'What novel for 'The Deputy'?
The first episode of Lawman. "The Deputy'" is based on a novel by Harry Whittington. Does anyone know the name of that particular novel? I really want to read it?
share[deleted]
I have tried all of this to no avail.
shareWhittington wrote his pulp novels under at least a dozen pen names. I found a website, though, which states:
"Although movie rights would eventually sell in no less than fifteen of Whittington's own novels, it was the publication of another exceptional western, Trouble Rides Tall (1958), that finally brought him to the attention of Hollywood.
"Trouble Rides Tall is the story of one day in the life of 'trouble marshal' Bry Shafter. The action really hots up. however, when a prostitute is murdered. Who killed her? The rest of the town doesn’t seem to care. But Shafter is determined to bring the killer to justice.
"As with all of Whittington's westerns, there's much more going on here. This is a story about small-town intrigues. Having reached a turning point in his life, Shafter himself is forced to confront his own personal demons. All the characters are vividly-drawn, and the scenes in which they appear are visual and often stunning. The author's gift for expression is used powerfully and to tremendous effect.
"Warner Brothers offered Whittington five hundred dollars a week to come west and adapt the book as a vehicle for Gary Cooper, but though nothing came of the movie, Whittington's screen treatment gradually evolved into the TV series Lawman, starring John Russell and Peter Brown. Lawman ran for four seasons and an impressive 156 episodes." Maybe "The Deputy" was a reprint of "Trouble Rides Tall" with a less lurid cover. Try searching for "Trouble Rides Tall?"
"I thought I told you to come alone."
Thank you for the information. I found the same during my hunt. In fact, I obtained and read the novel. Dan Troop is indeed based on Bry Shafter with his stoicism and high sense of morality and duty to the law. Johnny McKay, however, is a Warner Bros. creation since the deputy in the novel turns out to be the villain and is rather despicable throughout the book.
shareFigured I might be too late to help with your search, but hope the answer will help anyone else curious about "Lawman's" origins.
"Despicable" is one of my favorite character traits : )
"I thought I told you to come alone."
No wonder they changed the title to "Trouble Rides Tall" -- readers were probably aggravated when they realized the title was a spoiler!
"I thought I told you to come alone."