At the end of this, I will give the words to the Gunslinger Theme. I found a VHS tape at a yard sale with the title GUNSLINGER Volume I, The Diehards in a brown and black clamshell case. I was watching Westerns at this time but somehow missed this one. I see it was only on one season so perhaps that is why. Therefore, I've only seen this one episode, and can only comment on it, not the whole series. In this episode though, I did like what I saw and heard. I can't imagine why it was canceled, but who knows what was going on in those back rooms of the studio. Although it generally follows the normal Western themes, it also took some different routes as well. The acting was very good and boosted with excellent professional character actors. Tony Young played the Gunslinger Cord. It seemed that he was trying to make his voice deeper than it was, but perhaps it was his real voice or maybe it was a director yelling - deeper, deeper! His acting was good though and one does get caught up in the story. In this one, he helps a cavalry sergeant who is accused of leaving his men to be murdered or ambushed. Not to give away the end, but the story gets more involved with some twists and turns and that is where it differs from other Westerns of the era. A very good story line. At the bottom of the video cassette is the web address www.captainbijou.com so perhaps, if it is still working, you could order any available copies for yourself if interested. In addition to Tony Young, in this episode were Preston Foster as Captain Wingate, John Pickard as Sgt. Major John Murdock, Charles D. Gray as Pico McGuire, Dee Pollock as Billy Urchin, Arline Sax (Martel) (later played Spock's bride on Star Trek, opposite Robert Culp at Trent on Outer Limits and on the original Battlestar Galactica) as Laurie, Midge Ware as Amby Hollister, Lloyd Corrigan as Dr. Amos Bennett, Quentin Sondergaard as the messenger, William B. Corrie as Lt. Wilcox, William Boyett as Jessup and others. This video appears to be copied right from the original "whatever" millimeter film that was used if one watches it to the end. The credits at the end are very light and hard to read. I mention this because I was trying to see who was who and noticed that there was no credit given for the man who played Fielding (a criminal). Also, there is a girl who works at a trading post or small bar or restaurant and no credit is given nor is her name mentioned in the show. I see on IMDb that there is a Midge Ware who plays Amby Hollister so I am assuming that to be her. There is a Corporal named Blane I believe and it looked like his name may be Lewis Trumbull but I am not sure. In treasure hunting players in these old shows, it is fun to look for a familiar face. I was sure I recognized the sergeant of the guard from some old John Wayne movies like Fort Apache. I'm almost sure he was Jack Pennick who played Sgt. Daniel Shattuck in Fort Apache. He was the oldest looking one with white hair. If you are able to get hold of this episode of Gunslinger, watch the part in the beginning when Captain Wingate has the sergeant take the belt and gun of the Sgt. Major. That other sergeant sure looks like Jack Pennick although there was no mention of him or the part in the credits at the end. It is also not mentioned on IMDb. Well anyway, I thought it was interesting. Now to make up for that rambling I wrote down the words to the theme song of Gunslinger for you Gunslinger fans out there. I paid attention to this because I recognized the voice of the singer. It was none other than Frankie Laine famous for singing Mule Train and Rawhide. OK, here are the words to Gunslinger - Gunslinger, Gunslinger, Where do you ride? What do you fight for today? When folks need a hand - you're on their side. Gunslinger, Gunslinger ride away. You let someone else be the first one to draw, on your speed you depend. And there are times when your guns' the only law, fighting to help a friend. Gunslinger, will you return - or meet your end. Gunslinger ride on, Gunslinger ride on, Gunslinger ride away. This last part repeats one more time increasing in volume. Hope that brings back happy memories for someone. Bottom line - a good Western TV show to watch, well acted and a bit of a cut above the usual.
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