Bat Masterson (TV Series)

Double Showdown (1958)

Gene Barry: Bat Masterson

Quotes 

• [about twenty-two minutes into the episode, star Gene Barry breaks character and addresses TV viewers in a saloon setting] 

  Gene Barry : I'm Gene Barry. You know, this Bat Masterson fella was certainly an unpredictable and surprising kind of man. During his eventful life, he earned the reputation of being one of the West's most colorful marshals and gunfighters. Wherever there was excitement, wherever there was trouble, you'd find 'im. Indian fighter; army scout; buffalo hunter; at a later age, a sports writer; and as you just saw, professional gambler. His tools, his trademarks, were his cane, his derby, and his custom-built six-shooter. Bat Masterson was known to be an amiable fella by nature, and never killed when killing was unnecessary. But, he was considered a great threat at all times. He was liked by most men, and certainly his enemies respected 'im. Stories about 'im are legend. As a matter of fact, the incident you just saw at the Oriental has become legendary. Actually, there are two versions of the now-famous card game. You just saw one. What you are about to see is what other biographers believe really happened the night of the showdown hand.

• Bat Masterson : William Barclay Masterson at your service, ma'am.

• Bat Masterson : Would you do me the honor of dining with me tonight?

  Maria Costa : My father has instructed me never to continue a relationship with a stranger.

  Bat Masterson : My father always told me never to let a pretty girl get away.

• Sandy : You sure dress fancy, Mr. Masterson. I thought a gunfighter didn't care about his looks.

  Bat Masterson : Gunfighter?

  Sandy : My pa says you're the fastest draw between here and California.

  Bat Masterson : That's a lot of territory.

• [Bat polishes his gold-headed cane] 

  Sandy : That's why they call you "Bat" isn't it?

  Bat Masterson : Yeah. It was given to me by the grateful citizens of Dodge City when I was sheriff there.

  Sandy : My pa says you can bat a man over the head faster than he can go for his gun.