Reviews

I have enjoyed this series as whole since 1 of the classic networks (METV) put it on their Saturday schedule. It really is carried by Anne Baxter's Kitty Angel character who was excellent. She plays a dance hall girl that joins the Wagon Train and is ostracized by the upright married woman on the train.

While on the trail, she cares of an Indian baby who was found abandoned. The child develops small pox. Because of being ostracized as well the small pox, Kitty is isolated with the exception of an old prospector who helps her take care of the child.

I was not familiar with Anne Baxter but have really enjoyed seeing her performances on DVD in shows like Cannon and Columbo. It's my understanding she was a big star in the 1940s that left Hollywood after marrying but then returned for guest roles in the late 60s. I really did enjoy seeing her in a 40s western, Yellow Sky, with Gregory Peck.

Excellent episode in my view because of Ms Baxter as well as the old prospector who both were excellent. The episode is better than my review, but you'll have to see to comprehend.

I found Good Day to be a really entertaining B movie for weekend afternoon viewing. Like many B movies, it has a fairly simple plot (pretty similar to an episode of Bonanza or Big Valley but that's good enough for me). No major spoilers in this review but hit a few plot points.

The plot involves a group of bank robbers that hold up the local bank and kill the sheriff as they escape. Fred MacMurray reluctantly assumes the role of sheriff and captures a young former resident who was a friend of his daughter and arranges for him to be hanged.

The cast is a solid one. Besides MacMurray, there is Robert Vaughan in a pre- Man from UNCLE role. Others notable costars include popular western star James Drury,Denver Pyle, Bing Russell and Howard McNair (Floyd from Andy Griffith). Like many B movies, this strong cast overcomes any drawbacks from a fairly routine Western plot.

The mood of the townspeople plays a protagonist against MacMurray. They want blood at first, but then sour on the idea of hanging a former resident.

I always liked Fred MacMurray's more serious roles form 40s and 50s before his Absent Minded Prof roles and My 3 Sons. He is excellent in this movie.

It's not as complex as a John Ford, Mann or Sturges "A Western", but it is a B Western that most Western fans should enjoy.

I saw Hondo, the 60s TV show, for the first time. Seems like a quality Western TV Drama, which in color. I found this an entertaining story where Gary Crosby is a Union Calvary Officer standing trial for murdering a Catholic Priest.

Great group of guest stars with Denver Pyle as the judge, Jamie Farr as an Indian, Dan Ohearlihy is the drunken attorney. Enjoyed seeing Noah Beery from the Rockford Files as Hondo's sidekick. This show has been picked up by the Retro Channel Get TV.

I found the plot fairly entertaining as it was a mixture of Perry Mason trial and a Western.

Midas was a good but not great episode. It is made interesting by two good guest stars: Anne Baxter, who was one of my favorite 60s and 70s TV guest stars) and Arch Johnson (good western character actor). This episode was directed by Richard Long.

Minor Spoiler The plot is fairly convoluted it mixes together a mine collapse, Heath being shot by robber, and Heath being hidden while he recovers. This seems like maybe 3 big valley plots combined together.

In summary not a bad episode, but it also is not very memorable. However, the Big Valley really was well written. In my view few if any episodes are complete dud.