“Circle of Fire”

Season:  1 episode 3

Series Episode: 3

Air Date: September 29, 1959

Laramie TV series starring John Smith, Hoagy Carmichael, Robert Crawford, Jr. and Robert Fuller

A Revue Studios production

 

Teaser

Pawnee chief Yellow Knife’s son is shot by a stage line passenger and brought to the Sherman Ranch. Will anyone survive his father’s vengeance?

 

Cast & Crew Lists

Cast

CharacterRoleActorActor AgeStatus
"Slim" ShermanOwner - Sherman Ranch & Relay StationJohn Smith28Credited
Jess HarperSherman ranch handRobert Fuller26Credited
"Jonesy"Sherman foremanHoagy Carmichael69Credited
Andy ShermanOwner - Sherman Ranch & Relay StationRobert Crawford, Jr.15Credited
Bert Bigelow Stage line passengerRobert F. Simon50Credited
Abner CrableStage line passengerFrank Ferguson52Credited
Martha ChambersStage line passengerMarsha Hunt41Credited
Calvin "Cal" Dalyrumple Stagecoach shotgunJohn Pickard46Credited
David "Long Eye" Prescott Stage line passengerErnest Borgnine42Credited
Yellow KnifePawnee chiefFrank de Kova49Credited
Mose ShellStagecoach driverEddy Waller70Credited
Plains Cavalry lieutenantJame Griffith43Credited
TaacaYellow Knife's sonUncredited
George CrookPlains Cavalry generalMentioned
CarterPlains Cavalry generalMentioned
NorthPlains cavalry soldierMentioned

Crew

DirectorVirgil W. Vogel
TeleplayJohn Dunkel
StoryJohn C. Champion & John Dunkel
ProducerJohn C. Champion
Laramie ThemeCyril Mockridge
Music ScoreCyril Mockridge
Arranged and Adapted byArthur Morton
Director of PhotographyRay Rennahan, A. S. C.
Associate ProducerDan Ullman
Art DirectorLloyd S. Papez
Editorial Dept. Head (Supervisor)Richard G. Wray, A.C.E.
Film EditorEugene Pendleton
Musical SupervisionStanley Wilson
SoundStephen J. Bass
Makeup ArtistJack Barron
Hair StylistFlorence Bush
Costume & WardrobeVincent Dee
Series Stuntmen (uncredited)Paul Baxley, Joe Canutt. Bill Catching, Chuck Courtney, John Daheim, Leonard P. Geer, Sol Gorss, Charles Horvath, Robert F. Hoy, Loren Janes, Allen Pinson, Chuck Roberson, Ronnie Rondell Jr., Dean Smith, Tom Steele, Jerry Summers, Jack Williams
Note: Robert Fuller often performed his own stunts in the series.
Assistant DirectorJack Doran
Set DecorationClarence Steensen

 

Epilogue – based upon the teleplay “Circle of Fire” by John Dunkel and story by John C. Champion & John Dunkel

 

(The cavalry soldiers are milling around in the ranch yard. ABNER CRABLE and BERT BIGELOW come out of the ranch house. followed by JONESY. They walk over to where MOSE and JESS HAPER are getting the stagecoach ready to leave.)

 

SLIM SHERMAN: Bye, Abner.

 

ABNER CRABLE: Thank you, Slim.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: Bigalow.

 

BERT BIGELOW: Bye, Mr. Sherman.

 

(MARTHA CHAMBERS comes out of the ranch house and ANDY SHERMAN walks up to her.)

 

MARTHA CHAMBERS: I’m glad your friend got back safely, Andy.

 

ANDY SHERMAN: Yes’m. Sorry about the major, though. He was the bravest man I’ve ever seen.

 

MARTHA CHAMBERS: Remember that about him, Andy.

 

MARTHA CHAMBERS: (Walks to SLIM SHERMAN) I asked for a miracle. Sometimes our prayers are answered in difficult ways.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: We all owe our lives to him. The least we can do is live them.

 

MARTHA CHAMBERS: I hope I can do that. I’m going to try.

 

MOSE : All set, ma’am?

 

MARTHA CHAMBERS: Goodbye, Mr. Sherman.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: Goodbye. (SLIM SHERMAN helps MARTHA CHAMBERS up into the Great Central Overland Mail coach and shuts the door.)

 

SLIM SHERMAN: Alright, take it away.

 

MOSE: Hyah!

 

(Soldiers and stagecoach leave together.)

 

 

Historical References

General George Crook

Red Sticks

 

Geographic Reference

Fort Laramie, Wyoming Territory, United States of America

 

Fare

Coffee

Sandwiches

 

Song Reference

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

 

 

Sources: Laramie episodes (written, spoken and credits), Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Wikipedia, individual observations, and others as indicated by the links.

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