DICK POWELL'S ZANE GREY THEATRE: A THREAD OF RESPECT (TV)
Summary
One in this western anthology series hosted by Dick Powell. Powell makes introductory comments about the importance of railroads in the Old West. An Italian tailor named Gino Pelleti and his son Vince arrive in town, finding that their nationality draws enmity from some of the townsfolk, particularly a trail-rider named Jess Newton and his gang. They set up shop in town, to little initial success. Vince feels intense resentment towards the men who mock his father, but Gino says they have to learn how to get along with them and stresses that they should not fight back. Jess has a grudge against Italians, since his father hired one who failed to save his little sister from burning to death in a fire. Jess wants to run Gino out of town and sends a couple of his gang members to vandalize Gino's shop and set some of his wares on fire. Gino and Vince put out the fire, but Vince is enraged and attacks one of the assailants. Jess steps in and stops the fight, inviting Vince to spend time with him and his gang. Vince accompanies Jess and his gang on their day; he witnesses them mugging a drunk at night. Eventually Gino comes for Vince, asking him to come home. He reluctantly agrees. Gino and Jess get into a confrontation, and Gino insults Jess's "jackal"-like ways. Finally, Gino can restrain himself no longer and punches Jess. Jess and Gino agree to face each other the next day in a showdown. Gino wants to do it in order to win back the respect of his son, and because he doesn't want Vince to grow up to be like Jess. Gino claims he won't kill Jess and reveals that his other son was a victim of war, which prompted his move to America, in order to give Vince a better life. Gino brings a pair of antique pistols to the gunfight and Jess is goaded into agreeing to use them. Vince arrives, in tears that his father might die for what he's done. In the ensuing fire, both men are wounded but Gino has the opportunity to kill Jess. He refuses and walks off. The episode ends as Gino and Vince manage to reconcile with each other. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: February 12, 1959 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:17
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:13421
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1956-1961
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Hal Hudson … Producer
- John English … Director
- Aaron Spelling … Writer
- Dick Powell … Host
- Danny Thomas … Cast, Gino Pelleti
- Nick Adams … Cast, Vince Pelleti
- James Coburn … Cast, Jess Newton
- Denver Pyle … Cast, Seth Robson
- Tommy Cook … Cast, Link Harris
- Chuck Courtney … Cast, Til Crow
- Jim Beck … Cast, Nate Harris
- Joe M. Hamilton … Cast, Dave Radkin