MovieChat Forums > Have Gun - Will Travel (1957) Discussion > Did Paladin come from a wealthy family?

Did Paladin come from a wealthy family?

posted 13 years ago by chesterprynne
12 replies | jump to latest

Paladin was an enigma. I recall during the "Genesis" episode, there was mention of him being an experienced hunter who traveled to Asia (India if I'm not mistaken). He was a West Point graduate. Especially in those days, you had to have pretty strong connections to get an appointment to West Point, also, the fact that he is so well-versed in so many different topics, he probably had a series of tutors during his childhood. Just the way Paladin lived his life, he seemed too refined to come from humble beginnings. Was there ever a reference to him having a family back East or anywhere else for that matter? Maybe, he could have been a Bruce Wayne-type of character who was orphaned and had an Alfred-like guardian. Any thoughts?

[–] lexyladyjax 13 years ago

Yes, he came from a life of privilege. He was a bouncer in Boston in his youth. At some point he visited Hawaii, England, India, South America, Ireland and other countries. He lived with Native Americans in the West, Indians in India, and he was a polyglot who spoke every language.

HEY BOY'S REVENGE was on this morning's rotation. It's one of the 100 favourite TV GUIDE'S episodes of television. Considering it's been 50 years since it first aired, it holds up well.

[–] chesterprynne 13 years ago

Does he have any living relatives that you know of? Maybe the radio version of HGWT could shed light on this. The radio show premiered after the series gained popularity on television. Usually, it was the other way around.

[–] PaladinNJ (21781) 6 years ago

In the origin episode, didn't William Conrad's character say something along the lines of pre-Paladin was blowing through his inheritance?

[–] ZevII 13 years ago

Chester, at the start of that same Genesis episode, Paladin says that 10 years earlier, he had been receiving a small monthly sum not to go home after living "the high life." That, and the flashback of how he was afraid of disgracing his "honorable family name" after losing the poker bet, gave me the impression that Paladin was from a well-to-do family.

Something I found interesting about Genesis is that William Conrad played the villain in the episode and also directed it.

[–] chesterprynne 13 years ago

Considering his gambling losses he must have become the black sheep of the family. If the series had continued maybe the viewers would have met his family.

[–] PattyGJones 13 years ago

I understand that the last radio broadcast had Paladin going back East to collect his inheritance. He certainly had been the black sheep, and it would have been fascinating to see the reactions of whatever family he had remaining. I do so wish Mr. Boone would have stayed for another season or two.

"I'm only in Show Biz by injection"

[–] hackraytex 13 years ago

I don't know whether HGWT was cancelled or just ran its course and Richard Boone was ready to move on. I read that he slowed his career for awhile to spend more time with his family and to stay closely involved with his children. I respect him for that.

I read in some of the posts in IMDB and Wikipedia that he had been involved in a scandal and his family was paying him to stay away. I get the impression he was acquainted with gentlemanly dueling so maybe he was in a duel and had to leave town.

I have read of efforts to make a theatrical movie about Paladin but I have no idea who could play the part. I think Richard Boone owned the part so well that it would be hard to seriously cast the part in a way that would do justice to him or the part. It would be like someone trying to cast Matt Dillon. Some parts just cannot be recast.

[–] chesterprynne 13 years ago

I know what you mean about casting Paladin. The strange thing is that the only actors I can picture in the role aren't American. For some reason I can picture Clive Owen as Paladin. He has certain rough-hewn features that could work in the role, while having enough sophistication to pull off the "dude" quality that Paladin had.

[–] lexyladyjax 13 years ago

Nathan Fillion or Adam Baldwin, either could be Paladin. They have the physique, the acting chops and the right look. Clive Owen would do as well. He doesn't quite have the build but he could certainly hit the gym for a while.

[–] chesterprynne 13 years ago

Joel Edgerton was the other actor I pictured as Paladin. He isn't a household name, but he has been very busy lately and is going to play Tom Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby."

[–] lexyladyjax 11 years ago

Never heard of him but I can look him up. So far I haven't seen the new Gatsby but it should be coming up on one of my premium movie channels soon. Currently I have all of them while waiting for a rare Richard Boone film to come around again for my DVR. It's taking a long time. It must come up once a year or less often.

Some things you just can't ride around...

[–] R_Kane (15828) 4 years ago

Adam Baldwin?! Snort-laugh-sneer-spit at your feet. Only Richard Boone is Paladin. This was back when white men were respected. Today, Paladin would be played by queen Latifah.

Vomit.