Hands down, one of my absolute favorite episodes of the entire series run. While they do appear, the main cast (minus Flint) aren't the focus of the episode. This one belongs to the guest cast, and they carry it extremely well.
As Clementine Jones is being run out of town by the local purity league, she is wounded accidently by Chris Hale during a botched bank robbery attempt. Hale allows Clementine to join the train with recently orphaned Homer Pettigrew and his brand new partner Willie May, one of the inept bank robbers who is on the lam and is posing as Homer's father. Coincidentally, Clemmie and Willie have history.
Man, this is one great cast. The performances really stand out, and the episode kinda seems as if it could've been a pilot for a potential series. The dialogue is brisk, and the three leads work together well and have good onscreen chemistry. Although Willie and Homer can be surly, Clemmie takes no gruff and handles them with ease. The plot isn't what one could call epic, but it's not needed. The episode is character driven and the cast interaction is great.
Ann Blyth is just magnificent in the role of Clementine Jones. Ms. Blyth was exquisitely beautiful and immensely talented, appearing in such films as Mildred Pierce and Kismet. She goes toe to toe with Dick York, and shows real vulnerability and emotion in her performance. The scene where she bursts into tears when Homer is playing his harmonica is exceptionally poignant, and never ceases to tug on the heart strings despite multiple viewings.
Dick York appears as Willie "Pettigrew" May, and to say he was absolutely perfect in the role is an understatement. I'll note immediately that this role was a direct stepping stone to his role as Darrin Stevens in Bewitched, 3 years later. You see his exaggerated facial expressions and his loud, angry-ish, barking style of yelling throughout the episode. Yet his surly exterior would melt quickly to reveal a tender heart, such as the scene where he's shaving, or when he rescues Homer's lost dog, Rebel. These characteristics would carry over very successfully to his role as Darrin Stevens.
Roger Mobley appears in one of his 8 episodes in the series as Homer Pettigrew. Homer has a dream to get to California, where he believes firmly that life will be a lot better than the miserable life he's experienced so far. And although Willie tells him repeatedly that California is just a place, no different than anywhere else, eventually the dream spreads. Clementine and Willie begin to realize that California is a state of mind, and can wash them clean and give them a fresh start.
Nestor Paiva and Henry Cordon also appear briefly as Willie's inept bank robbing partners, both prolific character actors credited with hundreds of roles. And James Millhollin and Willard Waterman contribute as well. And lastly, ol' Rebel was one Jim Dandy of a dog.
Just great. I can't recommend this one enough, don't miss it.
7 out of 8 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
