This first episode of this 50s Western TV series holds up well-after all, it deals with a boy’s love for a horse and features some nicely developed characters. Starring Peter Graves (brother of James Arness) as Jim Newton, a rancher, the show opens with Jim’s quest to capture a wild black stallion. His friend, old timer Pete, is with him in his quest and Pete’s quite a character. He makes the comment that he cut his teeth “on a branding iron!”
The show incorporates solid acting and nice cinematography of the scenic mountains and woods. In a town scene, Jim spots two young boys who get into a fight. One, named Joey, gets the better of the other boy, and the defeated boy throws a rock into a store window in frustration. Unfortunately, he races off and Joey gets the blame as he’s nabbed by the storekeeper. Joey has to go to court and face the judge, who is about to send him to the Whitfield Home for delinquent boys when Jim, who followed them to court, speaks up on behalf of Joey. He explains it was the other boy who broke the store window. Jim is willing to take Joey in for a time, and the judge allows it.
During the episode we learn more about Jim. Pete helps keep house for him because Jim’s wife died in an accident, hit by a drunk driver in a car accident. Pete tells Jim that he needs a wife. Pete happens to tell Jim this after Pete forgot to do the laundry!
When they arrive at the ranch Jim tells Joey that there’s food to eat and where the bath house is. Humorously, Joey replies the food sounds good but that he could do without the bath! He’s a typical boy for sure.
Jim manages to capture the wild horse and to hold him in his corral. Joey, fascinated by the wild stallion, and feeling like a kindred spirit, offers him an apple, and Fury (the name given to him by Pete), seems to trust the young boy. But lurking in the background is Jim’s ranch worker Bart, who wants to be cruel to the horse. He comes after Fury with a whip for no good reason and when Joey falls in the corral, Bart blames Fury.
This misunderstanding will have to be cleared up as Jim doesn’t believe Joey’s story that Bart caused the problem. Bart claims he came in with the whip after Fury attacked Joey. Joey, crestfallen that Jim doesn’t believe him that it wasn’t Fury’s fault, writes a note and runs away. But the new school teacher, Helen Watkins, helps Jim to realize that Joey is disappointed because his “idol” (Jim) has clay feet. In other words, Jim didn’t believe Joey’s story even though the two had agreed to always level with one another. Jim goes in pursuit of Joey. We won’t give the ending away but Joey finds Fury with an injured leg, and when he runs off to tell Jim, Bart shows up with a shotgun. Will it be too late for Fury?
This exciting Western show has met the criteria for our Dove seal and has earned the Dove seal for All Ages. It is a wholesome show with some nice values displayed.
The Dove Take
Your entire family will enjoy this inspiring show with its family values so don’t miss this one.
