RAWHIDE: THE GENTLEMAN'S GENTLEMAN (TV)
Summary
One in this western series about the adventures of cattlemen driving herds along the Sedalia Trail, from Texas to Kansas.
In this episode, dignified English Lord Ashton and his faithful valet Woolsey track an elusive albino bison through the southwest, and they soon encounter "hide man" Bob Driscoll, who is determined to trap and skin the animals at any cost. Elsewhere, Favor and his men realize that Driscoll is likely the same person who poisoned a nearby town's water supply, killing many livestock and endangering the people. Favor then tries to rescue Lord Ashton, who has been fatally shot in the back. With his dying breaths, Ashton instructs a devastated Woolsey to transfer his loyalties to the "chivalrous" Favor and his crew. Favor modestly insists that a trail boss does not require a valet, but Woolsey insists that he deserves the services of a "gentleman's gentleman." Favor is flustered when Woolsey prepares an elegant meal and a hot bath for his new "master," and he awkwardly attempts to explain that he and his men are all considered equals out in the West.
Favor learns that Driscoll intends to set a dangerous range fire in order to force the bison into a limited area. When he refuses to listen to reason, they head into the nearest town and recruit some locals to outnumber the hide men. Woolsey, determined to avenge Ashton, heads into town first and secures a room for the night; a series of mix-ups leads Emily and Lydia, Mayor Osgood's wife and widowed sister, to think that Woolsey is actually Ashton. Mayor Osgood tells Favor and Nolan that he is powerless to stop Driscoll, as his hides provide the town with essential income. But when he learns that Favor's team rode into town with "Lord Ashton," he schemes to secure an investment from the wealthy British lord and invites them all to an upcoming banquet.
Woolsey is appalled at the idea of impersonating his late master, but Favor and the others convince him to play the part. At the banquet, Woolsey charms the crowd and flirts with Lydia, though he almost betrays his origins when he instinctively begins serving the champagne. Asked to give a speech, he encourages the townspeople to support Mayor Osgood's plans. Next, Mayor Osgood, Favor, Woolsey and several others ride out to confront Driscoll about the range fire. When Driscoll scornfully suggests that Woolsey is not, in fact, Lord Ashton, Woolsey challenges him to a formal duel. Driscoll mildly injures Woolsey, who then reveals himself to be the lord's valet and accuses Driscoll of murdering Ashton in cold blood; Driscoll and his men arethen forced to flee. Despite the lie, Mayor Osgood and the townspeople realize that they have grown fond of the honorable Woolsey, and Woolsey, having taken a shine to Lydia, decides to stay behind and make a new home there as Favor and his men ride out. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: December 15, 1961 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:46:19
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:50938
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1959-1966
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Endre Bohem … Producer
- Mel Epstein … Associate Producer
- Sobey Martin … Director
- J.E. Selby … Writer
- Dimitri Tiomkin … Theme Music by
- Ned Washington … Theme Music by
- Frankie Lane … Theme Music by
- Eric Fleming … Cast, Gil Favor
- Clint Eastwood … Cast, Rowdy Yates
- Sheb Wooley … Cast, Pete Nolan
- Paul Brinegar … Cast, Wishbone
- Brian Aherne … Cast, Woolsey
- James Murdock … Cast, Mushy
- Steve Raines … Cast, Jim Quince
- Rocky Shahan … Cast, Joe Scarlet
- Robert Cabal … Cast, Hey Soos
- John Sutton … Cast, Lord Ashton
- Richard Shannon … Cast, Bison Bob Driscoll
- Russell Thorson … Cast, Mayor Thurman Osgood
- Sheila Bromley … Cast, Lydia
- Kathryn Card … Cast, Mrs. Emily Osgood
- Don Harvey … Cast, Collins
- Jay Silverheels … Cast, Pawnee Joe
- John Hart … Cast, Spence
- Paul Barselow … Cast, Mr. Whimple
- Lane Chandler … Cast, Sheriff
- Tom Graham … Cast, Livery Man
- Jean Harvey … Cast, Woman
- Mark Slade … Cast, Bellboy
- Elizabeth Furedi … Cast, Bit Woman