James Cagney: Matt Dow

Run for Cover

Matt Dow

Matt Dow: Why don't you stop feeling sorry for yourself? You think you're the only one in the world ever got a raw deal... There's a lot of people in this world who've had a tougher time than you or me. It comes with the ticket. Nobody guarantees you a free ride. The only difference is, most people don't run for cover. They keep right on going, picking up the pieces the best way they can. But you never hear of them. It's the ones who can't take it, like you - the ones looking for a free ride - who cause all the trouble, everywhere.

Matt Dow: That's right, I was a jailbird. Six years in a stinkin' cell because I happened to look like another man. Six years out of my life, because men made up their minds too fast - men like you, so righteous, so willing to condemn.

[last lines]
[Matt Dow can be seen dismounting a horse and embracing Helga Swenson. The two of them remain in this position before Helga looks directly at Matt]
Helga Swenson: And Davey?
Matt Dow: [halfheartedly] Davey did fine.
[Matt begins to walk off before Helga embraces him again, which he returns]

[first lines]
[a man can be seen on horseback, this is Davey Bishop. As he approaches some water, someone else can be seen by the water, this is Matt Dow. As Matt here's Davey approach, he suddenly spins around and points a gun at him]
Davey Bishop: Take it easy, mister.
Matt Dow: You want to announce yourself when you walk behind somebody.
Davey Bishop: Didn't know there was anybody in here.
Matt Dow: You see my tracks?
[Davey looks around for a few seconds before facing Matt again]
Davey Bishop: Wasn't looking for any. Just came to water my horse.
Matt Dow: [nods] Go ahead.

[Matt Dow and Davey Bishop can be seen near some water. As he nears the water, Davey dismounts his horse]
Davey Bishop: I know most of the people around here, and they're friendly.
Matt Dow: So am I, but I don't like surprises.

[At a jail, Matt Dow is livid with the posse that has just attempted to lynch him]
Sheriff: You ain't told us what you was doing here to begin with.
Matt Dow: I was comin' in to look your town over, and see if it was the kind of place I'd want to live in. Well, you sure answered that question!

[at the jail, the Sheriff has removed all of the bullets from Matt Dow's gun. After making sure it's empty, he hands it to Dow]
Sheriff: Here's your gun.
Matt Dow: It'd be a good idea if you wore yours that way.

[at a saloon, everyone has left following a dispute. Once everyone has left, Matt Dow looks at the empty saloon]
Bartender: [nervously] I wasn't in on it...
Matt Dow: [looks at the bartender and nods] Close up.
[Dow turns and exits the saloon]

[Helga Swenson can be seen entering a bedroom, where Matt Dow is attending to Davey Bishop, who looks rather ill. Helga is carrying a tray with her]
Helga Swenson: Here's your breakfast.
Matt Dow: [looks at Davey] He's burning up.
[Matt picks up a washcloth]
Matt Dow: Where's that doctor? Said he'd be here today.
Helga Swenson: [approaches Matt] It's only 7 o'clock.
[Helga takes the washcloth from Matt]
Helga Swenson: Listen, you eat your breakfast before it gets cold. I'll do this.
[Matt nods and heads over to his breakfast while Helga starts attending to Davey]

[Helga Swenson can be seen attending to Davey Bishop, who appears all. As this is going on, Matt Dow can be seen watching while eating breakfast]
Matt Dow: You've been very nice.
[Matt holds up some of his breakfast]
Matt Dow: And, and thanks for this too.
[Helga looks at Matt and smiles at him before returning to assiting Davey]
Helga Swenson: You eat now.