Stanwyck is pretty much who you'd expect her to be at this point in her career. In this episode of Rawhide, she plays a strong woman, who is on the wrong side of things, and does it well enough to make you dislike her. That's the intention. Things were done differently in the 50's and 60's, so when you see intensity, it's typically overt and in the extreme.
Considering the director of this episode, Tay Garnett, got his start with Mack Sennet/Hal Roach and Pathe, you know you'll get traditional performances from his actors. Stanwyck, probably had more input than the usual guest star, but she's doing what she's told. After all, she was a professional; anybody would tell you that.
I like the surprise of a, Stanwyck, showing up in a 1961/2 episode of, Rawhide. Watching her do what she does is such a pleasure. The episode is a cut above the usual fair that's so common in this series, i.e., Rowdy, Mushy and Wishbone go to town and get in trouble with the local sheriff, who locks 'em up, while the rest of the drovers plot a plan to break 'em outta jail, etc.
Fact is, you get to see, Stanwyck, ride a horse, handle guns, shoot people and then, unexpectedly, die. All done competently, long before she assumed her place in TV history as western matriarch, Victoria Barkley, on The Big Valley, where she continued to turn out complex performances not unlike this one. And, btw, long after she did so much more on the big screen in starring roles with all the major costars of the 30's, 40's and 50's. This woman deserves your attention.
So, if you've seen this and didn't like it because, Rowdy, didn't show up, or Stanwyck, showed (way) up, watch it again with an open mind and consider this review, because you're supposed to dislike, Nora Holloway, but you should like the actor who played her...
Considering the director of this episode, Tay Garnett, got his start with Mack Sennet/Hal Roach and Pathe, you know you'll get traditional performances from his actors. Stanwyck, probably had more input than the usual guest star, but she's doing what she's told. After all, she was a professional; anybody would tell you that.
I like the surprise of a, Stanwyck, showing up in a 1961/2 episode of, Rawhide. Watching her do what she does is such a pleasure. The episode is a cut above the usual fair that's so common in this series, i.e., Rowdy, Mushy and Wishbone go to town and get in trouble with the local sheriff, who locks 'em up, while the rest of the drovers plot a plan to break 'em outta jail, etc.
Fact is, you get to see, Stanwyck, ride a horse, handle guns, shoot people and then, unexpectedly, die. All done competently, long before she assumed her place in TV history as western matriarch, Victoria Barkley, on The Big Valley, where she continued to turn out complex performances not unlike this one. And, btw, long after she did so much more on the big screen in starring roles with all the major costars of the 30's, 40's and 50's. This woman deserves your attention.
So, if you've seen this and didn't like it because, Rowdy, didn't show up, or Stanwyck, showed (way) up, watch it again with an open mind and consider this review, because you're supposed to dislike, Nora Holloway, but you should like the actor who played her...