While I remember several of the western TV shows of the ‘60s this one escapes me, in fact I’m not even sure it was ever shown on UK television. It’s your typical man/men on a quest type of series with Walter Brennan playing the title role while Dack Rambo, later of Dallas fame, plays his grandson Jeff. The pair are searching for Will’s son, legendary gunfighter Jim Sonnett, the father Jeff has never seen. Their search leads them into all sorts of adventure, from both old acquaintances of Will and enemies of Jim.
Walter Brennan relishes being the star of the show, making the most of the series format to develop Will beyond the stereotypical cantankerous grandfather he starts out as, into a fully rounded character. The series fills in the details of his past as an army scout and his estrangement from his son as it progresses, giving us little nuggets every few episodes.
If Brennan provides the acting then Rambo is there to handle the action, getting stuck in to the fight scenes with gusto while also providing eye candy to appease the ladies in the audience. His acting is nothing special but he does a serviceable job, mostly just needing to look hurt, confused or occasionally, angry.
Unlike many series of its type, the object of their search does make an appearance or two. In fact Jason Evers as Jim Sonnett features in the series best episode “Message at Noon” a story that keeps the action until the end, instead focusing on the loneliness of the professional gunman. The bulk of the episode takes place inside a saloon, with Evers talking to the bartender, played with customary excellence by Strother Martin, about his past regrets and the son he hasn’t seen for years. It’s a touching and intelligent half-hour of television.
Guest starts are plentiful, with some familiar faces making appearances. Charles Grodin is a hot-headed young gunfighter with a bell on his holster for every man he’s killed, while Jack Nicholson, Harry Dean Stanton and Dennis Hopper all try their luck against the Sonnetts to their cost.
The quality of the episodes is mostly good, with the occasional standout where the series breaks with its format a little. There’s only one real dud, the Christmas episode “Sunday in Paradise” which has Will Sonnett behaving out of character and features a feel good ending that isn’t the series norm.
For the most part though this is an excellent example of a half hour ‘60s western TV show, with a strong central performance from Brennan and some thought put into developing the characters, something unusual for the period.
Next on TV Tomb: The Sandbaggers – Season 1
