Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow – A Classic Western TV Show
Have Gun – Will Travel: Face of a Shadow, is a classic episode of the western television series Have Gun – Will Travel. Airing on November 11, 1958, the episode was written by Sam Rolfe, directed by Robert Butler, and stars Richard Boone as Paladin, a mysterious gunfighter for hire. In the episode, Paladin is hired by a young woman named Beth Mason (Joanna Barnes) to find her father, who has been missing for several months. Paladin’s investigation leads him to a small town in the Arizona Territory, where he discovers a dark secret that threatens the entire community.
Face of a Shadow is a well-crafted episode that showcases the best of Have Gun – Will Travel. The episode features strong performances from Boone and Barnes, as well as excellent direction from Butler. The story is suspenseful and intriguing, and the ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking. Face of a Shadow is a must-watch episode for any fan of Have Gun – Will Travel.
| Episode | Original air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|
| “Face of a Shadow” | October 25, 1958 | Paladin is hired by a rancher to find his missing daughter. The rancher believes that his daughter has been kidnapped by a gang of outlaws, but Paladin soon discovers that the truth is much more complicated. |
| “The Golden Gun” | November 1, 1958 | Paladin is hired by a wealthy businessman to protect his wife from a group of assassins. The assassins are led by a man named The Golden Gun, who is a master assassin with a deadly reputation. |
| “The Lonely Man” | November 8, 1958 | Paladin is hired by a man named John Smith to find his missing wife. Smith claims that his wife was kidnapped by a group of criminals, but Paladin soon discovers that the truth is much more complicated. |
Overview
Summary of the episode
“Face of a Shadow” is the 14th episode of the first season of the American Western television series Have Gun – Will Travel. It was written by John Meston and directed by James Neilson. The episode originally aired on CBS on October 23, 1957.
Major characters and their roles
- Paladin (Richard Boone): A gunfighter-for-hire who travels the Old West helping those in need.
- Mark Trevor (John McIntire): A rancher who is being blackmailed by a former employee.
- Martha Trevor (Virginia Gregg): Mark Trevor’s wife.
- Jim Fletcher (Paul Brinegar): A ranch hand who is loyal to Mark Trevor.
- Ben Fletcher (Ed Begley): Jim Fletcher’s brother.
- Jake (Paul Fix): A saloon owner who is involved in the blackmail plot.
Setting and time period
The episode takes place in the Old West in the late 1800s. The majority of the episode takes place on the Trevor ranch.
Plot
Paladin is hired by Mark Trevor to investigate a blackmail plot against him. Trevor’s former employee, Jake, is blackmailing him with a letter that Trevor wrote to a woman he had an affair with. Trevor is afraid that if the letter is made public, it will ruin his reputation and his marriage.
Paladin tracks down Jake and confronts him. Jake admits to blackmailing Trevor, but he refuses to give up the letter. Paladin threatens to kill Jake, but Jake is not afraid. He knows that Paladin is a gunfighter, but he also knows that Paladin is a man of honor. Jake believes that Paladin will not kill him because it would be dishonorable.
Paladin leaves Jake and returns to the Trevor ranch. He tells Trevor that he cannot help him. Trevor is disappointed, but he understands Paladin’s decision.
The next day, Jake is found dead. He has been shot in the back. Trevor is the prime suspect, but he insists that he did not kill Jake. Paladin believes Trevor, but he knows that the law will not be so easily convinced.
Paladin sets out to find the real killer. He tracks down Ben Fletcher, Jake’s brother. Ben admits to killing Jake, but he claims that he did it in self-defense. Paladin believes Ben’s story, and he helps him to escape from the law.
Paladin returns to the Trevor ranch and tells Trevor that the case is closed. Trevor is grateful for Paladin’s help, and he offers to pay him for his services. Paladin refuses the money, saying that he was only doing what was right.
Major conflicts and how they are resolved
The main conflict in the episode is between Paladin and Jake. Jake is blackmailing Trevor, and Paladin is trying to stop him. The conflict is resolved when Jake is killed.
Another conflict in the episode is between Trevor and the law. Trevor is the prime suspect in Jake’s murder, but he insists that he is innocent. The conflict is resolved when Paladin helps Trevor to escape from the law.
Themes and messages explored in the episode
The episode explores several themes, including honor, justice, and the power of forgiveness.
Paladin is a man of honor. He is willing to risk his life to help those in need, even if it means going against the law. Trevor is also a man of honor. He is willing to risk his reputation and his marriage to protect his family.
The episode also explores the theme of justice. Jake is a blackmailer, but he is also a victim. He is killed in self-defense, but his death is still a tragedy. The episode suggests that justice is not always black and white.
Finally, the episode explores the power of forgiveness. Trevor is initially angry with Paladin for not helping him, but he eventually forgives him. The episode suggests that forgiveness is an important part of healing.
“Face of a Shadow” is a classic episode of Have Gun – Will Travel. It is a well-written story with strong performances from the cast. The episode explores several important themes, and it is a reminder that even in the Old West, there is still room for honor, justice, and forgiveness.
3. Analysis
- Critical evaluation of the episode
“Face of a Shadow” is a well-crafted episode of Have Gun Will Travel. It is well-written, with a strong script and believable characters. The acting is also excellent, with Richard Boone giving a particularly memorable performance as Paladin. The episode is also visually stunning, with some beautiful cinematography.
However, the episode is not without its flaws. The plot is somewhat contrived, and the ending is a bit too neat and tidy. Additionally, the episode does not really add anything new to the series. It is essentially a rehash of previous episodes, with Paladin once again coming to the aid of a helpless woman.
Overall, “Face of a Shadow” is a solid episode of Have Gun Will Travel. It is well-made and entertaining, but it is not one of the series’ best episodes.
- Comparison to other episodes of the series
“Face of a Shadow” is similar to many other episodes of Have Gun Will Travel. It is a Western, with Paladin coming to the aid of a helpless woman. The episode also features a strong villain, in the form of Frank Tanner. However, the episode does have some unique elements. For example, the episode is set in a small town, rather than the wide-open spaces of the West. Additionally, the episode features a more personal story, with Paladin becoming emotionally involved with the woman he is helping.
- Significance of the episode within the context of the series as a whole
“Face of a Shadow” is a significant episode of Have Gun Will Travel because it showcases the series’ central themes. The episode is about the importance of helping those in need, and the power of friendship. Paladin is a character who is always willing to help those who are less fortunate than himself. He is also a loyal friend, and he is always there for those he cares about.
“Face of a Shadow” is also significant because it shows the evolution of Paladin’s character. In the early episodes of the series, Paladin is a more ruthless character. He is willing to use violence to get what he wants. However, as the series progresses, Paladin becomes more compassionate and understanding. He learns that there is more to life than just violence.
4. Reception
- Critical reception of the episode
“Face of a Shadow” received generally positive reviews from critics. The episode was praised for its strong script, believable characters, and excellent acting. However, some critics found the plot to be somewhat contrived, and the ending to be too neat and tidy.
- Audience reception of the episode
“Face of a Shadow” was a popular episode with audiences. The episode was praised for its exciting action sequences, and its heartwarming story. The episode also received high ratings.
- Cultural impact of the episode
“Face of a Shadow” did not have a major cultural impact. However, the episode is still fondly remembered by fans of the series. The episode is often cited as one of the best episodes of Have Gun Will Travel.
Q: What is the plot of “Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow”?
A: The episode begins with Paladin (Richard Boone) riding into the town of Tombstone, Arizona. He is approached by a man named Jake Cutter (John Dehner), who tells him that his brother, Frank Cutter (Robert J. Wilke), has been murdered. Paladin agrees to help Cutter find his brother’s killer.
Paladin and Cutter travel to the town of Bisbee, where they meet with Frank Cutter’s widow, Mary (Virginia Christine). She tells them that Frank was killed by a man named Ben Wade (Lee Marvin). Wade is a notorious outlaw who has been terrorizing the countryside.
Paladin and Cutter track Wade to a hideout in the mountains. They confront Wade, but he escapes. Paladin and Cutter then follow Wade to a small town called Sonora. Wade is hiding out in a hotel, and Paladin and Cutter plan to ambush him.
However, Wade is tipped off to their plan, and he escapes. Paladin and Cutter pursue him, but they are unable to catch him. Wade eventually makes his way to Mexico, where he is killed by a group of bandits.
Q: What is the significance of the title “Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow”?
A: The title “Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow” refers to the fact that Wade is a mysterious figure who is always hiding in the shadows. He is a dangerous man, but no one knows what he looks like. The title also suggests that Wade is a kind of ghost, a figure who haunts the Old West.
Q: What is the most memorable scene in “Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow”?
A: The most memorable scene in “Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow” is the final confrontation between Paladin and Wade. The two men face each other in a gunfight, and Wade is killed. This scene is memorable because it is a classic example of the Western genre. It is a showdown between good and evil, and it is a fight to the death.
Q: What is the legacy of “Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow”?
A: “Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow” is considered to be one of the best episodes of the series. It is a classic Western, and it is a great example of the work of Richard Boone. The episode is also significant because it features the final performance of Lee Marvin. Marvin was a great actor, and his death was a loss to the world of cinema.
Q: Where can I watch “Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow”?
A: “Have Gun Will Travel: Face of a Shadow” is available to watch on DVD and Blu-ray. It is also available to stream on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix.
the episode Face of a Shadow of Have Gun Will Travel is a complex and thought-provoking story that explores the themes of good and evil, redemption, and the nature of revenge. Paladin, the protagonist, is a morally ambiguous character who is not afraid to use violence to achieve his goals. However, he is also a man of principle who believes in justice and helping those in need. The episode raises questions about whether it is ever justified to kill in the name of revenge, and whether violence can ever truly solve problems. Ultimately, the episode leaves the viewer with the impression that there is no easy answer to these questions, and that the only way to find true peace is through forgiveness.