User Reviews

Directed by Richard C. Serafian, Gilbert Ralston's 'Night Of The Inferno' gets 'The Wild Wild West' series off to a flying start. It begins with a train bringing to Washington an important new prisoner - 'Captain James T. West' ( Robert Conrad ) - who is due to be hanged for desertion. In fact, he is on his way to a secret meeting with 'President Ulysses S. Grant' ( James Gregory ). He claims the country is in a whole 'pot of trouble'. Would-be revolutionary 'Juan Manolo' is at large, so Jim - given a cover as a rich playboy with his very own train, the Wanderer, and a partner in the form of that master of disguise, 'Artemus Gordon' ( Ross Martin ) sets off for the town of Quemada where Manolo's men recently carried out a raid. The trail leads them first to portly Chinaman 'Wing Fat' ( Victor Buono, a few months away from his famous role as 'King Tut' on 'Batman' ) and sassy gambling den owner 'Lydia Monteran' ( Suzanne Pleshette ), with whom Jim once had a fling.

Like I said, a good start, although, fairly straight by comparison with some of the later episodes, particularly those featuring 'Dr.Migelito Loveless' ( Michael Dunn ). Originally, the episode was to have opened with narration dedicating the episode to that 'unsung American hero, Jim West'. The gadgets and fights are thrilling ( Conrad did a lot of his own stunt work ). Arte is first seen disguised as a scruffy man who watches Jim arrive by train. He and Jim are already acquainted. When they first meet, Lydia begins shooting at Jim. In the script, they threw food and water over each other. The idea of an American secret agent answerable only to the President was originally going to be done in 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' but got dropped. Grant featured in other episodes, but this is the only one where James Gregory played him. The following year, he became Matt Helm's boss 'MacDonald' in Phil Karlson's spy spoof 'The Silencers'.

*Spoiler/plot- The wild wild wild West, 1965. 'The Night of the Inferno', 1965. Plotters are going to take advantage of the weakened Union post Civil War. President Grant sends in his top agents to the Southwest to track down the mysterious Mexican firebrand ringleader. The vicious leader is destroying towns trying to setup armed revolt.

*Special Stars- Robert Conrad, Ross Martin. Niemia Perrsoft, Victor Buono.

*Theme- Ethical lawmen will set things right.

*Trivia/location/goofs- Aired Oct 1, 1965. B & W. TV show.

*Emotion- A suspenseful and action packed first episode for this well beloved TV show. This show introduces the TV series best and baddest villains and how they're diabolical in their plots to attack the U.S. Government. This send agents, West and Gordon into the danger to stop the threat. This is great stuff of excitement and mystery.

*Based On- James Bond and spy films and show of the early 60's.

It's amazing how these kind of series produced in the late 50's and early 60's predict events that are currently happening or unfolding today. This episode refers to insurrection and over throwing a government or leader bent on destroying democracy. Uncle Sam is sparing no expense to thwart that proposal. The President enlist a special agent to be undercover to ensure the task will be successful and save the free world. Although the time and settings are the Wild West, those storylines apply today.

Who knew Susan Plesshett would be Bob Newhart's tv wife years later. She proved she could portray a wide range of characters that gave way to being a television personality on a hit tv sitcom.

Robert Conrad & Ross Martin could have been the" I Spy" of the Wild Wild West. Love it.