Tom Bell (1825-1856), born Thomas J. Hodges, had been a surgeon during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). He turned to prospecting after the war, but was unsuccessful, and he turned to crime. He gave authorities the name Tom Bell when he was arrested in 1855; he was also known as the "Outlaw Doc." He spent several months robbing travelers and merchants, and then decided to carry out the first stagecoach robbery in California. On 12 Aug 1856, he and his gang tried to rob a stagecoach carrying as much as $100,000 in gold. During a shootout, a passenger was killed, and the local citizens were outraged. Sheriff's posses and vigilantes searched for him and his gang; he was captured, tried, and hanged on 4 Oct 1856.
Second of three appearances of Edward Platt as Doc Bell. This was unusual for a series like this, as actors usually played different characters each time. Platt initially appeared in Doc Bell (1958), then finally Vignette of a Sinner (1962), the series finale.
Interestingly, Hardie's voiceover at the end of Doc Bell made no mention of the events depicted here, instead stating he was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his 12 years plus 5 added on. There was no mention of him being paroled, which conflicts with what took place here.
Interestingly, Hardie's voiceover at the end of Doc Bell made no mention of the events depicted here, instead stating he was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his 12 years plus 5 added on. There was no mention of him being paroled, which conflicts with what took place here.
Jack Ging, who played Stacy in this episode, would go on to be Hardee's sidekick Beau McCloud in the hour-long color episodes in Season 6.