Why did the character of Steve leave?
I really enjoyed his character and wish he hadn't left. The last episode I saw him in was A MAN CALLED KANE.
Can anyone fill me in, please? Thanks in advance.
He was in at least one episode after "Kane" (Felicity's Spring). Saying that, I do wonder why he left, Steve was pretty great.
shareI agree. I liked the original cast very much because they grew on me. Steve should have stayed.
Thanks for responding to my post.
I think he probably was looking at a career in movies. He only got a meaty part on the show every third episode. I remember seeing him in a bit part on the show "Probe" in the 80's. He had like one line and I knew it was Steve.
I also liked the original cast a lot except Judge Garth. John Mcintire was much better. John Dehner was the first to replace Garth and he would have been great in that part. Wonder why he left. Maybe he did not want to do a series. There were other that came along on the show who I liked. David Hartman ans Randy Boone were great. Clu Gulager was solid as the deputy.
WOW! I still have so much to learn about this amazing show. Thanks for sharing more about it with me and also sharing your own personal thoughts on characters whom you liked or disliked. :).
They don't make shows as this one anymore... sad to say.
Blessings to you and yours. :).
I enjoyed Judge Garth, then again, I always liked Lee J. Cobb. Maybe it was because I enjoyed the interplay of Betsy with the guys (particularly Steve).
When did Dehner replace Cobb? I remember when John McIntyre came in, I remember Dehner doing several guest spots, but don't remember him being an owner of Shiloh.
Clu Gulager... I have felt, particularly since rewatching the series on Encore Westerns, that he went the William Shatner school of emoting. He never quite seemed to know what to do with his hands. I don't remember noticing that before, and it could be that he changed as time went on. I *did* however, enjoy him immensely when he played the deaf/mute in ... season 2 was it?
Annie
I guess it's all in who you like as an actor. I've always loved John Dehner and John Mcintire.
John Dehner took over for Lee J. Cobb at the end of the fourth season. Lee J. Cobb was on from 1962-1966. I have read he did not like episodic tv. I guess this is why he left near the end of the fourth season. John Dehner played Morgan Starr in four of the final episodes of that season. I don't know why he did not return. They could have just finished the season without adding him. I am glad they did. The first episode he appeared in was called "Morgan Starr" and it showcased him in the story. It dealt with locusts attacking the crops. John Dehner never had a better episode on tv with the exception of his twilight zone episode "Mr. Garrity and the Graves".
The showed never failed to entertain over the 9 years. The last year was different, but the episodes were still good.
This show is in my top 5 westerns of all time. Bonanza, Big Valley, Wanted:Dead or Alive & The Rifleman are also in he top 5. Little House on the Prairie and Law of the Plainsman are also great. I always loved Michael Ansara.
Rany Boone was dreadful,Hartman unbearable and LEE J.COBB was an acting GIANT.
Forgive me,but I must say...you did not care for the GREAT LEE J COBB??But
you enjoyed David Hartman? This is astonishing,mind-bending.What on earth!
There are a great many people who didn't like Lee J Cobb. There are varying reasons for it, some disagreed with his "politics" which were made very public in the 50s. Others didn't care for his "appearance", as my neighbor says, he always looked so angry. I always thought he looked a bit like a bulldog, but in the best sense. His eyes were the giveaway. He could look very angry, but the eyes when he was just "woolgathering" always looked ... contented.
Hartman was a kind, non-threatening type. I liked him (though I adored Cobb) too. Hartman seemed the type you could sit and chat with, while Cobb could make one feel uncomfortable (just watch some interviews with Gary, and get his take on Cobb's personality, he liked him, but he was intimidated by him).
Don't like Lee J Cobb? That's unusual. Cobb is one of those great character actors who had to make an acting career based upon talent and not looks. You know the type, usually chosen for something like "best supporting actor", where the actual suppoting cast acting is way better than the lead pretty-boy actor.
Along with the likes of Martin Balsam, Eli Wallach, and such. Never a lead, but typically better than the lead.
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The Eyes of the City are Mine! Mother Pressman / Anguish (1987)
I agree 100%!