Border City?
- He owns a hotel.
I see.
If you like I can give escort to you
to within five miles of the town.
That's as close as we are allowed.
It wouldn't be to keep your eye on Miss
Maris as long as possible, would it?
It could be.
It might be Quantrill.
- A black flag.
Yeah, that's them.
Whip up those horses.
We'll fight a delaying action.
The cavalry hasn't a chance.
They are riding to cut us off.
We lost two men.
Bury them.
Alright. Set that stagecoach
back on its wheels.
My name is Quantrill.
This is my wife Kate.
And my name is Cole Younger.
You and that woman rode down the
soldier who was trying to escape.
Pretty good shooting though, wasn't it?
- It was cold-blooded murder.
It was war.
My husband says if we don't kill
the enemy when we find him...
Someday he may kill us.
I hope so.
You're a stupid
little thing, aren't you.
Is it stupid to hate murder?
You got real spirit, ain't you.
I bet a kiss from you would
be like a kick from a mule.
Leave her alone, Cole.
You've got a lot of room to tell
somebody to leave a woman alone.
We're riding into
Border City on business.
Pleasure comes later.
Alright. I can wait.
Dingus got a saber cut in the shoulder.
Hurt much?
- No.
You think he can ride?
I can ride fine.
Let him go to town on the stagecoach.
- That ain't no use. I can ride fine.
You'll go back to town on
the coach with the lady.
There ain't no need of it.
I can ride my horse.
The kid is girl-shy.
Something nobody can ever
say about Cole Younger.
Dingus will learn in time.
- Alright. Put him in the coach.
You'll let us go on back into town?
We are going to escort you.
Like them soldier boys was doing.
Only with us you'll be a lot safer.
Never mind that.
If that wound isn't cleaned you'll
be infected inside of an hour.
You worry about yourself.
Blood poisoning. Lockjaw.
I've seen men die from it.
Yeah?
- A horrible death.
But maybe you deserve to go that way.
What is that stuff?
Hold this.
It is going to sting a little.
If you weren't so awfully
young I wouldn't even bother.
How old are you?
Twenty-two.
What do you think you are doing?
I just wanted to see
if you'd ever shaved.
How old are you?
Why?
I don't know.
You look sort-of... fancy and clean.
Kinda brand-new like.
Thank you.
You ought to be in school.
No. I had enough of it.
You ought to go back.
No. I had enough.
How did you ever get
tied in with Quantrill?
What is the difference?
- I'd really like to know.
It's not very interesting.
You didn't really have
any reason at all.
Oh, didn't I?
What if you came home to
find your father hanging?
Your mother all cut
up with a broken leg.
Your older brother gone away.
Nobody there at all.
How would you like it?
Who did that?
A bunch of dirty cut-throat
gorillas from Kansas.
I swore I'd get even.
I swore I'd get every one of them.
So you joined Quantrill?
Yes. I joined Quantrill.
He didn't even want to take me.
He said I was too young.
But he took me.
Finally.
Haven't you had enough revenge by now?
I don't want to think about it.
I guess that is the best.
Forget it.
Forgetting comes hard.
You are young.
You still have a chance in life.
A chance for what?
Quit Quantrill and his gang.
Why?
So you will live long enough
to grow up and be a real man.
I am a real man.
Besides, I like fighting.
Join the army.
- We're sort-of an army.
Quantrill is an outlaw and a murderer.
He treats me alright.
What do you wish for?
Wishing is cheap.
Your nicest, shiniest wish. What is it?
Just something silly.
Tell me please.
You would laugh.
And I won't tell anyone else.
A place all my own.
A ranch.
With all kinds of animals on it.
Is that all?
A girl.
With red hair maybe.
One that was...
All clean.
And brand new.
Do you think she would want
to be married to an outlaw?
But I won't be an outlaw.
If you keep on like this you'll
be an outlaw until you're dead.
That is what they say.
There won't be any ranch.
Or a brand-new girl with red hair.
There won't be anything.
I reckon you're right.
You think about it.
I'll think about it.
Quantrill again.
Tell him to come to my office.
- Yes, ma'am.
Go on.
A new dancehall queen.
Ten to one she's a Faro dealer.
- She can play Faro with me anytime.
I wonder if she knows any kissing games.
- Come on, let's find out.
Stand back and keep your talk clean.
This lady came to see a brother
she hasn't seen in ten years.
Who is your brother, ma'am?
- Bill Maris.
Bitterroot Bill?
You are the sisters of Bitterroot Bill?
If she is Bill Maris's sister she
must be a real lot of palooza.
I said shut up.
She is a genuine-article society lady.
Now scatter and let her pass.
Who does this kid think
he is, Jesse James?
That's exactly who he is, mister.
That is...?
You mean that's really...?
- Jesse James.
My brother.
He had a notch on his gun
for every man he's killed.
He's had more than 22 of them now.
I've been thinking alright.
About what you said.
All the time we were riding in.
Jesse James.
And I figured out it is
probably too late already.
There's always something I get mad at.
Like right now.
And I never pull it without firing it.
Come on. I'll take you in.
This young lady has
come to see Bill Maris.
Pay ten.
A visitor for you, Bill.
Young and tender, ain't you.
What makes you think I need
another girl in this place?
Yeah. You will do.
Just as long as you are
real polite to the boss.
And that is me.
That's a real nice way for
a man to treat his sister.
Sally?
Baby.
Is it really you?
If I had any inkling...
The last time I saw you, you were...
I was teaching you to shoot and hunt.
The last time I saw you, you were a man.
I am still a man, Sally baby.
The last letter you wrote
was so full of promise.
Two years ago.
- You said you were marrying.
Sell the saloon. You were just going to
run the hotel. No drinking or gambling.
You were going to be honest and decent.
We'll talk it over later.
I'll get you to a room.
You don't think I'd stay in this place?
Nobody will bother you.
No matter how it might look, ma'am.
But this is the best
lodging place in town.
There is nowhere else a lady could stay.
Don Pablo.
Give my sister the best room we have.
- What to do with your things?
Put my things across the hall.
- Muy bien.
Go with him.
I will be up in a few minutes.
Go ahead.
It will be alright.
She has real quality, that girl.
Pablo.
Who is this woman?
She used to be a singer here.
Is this the one my brother
was going to marry?
Yes.
But she's been gone away two years.
Quantrill snatched her right off.
She was scratching and screaming.
Quantrill?
Si.
Our old friend Bill Maris.
The Honky-tonk man.
Don't draw, mister.
I chased you with a posse of sixty men.
You should have had faster horses.
You've changed, Bill.
He looks like he's aged
ten years in the last two.
Aren't you going to congratulate
us on our marriage?
You are his...?
His wife?
His loving wife.
I hope you are very happy.
I am.
I am very happy.
Were you happy the day he kidnapped
you and carried you out of here?
I like masterful men.
If you've got something
to say Maris, say it.
And get it over with.
Just a couple of short words.
I didn't have a chance
last time to say them.
Let's have them.
Goodbye, Katey.
Pablo.
Play 'All my life'.
What are you trying to do, Kate?
Rub it in?
It's my favorite song.
You used to like it.
Sometimes you can be the most
exciting woman that ever was.
But no man alive can even think
of being as mean as a woman.
Don't you want me to sing?
Sure, sing your song. Drive him loony.
That's what you're aiming to do.
Go ahead and do it.
Come on, Pablo.
Women.
When you smile at me.
The sun appears.
When you are near.
My heart.
Is always standing still.
Your sweet voice is music.
To my ears.
And the touch of your hand.
Is a thrill.
All my life.
I've been waiting.
For you.
My wonderful one.
I've begun.
Living.
All.
My life.
All.
My... love.
Has been waiting.
For you.
My life is sublime.
Now that I'm with you.
All.
My.
Love.
I found a heaven.
So very near me.
I am almost afraid.
To look.
But I adore you.
I place before you a heart.
That's an open book.
All.
My life.
Why don't we take a walk?
Every day, every night.
For two whole years.
Grieving and going crazy.
But always holding out a hope.
- Forget Kate.
You got a sister to take care of.
My love, darling.
A gibbering lunatic hope.
Not satisfied flaunting herself, she has
to dig her grave I made her fall into.
Well, she is mistaken.
I'll give her some of the
pain she has given me.
But quicker. A lot quicker.
Get a hold of yourself.
- Right through the lying heart of hers.
[ Gunshot! ]
Nobody is going to stop me.
Not even you.
Don't do it, Bill. Don't.
No, Bill.
Mister, that was close.
He gets in trouble every
time he takes a drink.
He won't be taking any more drinks.
Satisfied?
I didn't mean to.
Maybe someday you'll turn on me.
Oh, no.
No. I would never do that.
I heard gunshots.
There was some shooting.
- Who was it?
You're brother, ma'am.
- He is dead, Miss Maris.
I did.
Somebody please get the sheriff.
There isn't any sheriff in Border City.
I want this man arrested.
Isn't there any law here?
Delilah Courtney is the law
around here, ma'am.
And she ain't interested
in these kind of shootings.
You had better tell her
how it was, mister.
Self defense.
Your brother tried to shoot me.
He stopped it.
Too bad he didn't kill you.
I still have the letter my
brother wrote me about you.
The one girl in his heart.
You vile, loathsome murderess.
You have stirred up your
quota of trouble for today.
I'm going to blast her head off.
Get out of here until you cool off.
I'll be seeing you, sweetheart.
I like your spirit.
Ma'am, this is your place now.
How about drinks on the house?
We should get things going again.
No. No more drink.
I am asking everyone to please go.
Why do a thing like that?
This place is closed.
For how long?
For ever.
But you can't do that.
This is the only decent bar in town.
Your brother wouldn't want it closed.
We're not going to let you close.
The lady asked everybody
to clear out of here.
What is going to happen to us girls?
You can find other jobs.
So, we are fired?
Take my advice.
Hop the next stagecoach.
This town is too rough for lace
petticoats and pink ribbons.
You get out of here.
You will be in hot water all the time.
I am staying in Border City.
Then I am stuck with you.
Just what does that mean?
As I'm the man who killed your brother.
I'll have to protect you.
And look after you.
Of all the arrogant,
conceited, despicable...
You'll need protection.
And I'm morally bound to...
If you're morally bound to do
anything it's to get out of here.
Before I shoot you the
way you did my brother.
What with, a powder puff?
I'll find a gun. Pablo.
Try this one.
You think I won't?
I am waiting.
You didn't shoot him in self-defense.
No?
It was a cheap common
fight over that woman.
So why don't you pull the trigger?
How long you been handling guns?
You still think I need a big, strong
man like you to look after me?
Yep.
I still think so.
I sent for you over three hours ago.
It's a big town. It took me
three hours to get here.
No need to sit down.
You sound sore.
And serious.
Still getting rich on those
lead mines of yours?
I don't reckon it is
any of your business.
I was hoping to make you richer.
I've got a little Yankee gold that
I'd like to trade for a lot of lead.
So you can shoot up more helpless
towns the way you did Lawrence Kansas?
Nothing doing.
Then what did you want to see me about?
I am mayor now, and we have
a strict military neutrality here.
I am neutral.
I haven't even molested anybody in town.
You've got no complaint against me.
Neutral, are you?
You killed five Yankee soldiers
on your way into town.
Well, they dealt the cards.
And you held all the odds.
Four to one.
You and your boys aren't neutral.
Never have been, the way I see it.
I want you out of this town in 24 hours.
Otherwise, I suppose you are
going to personally kick us out?
Otherwise I'll have the Union
troops come in and take you out.
There is a good-sized garrison
quartered a few miles north.
Ah, they would really enjoy
getting their hands on you.
Especially after today.
Now, git.
That is what I like about you, Delilah.
You don't spit and scratch.
You punch.
Here she comes.
Are you Mrs Courtney?
John Pablo of the Lead Dollar saloon
recommended you for a job in my office.
Yes. That's what I came about.
You see...
- We have no jobs open.
Can you tell me any other place
where a girl might find work?
Spinning a roulette wheel in a saloon?
No.
I mean a respectable position.
You trying to reform, dearie?
I have nothing to reform about.
Oh no?
We've seen you riding into town
with Quantrill and his gang.
And his type ain't exactly...
- I had no choice in the matter.
You and young Jesse James
together in that stagecoach.
I didn't know who he was.
And if I had it wouldn't have mattered.
He's only a boy.
What is it you want us to do for you?
Find honest work.
Is there a schoolteacher in town?
You are asking for the job?
I think I am qualified.
Not for my child.
Nor mine.
You have no children.
You're not even married.
Girly, you might as well know.
We got the best and worst
people in Border City.
And we classify you as...
Because my brother owned a saloon?
We have seen how men look at you.
I am as respectable as any one of you.
I was not my brother's keeper.
And I don't make snap
judgements about strangers.
Or condemn a woman because
she is attractive to men.
And furthermore...
- Good day, girly.
So what's in Joplin?
Nothing but law and order.
And there is nothing I hate worse.
It's too hard to make
a dishonest dollar.
Yeah. Give me a wide-open border town.
Well, well. If it isn't Little Nell
all bathed in tears.
I'm sorry.
Think nothing of it.
Where will you go?
New towns. New jobs.
We have to eat.
Maybe you should stay here.
I'm going to sell the saloon and
probably the new owner will keep you.
What are you going to do? Go back to
your Sunday School class in Michigan?
I will be leaving as soon as I get the
money from the sale of this place.
Oh? You are liable to
be around a long time.
Why?
When you inherited the Lead Dollar
you also took on all its debts.
Debts?
- Uhuh.
Very bad luck.
How much does he owe?
Almost twice as much as you
can get for selling the saloon.
You know, if you're smart,
you'll take off out of here...
Before the buzzards start circling
around with their IOUs.
But I don't have any money.
Not even stagecoach fare.
Well.
Welcome to poverty road.
Well, how about a farewell snort?
Yeah. I could do with a good stiff shot.
We'd take you with us.
But I am afraid you wouldn't like it.
It's a rough road.
Yeah. And a long one.
Here is to the end of a soft touch.
There must be something we can do.
Yeah.
A friend of mine did it once.
With an old razor.
Why don't you reopen this place?
It makes money.
She wouldn't have the nerve.
Oh, wouldn't I?
We will reopen.
Yeah? And who is going to run things?
I will.
What do you serve
to drink, sarsaparilla?
Shut up, Jenny.
Do you mean that?
Of course I mean it.
You could all continue with your jobs.
Yahoo.
And I just spent half an
hour packing my clothes.
You can unpack them.
And the souvenirs.
I'll work hard and pay
off my brother's debts.
So, do you think you are the type
to be a hostess in a saloon?
Well, what do I need?
Besides a fancy dress.
Oh, sister.
You need a painted smile
that don't wear off.
Cheek rouge that don't show tear stains.
A brassy whisky voice and a big hello.
Hello.
Hello. Come right in.
The place is yours, gentlemen.
Hello.
What are you trying to prove?
This place is closed to you.
Find somebody who is man
enough to throw me out.
I asked you. What is going on here?
Can't you see?
Do you know what they call
a woman who runs a saloon?
A Honky-tonk queen.
- Is that what you want to be?
How am I doing?
- No good.
And you are closing up again.
Oh, no I am not.
Look. It's one thing to look out for
a girl with a decent reputation.
But trying to protect a
lady saloon keeper...
So it's yourself you are worried about.
A kid who doesn't know the difference
between a tea party and a drunken brawl.
You are afraid you will get hurt.
Rubbing elbows with
the scum of the world.
For the last time.
I don't need you to worry about me.
Alright.
I've stopped doing it.
You're on your own.
Thank you very much.
Horton.
So long, Queenie.
What is it?
- Quantrill.
What do you want?
Lead.
No.
I had a talk with your boss last night.
She gave me 24 hours to get out of town.
You don't have much time.
One hour.
I'll take a chance though
on another twelve.
Sure.
We'll take a chance.
You can call in the Union
Army in an emergency.
That's her deal.
I wonder what she'd do if she
knew her foreman was selling...
Half the Yankee lead
to the Confederates.
Her southern mines have petered out.
The books balance.
It's a 50/50 deal.
What if she knew he was a captain
in the Confederate Army?
Let's start all over again.
What do you want?
Lead.
And you are going to sell it to me.
For Yankee gold.
Oh no.
You didn't say 'no' two years ago.
Two years ago you and your gang were
considered allies to the Confederacy.
You mean we ain't now?
- Not since General Lee disowned you.
Hold it.
You have used our cause as an excuse
for looting and raiding and massacre.
You keep on and we'll
massacre you right here.
No we won't.
Because he's going to sell us that lead.
You're not with the Confederacy anymore.
You never were.
Why don't we give him a little lead?
We want him alive. Don't worry.
He'll do what I tell him.
You are wrong, Quantrill.
If the Union Army finds out you
are a spy you will be shot.
If the people of this town
find it out you'll be lynched.
Unless you change your tune.
Both the Yankees and the good
citizens of Border City...
Are going to know exactly who you are.
Blackmail, huh?
That's right. Real beautiful black.
I think you will see it our way.
Or you are a dead man.
So, when do we get our lead?
Give me time to work it out.
I'll let you know.
I don't trust him.
He's a real soldier-boy type.
Yeah.
He has got a Confederate
flag in place of a brain.
Don't worry about it.
He'll sell us the lead.
If you're so sure, let's go to the Lead
Dollar saloon and celebrate in advance.
Cole is hankering to see that gal again.
He can't get her off his mind.
He'd better.
Dingus is stuck on her.
No I ain't.
I just know she's real nice
and too good for Cole Younger.
Keep your nose out of this, Dingus.
She's a saloon girl now and they
ain't so nice for anybody.
I was a saloon gal.
That's exactly what I meant.
Easy, Younger.
And don't forget Kate is my wife.
Comes the time to leave this
burgh, I'm getting me a wife.
The same way you did.
Hello. Hello.
Mr and Mrs Quantrill.
My, my. Look who's turned
into a bar room butterfly.
Are you envious?
I used to look mighty nice
in that dress myself.
The men of Border City
must be very happy tonight.
That won't be for long.
Hello beautiful.
The drinks are good and the game square.
Step right along and enjoy yourself.
I like it better right here.
By all means. Stand right here.
Wait a minute.
Not so fast.
You'd better start getting used to me.
Indeed? Why?
- Why?
Because you've got the most
kissable lips I've ever seen.
We don't sell anything
in here but liquor.
I don't buy kisses. I take 'em.
The palms of my hands are
getting mighty itchy.
You had better stay out of this, Dingus.
You'd better have a drink with the boys.
Don't forget what I said, chicken.
We are going to see a lot of each other.
Boys. Let's baptise this place.
There are one too many lights.
Watch this.
You didn't have to hit me.
Just a gal who wanted
some good, clean fun.
What's the matter with you? You've
been edgy ever since we walked in.
It's her. The way she looks at me.
Like I was dirt.
It's not my fault her
brother got killed.
Have your drink. And it was your fault.
I'm real sorry to see you
taking over a place like this.
There is nothing else I can do.
- That sounds like what I told you.
When you asked me why
I joined up with Quantrill.
You can still quit, Quantrill.
- No. I never can.
It is said, if a girl starts work in
a saloon she never can quit either.
Funny. When we first met.
I was trying to save
you from a bad life.
Now it's the other way around.
There is no way for me. There really
isn't. My brother owed debts and...
Alright. If you are going to stay
here then at least do one thing.
Yes?
Keep away from Kate Quantrill.
She hates you. She is real
trigger happy with that gun.
She is a real killer.
She is more cold-blooded than
any man I have ever seen.
I'll watch out.
If you give her the slightest excuse.
She is going to try to kill you.
I'll remember that.
You are my friend and I don't
want nothing to happen to you.
That is why I told you.
Listen everybody.
Listen. Jeb has big news.
Troops from the confederate army are one
mile outside of town and pitching camp.
Looks like they are making plans.
- You got it right?
That will put the Yankees on the run.
- What does that do to us?
Yankees over here.
Rebels on this side.
I have something important to tell you.
Did you hear? The Southern
army is a mile outside town.
I'm drinking to the glorious south.
You're liable to have
trouble here any second.
About half these people are Yankees
and the other half are rebels.
You had better circulate.
Try to calm them down.
The least little thing right now could
turn this saloon into a Bedlam.
Don Pablo.
After the news we just heard I demand
you play Dixie and I'm going to sing it.
Oh no. I won't play that.
I say you will.
Play the battle hymn of the Republic and
we'll dedicate it to President Lincoln.
I'm going to sing Dixie and
dedicate it to President Davis.
Neither song will be sung.
- Who asked you?
You're trying to start a riot
and you're not going to do it.
I am going to sing Dixie
with or without a piano.
Are you trying to turn this
town into a battlefield?
I order you to leave the premises.
This is a better fight than the one
between the north and the south.
Your future bride is quite a wildcat.
You're doing fine, Kate.
Get up.
What's all this about?
When Kate Quantrill heard the Feds were
moving up she started to sing Dixie.
There would have been a war in here.
Sally is trying to keep it neutral.
Well. I was afraid of that.
Pull her hair out, Sally.
Well, it don't look as if
I am going to be needed.
I couldn't have done as
good a job on Kate myself.
Quantrill.
Your 24 hours are up.
I guess my watch must have stopped.
You had better wind it and fast.
Kate is going to want revenge.
I don't think she'll be back.
- You don't know her.
You'd better lay low
until we're out of town.
Close the bar.
That's all for tonight, gentlemen.
This time there is nobody
arguing with you.
There ain't nobody wanting to
tangle with a wildcat, ma'am.
Brawling.
Like a common hussy.
If she had her way there would
have been a lot of blood spilt.
You saved a few lives
doing what you did.
Come on, Sally.
Well, there.
Almost as good as new.
Maybe.
But I don't feel the same anymore.
It was the best cat fight I've
ever seen, barring none.
A raw, rugged rough-and-tumble girl, eh?
Honey, I am proud of you.
[ Door knocks ]
Yes?
Handsome is making signals at us.
Is it alright to leave
you here with him?
You just said I was rugged.
So is he, they say.
If he gets out of line... just scream.
He won't get out of line.
What makes you so sure?
Now I'm a full-fledged saloon girl I
am fair game. Is that what you mean?
No.
I mean, that you are beautiful.
And very kissable, I suppose?
Could be.
I'm sorry.
I am being very bitter.
That goes with the job, doesn't it?
A big smile and a snappy answer.
I owe you an apology.
About my brother.
I have learned that...
The truth. I was unfair to you.
It doesn't matter.
I was pig-headed.
Grief and shock. That's all.
Because you are right.
I do need your help here.
Couldn't we make a business
arrangement on a partnership basis?
You could sort-of police the place.
Kick out the rowdies.
You are certainly man enough to.
Why, what is the matter?
I just lost the business
opportunity of a lifetime.
A partnership with you.
You are turning me down?
I have to leave Border City.
I should have been out
of here hours ago.
I run a risk every second I stay.
Why? What's the matter?
Let's go downstairs.
The place is empty now.
These thin walls sometimes have ears.
- You're in trouble?
Not if I keep on the move.
We will have privacy
here on the balcony.
I am going to trust you, Sally.
May I?
Quantrill has made it impossible
for me to stay here.
Quantrill?
I am an officer in the
army of the Confederacy.
Our lead mines in Arkansas
petered out two years ago.
I was assigned undercover work.
I got a job as foreman of the Union
mines on the Missouri side.
So I could slip lead over to my forces.
You are a Rebel?
Tonight, Quantrill
threatened to expose me.
If he does you'll be lynched.
As a spy...
I sent a signal to my troops to move
in and pitch camp a mile out.
At daylight I'm to
lead them to the mines.
They are waiting for me now.
The Captain won't make
a move until I show up.
You could have been with them
hours ago. Safely out of town.
Why did you come back here?
You know the people of Border City...
Why do you suppose I came back here?
I think I know.
You wanted to say goodbye to me.
If I could take you with me I would.
The thought of having to leave you here
with this bunch of renegades and drunks.
I'll be alright.
I'll be waiting for you.
If we take the town I
will see you right away.
And if you don't?
When the war is over.
And if you are killed?
- I won't be killed.
Please don't be.
I couldn't stand it.
If the Yankees get in here.
You tell them not to kill me
during the war, won't you.
You tell them you couldn't stand it.
Tell them to wound
me if necessary but...
Not too seriously.
It isn't funny, Lance.
Hurry now. You'd better
get to your troops.
You know.
For a Yankee... you are
a pretty wonderful girl.
For a Rebel, you're pretty nice too.
See you, honey.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Lance.
You weren't going any place, were you?
Not particularly.
And that ain't your horse, is it?
All saddled and ready to go.
Boys, I'm sure Mr Horton would
not think of leaving town...
Without saying goodbye
to his old friend Quantrill.
Now would you, Mr Horton?
You really worked fast, didn't you.
Bringing those Rebel troops up.
They're out there now waiting for
you to come and bring them in.
I'm afraid they are going to have
a long wait, Captain Horton.
Because you're not about to join them.
We came here for lead and we
aren't leaving until we get it.
In the morning, you are taking us
to the mine and loading our wagons.
The confederates will
move in before then.
No they won't.
They'll still be there waiting for you.
What makes you think I'll
do your dirty work for you?
Because you want to live.
You making a bargain with me?
- Yeah.
When we've got all the lead we want
you can ride through town with us.
When we're far enough away we'll cut you
loose and then you can join your troops.
Do you think I'd take your
word on a thing like that?
There is nothing else you
can do but take my word.
Alright, boys. Sit the man down.
I've got a little job I am going
to do tomorrow before we go.
What would that be, Kate?
I'm going to kill me a pigeon.
Not my pigeon.
You can have the feathers.
Listen to her. She thinks she is a man.
I can shoot and ride as
good as a man, can't I?
I reckon you can at that.
Then you men tend to your
business and let me tend to mine.
Momento.
One momento.
I got to see Miss Maris right away.
Sorry. She's asleep.
Makes no difference
I must see her. Where is she?
Upstairs. Wait. I will get her for you.
I'll go with you.
[ Door knocks ]
Who is it?
Miss Maris. It's Jesse James.
I've got to talk to you.
Just a minute.
You still look kinda brand-new like.
Is that what you wanted to tell me?
- Kate Quantrill is gunning for you.
Doesn't she know when she's had enough?
I reckon not.
She's got a temper like
nobody you've ever seen.
When she gets crazy mad
there's nothing can stop her.
She is aiming to kill you.
Is she coming here?
Right now, she's steaming herself
up in a bar down the street.
All the people in town have heard of it.
They wait to see what's going to happen.
You'd better go into hiding.
- I'll do nothing of the kind.
I'll never run away from that woman.
But you have to.
She will blast you to pieces.
No she won't.
You mean you are not?
No. I'm not afraid of her.
You are set on facing her?
I certainly am.
Ever shoot a gun?
All my life.
Then do me a favor.
Be as well armed as she is.
No more liquor.
We're doing a lot of riding today.
And I got a job to do first.
Yeah? What?
- Like I told you.
A pigeon shoot.
- Well, forget it.
Do I tell you when to use your guns?
- But she is a woman.
And I'm a woman.
Maybe you'll be the one to get hurt.
- Don't make me laugh.
She is a babe in the woods.
A tenderfoot from the east.
Is that why you're so nervous?
- I probably can't even pull a trigger.
If that was me I'd shoot that
dame right between the eyes.
I declare. If it were me I'd be
hiding in a broom closet somewhere.
Why don't you wait for
her to show up here?
Because if you let a wild animal
think you're afraid of it...
It is bound to attack.
- Well, perhaps you are right.
Back in Michigan we didn't wait
for wild beasts to close in on us.
We went out after them.
The Maris girl just came out of
the Lead Dollar headed this way.
She is, is, she?
And packing a gun.
How do you like that?
Kate really means it.
Alright, boys. Stand back and away.
I'll say one thing for the Maris girl.
At least she has got courage.
You can put that on her tombstone.
'She had courage'.
I hope nothing happens to her.
Yeah. I'm beginning
to like the little boss.
So why don't you finish the job?
Why don't you try acting like a woman?
You are too yellow to kill me.
You were born a woman but look at you.
A bloodthirsty female.
A disgrace to all women.
What about you running a saloon?
I suppose you're a symbol of virtue?
Why don't you give up?
She fights better than you.
She shoots better than you.
She even talks better than you.
Yeah, I and I bet she even
cooks better than you.
Come. I'll see if I can patch you up.
We've got a job to do
before we leave town.
I can't get out of this town too fast.
Honey, you were great.
I thought I would die watching.
Where did you ever
learn to shoot like that?
Anderson.
Wagons ready?
They are waiting a mile out of town.
- Take five men and ride ahead.
Start the wagons for the mine.
We'll overtake you.
Yes, sir.
You two.
Take her out and help her on her horse.
?Alright. Cut him loose.
We head straight for the mine.
And no tricks.
No tricks.
It looks like Quantrill is leaving town.
And good riddance.
I wonder what Lance is
doing riding with them.
Something funny is going on.
Something very funny.
You suppose he's throwing
in with Quantrill?
We'll soon know. I sent for the Yankees.
The Union Army?
Well, we can't let the
Rebels take my mines.
Whoa.
Sergeant.
Take your men around
and head them off south.
Yes, sir.
Company.
Halt!
Draw sabers!
Quantrill, are we heading back this way?
- Of course not.
Go on ahead. I'll catch up with you.
- Where are you going?
I got an errand to do. Me and my brother
can take care of it in two minutes.
Well, don't waste much time with her.
Come on, Jim.
We're having her riding with us?
It looks that way.
- I don't like it.
Nobody asked you.
Grab my guns.
Horton is making a break for it.
Keep your filthy hands off me.
It's going to be real
fun breaking you in.
Let go of her, Younger.
Get those idiots out of there.
What's that?
There it is, Captain.
Sound the charge.
The Yankees.
- We take them on?
Long enough to get the Younger boys out.
Spread out.
It's the Yankees.
I'll be back for you, sweetheart.
Glenda.
Pablo.
- Quickly. He needs attention.
It sounds like a war.
What has happened?
- Lance has been wounded.
Help me get him upstairs.
- Alright. Come on.
Take him to my room.
This way. Come on, boys.
First section, follow me.
Get me a horse. I got to get me a horse.
Too late for that.
- It can't be too late.
The shooting stopped.
Your husband is gone. They all have.
I'll catch up.
- You can't.
Do you realize what happens
to me if the Yankees find me?
They know I'm part of the gang and don't
care that I'm a woman. They'll kill me.
But if you talk first,
they will kill Lance.
Now listen to me and do what I say.
Get up those stairs and hide.
Did you get them?
- A few of them.
The rest rode south.
We'd be ambushed by the Rebels.
What of Quantrill?
He got away. So did the
James boys and the Youngers.
You got here in the nick of time.
Quantrill had my foreman
riding with him.
What was Lance Horton
doing with Quantrill?
That bothered me too.
I don't think he chose to as I saw him
bolt from his horse and run for it.
They were shooting at
him when you got here.
Where is he now?
Over there in the Lead Dollar.
I'll have a talk with him.
Somebody else you may have a talk with.
Yeah? Who's that?
How would you like to get
your hands on Kate Quantrill?
[ Door knocks ]
Stand by the door and
see nobody gets out.
What if somebody wants to get in?
- The bar is closed.
And that goes for all of you.
I'm looking for Lance Horton.
I'm sorry but he's very sick.
- Show me where he is.
Come on, Sergeant.
Search every room on this floor.
Is Horton going to live?
- Shush.
If we could only get a doctor.
There is only one medic and a lot of
men in this town need him right now.
Ask him please to come
as quickly as possible.
I hear he's running with Quantrill.
At gunpoint.
- I figured it that way.
I must ask him some questions.
He's scarcely in a condition
to be questioned now.
Alright.
In the meantime, if you
will produce Kate for me.
Kate?
The bloodthirsty Mrs Quantrill.
If she is here. Your mean will find her.
Are you trying to make
things tough for me?
What gives you that impression?
- Because we know she is here.
You act as if you are
trying to cover up for her.
Now, why would I want to do that?
Are you Sally Maris?
Yes. I am.
Then I don't know why you would.
I heard this morning
she's gunning for you.
That you out-shot her.
I was lucky.
There ain't no outlaw
lady here, Captain.
Are you sure?
Yes. We saw every woman in here.
They wait downstairs.
How many are there?
- Four.
Not counting her.
You try to cover up for the notorious
Kate Quantrill and you're in trouble.
A lot of trouble.
You come on downstairs too.
Who are you that I love you so?
Ask me to follow and I will go.
I will go.
How strange.
How still.
I seem to be losing my will.
An angel is breathing on me.
And it's making me see I'm in love.
I'm in love.
How new.
How grand.
An angel is touching my hand.
I feel like a moon that is new.
And as high as a tide in the night.
In the night.
I sing to the sky.
With a song of my love.
And now my grateful heart.
Has the wings.
The wings of a dove.
How strange.
How dear.
To know that an angel is so near.
An angel that's touching my cheek.
Sergeant.
Yes, sir.
Corporal. Corporal.
Of my love.
For... you.
Why, girls.
Look at the handsome Yankee Captain.
We were wondering when you Yankees
were going to move into town.
Things will be a lot pleasanter now.
What is your name, Captain?
Never mind what my name is.
I am looking for Kate Quantrill.
Kate Quantrill?
Was that who it was?
- Who what was?
You mean, the girl I
helped in off the street?
Then you admit you helped somebody in?
She went up the stairs.
She went down the backstairs. There
was a horse waiting out there for her.
Yeah. She left at a fast gallop.
Are you girls sure about that?
She was wearing men's
trousers, a shirt and a gun-belt.
That's her alright.
Get some riders after her.
Sergeant, get my horse.
- Yes, sir.
Captain. You're not leaving so soon?
We've hardly had time to get acquainted.
I've got to get Kate Quantrill.
- Won't I do?
Why don't you pretend
that I am Kate Quantrill?
I'll be back.
- Please hurry.
I'll be waiting.
She's probably gone by now anyhow.
Then maybe I can take her place.
I must say you got real talent.
Now, at least you've got a
chance to get out of town.
I can't figure you.
You could have shot me dead
this morning and you didn't.
What would I have gained?
- Ringing praise from everyone.
And a bad conscience.
And then you drag me in here
and protect me from the Yankees.
I had a reason.
Yeah. I know. That man upstairs.
But you could have
shot me and killed me.
It would be a much easier way
to keep me from talking.
She doesn't think that way.
I know. That's what mixes me up.
Haven't you ever met anybody
who was just plain decent?
Yeah. Once.
Seven hundred yesterdays ago.
Her brother.
Then Quantrill came and
tore me out of his arms.
At first I fought him.
I tried every way I knew how to escape.
And later on.
I became just like him.
A passion for vengeance and hatred.
Not trusting anybody.
Suspicious of everything.
And all the time.
All the time it was Quantrill I really
hated for what he'd done to me.
So I took my rage out on the world.
All hail the awakening of...
Two years too late.
Two centuries and a dead heart too late.
Why don't human beings ever learn?
You mean... you mean you
are through with Quantrill?
With all of it.
With all that's past.
You know what I would like now?
I don't deserve it and I don't
suppose I'll ever get it but...
I'd like to have a new start.
A singing spot somewhere in a
fancy saloon in New Orleans.
That is where I was born. New Orleans.
Old, warm, lovely, French New Orleans.
I don't suppose you, or...
Anyone else in this whole
world can ever forgive me.
Feeling better?
I suppose things could have been worse.
He has got some bullets in him.
He'll need an immediate operation.
That will be hard to arrange.
John Pablo, will you leave
us alone for a moment?
What are we going to do?
We've got to get you out of Border City.
You are in danger every
minute you're here.
I'll never make it out.
Don't say that.
They must have shot a
few of Quantrill's boys.
Any of them that got left behind.
They're bound to do some talking.
Particularly if he...
Thinks he can wiggle out of a death
sentence from the Union army that way.
Somehow, we've got to
move you out at once.
It will take a miracle to save me.
I'm afraid I'm all out of miracles.
That is foolish talk.
There are other things more important.
Inside my coat over there.
In the lining.
In the left sleeve.
What is it?
The whole key to the lead mines.
It shows everything.
My troops didn't move because
they were waiting for it.
Find somebody and get it to them.
They have got to have it.
Got to have it.
[ Door knocks ]
The Yankee soldiers are back.
That stuffy Captain couldn't
have ridden very far.
What did he want?
- They've come to arrest Lance Horton.
They caught one of Quantrill's men
and he talked. They claim he's a spy.
It isn't only the Captain and his men.
It looks like half the population
is crowded into the saloon.
I think they smell a lynching.
The good citizens are saying that
Lance broke the town's neutrality.
They are practically violent.
You know Delilah Courtney.
She'll see he's executed so she
can say she kept the town neutral.
Wait.
Somebody might recognise you.
You had better stay up here.
That's right.
- Keep watch.
Get this stuff out of the way.
Sergeant.
- Sir?
Clear that stairway.
Two of you men. Forward.
Clear that stairway.
- Yes, sir.
Lance. Listen to me.
No matter which side you were on
when this war started. I love you.
For yourself and for no other reason.
Because you tried to
help me and because...
Now maybe I can help you.
No matter what it costs, it's worth it.
That is the real miracle, darling.
The miracle is love.
Try and get Lance to
his Confederate troops.
Alright. I will.
You can't go up there.
Lance Horton has been mortally wounded.
Wounded or not, we're going after him.
- Remember, Captain.
If the man is a spy it's the business of
the neutrality committee of Border City.
We know what to do with him.
Alright.
You're quite free to go after him.
If he is a spy I sure
don't want him in here.
I'm glad to hear you talk that way.
Not quite so fast.
- Hold her.
Stand aside. Let me go.
Captain's orders, ma'am.
No-one leaves here until
after the arrest is made.
Give me that.
Captain. This should interest you.
I'm only interested
in that spy upstairs.
It appears there ain't any spy upstairs.
No matter what my brother did.
You can't blame me for anything.
What did your brother do?
It seems according to this
he was a Confederate spy.
And with me in town the
whole while he operated.
What is this map?
It's a map of my northern lead mines.
Listen to this.
'To the commander of
the Confederate forces'.
'Here is what you want'.
'The Yankees suspect Lance Horton
and will probably shoot him'.
'If so, they will have
killed an innocent man'.
'The pig-headed beasts'.
I don't suppose that
refers to you, Captain.
'The pig-headed beasts'.
'Have no idea I have taken over the
task of undercover work for my brother'.
It is signed, Sally Maris.
The woman spy for the rebels has
the gall to call us pig-headed beasts?
What concerns me is we may
have lynched an innocent man.
Place the Maris woman under arrest.
- Just a minute.
I'm afraid this is out
of your hands, Captain.
Authority greater than yours...
Has entrusted me with maintaining
the neutrality of Border City.
In the past we have hung any
person who had violated it.
Sally Maris will be no exception.
Take her away.
You can't let them do it, Captain.
- It's out of my hands.
But she is a woman.
And I'm a pig-headed beast.
What you thinking, Sergeant?
I'm thinking he's got a head like a pig.
What will we do?
Get a wagon and horses at the back door.
Get a man you can trust.
Jenny, get old Pete.
Come with me.
You ain't going to let them
do it, are you Captain?
You are out of order, Sergeant.
But to lynch a woman is the
last word in barbarianism.
She broke the neutrality.
Worse than anyone ever broke it.
But she is such a little girl.
It makes no difference.
And you. Shut up.
You fools. You absolute fools.
Sally Maris is not a spy.
Please. Please don't.
It's alright, honey.
We slipped Lance Horton out of town.
He is with the rebels.
He'll get a good doctor.
I demand to know what
you are talking about.
Sally Maris wrote the note
attached to the map.
To take the suspicion off from the
man she loved and on to herself.
She was trying to protect him.
He is a Confederate Captain.
How do you know about that?
This is going to come as an
awful shock to you, Captain.
My name is Kate Quantrill.
Sergeant, get three men and follow me.
Fools, nincompoops, fiends.
You see what you almost did?
What we almost did?
That noble woman who sits there.
That noble woman who was
willing to give her life for a man.
A mere mortal man.
But nearly lynched by you who
claim yourselves to be men.
Lift her down and set her free.
Sally, honey. Come on.
We'll take you home.
This is as far as we can go without
running into a Rebel ambush.
It's too bad we couldn't overtake her.
Sergeant. I believe the less said
about this incident the better.
Yes sir, Captain. But...
But what?
She sure sang pretty, didn't she?
Howdy. I just came in
to congratulate you.
I hear that in a little over a month
you paid off all your brother's debts.
The way you drove the customers
in here we were bound to do well.
Oh, they're just men. Easy to drive.
What will you have? Name your poison.
Thank you. I never drink.
What have you heard from Kate Quantrill?
She is in New Orleans. Very happy.
Singing under the name Kitty McCoy.
Lance Horton. He is in town.
He can't be.
Lance.
You've got a heck of nerve
riding in here in that uniform.
Trying to put your neck in a noose?
You know the town is neutral.
The whole country is
neutral now, Mrs Courtney.
The war ended yesterday
in Richmond Virginia.
Who won?
Nobody won.
We just quit fighting. That's all.
Hey, the war is over!
Carl.
Get an ax and chop down
that hanging tree.
Sure.
This is like a goldfish bowl.
It's kind of crowded up in the north.
Let's go south.
Honey. It's just lovely down south.
Whoopee!
Bartender.
Get me a drink.
..f-s..