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Post by Richard Kimble on Nov 21, 2017 0:36:58 GMT
Wagon Trains8 e10 "The Richard Bloodgood Story" Directed by Joseph Pevney Written by Leonard Praskins A mysterious blind man, along with his Indian servant, joins the train and slowly makes it known that he intends to kill trail scout Cooper SmithA classic but uncharacteristically noirish WT episode, emphasizing eerie paranoia and even featuring some expressionistic flashbacks. Highlighted by moody photography -- the shot where shadows cover the blind Bloodgood's eyes is especially well done. Two excellent guest stars in Guy Stockwell and William Smith. This may be Robert Fuller's best episode. He wasn't a very strong actor, but this script gives him the opportunity to exercise his greatest talent -- brooding. Robert Fuller as scout Cooper Smith in Wagon Train Guy Stockwell as the mysterious Richard Bloodgood
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Post by mikef6 on Nov 26, 2017 5:35:15 GMT
Annie Oakley. S.3, Ep. 16. “Outlaw Brand” “Annie Oakley” was a three-season syndicated series of half hour stories for younger viewers. 81 total episodes were broadcast from January 1954 to February 1957. Gail Davis played the title role (and did most of her own stunts) in what was one of the first (if not THE first) TV westerns with a woman in the starring role. Brad Johnson co-starred as Deputy Lofty Craig. Jimmy Hoskins was Annie’s kid brother Tag. In this episode, Tag’s friend Johnny becomes disillusioned when he discovers that his beloved Uncle Joe once served time for bank robbery. When a bank robbery then occurs in town, Johnny becomes convinced that his uncle is involved. Of course he’s not and Annie and Lofty round up the real Bad Guys. The very familiar bad guy faces of Lane Bradford and Glenn Strange as the bank robbers will warm the insides of old western fans. Cowboy G-Men. S.1, Ep. 25. “Safe Crackers” This was a one-season syndicated series of 30-minute episodes making a total of 39. They were broadcast from September 1952 to June 1953. It starred Russell Hayden and Jackie Coogan as Pat Gallagher and Stoney Crockett. In this story, the G-Men visit Coulter City, Colorado thinking that a gang of bank robbers might hit there next. They run into a traveling saleslady (Mae Clarke) selling that new fangled machine, the typewriter, to banks. Pat immediately suspect that she is part of the bank robbery gang and he is never wrong. It all ends in a shoot out. Mae Clarke is best remembered for the famous scene in where she finds herself on the receiving end of a grapefruit from the hand of James Cagney in “The Public Enemy” (1931).
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 4, 2017 10:27:07 GMT
Have Gun - Will Travel"A Matter Of Ethics" s1 e5 Directed by Andrew McLaglen Written by Sam Rolfe A gunfighter in jail awaiting trial for murder fears he will be lynched and hires Paladin to see that he makes it to court alive. But the victim's sister has other ideas...HGWT was perhaps the most ritualized of the classic TV westerns, usually following a very formal structure: opening showing Paladin's cultured manner, repartee/exposition with Hey Boy as he finds his next case, the sending of the card, Paladin reporting to his client for duty, Paladin facing the episode's choice (often whether or not to remain with his client), and the action climax resulting from his decision. This early episode certainly follows that format. The script by series co-creator Sam Rolfe gets a bit speechy at times, as you might expect with its lynching plot. I thought the most interesting scene was the opening, in which a salesman learns that Paladin's credit is impeccable -- implying the subtext that his word is his bond, a nice bit of character establishing. What's really impressive about this episode is its cast. Harold J. Stone is the gunfighter, always a powerful presence. His lawyer is no less than Strother Martin (bespectacled, yet). The victim's father is played by Ford regular Willis Bouchey, whose career high point was getting the last line in Liberty Valance. A young and hirsute (via wig) Theo Marcuse is the jewelry salesman who checks Paladin's credit with hotel clerk Peter Brocco. John Mitchum is one of Stone's henchmen, though I confess I didn't recognize him -- I don't think he gets a single closeup. The sheriff is the ridiculously prolific Roy Barcroft. And the sister is a very young, very brunette Angie Dickinson. She doesn't really appear to great advantage, as the script demands she remain sour-faced more most of the running time -- Paladin even comments on this in the coda. Directed by Andrew McLaglen, a fairly significant figure in TV westerns -- he helmed many of the early Gunsmokes.
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Post by RiP, IMDb on Dec 12, 2017 6:14:13 GMT
Cimarron Strip (1968), "Knife in the Darkness". Jack the Ripper goes West. Was Stuart Whitman always this surly? Bernard Herrmann score. m.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nsi4wcgtQY
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Post by RiP, IMDb on Dec 12, 2017 6:40:34 GMT
P.S. I forgot: Script by Harlan Ellison. Marshal Jim Crown had in the BEST-LOOKING six-shooter in ANY Western tv-series, imhfo.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 12, 2017 9:20:05 GMT
P.S. I forgot: Script by Harlan Ellison. Like every other CS I've ever seen, it's heavily padded to fill out the 90 minute slot. As a result Ellison's script is pretty talky until the last act. Thriller and Star Trek both did similar stories, but written by Robert Bloch. Really the most interesting thing about it is the score. You can hear some of Bennie's favorite tricks, such as a harp flourish, and the two-note duuuuum DUM, duuuuum DUM, duuuuum DUM motif he was so fond of to create suspense, later imitated by John Williams in Jaws. Moody cinematography by the great Harry Stradling Jr (who died just a few days ago). He would move into features shortly afterward. Very impressive guest cast: Tom Skerritt, Phil Carey, western vet Jeanne Cooper, Victoria Shaw, David Canary, Karl Swenson, grim faced Ron Soble, and Star Trek alumnus Grace Lee Whitney. CS was probably the best-produced western om TV. Too bad it was generally so boring.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 17, 2017 12:48:44 GMT
A curious photo, as the stars worked for different studios in programs on different networks. Warners meets Ziv -- an early example of inter-studio ecumenism.
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Post by mikef6 on Dec 20, 2017 5:33:11 GMT
Tombstone Territory S.2. Ep. 15 “Surrender at Sunglow” May 15, 1959. Tombstone Territory ran for one season on ABC between October 1957 and September 1958 and then cancelled. The network brought it back in March 1959 to replace “Man With A Camera.” It ran for two more seasons, ending in July 1960. Pat Conway headed the cast as Sheriff Clay Hollister. Playing the editor of the Tombstone Epitaph and narrator was the only other regular, Richard Eastham as Harris Claibourne. Eastham is probably best known as General Blankenship on the “Wonder Woman” TV series (1976-1979). In this episode, Hollister is summoned to the town of Sunglow where an outlaw gang led by Logan (John Douchette) has taken over the town. Claibourne tags along hoping for a newspaper story. Cathy Downs (“My Darling Clementine” “The Amazing Colossal Man”) is the saloon girl who helps the heroes out. Conway may look like a pretty boy but he talks straight and tough and backs it up. I liked him and I liked this show. I have vague memories of watching this, especially the theme song, but not much else. I am happy to rediscover it.
Tombstone Territory S. 3, Ep. 13. “Mine Disasters” January 1, 1960. A heartless mine owner refuses to take safety measures even after seven miners have died in cave-ins. Hollister and Claibourne use the Tombstone Epitaph to build citizen support for new legislation. The mine owner and his thug strike back with violence. Tom London, one of those classic era character actors who seem to have been born old, is featured. (BTW, he really was old by 1960.)
Whispering Smith S. 1, Ep. 5. “Safety Valve” June 5, 1961. This western series lasted for just one 26 episode season. The season was shot in 1959 but didn’t reach TV screens (via NBC) until 1961. “Whispering Smith” was, at the time, criticized for violence. Audie Murphy, in his only venture into series television, plays the title character, Tom Smith, a police officer in frontier Denver. His semi-comical and somewhat dim sidekick, George Romack, is played by country and pop crooner Guy Mitchell (#1 song: “Heartaches By The Number”). Mitchell sings in many of the episodes. In “Safety Valve,” Tom and George go undercover as U.S. Army soldiers to try to find out who at an army fort has killed three officers by shooting them during an Indian attack. Les Tremayne and Harry Carey, Jr. guest star.
Whispering Smith S. 1, Ep. 12. “This Mortal Coil” July 24, 1961. Tom Smith suspects the brother of a man murdered in the middle of the night. The only problem is that the suspect has an iron clad alibi. Smith takes a idea from a famous play to trap the killer. Former major league baseball player John Beradino guest stars.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 20, 2017 10:23:19 GMT
Whispering Smith S. 1, Ep. 5. “Safety Valve” June 5, 1961. This western series lasted for just one 26 episode season. The season was shot in 1959 but didn’t reach TV screens (via NBC) until 1961. “Whispering Smith” was, at the time, criticized for violence. Audie Murphy, in his only venture into series television, plays the title character, Tom Smith, a police officer in frontier Denver. Co-star Sam Buffington (who looked much older than his official age and I for one question his published birth date, but that's another story) tragically committed suicide before the show aired, leading Murphy to quip, "He must have seen the rushes". Sam Buffington (1931 [allegedly] -1960)
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 20, 2017 10:24:08 GMT
Have Gun Will Travel "The Great Mojave Chase" s1 e3 Directed by Andrew McLaglen Written by Gene Roddenverry Paladin enters a desert race to free a town from a water-monopolizing land baron, and plans to win by riding a rather exotic animal.Early classic episode, showing what would be a series-long interest in eccentric storylines, as well as introducing a new writing talent in Roddenberry -- he would establish his name in the industry via his work on HGWT. The central idea would later be used by Ride The High Country and Hawps - was this its first time out? Lawrence Dobkin scores as the heavy, although Claude Akins is kind of wasted as his henchman.
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Post by mikef6 on Dec 21, 2017 1:44:13 GMT
Whispering Smith S. 1, Ep. 5. “Safety Valve” June 5, 1961. This western series lasted for just one 26 episode season. The season was shot in 1959 but didn’t reach TV screens (via NBC) until 1961. “Whispering Smith” was, at the time, criticized for violence. Audie Murphy, in his only venture into series television, plays the title character, Tom Smith, a police officer in frontier Denver. Co-star Sam Buffington (who looked much older than his official age and I for one question his published birth date, but that's another story) tragically committed suicide before the show aired, leading Murphy to quip, "He must have seen the rushes". I never thought WS was any better or worse than most other western series of its time. What it DID have was Audie Murphy who, as an actor, would never play Hamlet, but he had that Certain Something, maybe IT, that made him a unique and admirable leading man. I have always enjoyed his performances. Murph is high up - maybe all the way to the top - in my list of favorite western stars.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 21, 2017 8:25:20 GMT
I never thought WS was any better or worse than most other western series of its time. What it DID have was Audie Murphy who, as an actor, would never play Hamlet, but he had that Certain Something, maybe IT, that made him a unique and admirable leading man. I have always enjoyed his performances. Murph is high up - maybe all the way to the top - in my list of favorite western stars. Murphy was certainly a much better actor than anyone had a right to expect. He even had a nice way with a comedy line. He's definitely more charismatic than any of his Universal contemporaries (Rock Hudson, dullsville George Nader) except Tony Curtis, and IMHO a more interesting onscreen presence than, say, Gregory Peck or William Hurt -- both Oscar winners. His best role is probably No Name On The Bullet. Murphy also had one of the all time great Hollywood quotes, simple but insightful, not only about the movie business but also America as a whole: "I went to Hollywood because I had nowhere else to go."
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 21, 2017 10:47:23 GMT
Have Gun Will Travel "Strange Vendetta" s1 e7 Directed by Andrew McLaglen Written by Ken Kolb A dying Mexican nobleman engages Paladin to escort his corpse back to his haciendaAlthough this starts in esoteric territory at the opera, it soon settles down into a straightforward chase story, albeit with a nice plot twist. Australian actor-playwright turned sagebrush mainstay Michael Pate is the guest star. Michael Pate
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Post by RiP, IMDb on Dec 21, 2017 11:16:26 GMT
Do you know this Western tv-episode? It was an episode of some 1950s b&w series about a man up against some outlaw gang. He says he isn't a gunfighter (gunslinger) and uses his intelligence (ingenuity) and wits to defeat them instead. He works with tools. Can't remember if he's a blacksmith or something else?? The actor looks like (could be his brother, but isn't) the late great Charlton Heston. Thanks!
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 22, 2017 11:40:47 GMT
Have Gun Will Travel "The Bride" s1 e6 Directed by Andrew McLaglen Written by Steve Fisher Paladin helps deliver a mail-order bridePaladin shows his kinder, gentler side in this surprisingly genteel script by noir novelist Steve Fisher ( I Wake Up Screaming). Tough guys Mike Connors and Bruce Gordon guest star. Celebrated stage actress Marian Seldes (then married to HGWT producer Julian Claman) plays the titular bride.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Dec 24, 2017 23:54:16 GMT
Have Gun Will Travel"The Hanging Cross" s1 e15 Directed by Andrew McLaglen Written by Gene Roddenberry On Christmas Eve Paladin works to reunite a cruel rancher and his son who had been captured by Indians, and at the same time avoid an Indian war.The kindest, gentlest Paladin of all. Roddenberry's script makes Paladin his mouthpiece for Peace on Earth sentiments, which would seem wildly out of place in any other episode. Edward Binns is the rancher, Johnny Crawford his son, Abraham Sofaer the Indian chief.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Jan 4, 2018 2:26:28 GMT
Have Gun Will Travel"The Protégé" s2 e6 Directed by Andrew McLaglen Written by Frank Gilroy Paladin teaches a young man to defend himself with a gun. But the young man, now a fast draw, becomes drunk with power -- will the student end up destroying the teacher? One of my favorite HGWT episodes, with an excellent script by future Pulitzer winner Frank Gilroy ( The Subject Was Roses). Peter Breck overacts a bit as the student, but this doesn't hurt the episode. Trivia tidbit: At one point in the dialogue Matt Dillon is mentioned.
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Post by mikef6 on Jan 8, 2018 4:45:37 GMT
The Gabby Hayes Show. Half-hour. May 12, 1956 – July 14, 1956. Gabby had two shows, each had the same format. From 1950 to 1954 it ran on NBC as a 15-minute program. It moved to ABC where the half-hour version played for about two months. There couldn’t have been more that 8 to 10 episodes of the latter. I watched two of them. Even though the opening titles showed Gabby vigorously riding a horse, once the show starts, he sits on a set of a cabin front porch whittling a stick. He opens each show saying, “Well howdy, buckaroos. This is your ol’ pal, Gabby Hayes comin’ at’cha with another one of them rip-roaring western yarns. Yer dern tootin’. Yessiree, bob.” That, children, is authentic western gibberish. The “yarn” he spins is about 20 minutes of clips from an older PRC studio western. In other words, there is no new material and Gabby doesn’t play a role except presenter. “Telescope” The western being excerpted is “Gentlemen with Guns,” a 1946 oater with Buster Crabb in one of 24 westerns where he played Billy Carson. His sidekick is Al 'Fuzzy' St. John (himself a Gabby Hayes rip-off) playing Fuzzy Q. Jones. “Silver Skate” This is from “Wild Country” (1947), from a series starring country & western singer Eddie Dean playing “Eddie Dean” with his kick, Roscoe Ates as Soapy Jones. Often seen western villain Douglas Fowley is present and, while acting is not usually a consideration in these kids’ westerns, I. Stanford Jolley is noticeably good as a ruthless killer with the unlikely moniker of Rip Caxton. At the time these shows were playing on Saturday morning TV, I was watching Saturday morning TV, including a lot of 1940s westerns, but I’ll be danged (oops, too much Gabby) if I remember this show in either of its incarnations.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Jan 8, 2018 7:12:04 GMT
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Post by Richard Kimble on Jan 14, 2018 0:17:13 GMT
The two Paladins: radio (John Dehner) meets TV (Richard Boone)
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