John McIntire gives a dual performance in this fine Wagon Train episode, one of the best they ever did. He stars as Chris Hale the Wagonmaster and also his older brother Levi Hale who was a noted scout and lawman. So how did this man with that background wind up in Wyoming Territorial Prison paroled to his younger brother on condition he leave Wyoming Territory permanently.
He went bad and why he went bad had to do with the lynching of his late son who was a mixed breed as Levi married an Indian wife. As we learn the young man had some serious mental health issues and wound up more than likely killing the girl he was supposed to marry, Sheriff Trevor Bardette's daughter and Bardette was Levi's former deputy.
Levi has a lot of physical and mental issues mostly because of old age. There is a wonderful scene with McIntire as Levi and Denny Miller who superficially resembles Levi's late son. It's one of Denny Miller's best scenes, big screen or small.
McIntire does a wonderful job playing both parts. One for Wagon Train fans to treasure.
He went bad and why he went bad had to do with the lynching of his late son who was a mixed breed as Levi married an Indian wife. As we learn the young man had some serious mental health issues and wound up more than likely killing the girl he was supposed to marry, Sheriff Trevor Bardette's daughter and Bardette was Levi's former deputy.
Levi has a lot of physical and mental issues mostly because of old age. There is a wonderful scene with McIntire as Levi and Denny Miller who superficially resembles Levi's late son. It's one of Denny Miller's best scenes, big screen or small.
McIntire does a wonderful job playing both parts. One for Wagon Train fans to treasure.
