“The Confederate Express”

 

Season:     3 episode 18
Series Episode:  82
Air Date: January 30, 1962
Laramie TV series starring John Smith, Robert Fuller, Spring Byington and Dennis Holmes
A Revue Studios production

 

Teaser

Jess and Slim step between the Kerrigan brothers and Matt Grundy and find out things aren’t what they appear.

 

 

Cast & Crew Lists

Cast

CharacterRoleActorActor AgeStatus
'Slim" ShermanOwner - Sherman ranch and relay stationJohn Smith30Credited
Jess HarperSherman ranch handRobert Fuller28Credited
Daisy CooperSherman housekeeperSpring Byington75Credited
Mike WilliamsOrphanDennis Holmes11Credited
Slim's horseAlamoUncredited
HootJess' horseHootUncredited
FirthLaramie hotel clerkGage Clarke61Credited
Martha Grundy (alias Ms. Whitmer)Matt Grundy's wifePeggy Webber57Credited
Matt GrundyOutlawJohn Larch47Credited
Tina GrundyMat Grundy's daughterJennifer Gillespie7Credited
Amos KerriganClay Kerrigan's brother/VigilanteDean Stanton35Credited
Clay KerriganVigilante from SheridanSteve Brodie42Credited
Luke KerriganClay Kerrigan's brother/VigilanteJames Beck26Credited
Laramie blacksmithGeorge Cisar49Credited
Laramie doctorDon Beddoe58Credited
AdamsLaramie bankerUncredited
Laramie tellerUncredited
Laramie townsman yelling fireLenny Geer47Uncredited
Laramie boy (2)Uncredited
Laramie townsman brings Jess to hotelUncredited
Bill BatesAssisting at Sherman relay stationMentioned
Mort CoryLaramie sheriffMentioned

 

Crew

DirectorLesley Selander
TeleplayPaul Savage
StoryJohn Champion
ProducerJohn Champion
Laramie ThemeCyril J. Mockridge
Music ScoreCyril Mockridge
Director of PhotographyRay Rennahan, A. S. C.
Associate ProducerDan Ullman
Art DirectorAlex Mayer
Editorial Dept. Head/SupervisorDavid J. O'Connell
Editorial Color ConsultantAlex Quiroga
Color Processing byConsolidated Film Industries
Film EditorJohn C. Fuller, A.C.E.
Musical SupervisionStanley Wilson
SoundJohn W. Rixey
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, Hemet, 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 DirectorNat Holt, Jr.
Set DecorationJohn McCarthy & Perry Murdock

 

 

Epilogue – based on “The Confederate Express,” a teleplay by Paul Savage and story by John C. Champion

 

(The KERRIGAN BROTHERS are at the Sherman ranch, getting ready to leave on the stagecoach. SLIM SHERMAN and JESS HARPER flank the brothers. The STAGECOACH DRIVER and SHOTGUN are on top of the stagecoach, loading luggage.)

 

CLAY KERRIGAN: Well, I guess we shouldn’ta rode in ’til that trail was cleaned up.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: Yeah, a little talkin’ woulda saved a lot of trouble.

 

CLAY KERRIGAN: Yeah.

 

LUKE KERRIGAN: (Offers his hand to JESS HARPER. They shake hands.) I’m sorry for what happened, Harper.

 

JESS HARPER: Yeah, so am I.

 

AMOS KERRIGAN: Next time you get up Sheridan way we’ll sure try to make it up to ya. (Offers his hand to JESS HARPER, who shakes it.)

 

JESS HARPER I’ll hold ya to that.

 

AMOS KERRIGAN: Thanks again.

 

JESS HARPER: You bet.

 

LUKE KERRIGAN: So long, Slim.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: So long.

 

(The three KERRIGAN BROTHERS get in the stagecoach.)

 

SLIM SHERMAN: (Waves to the STAGECOACH DRIVER) Alright.

 

(The stagecoach pulls out.)

 

SLIM SHERMAN: Boy, I’d sure rather face one of Grundy’s grenades again than see Mrs. Whitmer right now.

 

JESS HARPER: Well didn’t Daisy tell ya? We went over there yesterday. Daisy talked her into takin’ the reward money.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: Well no foolin’. How’d she manage that?

 

JESS HARPER: Well, it wasn’t easy, but Daisy convinced her that that’s the way Grundy wanted it.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: I’m glad.

 

JESS HARPER: Well, I hope ya stay that way.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: Wha’d ya mean?

 

JESS HARPER: Well, she decided to put a new roof on the place, paint the house up some.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: So?

 

JESS HARPER: So… ah, I told her you’d come over next week and do it for her.

 

SLIM SHERMAN: You -You told her I would go over there and do it for her?

 

JESS HARPER: Yeah, while I’m in Cheyenne picking up that new stage.

 

(JESS HARPER saunters off into the ranch house. SLIM SHERMAN waits a moment and then follows him.)

 

 

 

 

Historical Reference

Hunting arrows

 

 

Geographic References

Cedar Bend, Oregon, United States of America

Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, United States of America

Laramie, Wyoming Territory, United States of America

Medicine Bow, Wyoming, United States of America

Sheridan, Wyoming Territory, United States of America

 

Fare

Bread

Cake

Chicken and dumplings

Coffee

Cookies

Lemonade

Molasses candy

Apple pie

 

 

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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