The Poker Fiend (12 Nov. 1960)

Mrs. Neal will pay Paladin his biggest payday yet if he can return her husband before he loses all his money in a poker game he has been at for several months. Only two people and a sickness stand in his way.

Director:

Byron Paul

Writers:

Richard Adams, Herb Meadow (creator),

Stars:

Richard Boone, Jack Weston, Peter Falk

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Richard Boone	...	Paladin
Jack Weston	...	John Paul Neal
Peter Falk	...	Waller
Brett Somers	...	Sarah
Jim Boles	...	Billy the Hat (as James Boles)
Warren Oates	...	Harrison
Leo Penn	...	Cavage
Tony Haig	...	Sam - Restaurant Boy
Betsy Jones-Moreland	...	Mrs. Neal
Joe Walls	...	1st Poker Player (as Joseph Walls)
Eric Alden	...	2nd Poker Player
Stewart East	...	Stewart - Waiter

Storyline

Mrs. Neal will pay Paladin his biggest payday yet if he can return her husband before he loses all his money in a poker game he has been at for several months. Only two people and a sickness stand in his way.

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 1960 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, 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

Below Average

Paladin's hired by a wife to bring back her rich husband before he loses their fortune in a five- month poker marathon! Naturally, the gamblers don't want to lose their pigeon, so trouble ensues.

You don't expect to see dude types like Peter Falk or Jack Weston in a macho Western, but here they are, thankfully playing gamblers instead of cowpokes. It's an odd entry, entirely indoors, and about gambling addiction. The story's not very believable since Weston's character is so pathetic, yet tough broad Sommers is supposedly stuck on him. In fact, the narrative as a whole is rather hard to follow, especially the showdown poker game where Falk and Paladin play for Weston's "soul". But then maybe that's just me. I wish there were some kind of highlight to single out, but, in my book, there just isn't, adding up to a sub-standard entry.