LAWMAN – "Battle Scar" – 1959 This is episode twenty-five of the 1958 to 1962 western series, LAWMAN. The series stars John Russell and Peter Brown as the Marshal and Deputy of Laramie, Wyoming.
Civil war veteran, R.G. Armstrong is considered by many to be a hero. Even though he seems to be suffering from flashbacks due to the war. Whenever one of these flashbacks occurs, ranch owner Armstrong goes off the deep end and usually assaults someone. This time he takes a bull-whip to a hired man. The man, Robert Conrad, swears he will kill Armstrong for the whipping. Conrad grabs his horse and rides for town.
Armstrong's wife, Catherine McLeod has had enough of his behaviour. She tells Armstrong that she will pack her bags and leave if he acts up again. Marshall Russell hears about the event and finds Conrad at the general store buying a rifle. He talks Conrad into cooling off and not doing something he will regret. Russell rides back to the ranch with Conrad to collect his pay etc.
Armstrong tells Russell he has no intention of paying Conrad. McLeod however gives Conrad his month's wages. She also does pack her bags and heads to town with Russell and Conrad. She is going to take the next stage to her sister's farm.
A short time later, Armstrong rides in and demands that McLeod return to the ranch. "No" is her answer. This causes Armstrong to have another flashback. He pulls iron and starts blasting at thin air. He also starts yelling at the top of his voice. "Man the trenches boys! We have to keep the Rebs away!" Russell gives the raving Armstrong a good whack on the head with his pistol barrel. Armstrong comes around and finally realizes what has been happening. He is no hero he admits. He had been given a court martial for desertion and tossed out of the Army. His flashbacks had been his mind trying to deal with the shame. McLeod takes Armstrong by the hand and they return to their ranch.
A quick paced duster with a good guest cast. This was future, WILD, WILD WEST star, Conrad's fourth billed role. R.G. Armstrong was a film and television fixture from 1954 to 2001. McLeod was on screen from 1944 till 1981.
The director was well-known feature film vet, Stuart Heisler. Heisler is best remembered for the film-noir, AMONG THE LIVING, THE GLASS KEY, STORM WARNING and I DIED A THOUSAND TIMES.
The d of p was longtime Warner's regular, Edwin DuPar. His work includes, BREAKTHROUGH, I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE FBI, THE SYSTEM, SPRINGFIELD RIFLE, THE TANKS ARE COMING, THE BOUNTY HUNTER and INSIDE THE WALLS OF FOLSOM PRISON.
Civil war veteran, R.G. Armstrong is considered by many to be a hero. Even though he seems to be suffering from flashbacks due to the war. Whenever one of these flashbacks occurs, ranch owner Armstrong goes off the deep end and usually assaults someone. This time he takes a bull-whip to a hired man. The man, Robert Conrad, swears he will kill Armstrong for the whipping. Conrad grabs his horse and rides for town.
Armstrong's wife, Catherine McLeod has had enough of his behaviour. She tells Armstrong that she will pack her bags and leave if he acts up again. Marshall Russell hears about the event and finds Conrad at the general store buying a rifle. He talks Conrad into cooling off and not doing something he will regret. Russell rides back to the ranch with Conrad to collect his pay etc.
Armstrong tells Russell he has no intention of paying Conrad. McLeod however gives Conrad his month's wages. She also does pack her bags and heads to town with Russell and Conrad. She is going to take the next stage to her sister's farm.
A short time later, Armstrong rides in and demands that McLeod return to the ranch. "No" is her answer. This causes Armstrong to have another flashback. He pulls iron and starts blasting at thin air. He also starts yelling at the top of his voice. "Man the trenches boys! We have to keep the Rebs away!" Russell gives the raving Armstrong a good whack on the head with his pistol barrel. Armstrong comes around and finally realizes what has been happening. He is no hero he admits. He had been given a court martial for desertion and tossed out of the Army. His flashbacks had been his mind trying to deal with the shame. McLeod takes Armstrong by the hand and they return to their ranch.
A quick paced duster with a good guest cast. This was future, WILD, WILD WEST star, Conrad's fourth billed role. R.G. Armstrong was a film and television fixture from 1954 to 2001. McLeod was on screen from 1944 till 1981.
The director was well-known feature film vet, Stuart Heisler. Heisler is best remembered for the film-noir, AMONG THE LIVING, THE GLASS KEY, STORM WARNING and I DIED A THOUSAND TIMES.
The d of p was longtime Warner's regular, Edwin DuPar. His work includes, BREAKTHROUGH, I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE FBI, THE SYSTEM, SPRINGFIELD RIFLE, THE TANKS ARE COMING, THE BOUNTY HUNTER and INSIDE THE WALLS OF FOLSOM PRISON.
