The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

Not too long ago, we did the memory of

Mr. James Kelly, a grave injustice.

We portrayed him as an ex saloon keeper

and a tragic lover of Dora Hand.

We showed his return to Dodge City as a reformed hoodlum

sworn to uphold the fast gun arm of Wyatt Earp as Marshal.

But we neglected to describe what happened

when desperate citizens begged Jim Kelly to run for mayor.

Would he stand by his old friend, Marshal Earp

or, would the power and glory of being the his honor, the mayor,

go to Kelly's head?

To be blunt about it, would Kelly sell out Wyatt Earp

for a title and a high silk hat.

What's wrong, Wyatt?

The committee voted to nominate Mr. Kelly.

You're his friend, aren't you?

Yes, sir, but that doesn't mean he's gonna be a good mayor.

- Why not? - Because politics..

Well, politics does strange things to some people.

Well, Kelly's reformed. He's no longer a hoodlum.

He's the only one who stands a chance at beating Slip Madigan.

The office moves the man, Wyatt.

As mayor, Kelly will have something to live up to.

- It could work out that way. - Well, let's go see him.

He might have to be persuaded, so let me do the talking.

Judge Tobin, you are chairman of the party.

Come on, Jim. Give me the gun.

That's a pretty good gun.

Now, put that under your coat and get out the back way.

And if you get into any trouble don't tell 'em you bought it here.

Oh, I ain't gonna get in no trouble.

- Here. - Thanks.

Well, Judge Tobin, Wyatt. Howdy!

Oh, that was... Grip Hanks.

An old pal of mine from the Long Branch days.

What kind of gun did you sell?

Gun? Who?

- Grip Hanks. - I didn't.

- You didn't, eh? - Well, what if I did?

Griff needs a weapon. As a fellow from the circle.

Any law against selling a gun to an old friend, Judge?

- Well... - Never mind.

It doesn't matter. I'll take it from him before he gets too drunk, anyway.

Now, the judge has got something real important to discuss with you..

Yes, I have, Mr. Kelly.

The committee has nominated you to run for mayor.

Mayor? Is over Dodge City?

Not me. You're joking.

Hey, what trick is this now?

We're serious and I hope you take it just as seriously.

See, Mr. Kelly, there are certain people in this town

that feel that you might be capable for the job.

And if you run, and you do win, it's not gonna be a walkway.

Not with Madigan's popularity south of the line.

Those votes are gonna be hard to win.

Bah! Madigan..

That hoodlum runs a saloon on cheap whiskey and crooked cards.

But I trace Madigan's ancestry back to Dublin itself.

And they're jail birds. Every one of them.

Do you think I'm exaggerating, Marshal?

Well, no, sir. I mean... Your Honor.

Your Honor? Well, alright.

Now, mind you, Judge.

It's gonna be a hard hitting campaign.

'No holds barred.'

Just tell the voters the truth.

The whole truth.

Yes, sir, I'll open my campaign with the truth.

And a grand beer bust.

And in my first speech...

What's so funny, Wyatt?

Well, nothing.

I-I was just wondering whether you should wear one of those

uh, high silk hats, south of the line.

What do you think, Judge?

It's irrelevant and immaterial.

Thank you, Mr. Kelly. I will report to the committee.

Why, thank you. And tell them I appreciate the high honor.

That I'll do.

Hold on.

You're for me or against me?

Well, Mr. Kelly, I don't think that's gonna be the question.

- Indeed? - Yes, sir.

Mr. Madigan has already told the newspapers that he wants

a new marshal. Now, what are you gonna tell them?

Well, Wyatt, you don't think I'd go back on you.

Well, I'll tell you, I don't think a marshal's job should be a political issue, Mr. Kelly.

Well, it won't be.

I'll settle that in my first speech.

Jim Kelly stands by his friends.

There won't be any politics about your job.

You can arrest just as many Republicans as Democrats.

- Well, I always have. - Why, sure.

Well, as for the silk hat, why, the voters respect dignity.

First... I may have to buy a couple of new ones.

Why, they love me, south of the line.

They won't take any offense to seeing me wearin'...

They love you, my foot.

You don't wanna go shooting our next mayor.

No. I beg your pardon.

Now, don't be bashful, Gentlemen, step right in.

I've got two more barrels in the courtroom.

Come on now, gentleman. Compliments of Jim Kelly.

I want everybody to..

Go on, Slip. Tackle him right now.

No, no.

I won't gain any votes interfering with the beer bust.

Just ask the main question. The big issue in this campaign.

No time to waste, Slip.

James, come out here.

Here comes Madigan. Now, be careful of what you say.

Alright.

Well, howdy, Slip? Have a beer on me.

- No, thanks. - Oh, come on.

I've been callin' you names, and you've been callin' me names.

That's part of any campaign.

My friends, I want to give you my worthy opponent, Slip Madigan.

Well, Jim.

Answer me one question. Then we'll drink.

Well, then I'm glad you have a question.

Certainly, now, what is it?

I promise to fire Wyatt Earp if I'm elected.

What are you gonna do about Earp?

Don't you answer that, Jim.

Well, it's a fair question.

Wyatt Earp, sir, is my personal friend.

He is also the ablest Marshal the Dodge city ever had.

You still ain't said it in plain words.

Are you gonna fire Earp or not?

Fire Wyatt?

Not even to get the vote of hoodlum element, will I?

Oh, shut up. This is my meeting and you're swigging my beer.

Stop that. Cut it out.

Call me Dog Kelly, but I'm not gonna fire Wyatt Earp.

Aren't we gonna break it up?

Ah, Mr. Kelly's doing pretty well.

We butted in, it might cost him the election.

Why all the gloom? Yesterday's troubles are over.

Let's hear from Hook Smith, my campaign manager.

Come on, Hulk. Talk up.

Alright, Jim. I'm gonna give it to you straight.

As long as you keep on backing Wyatt Earp,

you're gonna get licked.

It can't be like that.

The voters respect a man for his loyalty to his friends.

Well, you denying that?

Yes, I am.

In the tough part of town where the voters like you,

but they don't like Wyatt.

He isn't necessary to you, Jim. Get rid of him.

You can hire a new marshal.

Good enough to handle Dodge the way it is right now.

You fellows backing out on me?

Not if you'll be practical.

Change your mind about the big issue.

Well, I'll never break my word.

Alright.

There's only one last thing for me to do.

I'm gonna go have a talk with Wyatt Earp.

- You mean, ask him to resign? - That's right.

Why should he do that?

Maybe he'd like to see you elected mayor.

Well, I don't like it and I don't want you to use my name.

Take a look at that, Jim. That's your answer.

Just some riff-raff that Slip hired.

No, Jim.

Never votes.

But I don't guess you really wanna be mayor, do you?

Not if I have to.

I got an idea. I think I'll go see Wyatt.

He's the issue that's killing us.

Talk Turkey to him, Jim.

Or take a lickin' at the polls.

Well, I'll go get my hat.

Maybe things aren't as bad as they seem, Wyatt.

If Kelly stands his ground, public opinion could change.

Let's be honest, Judge.

Bat Masterson got elected Sheriff in spite of me.

People thought he'd be a good man for the job.

Let's face it, I'm a political liability.

That's why George Hoover won't even run for office again.

He's tired of taking abuse from folks who don't want me as marshal.

He always stood by you loyally.

Yes, he has. He's been a good friend.

But don't forget, he was already elected when he asked me to come here from Wichita.

He didn't have to run for an office with me in his bag.

Mr. Kelly still seems confident.

Well, that's the fightin' Irish in him.

But, good Jim Kelly.

But he wants to be elected, and I can't say I blame him.

Are you suggesting that Mr. Kelly would...?

Oh, nonsense.

He knows what would happen to this town if you gave in to the hoodlum pressure.

Furthermore, there's a whole lot to be...

Well, what is this? A wake?

You both look like you've been reading the election returns,

the wrong way.

Ah, nothing like that, Mr. Kelly. We picked a fighter.

To the bitter end.