Classic TV Westerns- Have Gun - Will Travel (1957-1963)

[Peridot]

The Englishman

Sam Rolfe and Herb Meadow

The Biter Bit

This episode would never make it to the screen today. Too many stereotypes to count in this one. The skin lodges (teepees) in the town, the 'firewater' the giant feather war bonnet would never be worn on a fake raid, the Englishman wearing shorts in Montana, a woman running a ranch alone who can't wait for a man to arrive and take everything over, it goes on. The war dance around the keg was over the top, and wasn't it illegal to give whiskey to Indians? Absent the stereotypes the episode could have been enjoyable.

A practical joker plays 'jokes' that are more cruel than amusing. Alix Talton (Felicia Carson) was a former Miss Georgia, but she lacks any sort of proper southern accent. She sounds more Midwestern twangy and unpleasant. She may have been coached out of her natural speech. She should have been left alone, her voice is most unpleasant and grating to the ear. Paladin's relationship with the English gentleman is the most interesting bit of this one, and it's dull and predictable.

Paladin's Horse: Rafter, played by Curley. (Bay with front white stockings and a white face stripe.)

Paladin's Gear: Black Conchita hat, black Western shirt open at the neck, black trousers, black holster with Colt. The spurs are back in this episode.

Paladin Shoots: No one.

Deaths: 0

Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas, Strome's lackey, Mulrooney

Total Kills by Paladin: 7

[Peridot]

The Yuma Treasure

Gene Roddenberry, Herb Meadow

Indians and Rattlesnakes and Beefcake, Oh My!,

It was just a few days before Christmas. What a gift to the ladies of the Fifties: Richard Boone stripped to the waist!

Who in Hollywood today would be audacious enough to handle a living fanged venom-bearing rattlesnake? Richard Boone was a brave man, or he was insane or he was insanely brave. The viewer must decide. He walks up to a venomous snake, a living diamondback rattlesnake hanging from a tree, grasps it in his bare hands and holds it over his head for the next two scenes. Would an actor today perform this heroic feat? More importantly, would the insurance company allow it?

Paladin accompanied an Army commander into Indian country to try to make peace between the Army patrols and the local Maricopa Indians. The commander had an agenda and when the wounded Indian returned to camp, Paladin turned his back and got whacked on the head.

In the next scene Richard Boone as Paladin lies stripped to the waist and staked spread-eagled in the desert. Boone had been a gifted athlete but he'd never bothered with beefcake shots as other actors had done. He was the first Western television star to remove his shirt. Indians soon staked out other Western actors, but Paladin was the first to be staked out on his back in the sand and show off his torso. At age 40 Boone's torso was still worth a look. There's little to add except to be very grateful to Gene Roddenberry for the scene. Beefcake is always to be appreciated. This is one of only two occasions when Boone appeared shirtless in this series. No accusations of objectifying him for his art will be made.

Paladin's horse comes to the rescue to get him out of this trouble. This is completely out of character for HGWT. Paladin is the focus of every episode, never the horse he rides. According to the book, Silent Hoofbeats, this particular well-trained mount was called Curley.

Paladin doesn't sing or play the guitar or do any of those other Western clichés. He rarely uses a rope to lasso anyone or anything (episode The Kid notwithstanding), so the help from this well-trained equine is the first and only time we see Paladin rely on his horse to get out of trouble. Paladin does not call the horse by name, either.

The conflict over the gold is trite, but the rattlesnake and the stakeout make this well worth viewing. It's true that people are greedy and filled with gold lust. Major Wilson trying to recall Paladin from West Point amuses. This is the first hint that Paladin is a nom de guerre.

Paladin's Horse: Curley, a bay with front white stockings and a white face stripe. Curley should be called Einstein.

Paladin's Gear: Black concha hat, black Western shirt open at the neck, black trousers, black holster with Colt. The spurs return and appear to be a different style in this episode.

Paladin Shoots: No one. Major Wilson is an accident. He doesn't count in the death toll.

Accidental Deaths: Major Wilson

Paladin's Total Kills: Manfred Holt, Jailbreak Team 3, Miguel Rojas, Strome's lackey, Mulrooney

Total Kills by Paladin: 7

Paladin Wounded: 0

Paladin Concussed: 1

[The Ringo Kid]

It returns, my friend. It will return. There are only about 7 episodes in which it isn't heard. Be patient, it won't be gone for long.

Heh heh, it did. i think it was in the Teacher episode? which was a good one BTW. Had Andrew Duggan, Jack Hogan, Peter Breck in them as Confederate Vets & Jack Albertson.

[The Ringo Kid]

It returns, my friend. It will return. There are only about 7 episodes in which it isn't heard. Be patient, it won't be gone for long.

I know one show at a time but--you wouldnt happen to be doing this for Rawhide are ya? I havent bought season 1 yet but have been eying it since its for sale for two sawbucks at the: Cracker Barrel Restaurant ;-))

[ethanedwards]

Peridot, Thanks for posting the episode information,
very interesting

[Peridot]

They're here, they're here! At long last my DVD collection of HGWT is complete! I'm so happy I'm singing praises and thanking the Lord! My heart is singing! I'm not even angry about the extra 2 years between the release dates any more.

Now, as time permits and my son's health allows I can finally go through all the episodes and finish reviewing all. That project was begun last year but my son fell seriously ill again and that took my attention.

I notice that Amazon has a placeholder for HGWT Blu-Rays. With my excellent up-scaling Blu-Ray player I'm not certain how necessary they would be but if they come with any extra content at all I say bring them on! I'm in for the total HGWT experience and anything extra is worth the additional expense.