User Reviews

I feel the best episodes of 'Rawhide' are found in the middle of the show's run, primarily season 4 and season 5. This fifth season offering plays like a western rom-com. It's quite enjoyable to watch.

As always, we have a notable guest star. This time it's Patricia Barry in the form of saloon owner Abigail Fletcher. Barry started in motion pictures in the mid-1940s but by the 50s had transitioned to television where she most undoubtedly made her mark. She guest-starred in countless primetime series for nearly 50 years and also was a mainstay on daytime soap operas. Soap fans fondly recall her role as homespun Addie Horton on 'Days of Our Lives;' her feisty portrayal of a southern madame named Miss Sally on 'Guiding Light;' and her turn as a blueblood matriarch on 'Loving.' Even people who don't know this actress by name probably remember the face and of course that lovely voice of hers.

In this episode of 'Rawhide' she is cast as a sympathetic but scheming woman who has become a successful business owner in a rough and tumble western town. Some of the drovers have time off and head into this town to unwind. While there, they visit Abigail's saloon and see a portrait of their boss Gil Favor on the wall behind the bar. It's a flattering image of handsome Gil in his old military uniform, and apparently this woman has been passing him off as her late husband! Of course the men return to camp and tell Mr. Favor about this.

The next part of the story is slightly far-fetched but a lot of fun. Gil goes into town and sees the portrait and talks with Abigail. Apparently they did know each other years ago but never married. Gil agrees to keep up the charade so Abigail doesn't have to lose face, but she will have to sell the saloon and vamoose. Gil then presents himself to the townsfolk as Abigail's husband come back from the war, very much alive. The drovers go along with this, though they are somewhat confused. They wonder if Gil really did marry Abigail years ago and had abandoned her.

The story works for me because of the fine chemistry between series lead Eric Fleming and Ms. Barry. There is an excellent dance party held inside the saloon to celebrate Gil and Abigail's "marriage." Plus we get some highly charged dialogue in a farcical bedroom scene that plays like a version of The Taming of the Shrew. It's a clever episode with a proper denouement, and I highly recommend it.