“The Dark Trail”
“The Dark Trail”
Season: 2 episode 7
Series Episode: 38*
Air Date: November 1, 1960
Laramie TV series satarring John Smith and Robert Fuller
A Revue Studios production
*This is the only episode in the series with a voice-over prologue.
Teaser
Liars never prosper. Cheaters never win. However, a lot of people can be hurt in the process.
Cast & Crew Lists
Cast
| Character | Role | Actor | Actor Age | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Slim" Sherman | Owner - Sherman ranch and relay station | John Smith | 29 | Credited | |
| Jess Harper | Sherman ranch hand | Robert Fuller | 27 | Credited | |
| Hoot | Jess' horse | Hoot | Uncredited | ||
| Celie Bronson | Sam's daughter | Gigi Perreau | 19 | Credited | |
| Sam Bronson | Ranch owner | Harold J. Stone | 47 | Credited | |
| Betz | Outlaw leader | L. Q. Jones | 33 | Credited | |
| Mr.Creighton | Stage line employee | Vinton Hayworth | 54 | Credited | |
| Jack Fletcher (alias Sandy Kayle) | Outlaw | Robert Vaughn | 27 | Credited | |
| Todd | Marshal New Mexico Territory | Stuart Randall | 51 | Credited | |
| Perry | Bronson's ranch hand | Bob Anderson | 40 | Credited | |
| Cold Creek doctor | Henry Hunter | 53 | Credited | ||
| Ferris | Outlaw | Lenny Greer | Uncredited | ||
| Clay | Outlaw | Uncredited | |||
| Cold Creek hotel clerk | Uncredited | ||||
| Cold Creek sheriff | |||||
| Tim Smith | Mentioned |
Crew
| Director | Francis D. Lyon | ||||
| Teleplay | Milton Geiger | ||||
| Story | Dan Ullman | ||||
| Producer | John C. Champion | ||||
| Laramie Theme | Cyril J. Mockridge | ||||
| Music Score | Cyril Mockridge | ||||
| Director of Photography | Gilbert Warrington | ||||
| Associate Producer | Dan Ullman | ||||
| Art Director | Lloyd S. Papez | ||||
| Editorial Dept. Head/Supervisor | David J. O'Connell | ||||
| Film Editor | John C. Fuller, A.C.E. | ||||
| Musical Supervision | Stanley Wilson | ||||
| Sound | Clarence E. Self | ||||
| Makeup Artist | Jack Barron | ||||
| Hair Stylist | Florence Bush | ||||
| Costume & Wardrobe | Vincent 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. | ||||
| Set Decoration | John McCarthy/Perry Murdock |
Epilogue – based on “The Dark Trail,” a teleplay by Milton Geiger and story by Dan Ullman
(The horses are moving around in the Sherman ranch corral. MR. CRAIGHTON, SLIM SHERMAN and JESS HARPER are resting their arms on the corral gate.)
MR. CRAIGHTON: I don’t know, all these horses you brought in look kinda beat.
JESS HARPER: I reckon you would be too if you’d come as far as they did.
SLIM SHERMAN: Oh listen, what Jess means is you can’t travel a horse on a lead line over two hundred miles of rough country and expect him to look his best.
MR. CRAIGHTON: Well, I guess they’ll fill out. Even if they don’t, I s’pose we can always use them for standby teams.
SLIM SHERMAN: Well, then it’s a deal.
MR. CRAIGHTON: Yeah…yeah. You know I can’t help envyin’ you two.
JESS HARPER: Wha d’ya’ mean?
MR. CRAIGHTON: Well, just being able to pick up and go like you did going south to pick up these bangtails. (Laughs) You must have had quite a time for yourself, didn’t ya?
JESS HARPER: Yeah, I guess I did.
MR. CRAIGHTON: What d’ya mean ya guess ya did? I remember more than a few of those trail town saloons you musta been in. Heh-heh! Was in them myself when I was about your age. ‘Bout broke my heart when I had to go back to work. Yes sir, you young fellas sure got it easy.
(SLIM SHERMAN and JESS HARPER watch MR. CRAIGHTON leave and grin at each other, stifling laughter as they turn back to the corral.)
Geographic References
Cold Creek, Colorado Territory, United States of America
Colorado Springs, Colorado Territory, United States of America
Fort Collins, Colorado Territory, United States of America
Jefferson Territory, United States of America
New Mexico Territory, United States of America
Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory, United States of America
Fare
Coffee
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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