Frontier Gentleman: Remittance Man (John Dehner Audition)

They have some rather strange customs in the West. There's a town in Montana territory where it's against the law to carry a gun. The sheriff lives by this order, but other men can die because of it.

Tear, gentlemen! Herewith an Englishman's account of life and death in the West. As a reporter for the London Times, he writes his colorful and unusual accounts.

But as a man with a gun, he lives and becomes a part of the violent years in the new territories. Now, starring John Dana, this is the story of J.B. Kendall, frontier gentleman. The journey had taken 98 days from St. Louis.

I had come by riverboat, up the Missouri, the little stern-wheeler climbing, churning, Scuttling over 2,000 miles of sandbar and rapid. Then into the lonely wastes of another swifter stream, the Yellowstone. Until we finally docked at South Sunday in Montana territory.

My ticket had cost $300, which left me about 50 in my pocket, and they slim hope that there'd be a letter at the express office with my remittance from England. Afternoon!

Just in off the boat? Right. I wonder if there's a letter for me. J.B. Kendall. Hey, Kendall. Uh, oh, any trouble on the way up? I hear the soup been kicking up your heels. Sittin' bulls makin' big medicine again.

Don't sound good. No, we didn't see a name. Kendall, Kendall... English, ain't you? Yes. Figured by your talk. Don't see many of you in these parts. No. No, there's nothin' for you, mister. Uh, you're sure.

It's rather important from England. No, nothing. Maybe tomorrow on the Overland though. They'll say you planning to stay awhile. I think so. Better get in register then. Register. Over to Sheriff Clanton's office. There's a notice on the wall, maybe missed your attention.

All strangers to South Sunday will within one hour of arrival register at the office of the Sheriff or be prosecuted. That's Clanton's orders. Fright as you missed the signs are all over. Thank you. Oh, that's all right.

Wouldn't want to see you in any trouble. This ain't the healthiest town in the territory, not for strangers. Oh, any particular reason? Well, yeah. Oh, excuse me. Afternoon, Mr. Farley. This here's Mr. Kendall. Just off the boat, I was telling him about registering.

Well, that's a good idea. The big Farley is one of the sheriff's deputies. Helps keep South Sunday law abiding. Big job in these times, yes, sir. What's your business, Mr. Kendall? Ooh, you might call me Jack of all trades.

I might. I do a little writing for London newspaper. You know, an Englishman's view, the Wild West, That sort of thing. We don't take the strangers. Oh, really? Shame. I've been looking forward to my visit.

Yeah. Well, now you've seen it. You know what it's like, so suppose when you get yourself back on the boat and try out the line to Rosebud at Junction City. I don't think so. Now, if you'll pardon me, I'll register with your office.

You're carrying a gun. No. Get your hands up over your head. Ah! You just hold it. Just so. Let your baggage? Yes. Pick it up. I beg your pardon. I said pick it up. Ooh.

Now come on. Tell me, Mr. Farley, how did your town get its name? How should I know? I thought you'd take an interest as a matter of pride. Civic pride, you know. Mr. I don't like the way you talk or what you say, so you just shut your mouth.

All right, inside. Where you been, Dake? Checking on this fellow Frank. He just coming off the boat. Says he's a writer, newspaper in London or something. He ain't carrying nothing, I searched him. Your Sheriff Clanton.

Yeah. And J.B. Kentl. I understand I have to register. Yeah. Writer, huh? You want to write about South Sunday? I might. How come? What does it matter of fact, the name intrigued me? You kidding?

No, not at all. I write about the West and you're in the heart of it. From what I understand, there might be trouble brewing with this soo in the Cheyenne. I'd like to be here if it blows up.

Watch the name of your paper. London Times. You ever hear of a dake? No. Mr. All kinds come to these here parts now and exactly calling you alive. Quite all right. One can't be too careful.

Here, my paper. Gave be kind. be subject, you know, London Times. That's what it says. Here you see, they. Yeah. Yeah, that's what it says. Uh, other strangers get off the boat with him. No, just him. Well, you sound all right to me, Mr. Candle. Now you just remember, I got a set of rules. You

live by and while you're here, you'll get along. That seems fair enough. No man, a seppin authorized by me carries a gun in south sunday that way we don't get a bunch of crazy look it up minus and alike shooting up the place it seems the usual thing for a man to be armed in most places it ain't usual here it's again the law oh I

see you get yourself fixed up the hotel and not yet well you going over to the empire mr. Kendall you tell them Frank Clanton send you it'll take care of you that's very good of you take take a look at his baggage but you're going to research my luggage. That's right, mister. No guns in South

Sunday, not worn or hidden. That's a law. I haven't got one. I'm glad to hear it. I like a piece of old man. Yes, sir. Feller like you might think of selling down here in South Sunday. Quires little town in the Montana Territory. It's an opportunity for a man. I'll keep it in mind, Mr. Clanton.

Nothing in his bags, Frank. Well, Mr. Kendall. You enjoy your stay here. Anything you want you just ask me. And I'd appreciate it, sir, if you put my name in your paper. Whatever you want to say is okay with me.

My hotel room was a palace in comparison to the cabin on the riverboat. After cleaning up I went downstairs to the saloon bar in the hotel. Ordered a drink before dinner. The place was practically empty, but I wasn't alone for long.

Hi. You're the English fellow, aren't you? Candle? Yes, that's right. I'm Lila. I work here. Frank Clanton said it'd be nice to you. I'm being nice. Want to buy me a drink? It's on Frank.

I'm delighted. Her bartender. Champagne, Harry. Yeah. Frank says it's not ladylike to drink whiskey. Hey, what do you do to that man? I've never seen him like this. He thinks I'm going to write about him for my paper.

Are you? More than likely. You're gonna write about me too? If you want me to? I'm Dick Farley's girl. Dick doesn't like you. You got mad when Frank said to be nice to you. Does everybody in South Sunday do what Clanton tells him to do?

Sure. Why? They'd write it. Ah. Good luck. But here, uh, Lila, what about Clanton? You seem like a nice fella. Don't ask questions. What about you then? Me? You care. Where are you from? I was born in Ohio. Got married, come out west. Five years back, my husband got killed in the gunfight.

I don't know. Kind of drifted around, ended up here. One place as good as the next. Is it? I guess. What about you? You're home in England, huh? It was. You wanted them lords or dukes or something?

No, not exactly. Mary? No, no, no. It must be interesting traveling around and seeing new things. It has its advantages. I suppose you'd be glad to get back home. Well, let's just say that one place is as good as the next.

Oh, oh you can't go back, huh? Trouble? In a way... Ah, look. Your friends just come in, Mr. Farley. Listen, you be careful with him. They can get off on me. Doesn't he take orders from Clanton too?

Don't talk smart like that to him, it riles. Ah, Mr. Farley, good evening. Would you join us? No. I just kind of say don't you get no ideas about Lyla. Now what ideas do you think I'd have?

I'm telling you. You're telling me what? Keep your hands off my girl, you understand? My dear fellow, I haven't touched your girl. The thought never even entered my mind. We would just have an drink, Dake, like planting.

Keep out of this. You know, I find your manateur this young lady of other offenses. You're just asking for trouble, aren't you? Not at all. You think you can come in here with your fancy talk, your fancy ways make a fool out of me.

Or maybe Frank's a sucker, but not me. I don't like you and I don't trust you one bet. Mr. Farley, it couldn't be of less consequence. What do you think of me? You'll kill you just like that.

You'll shut up! That I don't stand for chum. You! What the... No! I imagine it's broken. Now, if you don't mind, I'll relieve you with these. Champ, if your disposition has no right running around even with one gun.

Let alone two. Hey, give me a hand. Yes, give me something. You should've killed him. What an oath for. Listen, there's two more besides the day can clap and they'll get you, you won't have a chance.

I think you'd better clear out before Mr. Farley stops bleeding. He's not going to be in a very nice mood. Where you going? Down to Mr. Clanton's office. I've got to have a little talk to him.

In a moment we return to Frontier Gentlemen. People who live in glass houses maintain a fine view of the world, but they do give up a great deal of privacy in the process. Folks who like their privacy, but want to know what's happening in the world, satisfy their needs another way.

They make it a practice to keep their radio tuned to CBS Radio every day of the week. To keep an eye on the world, keep an ear on CBS Radio seven days a week. And now, Act 2 of Antony Ellis's production of Frontier Gentlemen.

Mr. Kendo! Mr. Kendo! Wait! You can't go down there. They went out the back. You're told Clanten by now. They'll be waiting. That's all right. What's the matter with you? You want to die? Of course not. If you're gunning for them. Gunning for who? Now I'm not gunning for anybody.

Why are you going to see Frank? I told you I want to talk to him. Talk. Listen, you've got to get out of town. Oh, my dear girl. Don't you know who they are? Well, should I?

You don't know what you've done. You... Shh... Quick! This way! She took my hand and we ran back up the street, ducked down a narrow alleyway, up a rickety plight of stairs which was a back entrance of the Empire Hotel, then along a musty corridor, past my room, and into hers.

I... I don't think they'll be built before you hear. Your friend, Mr. Farley, is going to be quite upset if they do. Oh, his name's not Farley. Planting isn't clanton. They're the Shelton boys. Shelton, the new Mexico Shelton boys?

There's four of them, brothers. What are they doing in the South Sunday? Hiding out from Billy the Kid, they killed one of Billy's men. Billy swore to get them all for it. That's why Frank won't anybody carry a gun.

How do you know all this? It was my husband they killed. Your husband was Billy. We were both crazy young. Harry joined up with Billy for excitement, I guess. One time he was gone out of town three months.

I was lonesome. And I met Dake. And Harry came back. They had a fight over me. Dake out drilling. We ran away together. And you thought I'd come after them that Billy sent me? I'll thank it too now.

Lala, who made Frank sheriff here? Nobody. It wasn't one when we came. He just took over. Funny thing is, I guess he's a pretty good sheriff. He quit the old ways. Kind of likes it here.

Why have you told me all this? I don't know. He talked with me like I was a lady. The Indian treats his squaw better than date treats me. Maybe I wanted to see you finish him.

It's not going to be very pleasant for you anymore. Pleasant? You two, you got a funny way of saying things. Lila, is there any way you could go? Friends? In South Sunday? What about home? I mean, Ohio.

Home. No, it'd cost to get there. I got no money. But if you could. If I could. I had nice folks. I don't even know if they're alive or dead. But I'd sure like to take a chance and find out.

Well, Lila, we'll see what we can do. Where are you going now? To have that talk with Frank. Do you know how to use a gun? Yes. And take this one. Now lock yourself in after I've gone.

You keep it. I've got a dare injury. Oh, all right. Now, here. In case I have any trouble, it's only $50. I don't want your money. At least you'll be able to get out of town.

Now you take it. Watch yourself, will you? Thanks, got a mean draw. I'll watch myself. The Shelton brothers and probably two of their chuns were out looking for me now. I was pretty certain of that.

I was looking for them, too. But the advantage was on their side. The town was strange to me. So I went to the one place where I was fairly sure I'd be safe from a surprise attack.

There are pain here, what are you? Ah ah ah. Careful. Keep your hands where they are. Your kendrel? I'm kendrel. Billy the kid, scench. Now listen, I... You may very slowly, carefully unbuckle your gun belt and let it prop to the floor.

If you try to be foolish and brave, I shall be delighted to shoot you in the stomach. You're not me, Mr. Kendrel. You see, just like you say. Which Shelton are you? Monroe. Very well Monroe.

I'd like you to walk to that cell in the far corner. Go in and close the door behind you. You will then stand with your back to the door. You wouldn't kill me. Yes I would.

Closet please. Good. Turn around please. Now I'm going to gag you. In order to do so, I must put my guns away and use two hands. by any chance your friends come in and you make an outcry while I'm doing this. I shall teach you a trick I learned in India. It feels something like...

Disgusting! Effective. Don't you think? No. Yeah. Alright. I head close to the bars please. By the way, how many are they looking for me? Two? Three. Ah. Three. Oh. There. There, we'll make ourselves comfortable and wait for your brothers.

They're coming. Remember what I told you in Rome, not a son. Is there a backdoor?

Oh, with your hands up! Let's get that gag off. I can see I'm going to need you. What are you going to do? I'll probably have to end up killing you. Nothing personal you understand.

What do you say, Kendall? How'd you come? Open the door and throw your guns out! I've got a much better idea. You open the door and throw your guns in. My rope? You in that?

Tell him. Yeah, I'm here, Frank! Hand up! You come on out, maybe we can make a deal. You can keep your gun. I think it'd be safer if you came in, without your... We could rush you. You couldn't get all three of us.

You have my permission. I don't know how your brother will feel about it. You want to tell him? Don't do anything crazy Frank. He's got a gun at my head. You'll kill me. Frank! I hate to do this, but I'm afraid they don't believe me.

Oh no! Hey Frank! He's going to shoot. Do what he says! All right! All right! And up! We'll open the door. Throw down our gun. You give us your word, you won't shoot? Not unless you do.

Three. Any more? No. We're coming in now. Well, a pleasant family reunion. The brothers' shelter. Keep your hands where I can see them, won't you? Now look, Billy, the kid made a mistake about what happened down south.

They didn't mean to kill Lyllen's husband, did you, Dave? I drew him, that's all. Yeah, sure. That's the way it was. I was Lila knows it was a fair fight, she'll tell ya. Speaking of Lila, I hope she's well.

She's fine. Now we got no fight with the kid or you. Why don't we all go on down to the saloon, have a drink? I'll talk it over. Me and my brothers, we've been living a nice quiet life up here.

We don't want to make no trouble. Get him down! My up! Completely dishonorable and most unwise. Anymore hidden armaments. You go in the killer. It depends. Mr. Shelton, have you got $500? Well, yeah, I guess so.

Well, Lyla wants to go home. That's about what it'll cost. You have the money here. Well, it's in the safe. Sure. Yeah. If she could take the boat out when it leaves in the morning, ain't that so, Dave?

Sure. Sure. Get it. Good. That settles the account. Now all of you, get into the cell. Incidentally, until this evening I had no idea who you were, and I've certainly never met your friend Billy the Kid.

I just thought you might like to know. Hey, what about Dake? He's got to have a doctor. He'll bleed a death. He probably will. I'm going back to the hotel. If Lyla's alright, I'll send a doctor. If she's not, we'll find an undertaker.

I want to thank you, Mr. Kenda. It's nothing, Lyla. Good luck. You ever come all highway you look me up here. I remember that. You're a gentleman. I'll never forget you. Goodbye. Morning, Mr. Kendall. You're about to trouble last night.

Yes. Sure must have been something. According to the sheriff, a whole gang wrote in trying to shoot him up. A gang? Yep. Six of them. Dake Farley got hit in the arm. Really? Sure, a friend of Motho.

Marvelous. I'd like to mention that in my article at the Times. Now, I wonder, has that letter from England or I had yet? Oh, from Fredenut, males already come in. Won't be any more till the next week.

Ah. Well, when it does come, perhaps you'll be kind enough to forward it to me. Oh, sure, sure. What address? In care of the Express Office, Rosebud, Montana Territory. Frontier Gentlemen was written, produced, and directed by Anthony Ellis and stars John Dana as J.B. Kendall.

Featured in the cast were Jack Crucion, Virginia Gregg, Stacey Harris, Harry Bartell, and Barney Phillips. Music was composed and conducted by Jerry Goldsmith. Join us again next week for another report from The Frontier Gentlemen.