Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV Series) The Fourth Headstone (1958) User Reviews

Josh not fooled by evil woman played by Mona Freeman

[ebertip · 8/10 · 21 May 2019]

Note early appearance by Hodgins who bears resemblance to character actor William Fawcett (Ph.D. Michigan State).

In the story, Josh does a favor for an old friend Sam Gladstone, who needs a prisoner escorted and who gives him a warning about the prisoner via a trip to Boot Hill (hence the show title; don't be the fourth headstone. The prisoner is a woman played by Mona Freeman)

The time stamp on the show is around 1877 and Josh reveals his family was once in Dallas.

Although told he was a fool by the Freeman character, Josh did heed the warnings. There is an appearance of Josh's second gun, which will be featured in some later episodes. Josh says to the Freeman character: you took the wrong gun.

There is an allusion to a town called Black Wells from where an escape can be made.

50/50 Dead or Alive!

[jkgoldie · 7/10 · 19 September 2022]

I named my review this way because, McQueen only survived by luck. This really can't work as a premise more than once. It is just not believable, in 1958..or the present.

The episode is a variation of a possibly misjudged bad girl. McQueen is the bounty hunter for this alleged murderer of three men, and a gorgeous blonde to boot. The Steve McQueen of 1963 or later would never hav e fallen for this siren. He was just too cool for that. But, he was still establishing himself in the show's 1st season. Overall the episode was pretty good, just not very good. The plot was just too predictable. Another great acting job from Steve though.

The 4th Headstone

[jmarchese · 10/10 · 25 May 2014]

Josh Randall pays a surprise visit to old friend Sheriff Sam Gladstone in Apam and while there offers to assist him by transferring a prisoner back to Apam from North Springs, a 3 day's ride away. Gladstone has serious concerns over this arrangement. Reminding Randall about the seriousness of the matter, he sends Josh on his way.

When Randall picks up the prisoner Jackie Harris (played by the beautiful Mona Freeman,) he is dumbfounded. It just does not add up. Along the way home Jackie has a couple of chances to escape but does not capitalize. The charges must certainly be false and Jackie insists the same.

She then comes on to Josh; and she's hard to resist. The ending could not have been thought out and executed any better. Twenty minutes of suspense and excellent dialog are a testament to superb screen writing, acting, and directing, and make this my favorite of all 95 "Wanted Dead Or Alive" episodes.

Outstanding

[Easygoer10 · 10/10 · 14 March 2020]

This is one of my favorite episodes in Steve McQueen's great series. The killer being a woman is outstanding. Played by the gorgeous "always - younger - than - she - really - is" Mona Freeman, she is perfect in this role. A Howard Hughes discovery, she never hit it big because of all her "young girl" typecasting roles, she still had a long career and hung out with a lot of very famous actors. I love this one.