zoodlestablet Review of Johnny Ringo

Johnny Ringo (1959–1960)

Above Average Scripts Saved This Typical Format

[7/10 · 19 April 2017]

WARNING:Big Spoilers! When I began watching the first episode of Johnny Ringo I expected very little in the way of it being anything noteworthy among the dozens of then current TV westerns. And it did start off pretty ho hum, but I was surprised to find myself really liking the characters of the show, and looking forward to the following episode. Don Durant who stars as Johnny Ringo definitely has a strong and likable presence, and commands respect when the story calls for it. He doesn't underplay and he's not over the top like some western actors can be. The second episode was much better and really drew me into the show as a young Mark Goddard, of Lost in Space fame 6 years later, was introduced as Johnny's new deputy for the remainder of the show. He first clashes with Johnny when a shady manager promotes him as "The World's Fastest Gunfighter" in a stage show. Goddard adds his personal flare to the show and now & then exhibits some very trick gun play. I wondered if the show would maintain it's strong depth to the stories and excellent character portrayals, and after watching a dozen episodes I wasn't disappointed. Like some other shows at that time Ringo took advantage of the many soon to be well known actors and actresses available then. You'll see a familiar face in just about every episode. I just saw an episode titled Uncertain Vengeance with a very young Stella Stevens looking extremely beautiful. One thing that shocked and baffled me was the sudden murder of "Case Thomas" played by Terence DE Marney, Johnny's best friend in town beside his deputy Cully. Johnny helped reform him from the town drunk to his temporary deputy in the first episode. After Goddard/Cully takes the deputy job Case becomes owner of the general store with his lovely daughter Laura played by Karen Sharpe, who is also Johnny's girlfriend. That adds the romance factor to the show, and of course when someone in the show is exceptionally concerned about Johnny's welfare you tend to feel more that way yourself than you would have otherwise. It also made for some interesting episodes like when Johnny's "wife" suddenly appears. With Johnny and his deputy Cully, Case Thomas and Laura Thomas, all together in every episode it gave a really nice cast to become familiar with and enjoy every week. But then very abruptly two thirds into the season Case is shot and killed by a young man robbing his store and in the end Johnny finds a note from Laura saying she's left town and doesn't know when she'll be back. And she never does come back. So in that one episode we lose half of the show's beloved characters. A huge mistake on the producers end. It's no wonder ratings quickly fell and it was replaced the next season. One of the biggest blunders I've ever seen in scripting a show.