THE LONER-Westward the Shoemaker – 1965
This is the eleventh episode of the Rod Serling produced western series, THE LONER. The series ran 26 episodes during 1965-66. Lloyd Bridges is an ex US Army soldier working his way west after the Civil War.
Bridges is riding into a small western town where he plans on taking a job as a cow-hand. He comes across a man walking on foot. The man, David Opatoshu, is an immigrant from Eastern Europe. He is a shoemaker who figures the west could use his skill. Bridges pulls the man up on the back of his horse and takes him into town.
Bridges drops Opatoshu beside an empty store that is for sale. The owner will be back the next day. The shoemaker has saved all his cash, 400 dollars for just a store. He decides to wait for the owner. Bridges steps into the local saloon for a cold beer. He is approached by Warren Stevens. "Would you like a game of cards sir?" Bridges looks him over and sees him for a card sharp and declines the invite. He then grabs a room for the night and gets cleaned up.
Stevens crosses the street and starts up a conversation with Opatushu. The shoemaker unwisely tells Stevens of his plans to buy the store. Stevens invites Opatushu to the saloon for a drink on him. "Something to wash away the dust." says Stevens with a smile.
A short time later, and few drinks too many, Stevens has cleaned out the shoemaker of his stake. Bridges reappears and takes the scene in at an instant. He sits in and challenges Stevens to a game. The cards are dealt, the bet is made. Before the cards are turned over, Bridges says to the gathered crowd that Stevens is a cheat. He then shows the people how he does it. He calls the cards before they are shown.
Stevens offers back the cash and hurries off before the cowboy types get rope happy. Opatushu gets to open his store and orders for new boots flood in.
OK episode of a decent mid 60's duster series. The series was created by Twilight Zone master, Rod Serling. Most of the episodes were also written by Serling.
This episode was directed by actor, turned director, Joseph Pevney. His feature film jobs included directing, SHAKEDOWN, UNDERCOVER GIRL, IRON MAN, THE LADY FROM Texas, FLESH ANF FURY, DESERT LEGION, YANKEE PASHA, MIDNIGHT STORY, CONGO CROSSING and AWAY ALL BOATS. He moved to television as film work ended. As an actor he had bits in the noir, NOCTURNE, BODY AND SOUL, THE STREET WITH NO NAME, OUTSIDE THE Wall and THIEVES' HIGHWAY.
This is the eleventh episode of the Rod Serling produced western series, THE LONER. The series ran 26 episodes during 1965-66. Lloyd Bridges is an ex US Army soldier working his way west after the Civil War.
Bridges is riding into a small western town where he plans on taking a job as a cow-hand. He comes across a man walking on foot. The man, David Opatoshu, is an immigrant from Eastern Europe. He is a shoemaker who figures the west could use his skill. Bridges pulls the man up on the back of his horse and takes him into town.
Bridges drops Opatoshu beside an empty store that is for sale. The owner will be back the next day. The shoemaker has saved all his cash, 400 dollars for just a store. He decides to wait for the owner. Bridges steps into the local saloon for a cold beer. He is approached by Warren Stevens. "Would you like a game of cards sir?" Bridges looks him over and sees him for a card sharp and declines the invite. He then grabs a room for the night and gets cleaned up.
Stevens crosses the street and starts up a conversation with Opatushu. The shoemaker unwisely tells Stevens of his plans to buy the store. Stevens invites Opatushu to the saloon for a drink on him. "Something to wash away the dust." says Stevens with a smile.
A short time later, and few drinks too many, Stevens has cleaned out the shoemaker of his stake. Bridges reappears and takes the scene in at an instant. He sits in and challenges Stevens to a game. The cards are dealt, the bet is made. Before the cards are turned over, Bridges says to the gathered crowd that Stevens is a cheat. He then shows the people how he does it. He calls the cards before they are shown.
Stevens offers back the cash and hurries off before the cowboy types get rope happy. Opatushu gets to open his store and orders for new boots flood in.
OK episode of a decent mid 60's duster series. The series was created by Twilight Zone master, Rod Serling. Most of the episodes were also written by Serling.
This episode was directed by actor, turned director, Joseph Pevney. His feature film jobs included directing, SHAKEDOWN, UNDERCOVER GIRL, IRON MAN, THE LADY FROM Texas, FLESH ANF FURY, DESERT LEGION, YANKEE PASHA, MIDNIGHT STORY, CONGO CROSSING and AWAY ALL BOATS. He moved to television as film work ended. As an actor he had bits in the noir, NOCTURNE, BODY AND SOUL, THE STREET WITH NO NAME, OUTSIDE THE Wall and THIEVES' HIGHWAY.
