The Gospel Singer - Recap

At the Hotel Carlton, Paladin is examining a watch when Hey Boy comes in with a newspaper and reads him an article. The story concerns the town of Bugbear, which is trying to clean up the criminal element and changing their name to Elysium, under the leadership of Mayor Harper. When the article’s writer asks how, Paladin gives his card to Hey Boy to make arrangements.

After receiving a wire from Harper, Paladin rides toward Bugbear. On the road he finds a woman attempting to fix her damaged wagon wheel out of a rut. He introduces himself and offers his assistance, and she accepts. As Paladin levers it up, she notices his gun and drops the wheel. She condemns him for using a gun, and Paladin explains that there are some men in the world who are not gentlemen, unlike himself. The woman condemns him as a killer and insists that the only way to bring peace is to take away all weapons. She asks for his gun and explains that she’s going to Bugbear to take away their guns. Paladin refuses and says that he’ll need it in Bugbear, and warns her that she and her faith are beautiful but fragile. The woman introduces herself as Sister Melissa Griffin, and says that she’s not afraid of a test, and asks him to help her fix the wagon wheel so she can continue to Bugbear.



In Bugbear, outlaw Will Durbin is shooting up the town. One of the townspeople, Barber, hauls out Mayor Harper. Harper backs down when Will challenges him, and the outlaw goes into the saloon to drink. Paladin arrives and witnesses the exchange, and introduces himself to Harper and Barber. They call a town meeting and Paladin explains that none of the hooligans will give up their guns unless the good citizens set an example. When Harper insists Paladin disarm the rough element and says that the townspeople will have to use guns and clubs to defend themselves, Paladin points out that the hooligans have good reason to want guns for self-defense. The gunfighter insists on disarming everyone. Barber agrees and sides with Paladin, but Harper refuses to give up his gun until the hooligans do. He agrees to hire Paladin, but says that he’ll want results.



Two hooligans go on a rampage, destroying dishes, and Paladin shoots a china bowl out of their hands and tells them to surrender their guns. As they do, another man tries to draw on Paladin, who easily knocks the man out. Paladin goes to the saloon and one of Will’s men, Sims, warns him that Will is no saddle bum. Will comes out and draws, but Paladin shoots first and kills him. Sims warns that Will’s brother Harry will come for revenge, but Paladin forces Sims and his men to disarm.

As they leave, Melissa arrives and is disappointed that Paladin has resorted to violence. She appeals to the townspeople, asking them to listen to their internal voices and gives up violence. When one of the men insults her, Paladin sticks his finger in his back and pretends that it’s a gun. Melissa calls on the man to surrender his gun, and he quickly does so. The townspeople, unaware of how Paladin helped, are impressed and soon give up their guns. Harper, impressed, takes the pledge along with the others. The few drunks and hooligans that don’t are soon persuaded to do the same when Paladin stands behind her and holds his gun ominously. Finally she turns to Paladin and he suggests they have dinner. When he admits that he doesn’t wear a gun when dining with a lady, she sarcastically suggests that’s when he should wear it.



Later, Melissa and Paladin have dinner. She explains that her father was killed by gunmen, and the sisters took her in as an orphan. Melissa has vowed to see every gun destroyed, and wonders if her determination frightens him. Paladin says that he isn’t frightened, just puzzled. She reveals that she knew Paladin intimidated the townspeople into disarming, but believes that God has chosen the gunfighter for his work. Paladin insists that he was hired and will have earned his fee, and warns that in a month or a year, the townspeople will don their guns again. Melissa doesn’t believe it, and Paladin says that she needs protection from her own naiveté. She dismisses him as cynical and starts to say what she would do if she were a man. Paladin says he’d be sorry if she was a man and kisses her. As she kisses him back, Barber comes in and warns Paladin that Harry and his men are coming, and Harper and the others have gone to get their guns.



Melissa goes to her wagon where the guns are stored, and forbids Harper and the others from taking them. Paladin and Barber arrive, and then gunfighter insists that they’re going to keep their pledge. He tells Barber to get Melissa to safety, but she refuses to go. As Harry, Sims, and their other man move in, Melissa asks why Paladin would risk himself for money. She then says that she’s grateful for his help and proud of him, but refuses to let him endanger his life. She steps forward and tells Harry that there are no guns in Bugbear, and Harry points out that Paladin has a gun. Melissa asks if Paladin will put up his gun, and Harry notes that Paladin doesn’t have a chance even if he keeps his gun. Paladin promises to shoot Harry first no matter what, and Melissa asks them all to give up their guns and avoid bloodshed. Harry says that he and his men won’t give up their guns unless Paladin does first.



When Melissa refuses to move, Paladin hesitates and then finally hands his gun to her. Melissa calls upon them to surrender their guns, but Harry prepares to open fire. Paladin tells Melissa to get out of the way. The three men open fire. Paladin shoots two of them with his hidden derringer, and Melissa holds his gun on the third man. Once Paladin has the situation under control, he punches the man unconscious.

Later, Harper and the others pay Paladin his $1,000 fee. They suggest that he should split it with Melissa due to her contributions, but says that she has the guns and their pledges, and he has the money, so it’s a fair split. As he goes, Melissa notes that she doesn’t have his pledge, and Paladin agrees that she's right.

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