Leif Erickson, remembered as the indomitable John Cannon in "The High Chaparral," plays an authority figure who takes a long fall from his high horse in predictable but well-acted drama that reflects savvy of forgotten director Alexander Singer. Erickson gives a stinging portrayal of a proud man humiliated by advancing age and encroaching poverty. McClure, lovely Joan Freeman, Karl Swenson (who pulls a grizzled teamster from his bottomless trunk of colorful characterizations) and Michael Sarrazin also flourish. Sarrazin is much livelier playing a smirking bad guy than he'd be later as Jane Fonda's droopy leading man in "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?"
5 Reviews
Almost a "9"
gary-6465916 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is a very good episode, well acted especially by the guests Leif Erickson, Michael Sarrazin, and Karl Swenson, and well written. I spotted only a couple of minor faults and both were dumped on famous veteran ex-sheriff Bill King (Erickson). Now, Bill must have been plenty savvy to have lived so long in those days and even flourished as a lawman. So, why, when he plans the takedown of his three outlaw tormentors, does he not allow for them to be waiting in ambush from a vantage point en route? Instead, he drives his wagon up to the huge tree that has somehow parked itself right across the road. Bill pulls up and leisurely hops down, but not before the sharpshooter outlaw gets him with his Winchester from said ambush spot on high. Bill takes this probably fatal shot well, hunkers down under the wagon and kills off two of the baddies with some real fancy long-distance shots. When the ultra-sly ringleader (some mastermind he turns out to be) saunters around the wagon to finish Bill off, Bill not only fails to put bullets into his shins from close range to totally disable him, he waits till he gets around the wagon and then Bill leans out to be a better target. They plug each other for the finale. But it's all a little contrived, making Bill be that dumb just for a sad ending.
Hard times for a former lawman
bkoganbing9 September 2020
This Virginian eppisode has Leif Erickson as a former lawman turned rancher
who is having trouble paying off a note on his ranch. Doug McClure is paying
court to his daughter Joan Freeman, but she's interested in handsome young stranger Michael Sarrazin.
Who is one of three men who held up a gold shipment from Karl Swenson's mine and gave some to Erickson for a fresh horse and a possible alibi. But Sarrazin sees far more is to be gained from Erickson.
Both Doug mcClure and as usual Clu Gulager smell someting's quite not right. Both arrive at their conclusions separately, but both soon are working together.
This is a good episode for McClure and Gulager and the guest cast fit their roles out perfectly.
Who is one of three men who held up a gold shipment from Karl Swenson's mine and gave some to Erickson for a fresh horse and a possible alibi. But Sarrazin sees far more is to be gained from Erickson.
Both Doug mcClure and as usual Clu Gulager smell someting's quite not right. Both arrive at their conclusions separately, but both soon are working together.
This is a good episode for McClure and Gulager and the guest cast fit their roles out perfectly.
They Shoot No Horses Here
CaptWinkie9 September 2023
Always a crabby sandcrab that doesn't understand about Trampas and his lack of costume change- guess crabby didn't notice the Virginian or Ryker not making costume changes either...the studio figured out that one (1-1/2 hour) show per week takes eight days to shoot, so the production schedule is tight and continuity is key- meaning key players like Trampas and the Virginian get no costume changes for the most part because they are working on two or more shows at a time (that's why i give extra stars for any key players finally able to doff their shirts).
This is probably the only show in the whole series where Trampas has a girl who seems his match, whose relationship evolves like a normal relationship would and which ends amicably like most relationships will under similar circumstances. Once Shenandoah hit theaters, it seems the Trampas character never had another normal relationship imo unless you count the somewhat May-December of A Touch of Hands; most had to have some kind of shock associated. The Virginian seems to flow through his relationships just fine- Trampas does better without them, in fact, those are my favorites.
Saw Serrazin in the seventies, didn't really care for him- but he rocks his little bad guy part here--he's alert, confident, quick and sly like a snake who charms people with sad blue eyes. Speaking of which--most players in this show have blue eyes, excepting perhaps the Virginian and Noam Pitlik as the banker--even John Mitchum as the bartender has blue eyes. Weird. Noam Pitlik btw will go on to become a prolific director, best remembered for Barney Miller.
Jim Boles stops by between Don Knotts movies to be Henry Wirtz.
Overall, this is a nice easy show to watch. Get a TV dinner and a tray to set it on, you'll see what I mean!
This is probably the only show in the whole series where Trampas has a girl who seems his match, whose relationship evolves like a normal relationship would and which ends amicably like most relationships will under similar circumstances. Once Shenandoah hit theaters, it seems the Trampas character never had another normal relationship imo unless you count the somewhat May-December of A Touch of Hands; most had to have some kind of shock associated. The Virginian seems to flow through his relationships just fine- Trampas does better without them, in fact, those are my favorites.
Saw Serrazin in the seventies, didn't really care for him- but he rocks his little bad guy part here--he's alert, confident, quick and sly like a snake who charms people with sad blue eyes. Speaking of which--most players in this show have blue eyes, excepting perhaps the Virginian and Noam Pitlik as the banker--even John Mitchum as the bartender has blue eyes. Weird. Noam Pitlik btw will go on to become a prolific director, best remembered for Barney Miller.
Jim Boles stops by between Don Knotts movies to be Henry Wirtz.
Overall, this is a nice easy show to watch. Get a TV dinner and a tray to set it on, you'll see what I mean!
doug mcclure needs a wardrobe change
sandcrab27727 August 2020
Almost through season 4 and doug mcclure has worn that same blue shirt in every episode to date ... it must smell pretty bad by now although he's taken a few baths with it on ... anyway, joan freeman doesn't fancy him as much as michael sarrizin ... pretty boring episode and almost a waste of time
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
