This episode could have gotten a lot more mileage out of better casting. Earlier in Season Three, you had 'The Grave' with Lee Marvin, James Best, Lee Van Cleef and Strother Martin. 'Showdown' didn't have any recognizable character actors from the TV or movie Western genre, and that brought the show down (pun intended) considerably.
Here's what I would have done. James Best back for the Rance McGrew part, Van Cleef as Jesse, and guys like Glenn Strange, Paul Fix and Claude Akins in various supporting roles. Makes no difference, they handled 'em all. Throw in a saloon gal like Beverly Garland or Peggy Castle to liven things up a bit.
I know Serling was going for laughs with this episode, but it didn't quite work. Probably the best scene was the set up when the cowpokes were discussing how Rance was going to get shot when he pulled into town, and then he shows up in the big old convertible. Had they carried that Mel Brooks sensibility through to the rest of the story it would have worked a lot better.
But did you notice the reaction of the horse when Rance came flying through the window? That was the best acting sequence of the entire episode. Trigger would have been proud.
Here's what I would have done. James Best back for the Rance McGrew part, Van Cleef as Jesse, and guys like Glenn Strange, Paul Fix and Claude Akins in various supporting roles. Makes no difference, they handled 'em all. Throw in a saloon gal like Beverly Garland or Peggy Castle to liven things up a bit.
I know Serling was going for laughs with this episode, but it didn't quite work. Probably the best scene was the set up when the cowpokes were discussing how Rance was going to get shot when he pulled into town, and then he shows up in the big old convertible. Had they carried that Mel Brooks sensibility through to the rest of the story it would have worked a lot better.
But did you notice the reaction of the horse when Rance came flying through the window? That was the best acting sequence of the entire episode. Trigger would have been proud.