Doc Bell was real but the Maryville robbery was in real life a failure leading to his death later by a lynch mob.
First of three appearances of Edward Platt as Doc Bell. This was unusual for a series like this, as actors usually played different characters each time. Platt would reappear in the aptly titled Return of Doc Bell (1959) and finally in Vignette of a Sinner (1962), the series finale.
Interestingly, Hardie's voiceover at the end makes no mention of the events depicted in the return of Doc Bell, instead stating he was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his 12 years plus 5 added on.
Interestingly, Hardie's voiceover at the end makes no mention of the events depicted in the return of Doc Bell, instead stating he was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his 12 years plus 5 added on.