Paladin

[Subdeacon Joe]

"Have Gun – Will Travel, which premiered on September 14, 1957, introduced TV's "Fancy Cowboy," Paladin, played by Richard Boone. A cultured, educated gunfighter for hire, Paladin was known for his sharp mind, refined manners, and business card that read "Have Gun – Will Travel." 
The series stood out for its blend of action, moral complexity, and sophistication, making Paladin a unique and memorable Western hero. With compelling storylines and Boone’s iconic performance, the show became a classic, leaving a lasting legacy in the Western genre. Its theme song and influence continue to resonate even 65 years later."

 

 

 

 

 

[Will Kane]

We had debates during grade school recess about whether or not “Wire” was his first name.

[Alpo]

I read that first line as GRAD SCHOOL, and I was thinking that college kids were that damn stupid back then, too.

[ShadowCatcher]

43 minutes ago, Will Kane said:

We had debates during grade school recess about whether or not “Wire” was his first name.

Not surprising since most modern folks don't use telegraphs very much, and even less knew that Wire was slang for sending a telegraph.

[Rip Snorter]

Depends on age and experience - there were still singing telegrams and Western Union to the door when I was a small boy.  A fine show, which I much enjoyed.  My folks had show biz friends who said Boone was intensely private and did not tolerate fans who intruded in restaurants and similar places.  If I recall, he had boxing background.

[Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439]

I love that Gene Roddenberry wrote a lot of the earlier episodes and Victor McLaglen’s son Andrew directed them!  We see the between 8-9am on H&I (ch 210 on Xfinity). 

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

Hal Needham did a lot of the stunts for the Paladin character, this before he became a director.  Ozzie Nelson's son David was an assistant director, if I recall correctly.  The show is still on TV.

[Rye Miles #13621]

One of my favorites as a kid. It’s still on either MeTV or Grit and I watch it occasionally! 

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

Love the series. In one episode he explains that his gun has a one ounce trigger pull. There were a few times where he was disarmed and someone had his gun.  Wouldn't be good with that trigger pull weight.

[Alpo]

1 hour ago, Smokin Gator SASS #29736 said:

In one episode he explains that his gun has a one ounce trigger pull

That was in the opening credits for the first few episodes. He holds that seven and a half inch Single Action Army up there and announces that it's a custom-made Hamilton with a one ounce trigger pull.

 

But that idiotic statement didn't stay in the credits all that long.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

12 hours ago, Will Kane said:

We had debates during grade school recess about whether or not “Wire” was his first name.

[Alpo]

13 hours ago, Will Kane said:

We had debates during grade school recess about whether or not “Wire” was his first name.

When I first saw his alias here in the Saloon (ACS) I could not understand how he came up with the name Wire Paladin. It had been so long since I had seen the show I did not remember what his business card said.

[Jack Spade]

At the Tulsa arms show a couple of years ago there was a whole table of Paladin memorabilia for sale including the original holsters, guns, clothing items and lots of posters and other things from the show.  Guy said he bought the whole lot from Boone's estate. 

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

I bought the entire series on DVD about ten yrs ago. I am currently watching the series again, I'm on season two right now.  The series was remastered and is clear as a bell, just as if they were filmed yesterday.  

[watab kid]

watched it a lot - enjoyed it a lot , 

[Smokin Gator SASS #29736]

28 minutes ago, Buffalo Creek Law Dog said:

I bought the entire series on DVD about ten yrs ago. I am currently watching the series again, I'm on season two right now.  The series was remastered and is clear as a bell, just as if they were filmed yesterday.  

 

I see that with some of the old TV series. On a modern big screen with a good print of a TV series or movie you see them much better then you ever did decades ago.

[Will Kane]

16 hours ago, Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439 said:

I love that Gene Roddenberry wrote a lot of the earlier episodes and Victor McLaglen’s son Andrew directed them!  We see the between 8-9am on H&I (ch 210 on Xfinity). 

Victor McLaglen himself appeared in a Season 1 episode, The O’Hare Story. He started out being Paladin’s presumed adversary and ended up being his ally and friend.

[Sixgun Seamus]

His gun and leather are in the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

[Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619]

At the same time Richard Boone was known as the heroic Paladin, he played two great Western villains: Frank Usher in the Tall T (with Randolph Scott and Margaret O'Sullivan), and Cicero Grimes in Hombre. The former in 1957, the latter in 1967, with Paul Newman and a great ensemble cast. Grimes in particular is a really great bad man.

 

Both movies based on Elmore Leonard stories. Are there other examples of the same guy playing classic heroes and classic villains in Westerns?

[DocWard]

20 hours ago, Alpo said:

I read that first line as GRAD SCHOOL, and I was thinking that college kids were that damn stupid back then, too.

 

What, you didn't consider drunk or stoned?

[Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439]

2 hours ago, Will Kane said:

Victor McLaglen himself appeared in a Season 1 episode, The O’Hare Story. He started out being Paladin’s presumed adversary and ended up being his ally and friend.

Yes he did an engineer. I believe his sin directed it as well. 

[Rye Miles #13621]

3 hours ago, Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 said:

At the same time Richard Boone was known as the heroic Paladin, he played two great Western villains: Frank Usher in the Tall T (with Randolph Scott and Margaret O'Sullivan), and Cicero Grimes in Hombre. The former in 1957, the latter in 1967, with Paul Newman and a great ensemble cast. Grimes in particular is a really great bad man.

 

Both movies based on Elmore Leonard stories. Are there other examples of the same guy playing classic heroes and classic villains in Westerns?

He was also a bad guy in The Shootist, he’s was Sweeney

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

4 minutes ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

He was also a bad guy in The Shootist, he’s was Sweeney

He was also the head Bad Guy, John Fain, in "Big Jake".

Edited November 30, 2024 by Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770

[Trailrider #896]

Don't forget "Heck Ramsey", the scientifically inclined lawman, with a short-barreled Colt's.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

29 minutes ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

He was also the head Bad Guy, John Fain, in "Big Jake".

I thought you was dead 

Edited November 30, 2024 by Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

13 minutes ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

I thought you were dead 

Not hardly.