Have Gun - Will Travel (TV Series) In an Evil Time (1958) User Reviews

A Small Gem

[herndontv · 9/10 · 18 December 2009]

This episode is a small masterpiece of writing, acting, directing and photography. Director Andrew McLaglen is at his best here. Never was he to achieve comparable results in a feature. It is also the crowning glory of often-seen character actor Hank Patterson, playing the part of Pappy French, an old outlaw heading for the last roundup. This is matched by a tight, effective script by Shimon Wincelberg, a textbook example of swift, effective characterization, with plotting and themes that have an almost biblical quality. There's also striking black and white cinematography by Howard Schwartz. Notice the beautifully captured mountains, sky and clouds. And Richard Boone's Paladin is surely one of the most original characters in the history of television. Boone's acting here...as always...is flawless. A perfect example of simplicity in action...with moving results.

Superb writing!

[mreid1949 · 9/10 · 9 February 2014]

One of the most moving episodes I've seen on any TV series. Growing up, I remember watching HGWT on Saturday nights immediately followed (or maybe preceded) by Gunsmoke. Gunsmoke was a 30-minute program at the time. The character of Paladin was an icon at the time for school boys my age and Paladin "play-sets" with the black holster containing the famous emblem and the HGWT business cards were very popular. I'm in the process of purchasing the entire series offered by Amazon (I have seasons 1 - 3) so far. Although I'm sure that I saw many of these episodes when they were first telecast, I really can't remember much about them. Watching the episodes in the DVD sets which I currently own, is like seeing them for the first time.

When I watched "In an Evil Time", it nearly brought tears to my eyes. The cast (especially Richard Boone), the characters, the story, and the scenery were all just perfect.

An Example of Fine Writing and Acting

[finial12 · 2 January 2010]

I saw the episode "In An Evil Time" this evening during the "Have Gun, Will Travel" marathon on the Encore Western channel on 1/2/10 (I believe this episode is available on DVD and may be repeated in the daily broadcast of this program that begins on Encore on Monday, Jan. 4th, 2010 in the late afternoon).

This episode concerns Richard Boone's encounter with Hank Patterson, a crusty old bank robber with a badly broken leg. Patterson has absconded with $50k following a robbery, leaving his fellow robbers and the posse behind. Paladin has been hired by the bank owner to recover the loot.

Richard Boone discovers Patterson, a grizzled reprobate named Pappy French, who's been on the wrong side of the law for forty years, lying in the desert after the old thief has fallen from his horse, (which really aggravates the geezer, since he regards the horse as one of the dumbest creatures in creation). He and Paladin become friends, despite the old man's initial hostility to him. Gradually, even though he knows that Paladin will turn him in after they go back and get the money that Pappy has hidden before his accident, the pair grow on each other. The robber in Pappy can't quite believe that Richard Boone won't help him escape, even if he is offered half of the loot.

Written by Shimon Wincelberg aka Simon Bar-David, an excellent screenwriter who is perhaps best remembered for the Star Trek episode, "Dagger of the Mind", this story was a model of economy and eloquence. Wincelberg wrote 14 of the programs for Have Gun, Will Travel and after seeing this one, I can't wait to see some others.

The characterization of Boone and particularly of Hank Patterson, who had a very long career portraying old coots, (remember him on Green Acres?), both actors were splendid, funny, natural and surprisingly moving.

When the old boy, fatally shot by his former greedy young companions, asks Boone: "Paladin, would you laugh if I asked you to say a few words over me? Not that I'm asking Him for any favors, I'd just like to hear how you might say them." Richard Boone eloquently quoted from Ecclesiastes 9:11 in a believably conversational way: "I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Neither yet bread to the wise nor yet riches to men of understanding. Nor yet favor to men of skill. But time and chance happeneth to them all. For a man also knoweth not his time. As fishes that are taken in an evil net. as birds that are caught in a snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time when it falleth suddenly upon them."

This was beautifully done by all--with direction by Andrew MacLaglen, Victor's son, who appears to have been behind the camera on many of these episodes.

Flawed but excellent

[pensman · 10/10 · 23 August 2016]

A very good one act that could easily play on the stage; but works well on the 26 minutes original, and even survives the cuts on the Heroes and Icons channel. It's a nice change seeing Hank Patterson (Pappy French) given a chance to act. As to the plot, Paladin has been given a charge: find and return the $50,000 stolen from a bank by the Pappy French gang. Paladin stumbles across Pappy who claims to have fallen off his horse and broken his leg. After Paladin stabilizes the leg, Pappy offers to retain his services for say ten percent of some money he has. Of course Paladin is amused and informs Pappy that his current employer has already contracted his services. What counts in this episode is the growing relationship between Paladin and Pappy. This eventually bring Pappy to have an epiphany as he and Paladin are pinned down by Pappy's "friends." The conclusion may seem mawkish but not in the universe of Paladin. What is a surprise is seeing Paladin lose his temper and empty his gun into Morley. Solid writing shows in the dialogue, and this is one of the best episodes.

Hank Patterson has a field day

[Tom_Barrister · 10/10 · 30 July 2018]

Hank Patterson, who began as a serious musician and who spent many years in vaudeville, is probably best-remembered as Fred Ziffel on "Green Acres" and "Petticoat Junction." When he gravitated to TV in the early 1950's, he was at the age when which most people retired. Instead, he put his weathered-looks and gravel voice to good use, playing various old codgers on many CBS westerns in the 1950's and early 1960's. And the man could act, too, as is evident in this role, and he was a natural for this role. Writer Shimon Wincelberg wrote this episode with the idea of casting Hank Patterson in the role of Pappy French. It was a good choice. The self-deprecating Patterson became the self-deprecating old codger in the role. To tell more would spoil the plot.

Of course, we know that Richard Boone was a fine actor. The two of them dominate the episode, with only bit appearances by Westerns staple Charles Horvath and William Stevens, and it doesn't get boring or drag on at any point. Be sure to see this episode when it shows up on TV.

For those wondering the words spoke by Paladin at the end of the episode are from Ecclesiastes 9:12.

Hank Patterson Guest Stars, Excellent !

[cshep · 10/10 · 26 September 2012]

Hank Patterson , Mr Ziffel of Green Acres fame gets the Guest Starring role of his career as a man injured trying to fight off his gang who want him dead .Richard Boone stars as Palladin , a hired gun in a flawed land with people who mirror it.

Hank Patterson as Pappy French has been injured, and Palladin just happens to come along to give aid and comfort to the lost soul. Pappy has a treasure in the hills and hires Palladin to help him retrieve it. Great episode on many levels. The photography is spectacular and the script is excellent.Palladin captures the flavor of the west presenting flawed characters and troubled times. Unique in its' concept, this earthy western series has a haunting level of its' own . Great viewing and study of character.

Superior Entry

[dougdoepke · 29 March 2011]

Superior entry, as others note, with the spare Lone Pine locations perfectly matching the slimmed down story. Good to see familiar old coot Patterson get a featured role. Pappy (Patterson) and his gang have stolen 50g's that Paladin has been hired to retrieve. When they meet up after Pappy has broken his leg, the narrative turns into an affecting character study as their mutual respect grows despite the conflicting aims. Fine script and apt staging, especially the eulogy with Paladin's black clad figure framed against a towering Mt. Whitney. Boone is one of the few actors who could persuasively intone that sort of flowery language without raising eyebrows. My only reservation is with rogue outlaw Morley who seems a caricature—but then the script only has about 30-seconds to make him thoroughly dislikable.

Spoiler—an interesting question is why Pappy (Patterson) offers himself up to be shot when he stands a good chance of getting away. The screenplay, I believe, leaves the motivation unresolved. Is it because he doesn't want a showdown with his new friend Paladin or maybe he just figures he's lived long enough.

Whatever the reason, the producers also thought highly of the results here, making this the influential second entry of the second season.