Alias Smith and Jones (1971–1973)

Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry, two of the most wanted outlaws in the history of the West, are popular "with everyone except the railroads and the banks", since "in all the trains and banks ... See full summary »

Creator:

Glen A. Larson

Stars:

Ben Murphy, Pete Duel, Roger Davis

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Ben Murphy	...	Jed 'Kid' Curry (alias Thaddeus Jones) (50 episodes, 1971-1973)
Pete Duel	...	Hannibal Heyes (alias Joshua Smith) (33 episodes, 1971-1972)
Roger Davis	...	Hannibal Heyes (alias Joshua Smith) (18 episodes, 1971-1973)

Storyline

Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry, two of the most wanted outlaws in the history of the West, are popular "with everyone except the railroads and the banks", since "in all the trains and banks they robbed, they never shot anyone". They are offered an amnesty on condition that they stay out of trouble for a year and that they don't tell anyone about it. With a view to keeping their noses clean they adopt the identities of Smith and Jones and use all of their ingenuity keeping out of the way of the law.

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Plot Keywords:

four word title | star died during filming | satire | wild west | character name in title

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Genres:

Comedy | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Due onesti fuorilegge

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal TV, Universal/Public Arts Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (50 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

When it was later broadcast in the UK after its run on US TV, it became one of the most popular American shows ever shown in the UK. So popular was it, that a later British show used a title that was a parody of it, 1984's Smith & Jones.

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Goofs

During the entire show, Heyes and Curry have either one pair of saddlebags each, or nothing at all, yet they continually appear in different recurring outfits, including heavy coats, suits (with matching hats), and different vest/jacket combinations.

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Quotes

Jed 'Kid' Curry: Heyes, there's only one thing been keepin' you alive all this time.
Hannibal Heyes: And what's that?
Jed 'Kid' Curry: Me.

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Connections

Follows Alias Smith and Jones: Alias Smith and Jones (1971)

User Reviews

A unique Western series - of wit, charm and poignancy

In the world of "Smith and Jones" nothing and no one can be trusted. Heyes and the Kid are wanted outlaws, but compared to the respectable citizens - lawyer, sheriff, banker, nun - who swindle, lie, betray and try to kill them, they are new-born innocents. No matter how brilliant Heyes' latest scheme, it's bound to end in disaster, and even if they DO make a little money, someone will steal it. Not that WE are any better at knowing what will happen next:

"Everything's under CONTROL!" cries the harassed deputy, and the Bank explodes.

Heyes and the Kid are not great romantic rebels like Butch Cassidy and Sundance; they are just, like the rest of us, trying to earn an honest living in a treacherous world. But they ARE inspiring nonetheless in the depth of their friendship - at a crisis, they never have to confer -and in their empathy with other outcasts:

"We like to think there's a little bad in everyone," says Heyes, enjoying the joke.

While earlier Western series may have tended to sermonize, "Smith and Jones" never takes itself too seriously, but charms us with its modesty into acceptance of the values it recommends.