User Reviews

A lady killer (literally) rides up to the doorstep of the McCain ranch house looking to sell a book to Mark (Johnny Crawford), or so that it seems. Filling Mark with the tale of Trojan horse, Jason Gowdy (Richard Anderson; this silver screen veteran could be seen all over 50s/60s/70s/80s TV.) learns of Mrs. Seever (Patricia Breslin; Shatner's wife in the great Twilight Zone episode, Nick of Time) being all alone as her husband was out of town. Lucas (Chuck Connors) is tending to a pig pen at Mrs. Seevers' farm when Jason learns of her hubby being gone by Mark. This bit of time allows us to see that Jason is a charmer with a cool confidence in earning people's trust. When Lucas returns, he meets up with Jason and the two engage in minor conversation. Again Jason works up his likable nice guy routine and Lucas has no reason to think he's sinister. This episode thrives on the performance of Anderson. His look is not scary, and Anderson benefits from a kind face and trustworthy personality. He doesn't look like a monster which makes him even more frightening. How does he comfortably enter the houses of women absent men, with his flower seeds? He works up these victims with his politeness, and his act of gaining their trust gets him in the door and at their throats. He likes to break their necks. What else he does is not elaborated but we can make a good guess. Breslin is this vulnerable, little woman who doesn't look like she could harm a fly and when she holds up her shotgun, Anderson's villain doesn't even flinch. Lucas is the hero, but this episode belongs to Anderson totally. Anderson manipulates everyone with his small talk and because there's no shortage of disbelief in himself, people buy what he sells. Like a snake oil salesman (he's a serial killer who occupies his time by trying to sell books so it will afford him the chance to go where he pleases and live comfortably as a journeyman), he is very convincing. It is no surprise this man had a long career (he isn't dead with even a credit in 2013!). There's a gulp-inducing scene where Mark (who was sent by his pa to fetch Micah, the sheriff of North Fork) is resting momentarily and Jason catches up to him. One of the great aspects of this episode is how Jason seems to sneak up on innocents. That element of surprise is an obvious thrill to a killer like Jason Gowdy. Anyway, Jason's main source of trouble is Lucas who always seems to ruin his chances to hurt/kill his latest target, Mrs. Seever. A quick draw will be the deciding factor. A pouch ultimately is the undoing for Jason. Good building of suspense (will Jason hurt Mrs. Seever? Whereabouts is he? He could show up at anytime to threaten the weak…will he?), and a fine showcase for Anderson. A great thirty minutes of western television.

THE RIFLEMAN – Flowers by the Door – 1961

Chuck Connors headlines this 1958 to 1963 western series that ran for 168 episodes. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle. This of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble. This episode is number 92 of the run.

A woman from the next town over is found murdered while her husband is away on business. The only clue is a packet of flower seeds found at the scene. Telegraph wires buzz as news of the murder is sent to all the local law types.

The killer is actually Richard Anderson, who is a smooth talking, travelling book salesman. He stops by the Connors ranch as he is heading to North Fork. Anderson strikes up a conversation with Connors' son, Johnny Crawford while watering his horse. Crawford, thinking Anderson is just a friendly traveller, gives up that his father is helping neighbour, Patrica Breslin. Breslin's husband is away buying cattle, so Connors is doing a few chores for her. Anderson gives the boy a packet of flower seeds as he rides off.

Once Connors finishes helping Breslin, he heads into town to grab a few things. He runs into Sheriff Paul Fix who fills Connors in on the murder. Needless to say the villain of the piece, Anderson, is now on his way to pay a visit to Miss Breslin. Connors, after his return to his ranch from town is talking with son Crawford.

Crawford mentions the friendly stranger who had stopped by. He also mentions that Anderson had asked a lot of questions about the locals. When Crawford shows his father the packet of seeds Connors' "skunk in the woodshed" radar goes off. He grabs his rifle and heads off to check on Breslin. Connors reaches Breslin just in time to prevent Anderson's unwanted advances on her. This results in fists and assorted pieces of lead being sent flying before Anderson beats a hasty retreat.

Anderson, being a right swine, gallops to Connors' ranch and takes Crawford as a hostage. He then returns to Breslin's place. He intends to finish his "business" with Breslin and kill Connors. Things do not quite work out as Anderson hoped after Connors rips him open with several rounds to the gut.

This is a very violent episode with gun play a-plenty. Another episode where the sure hand of director Joseph H. Lewis makes it all look easy.

Stove reads, hoosier. Hoosier stove company wasn't founded until January 1, 1900.