Return a Stranger (18 Nov. 1964)

A local miner's son returns to Medicine Bow from college with the technical knowledge and financial backers to reopen his father's silver mine. Due to financial constraints, corners are cut putting people and cattle in danger.

Director:

Maurice Geraghty

Writers:

True Boardman (teleplay), George F. Slavin (story),

Stars:

James Drury, Lee J. Cobb, Doug McClure

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
James Drury	...	The Virginian
Lee J. Cobb	...	Judge Henry Garth
Doug McClure	...	Trampas (credit only)
Clu Gulager	...	Emmett Ryker
Roberta Shore	...	Betsy Garth
Randy Boone	...	Randy Benton
Leif Erickson	...	Charlie Ryan
Peter Brown	...	Craig Ryan
Whit Bissell	...	Whit Parsons
Robert Colbert	...	Joe Barker
William Fawcett	...	Sam Elberry
Roy Engel	...	Barney Wingate
Richard Garland	...	Veterinarian
Ollie O'Toole	...	Roy Masters
Robert Anderson	...	Jenkins (as Bob Anderson)

Storyline

Craig Ryan returns home after attending college studying mining engineering. He has signed a contract with a group to re-open his dad's silver mine and make it profitable by processing the ore on site. However, their financial resources are limited and they have a very tight deadline to produce enough refined silver to pay off the loan or lose the mine. Craig is consumed by the task ignoring his local friends feeling they abandoned his father. When Judge Garth complains about them holding back water, Craig buys and takes pipe ordered for a rancher to correct the problem supposedly. Sam, an old trapper trespassing is forced off the property by Craig due to a water danger created by the mine. After an equipment breakdown, Craig cons Judge Garth to loan him mules. When cattle start dying, the ranchers obtain an injunction to shut down the mine. However, when Sam is found dying by the river, Craig at the demand of his father takes Sam to the doctor but their business partner Whit tries to...

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Genres:

Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 1964 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 34, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revue Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In several scenes with Betsy, such as the buggy ride home with the judge at the beginning and later riding horses with Craig, a stunt double for her is clearly used.

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Soundtracks

"The Cat Came Back"
Written by Harry S. Miller
Performed by Roberta Shore and Randy Boone

User Reviews

Red flag

Judge Garth's vigilance in safeguarding his water supply from dubious mining practices has a ripped-from-the-headlines immediacy that makes this among the most pointed of the large handful of season three stories that raised environmental red flags. Peter Brown is scary as a blinkered zealot so fixated on turning a profit on his father's old mine that he's blind to ethical concerns. Leif Erickson plays the father initially delighted by his son's ambition but gradually appalled by his take-no-prisoners attitude. Stereotyped old codger William Fawcett chomps into his role as a feisty trapper who doesn't believe in signs and makes his own rules.