The Hanging of Aaron Gibbs (4 Nov. 1961)

Paladin crosses paths with Sarah Gibbs on her way to see her husband's hanging for a crime he did commit. A proper burial is all she is seeking but she has a paper that says she can't even ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Boone

Writers:

Herb Meadow (creator), Sam Rolfe (creator),

Stars:

Richard Boone, Roy Barcroft, Barry Cahill

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Richard Boone	...	Paladin
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Roy Barcroft	...	Marshal
Barry Cahill	...	Perrell
Rupert Crosse	...	Aaron Jedediah Gibbs
Stewart East	...	Mullaney
Edward Faulkner	...	Jim Harden (as Ed Faulkner)
Hal Needham	...	Turner
Odetta	...	Sarah Gibbs
Peggy Rea	...	Widow

Storyline

Paladin crosses paths with Sarah Gibbs on her way to see her husband's hanging for a crime he did commit. A proper burial is all she is seeking but she has a paper that says she can't even visit him. When one deputy wants to just drop the bodies in the mine, there is a tug of conscience between the relatives, Sarah and Paladin.

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 1961 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Bend, Oregon, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Strong Entry

Powerful, well thought out episode, shrewdly directed by Boone himself. Paladin escorts wife (Odetta) of condemned man to his hanging. People of the mining camp deny the wife visiting and burial rights because several of their loved ones were buried under a rock cave-in caused by the condemned men. Now Paladin must separate justice from vengeance.

That opening scene is a little gem of modulated emotion from both Boone and Odetta. Impressive is the way the script supplies believable motives to everyone, including the most violent. And since the feelings on all sides are so strong and understandable, the result is unusually riveting.

Several notable features— scenic location is Bend, Oregon, not the usual Southern Sierras; producers even popped for a skimpy gallous frame (for lowering a mining bucket down a shaft) that also serves as a gallows for the condemned men; one of the few shows of the time to feature two black people (Odetta & Crosse), even though their color is not critical to the story itself.

All in all, it's an outstanding entry in every department.