DICK POWELL'S ZANE GREY THEATRE: A WARM DAY IN HEAVEN (TV)
Summary
One in this western anthology series hosted by Dick Powell. Powell makes introductory comments about horse auctioneers in the Old West. A shifty individual sneaks into the town of Heaven, Arizona and causes trouble when he secretly poisons a horse about to be sold by Michael Peters, the local horse trader. His customer, an angry cowhand, pulls a gun on Michael, but he is saved by the townsfolk who quickly defuse the situation. The shifty individual, introducing himself as Nick Finn, reveals that he called the townsfolk together, and Michael thanks him for his help. That night over dinner, Nick tells Michael that he's an auctioneer and that he wants to help Michael auction off his horses to the townsfolk. Michael is concerned that the horses might sell for unfair prices, but Nick convinces him to go along with it, saying that the profits from the auction might go to a new school. Michael agrees, glad to have Nick as a new business partner. Nick auctions off the horses, making a profit of over three hundred dollars for Michael. Nick talks with Ben, the bank president, about allowing cattle drovers to pass through Heaven on their drives in order to attract new businesses to Heaven and increase the community's wealth. Ben expresses trepidation about this idea, worried about the behavior of the often rowdy cattle drovers and what they might do to the town. However, Nick convinces him that the reward is worth the risk. Together they enact a complex plan to purchase land for cattle grazing, including getting some money from Michael's friend Jonas. Michael is at first unaware of what is going on, but expresses quiet resistance when he learns about Nick's plan. Everyone else in town fully supports the expansion of Heaven. Soon Heaven is overrun with wild cattle drovers who make the place chaotic and dangerous. Michael quickly becomes disillusioned with Nick's plan and with the state of Heaven. He talks to Nick, who has been made vice-president of the bank. Michael reveals that he plans to sell his home and leave, feeling that Heaven has become corrupted beyond recognition. As Michael prepares to leave, Nick has one of the drovers attempt to shoot Michael, but Jonas takes the bullet instead and dies. Michael, furious, grabs his rifle and confronts Nick, believing him to be the Devil himself. He shoots and seemingly kills Nick, and the townsfolk prepare to hang Michael in retaliation. However, they notice Nick stand up as if nothing had happened, and Nick runs off, vanishing into thin air. In light of these events, the townsfolk decide to go back to their daily lives, peaceful once again. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: March 23, 1961 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:13
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:12517
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1956-1961
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Aaron Spelling … Producer, Writer
- Stephen Lord … Associate Producer
- Don Taylor … Director
- Arthur Dales … Writer
- Joseph Mullendore … Music by
- Dick Powell … Host
- Thomas Mitchell … Cast, Nick Finn
- Lon Chaney Jr. … Cast, Michael Peters
- William Schallert … Cast, Tom
- Hank Patterson … Cast, Jonas
- Bill Erwin … Cast, Clay
- Ken Mayer … Cast, Cowhand
- Diane Strom … Cast, Lucy
- Fred Graham … Cast, First Drover
- Ricky Allen … Cast, Billy
- Malcolm Atterbury … Cast, Ben