The story's fine, the acting excellent, and the flashes of action well-handled. Steve Forrest makes his vain, unhinged gold-hungry heavy into a memorable character. He gives Kitty and the Doc some serious stick and the disgust is etched on Milburn Stone's face.
There's one major let-down, however. This episode is a perfect example of just how stuffy and confined the Dodge City set can be. Shortly before the final showdown one of the soldiers runs along the street and his boots thud on wood, not good old earth; a wooden street in the Old West? Hmmm....
As in many Rawhide episodes, the obvious studio scenes emphasise how free and fresh the wonderful outdoors locations are. When either of these excellent series leaves the cramped studios it's literally a breath of fresh air. What a shame that so many Gunsmokes didn't escape the stale air and horse smells on Radford Avenue. There are first-hand comments on this by crew members out there if you look for them.
There's one major let-down, however. This episode is a perfect example of just how stuffy and confined the Dodge City set can be. Shortly before the final showdown one of the soldiers runs along the street and his boots thud on wood, not good old earth; a wooden street in the Old West? Hmmm....
As in many Rawhide episodes, the obvious studio scenes emphasise how free and fresh the wonderful outdoors locations are. When either of these excellent series leaves the cramped studios it's literally a breath of fresh air. What a shame that so many Gunsmokes didn't escape the stale air and horse smells on Radford Avenue. There are first-hand comments on this by crew members out there if you look for them.