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Boone and Balsam Together Again BEFORE 'Hombre'

posted 18 years ago by ecarle
4 replies | jump to latest

There's an old episode of "Have Gun, Will Travel" that is available on VHS, but I don't know about DVD.

Its from October of 1960. It's called "Saturday Night."

Series hero Paladin (Richard Boone,Cicero Grimes in "Hombre") rides into a small Western town during a driving rainstorm and enters a rowdy saloon packed with cowhands and sheepmen, duking it out on Saturday night.

One of the sheepmen is a proud young Mexican fellow from a wealthy family. He shows off some money he has. More fighting ensues. Paladin tries to steer clear -- "This is NOT my fight," he says with typical weary Richard Boone deadpan.

Next thing Paladin knows, he's unconscious, then conscious in a cell with four other men, including the young Mexican scion-- who has been murdered in the cell, by...who knows?

The local marshal who is holding the men prisoner is a short, stout but formidable chap played by....Martin Balsam (Mendez in "Hombre.") Balsam questions the men and the lead murder suspect is...Richard Boone. Boone and Balsam have some verbal showdowns. Two good actors; not much for them to work with.

But another man panics, runs from the open cell...and Balsam shoots him dead. Case closed?

Not hardly. Boone figures out that MARSHAL BALSAM killed the young Mexican lad and stole his money.

Balsam pulls a gun and grabs a handy female hostage: "I'm entitled to that money. This lousy stinkin' low-paying job...herding drunks on a Saturday night."

Unfortunately, the dead Mexican lad's wealthy father turns up with...a pack of vicious POODLES. That's right. Poodles.

Overhearing Balsam's confession, Papa sics the poodles on Balsam who runs out a door. Boone tries to save him ("This is a matter for the law!") but the others restrain him and Balsam is eaten (off screen) by the poodles.

I can image seven years later when Boone and Balsam met on the set of "Hombre," they had a good laugh remembering "Saturday Night."

"Hombre" considers whether or not you would eat a dog. But we know this much: a dog would eat Martin Balsam.

[–] lexyladyjax 12 years ago

Those were not poodles. They were Giant Airedales, a large breed of terrier. Terriers can be vicious.

This episode of HGWT is available on DVD. The first 5 seasons have been released but the final season seems to be in limbo for some reason unknown.

[–] ecarle 11 years ago

Giant airedales, huh?

Oops.

They certainly looked vicious.

[–] lexyladyjax 10 years ago

Terriers never ever give up when they're hunting. They attack and don't stop until their prey is dead (that would be you, the victim), they are dead or they're called off by their handler. I've trained dogs and I've owned terriers. They can be stubborn and hard-headed and that can come across as viciousness. It depends upon the dog.

It was a good episode. My one complaint was that Boone's position when hanging in the window seemed forced and awkward, although perhaps he was playing it for laughs? If Paladin were unconscious, wouldn't his legs be hanging down, rather than sticking out? It seemed strange and stuck in my mind.

Paladin's Spanish words of sympathy to the hidalgo were a wonderful touch. I thought that was very respectful and proper. For those not bilingual, Paladin said, 'I'm very sorry for the loss of your son, sir.' He may have said something else as well but my DVDs are packed up at the moment due to home renovations and I'm unable to review them.

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

[–] PlatinumScreen (221) 8 years ago

Martin Balsam was also in the Have Gun-Will Travel Season 2 episode called "The Manhunter" in 1958.