User Reviews

If you're not familiar with Clu Gulager. watch this Virginian. This is the definitive demonstration of his presence as an actor. That voice, his black leather vest and gloves, his manner and comportment...just oozing danger. I would love to know how he developed that voice, softer and quieter than Clint Eastwood. A threatening whisper, like a hissing dynamite fuse, warning of an explosion to come. There has never been a better character introduction in episodic television. Clu first came to my attention in "The killers" this same year. He matched Lee Marvin with menace and owned his section of the big screen. He would have been a fantastic cinema realization Jack Schaeffer's 'Shane'. Leslie Nielson, Jan Merlin and Ron Soble as town baddies. Even Raquel Welch in a saloon girl walk-on. This great series has never had a better episode, writing or direction. See it, youngster!

In the late 60s, my interest in watching the Virginian began when Clu Gulager joined the regular cast as Emmett Ryker. It was a Jurassic Park moment. You know, the one where Laura Dern turns her head and lifts her dark glasses to stare in disbelief at an exotic creature roaming across the landscape....

This is the episode that brought Ryker to Medicine Bow, courtesy of Leslie Nielsen's nefarious ambitions. There's a transitional feel about it, Ryker's flamboyant look a reflection of his gambling lifestyle up to this point. But there's no mistaking the innate sense of justice in the man, or the wily intelligence he employs not just to frustrate Nielsen's plans but to undercut the false first impressions others have of him. The only person who doesn't misunderstand him is former colleague Sam Lake (Jan Merlin). Their rivalry/friendship is at the core of the story.

It's a good episode but for one thing. The opening scene has Ryker and Lake doing a Ben Johnson, galloping hell for leather across the Western landscape pursued by troopers. Very pleasing it is too, but the effect is spoiled by an insertion from another film, to show a precipitous fall into the water below. I hope that whoever approved that cut had their privileges revoked.

The third season of The Virginian opened with neighboring rancher Russ Conway asking Lee J. Cobb for the loan of a trail boss for his cattle drive. Cobb gives him Doug McClure for the job. Conway has to get his cattle to market to pay off a note to gambler Leslie Nielsen.

But Nielsen wants it all ranch, cattle, the works. He contracts to have Conway ambushed and killed and then spreads the rumor that it was visiting gambler/gunfighter Clu Gulagher who did the deed. Gulagher turned down Nielsen's job offer before.

This episode marked Clu Gulagher's debut as a Virginian regular. Clu was a guy born for western roles and the enigmatic Emmet Ryker fits him perfectly.

For Clu's fans everywhere.