This was perhaps one of my favorite episodes for several reasons. I was intrigued when I saw that Victor McLaglen was the guest star. I have been a fan of Victor for most of my adult life. Although this was one of his last appearances, it was done with loving care by both his son, Andrew, as Director, and Richard Boone as the star. The other commentator mentions that there is no reason for Boone to take such a quick liking to McLaglen, but apparently he failed to comprehend what Boone tells him in the dialog, Boone, as an educated man, has Hadrian as one of his idols because Hadrian was a builder as is McLaglen. As both a builder, an older man, and someone who comes off as polite as Boone is, it was only natural that Boone would be immediately drawn to McLaglen's character. It must have been wonderful (and a bit scary) for Andrew to direct his father in this episode. You have Boone and McLaglen who worked with John Wayne and Andrew who directed the Duke so many times. Like a big family.
3 Reviews
Two buddies and a dam
hudecha5 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Let's not rate that one just as a standard Paladin episode. Let's rather see it as a very nice kind of gift of a director to his endearing old father - as lovable to his family as to his public, I would guess. Victor McLaglen died the following year, so it was a timely gift.
The story may not fully and rationally account for Paladin becoming so enthralled to O'Hare so quickly (if it was from sheer admiration towards his endeavor as a builder, why did Paladin accept in the first place an assignment to wreck this endeavor by all means, and then start sabotaging it fairly efficiently?).
Generally speaking, story-wise the plot is not strong. For instance, there are some supposedly extremely nasty characters, who take over the wrecking assignment relinquished by Paladin - and how do these bloodthirsty ruffians deal with it? Mostly by the same means, sabotage, which Paladin had himself used a little earlier in the episode - though he had managed to be recruited by emphasizing the big difference between his methods and the barbaric ones which the ruffians were going to use. That difference is not so hugely obvious.
But never mind that. The episode quickly becomes mainly a buddy story - let's call it good alchemy between the two characters, or more simply, just strong natural sympathy between the actors. When Paladin has a good-humored chat with O'Hare, one has little doubt that Boone continued it afterwards with McLaglen father and son off the set, some bottle of bourbon quite probably being involved.
The story may not fully and rationally account for Paladin becoming so enthralled to O'Hare so quickly (if it was from sheer admiration towards his endeavor as a builder, why did Paladin accept in the first place an assignment to wreck this endeavor by all means, and then start sabotaging it fairly efficiently?).
Generally speaking, story-wise the plot is not strong. For instance, there are some supposedly extremely nasty characters, who take over the wrecking assignment relinquished by Paladin - and how do these bloodthirsty ruffians deal with it? Mostly by the same means, sabotage, which Paladin had himself used a little earlier in the episode - though he had managed to be recruited by emphasizing the big difference between his methods and the barbaric ones which the ruffians were going to use. That difference is not so hugely obvious.
But never mind that. The episode quickly becomes mainly a buddy story - let's call it good alchemy between the two characters, or more simply, just strong natural sympathy between the actors. When Paladin has a good-humored chat with O'Hare, one has little doubt that Boone continued it afterwards with McLaglen father and son off the set, some bottle of bourbon quite probably being involved.
Have McLaglens, Will Disappoint
zsenorsock11 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
One of the last appearances of Victor McLaglen is sadly disappointing. Directed by his son Andrew V., Victor plays Mike O'Hare, a man trying to build a dam that could threaten a western town. Paladin comes to town hired by Henry Ritchie (Herbert Ridley) but switches sides and decides to help O'hare when he discovers his plans are best for the townspeople. Ritchie hires another gunman, Joe Marsh (John Doucette) to sabotage O'Hare's plans. Paladin has to stop him.
The problem with this episode is Richard Boone. He comes to like O'Hare way too quickly and flashes a kind of dumb awed grin at him, like he'd seen him in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and other John Wayne movies and is just thrilled to meet him in person. Unfortunately, the script doesn't give Boone justification for this reaction. He just immediately takes a liking to O'Hare without really having a reason. It kind of undercuts the whole story. There are some good moments as Paladin shows O'Hare what he can do with a gun and when the old man tries to fight the man in black, but overall, there weren't enough of these moments to make this more than a fair episode.
However, this is the only episode I've seen with the guest star's name in the opening titles!
The problem with this episode is Richard Boone. He comes to like O'Hare way too quickly and flashes a kind of dumb awed grin at him, like he'd seen him in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" and other John Wayne movies and is just thrilled to meet him in person. Unfortunately, the script doesn't give Boone justification for this reaction. He just immediately takes a liking to O'Hare without really having a reason. It kind of undercuts the whole story. There are some good moments as Paladin shows O'Hare what he can do with a gun and when the old man tries to fight the man in black, but overall, there weren't enough of these moments to make this more than a fair episode.
However, this is the only episode I've seen with the guest star's name in the opening titles!
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