DICK POWELL'S ZANE GREY THEATRE: THE PROMISE (TV)
Summary
One in this western anthology series hosted by Dick Powell, based on the works of Zane Grey. In this episode, after Powell's introductory comments about the unglamorous life of a rancher, the story begins as Noah Rawlins brings his father home after an accident. His younger brother, Jace, blames himself for not fixing a damaged rein and causing the mishap, but Pa reassures him and, aware that he is dying, explains that he has split the ranch between the brothers and has given Jace the preferable land, asking him to promise to stay and maintain it. Jace halfheartedly agrees, and after urging Noah to keep an eye on his brother and prevent him from becoming a "saddle tramp," Pa passes away. Saddened, Jace heads out to tell the neighbors the news, but then says he will be leaving soon, despite his promise. Noah disapproves, but Jace asserts that he is not a rancher and wants to see the world.
Noah sells some of his cattle to a man named Nelson, but states that he is not selling his or Jace's land. He instructs Jace to assist in the upkeep of their land, but Jace disregards him, and Noah is further angered when he catches Jace flirting with his wife, Ellie. He scolds his brother, leading to a fight, though Ellie tries to keep the peace. Later, Jace demands his cut of the money, pulling a gun when Noah refuses, and heads off to play cards in town. He soon loses several hands and is forced to put his land up for bid, briefly returning home to retrieve the deed. Noah realizes what he is up to, and though Ellie suggests that he should let him go, Noah pursues him into town just as Jace again loses to Nelson. Noah offers to buy the land back from Nelson at an exorbitant price, but then notices that he is using a sharpened ring to mark the cards and cheat. Nelson draws on them, but the brothers work together and corner him, and Jace's land is restored to him. Noah offers to hold Jace's land for him for five years so that Jace can explore the world before settling down, and the brothers make up. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: November 8, 1957 7:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:29:16
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:53608
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1956-1961
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Klear floor wax
- TV - Commercials - Pledge furniture wax
- TV - Commercials - Raid insect killer
CREDITS
- Hal Hudson … Producer
- Charles Haas … Director
- James Leiker … Writer
- Zane Grey … Based on the works of
- Dick Powell … Host
- Gary Merrill … Cast, Noah
- Tommy Sands … Cast, Jace
- Whitney Blake … Cast, Ellie
- Carl Benton Reid … Cast, Pa Rawlins
- Bruce Gordon … Cast, Cattle Buyer
- S. John Launer … Cast, Bartender
- Ken Mayer … Cast, 1st Man
- Jack Mann … Cast, 2nd Man