In this thread feel free to list individual episodes we find particularly outstanding.
I'm starting another thread to discuss missteps in writing or whatever. Great show, don't get me wrong, while I won't call them "clunkers", the hiccups are intriguing deviations when you consider how very good the writing can be.
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Season 4
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050025/episodes?season=4
A QUIET NIGHT IN TOWN, Parts 1 & 2
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0597562/combined
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0597563/combined
Terrific story, extended over 2 shows. Written by Harry Julian Fink who also scripted some classic action films, including a number of DIRTY HARRY entries.
Excellent cast including Sydney Pollack, James Best, Robert Emhardt, Robert Carricart, and Phyllis Love.
Haven't seen Paladin so set against anyone; downright enraged.
[paraphrased from IMDb's scenario]: Transporting a captured fugitive, they stop in a small town to catch a train. Paladin has his hands full as four thugs decide to liven up a dull night. After ONE of them lynches his prisoner, Paladin vows they will ALL pay. Is he seeking revenge for losing a prisoner? Or just exercising a stern sense of justice?
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Sydney Pollack went through drama school with Richard Boone so they knew each other before. Pollack was extremely nearsighted and he wore thick glasses. Before each scene was filmed he would remove them for the camera. When it came time for him to slam the rifle next to Boone's hand, he couldn't see what he was doing. He struck Boone with the weapon by accident with all his strength. Oops. Boone had to get an X-ray of his wrist to rule out a fracture.
Some things you just can't ride around...
I couldn't put my finger on why I didn't instantly recognize Pollack ... and it was the missing glasses. I bet he felt like hell for that accident. I'd heard he began moving towards direction when John Frankenheimer assigned him to assist-direct a group of younger people in a film (somehow he had an "in" with the younger set). We mostly remember him as a director, but of course he acted wonderfully in several movies over the years (TOOTSIE for example) ... but it was interesting to see him in this episode when acting was his sole focus.
This double-episode cast was especially great, but I'm realizing how many great actors appeared on this series. George Kennedy and Ken Curtis show up a lot. And of course Hal Needham is on so often he should rank as a regular ... except he always plays different parts.
Did I pick up elsewhere that you've read Needham's book? What other Boone references do you recommend? I caught the bug recently when I saw him costarring with Randolph Scott -- probably the best screen nemesis of all Scott's bad-men. I wonder what sort of friendship they struck up on the set.
Watching HGWT takes me back to toddler-hood when those opening credits left an indelible mark on my earliest memories. But I don't have any memory yet of any story or of Boone himself -- I guess the show's beginning was my parents' signal to send me to bed.
Sorry for the delay in reply.
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Yes, I've read Needham's book and Boone's bio-that's about all there is to read on Boone. I asked a few questions of Hal Needham via his son David Needham about Boone and he was gracious enough to answer. I'm still rocked by his death on Friday.
My sole memory of my paternal grandmother is centered around the HGWT episode, My Brother's Keeper. When I was very young, we lived with her. I don't know why I don't have more memories of her, but this is the only one I retain. I was a toddler when she died but I remember her telling me something about the 'Free Lunch' in the episode. Why that sticks in my mind I have absolutely no idea. I remember many things about living in that house. I even remember my toilet training, if it's not TMI, but I have only this single memory of my grandmother. I am grateful for this one, though.
Some things you just can't ride around...
Aired 17 February 1962 (Season 5, Episode 22)
"One, Two, Three" had a terrific cast, exceptional writing, & directed by William Conrad (no slouch, himself). I imagine the writer, Robert E. Thompson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0860651/reference), might have tried to market it as a longer screenplay for film -- it certainly is a good concept that could expand into feature length. It might bear looking into his filmography. (wow, he co-wrote THEY SHORT HORSES DON'T THEY and worked on THE FRENCH CONNECTION)
Paladin takes a job from a very eccentric rich man -- to find an individual who seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. He has three leads, but every time he makes contact these people meet untimely deaths.
Jack Elam plays a carnival geek, forced into a lowly life after a sordid end to his career in the army. And his life comes to an unhappy end after telling Paladin how he can find his man.
Lloyd Corrigan is witness #2. I've seen Corrigan in only a few things and figured he was basically good at light sitcom fare. But here he's exceptional as a neurotic evangelist, gripped with guilt and regret. The guy shot up in my estimation.
Robert F. Simon played the wealthy crackpot who hires Paladin -- a very recognizable actor from many TV appearances.
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12 Apr. 1958
Hey Boy's Revenge
Paladin learns all too well how arduous easy living can be without Hey Boy's able help and, to regain his friend, must help him in a fight of honor and retribution.