User Reviews

I never thought of Marty Allen as an actor, much less one who could pull off the bad luck but lovable Waldo here. But he does a marvelous job. We cheer for him all the way through, especially when his prayer is answered. Lovely job and a sweet episode that made me smile.

Linda Evans takes center stage in this Big Valley story about a man with a reputation as a jinx comes to work at the Barkley ranch as a fruit picker. Among their many sidelines is growing fresh fruit and this was the days before Latinos predominate in the field of agricultural day laborers. Marty Allen who had just broken up with Steve Rossi as a comedy team and this was his first venture on his own.

As he rides up to the Barkley ranch having been hired in town he sure doesn't impress Peter Breck, but Linda Evans thinks he's kind of sweet and feels sorry for him. She turns out to be his only friend in the place as a run of bad luck befalls everyone else but here. In the end Allen starts believing in himself and gets a bit of assistance from some unseen power in the end.

Marty Allen strikes just the right note as the poor schnook who thinks he has his own personal rain cloud. He makes this Big Valley episode worthwhile to watch.

Marty Allen showed his range playing Waldo a sympathetic character you could root for. His portrayal surprised and got my attention. His performance stayed with me as this is the Big Valley episode I always remember. I used the nickname Waldo Defendorfen on many over the years. RIP the great Marty Allen.

I was never a Marty Allen fan, but he plays a sweet and lovable, but unfortunate character of Waldo Diefendorfer, a man who seems to cause catastrophe just by his presence wherever he goes. When he gets into town, a man who recognizes him steers him to where the Barkley's are hiring.

But is Waldo a schlemiel or a schlimazel? For those who don't know Yiddish, a schlemiel is a bumbler or clumsy oaf while a schlimazel is a very unlucky person. The schlemiel spills the soup, but the schlimazel is the one the soup spills on. Waldo seems to be a bit of both as most of the actual bad luck seems to those around Waldo. True to form, once he starts at the Barkley's, a string of bad events occur. The rest of the workers think he's a jinx and want him to leave, but Audra thinks that if he had a little faith in himself his luck would change. Some will find this episode corny, but I find it one of the best of the series...humorous and sweet.

This is one of my favorite episodes. A good break from the typical western that focused on human behavior. It also featured Audra more then in other episodes in the series. She always adds such kindness and beauty that seemed to be underrated. It was also nice to see that not all episodes require shooting and killing to be entertaining. Having an episode that told a story and featured strength of character was refreshing. I always enjoyed most of the Big Valley shows, but this one was nice to see the first time and every time I see it on repeats. It does not get old and a topic still seen today.

While watching this show all I could think about was I was seeing Curley Joe, from the Three Stooges fame, in an episode of "The Big Valley'. Marty Allen played a doofus with sleepy voice that was one of the best copies of Curley Joe that I ever witnessed. Other than that comment- there was little entertainment value to this off beat show. Marty Allen may have been a good guy but his acting ability in this show leaves much to be desired. I am stunned that others gave this down-on-his-luck show such high marks.

Marty Allen plays Waldo Deifendorfer that is hired by the Barkleys to work on the ranch. The problem with Waldo is that he is bad luck. When he is around everything goes wrong. For some reason Nick is the only Barkley that wants him off the ranch. The others tend to see his nice side instead of what goes on when he is around.

Waldo overhears others conversation plus actions and decides to leave ranch. While Waldo is talking to his mule, Audra decides to intervene and stop Waldo from leaving. Audra feels so bad that she breaks a date with her boyfriend to take Waldo to the dance. Much to the displeasure of Audra's boyfriend Don Jarvis.

As much as the writers wanted us to feel remorse for the lovable Waldo, all I could feel was remorse for the absents of Moe and Larry. The show could have used a little slap to the face or a nose pull to get interest back in the show.

The only good thing about this episode is the eye candy provided by Linda Evans. She is at her most beautiful when she attends the dance. With hair up and a beautiful dress- she is a ten.