BAT MASTERSON: A MATTER OF HONOR (TV)
Summary
The first of two programs on this asset. One in this series of western dramas about the legendary western hero, William Barclay "Bat" Masterson. In this episode, Masterson arrives in the town of Apache Springs and attempts to join a private game at a saloon, despite the owner's protests. The proprietor, Chip Grimes, tells him that there is a $1,000 buy-in and is surprised when he produces the money, and Masterson explains that he intends to build a gambling hall of his own soon. Grimes allows him to stay after all, but just as the game gets underway, a robber appears and demands Masterson's money. He quickly shoots the man in the arm and takes him to the doctor and then to jail, and Millie notes that Grimes would have killed him instead. She reveals that the robber, Anton, is actually a European count who lost his fortune in the war and is trying to procure enough wealth to marry her, and she asks Masterson to let him go. Masterson suggests that she come to work for him instead of Grimes, but she is suspicious of his intentions. Masterson, anxious to start construction on his saloon, organizes an expedient trial and, at Millie's request, argues for leniency for Anton, saying that his incompetent hold-up proves that he is not a weathered criminal. Anton is sentenced to four months, and when they hear that Grimes is on his way, Masterson is appointed a deputy and charged with transporting Anton, and they quickly leave. Grimes, angry at the idea of Anton and Millie's relationship, pursues them, and when they get away, he has Millie locked up as an accessory.
Masterson takes Anton to his friend Tack, a contractor who allows prisoners to work on his crew, and asks to add Anton, though Tack frets that he has fewer guards than usual. Masterson swears to personally recapture Anton if he escapes and then heads off to start building his gambling hall. Anton soon learns that Millie spent the night in jail for him and then headed back to work for Grimes when he bailed her out and, upset by the news, decides to run away after all. Masterson is annoyed to hear the news and goes straight to Millie, who admits that Anton came to see her and is headed off to kill Grimes in order to free her from his employ. Masterson heads off and finds Grimes and Anton brawling in a barn, and he intervenes and drags Anton off to Millie. He tells her that he must return Anton to the work camp, and the sheriff soon arrives with Grimes close behind. Grimes demands that he turn Millie over, and Masterson sends Millie and Anton out the back door to the camp before taking on the sheriff and Grimes himself. He disarms Grimes, and then reveals to the sheriff that he has been cheating in his gambling parlor using magnets, and allows the sheriff to arrest him. He then visits Tack and finds that Anton has indeed returned to work off his sentence and has also married Millie, making her a countess, albeit a penniless one. Masterson congratulates the couple and then heads off to finish his saloon at long last. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: April 14, 1959 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:52:00
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:03689
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1958-1961
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Frank Pittman … Producer
- Andy White … Producer
- Wells Root … Writer
- Walter Doniger … Director
- Richard O'Connor … Based on the book by
- Gene Barry … Cast, William Barclay 'Bat' Masterson
- Paula Raymond … Cast, Millie Wilkins
- John Vivyan … Cast, Chip Grimes
- Stephen Bekassy … Cast, Anton von Landi
- Kenneth MacDonald … Cast, Tack Colby
- Morris Ankrum … Cast, Judge Dorset
- Keith Richards … Cast, Sheriff Atkins