This was a favorite of mine when I was a boy. Who wouldn't like a cool gunfighter, dressed all in black, who epitomized savoir faire long, long before I had a clue what that meant. As an adult (old adult), I can look upon these tight little morality tales written and executed with the sardonic wit of Ambrose Bierce with admiration and understanding. Now of course I recognize the allusions of Paladin to Shakespeare and other classic authors and appreciate just how well written many of these episodes were, and wonder how did this series last for six seasons in an America that boasted a handful of college graduates and a plethora of viewers who at best had a high school education. I don't want to appear snobbish, but in the Ohio I grew up in, most people worked in the steel mills or had other back breaking jobs; and their enjoyment was found frequently in the local taverns drinking down depth charges; and not pondering the condition of mankind.
Many writers got their starts writing here: Bruce Geller, Gene L. Coon. Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson, Samuel A. Peeples, among others. Of course, many of the guest stars went on to long careers in both film and TV.
The basic idea was simple: someone needed a gunslinger and wired Paladin; but more often than not they didn't get quite what they expected. Rather than a cold killer, they found they had hired a man with a strong moral compass who while was not averse to killing, but did so reluctantly and only when all other avenues had become blind alleys.
Perhaps it was just the appeal of Richard Boone who wasn't handsome but had that kind of "persona" we associate today with actors like Daniel Craig. Most of the episodes stand up well, unfortunately in reruns they tend to chop off the opening comments of Boone's voice over as he pulled his gun out of the holster and set the tone for the episode. Even truncated, Have Gun is still a good watch.
Many writers got their starts writing here: Bruce Geller, Gene L. Coon. Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson, Samuel A. Peeples, among others. Of course, many of the guest stars went on to long careers in both film and TV.
The basic idea was simple: someone needed a gunslinger and wired Paladin; but more often than not they didn't get quite what they expected. Rather than a cold killer, they found they had hired a man with a strong moral compass who while was not averse to killing, but did so reluctantly and only when all other avenues had become blind alleys.
Perhaps it was just the appeal of Richard Boone who wasn't handsome but had that kind of "persona" we associate today with actors like Daniel Craig. Most of the episodes stand up well, unfortunately in reruns they tend to chop off the opening comments of Boone's voice over as he pulled his gun out of the holster and set the tone for the episode. Even truncated, Have Gun is still a good watch.