General Electric Theater (TV Series) Too Good with a Gun (1957) User Reviews

Like cramming an entire movie into 26 minutes!

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 11 July 2012]

This episode of "GE True Theater" promotes one on the myths of the old west--the gunfighter. Now don't get me wrong--it's a very well made show, it's just that its vision of the west is more that of dime novels and B-movies and such men were very, very rare--if they even existed at all.

The show begins with a likable but cocky young man (Michael Landon) working on his skills with a handgun. A more experienced man, an ex-gunfighter (Bob Cummings) who works for Landon's father, is showing him how to use the gun but also pointing out that there is nothing fun or glamorous about shooting someone. It seems that Cummings just wants to leave that life behind him. However, when he takes Landon and his sister to town, his old life comes back to haunt him, and he feels the need to kill a nasty guy who has come to town looking for trouble. Now the father of Landon and the girl wants Cummings to leave their farm as he envisions seeing his son also becoming a no-good gunfighter.

Overall, this is like watching a full-length film crammed down into 26 minutes. Fortunately, because of a good script and acting, it does work and is well worth your time. To see this one, download the show from archive.org--a site often linked to IMDb.

Excellent stand alone episode

[gordonl56 · 9/10 · 20 October 2013]

GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER – Too Good with a Gun – 1957

This is an episode of the long running (1953-1962) anthology series, GENERAL ELECTRIC THEATER.

This episode is a western and stars Bob Cummings as a gunfighter who is trying to escape his past. He has left Texas and is now working as a ranch hand on the ranch of Frank Ferguson. Ferguson's daughter, Rachel Ames has taken a shine to Cummings and marriage is being discussed. Michael Landon, Ferguson's son looks on Cummings as an older brother.

Landon is trying out the six-gun his father has given him. Cummings gives the boy a few pointers on using the weapon. He also tells Landon that he should never use the gun in anger. The boy's father, Ferguson, who knows of Cummings previous life as a gunfighter, asks that he not encourage the boy.

The next day, Cummings takes a wagon with both Landon and Miss Ames into town for supplies. While waiting with Landon for Ames to finish the marketing, Cummings is approached by Jack Lambert. Lambert is a crazy gunman type that Cummings knew down in Texas.

Lambert soon stirs up trouble and calls out one of the townsfolk for bumping into him. The man, Dayton Lummis, does not have a chance against a fast gun like Lambert. Cummings steps between the two and suggests that Lambert leave. Of course Lambert has no intention of going anywhere. The two slap leather with Cummings being first off the mark. Lambert is now ready for a trip to boot hill.

Cummings drives Landon, Ames and the supplies back to the ranch. Ferguson is shocked by the killing and asks Cummings to leave. Nothing that Landon or Ames says can change his mind. Some of the townsfolk, including the man whose life Cummings saved, Dayton Lummis arrive. They thank Cummings and ask him to stay on as the town Marshal.

Ferguson realizes that perhaps he was a bit hasty in his judgement, and gives Cummings an apology. He also agrees to the marriage of Cummings and his daughter, Ames.

Several things make this a very good little western. First is the writing, which is by Lewis B Patten. Patten wrote several novels that were turned into feature film westerns. These include, RED SUNDOWN, DEATH OF A GUNFIGHTER and THE UNDEFEATED. Next is the look of the episode with long time Republic Pictures cinematographer, Reggie Lanning handling the camera work. Lanning was the d of p on films such as, WAKE OF THE RED WITCH, THE ROAD TO DENVER, HOODLUM EMPIRE and THE SANDS OF IWO JIMA. (b/w)