LAWMAN: THE DEPUTY {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
One in this western television series about Marshal Dan Troop and his deputy Jack McKay, fighting criminals in the town of Laramie, Wyoming.
Dan Troop, new marshal of the town of Laramie, stops on his way to town when he sees a young man burying David Lemp, the previous marshal. Troop discovers that Lemp was murdered and is suspicious of the young man, but continues his ride into town. He arrives at the unkempt marshal's office and is greeted by members of the town council. He asks about Lemp's murder, but they are not forthcoming with details. Troop resolves to find Lemp's murderer. At the local saloon, Troop puts up a help wanted sign for a new deputy. The saloon patrons are dismissive of Troop, believing he will not be able to change anything in town. One of them, a drunk named Walt Hawks, picks a fight with Troop, who defeats him. His brothers Lacy and Flynn carry him out and warn Troop to stay away from them.
Troop speaks with David Lemp's widow, Dru Lemp, who runs a local eatery and gives her a few of David's personal effects. The young gravedigger from earlier enters and Mrs. Lemp introduces him as Johnny McKay; he works at her eatery. When McKay learns that Troop is looking for a deputy, he offers his services, eager to make a name for himself. Troop attempts to dissuade him, believing him too young to serve as a deputy. McKay leaves, but not before informing Troop that it was Flynn Hawks who murdered David Lemp, and that much of the town witnessed it. At the saloon, Troop gets into a confrontation with Lacy Hawks and places him under arrest, jailing him.
While getting some food from Mrs. Lemp's café, he admits that he was once in a relationship with a woman who was killed by a stray bullet. Troop prepares to face Flynn and Walt Hawks. McKay pleads with him to take him along so he can help, but Troop refuses, believing McKay would only get in the way. Flynn and Walt meet Troop for a showdown. They attempt to flank him; Troop manages to shoot Flynn but Walt is taken out by McKay with a rifle, saving Troop. The episode ends as Troop changes his mind and decides to hire McKay as his deputy. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: October 5, 1958 7:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:29:20
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: T80:0215
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1958-1962
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Camel cigarettes
- TV - Commercials - Cheerios breakfast cereal
CREDITS
- William T. Orr … Executive Producer
- Jules Schermer … Producer
- Montgomery Pittman … Director
- Dean Riesner … Writer
- Harry Whittington … Based on a novel by
- John Russell … Cast, Marshall Dan Troop
- Peter Brown … Cast, Dep. Johnny McKay
- Bek Nelson … Cast, Dru Lemp
- Edward Byrnes (See also: Edd Byrnes) … Cast, Lacy Hawks
- Jack Elam … Cast, Flynn Hawks
- Lee Van Cleef … Cast, Walt Hawks
- Stanley Farrar … Cast, Judge Patterson
- Lane Chandler … Cast, Tom Pike
- Rankin Mansfield … Cast, Carl Shoemaker