Reviews

This is a particularly well-done episode. There's a Cornish family in town, with a domineering father and a daughter who doesn't want to be held to the Old World customs. Dad has promised her to a man she doesn't want to marry, a guy from Cornwall.

That guy is played by Pernell Roberts, who just blew me away with his performance here. He's quiet but powerful, always pretty much in the background. But when he speaks, he's so sincere and strong. And with an excellent Cornish accent, no less.

There's a local hothead who flirts with the girl, and wants a shootout with the Dad, but everything works out fine. (P. S. On a totally trivial note, I'd just like to say that as a woman, I found Mr. Roberts to be smoking hot here.)

Most of the time, this is a pretty good TV Western. But there isn't much favorable to say about this episode. John Doucette is a fine actor, but is not at all convincing as Geronimo. And Angie Dickinson, while lovely as always, has been worked over by the makeup and hair stylists -- She has a full face of makeup and a curly haircut that screams 1965. As stated in the Goofs, there's a big historical error: Geronimo had been back on the reservation for 3 years before the date of this episode. (No way he could have been in Tombstone.) Plus, there isn't a real ending to the story. I'm only giving it 5 stars.

This was a quirky Western, with its foppish smart-ass hero. Pretty unusual for the time it was on TV-- not like the usual Westerns. Gene Barry was a good choice for the lead character, with just the right amount of dry wit, but I totally agree with another reviewer, who noted that Bat was the only certainty in any episode. No other regular characters, and not even a main setting.

I really have to complain here about a couple of things that drive me crazy: "They called him Bat" -- The real man's name was Bartholomew (hence "Bat") William Barclay Masterson, but when asked for his name, this guy leaves out his first name. (???) Also, "He wore a cane..." -- Um, no, you can't "wear" a cane. Hats, yes, canes, no.

One more gripe-- They don't even try for historical accuracy. I saw an episode this afternoon where the town mayor's secretary has a platinum blonde hairdo reminiscent of some starlet from the 1940's! Every time I watch an episode, I see something equally aggravating.

Still, now that I've aired my complaints, it's a pretty fun watch, and you get to see a whole lot of recognizable guest stars.

I have to say that I'm exasperated with so many of the reviews here: people saying that the story dragged, that it was boring, etc. Good God, people, it's not a damn superhero movie! There's gorgeous scenery and a slow build-up of the story that gets wildly suspenseful. Lots of reviewers here seem appallingly unable to pay attention. Someone called Gerard Butler "that Greek actor"...What?! NO, he's Scottish. Another asked "Who's Charlie?" Charlie is the son of Butler's character, and we seem them interacting early in the movie. Another claimed that the characters have wives and children. Again, NO. (Except for Butler's character.) And still another claimed that the movie "could've used a bit more violence." (What??!!) I'm shaking my head. These reviewers should stick with watching cartoons, since they can't pay enough attention to appreciate a film that builds up the tension gradually and leaves the viewer with haunting memories.