The Rodney Lawrence Story (10 Jun. 1959)

After his parents are killed by whites, a boy is raised by a lone Indian. Years later when the wagon train stops nearby, the Indian tells the young man to join his people. But his previous experience and with the train make him hesitate.

Director:

Virgil W. Vogel

Writer:

Gerry Day

Stars:

Ward Bond, Robert Horton, Dean Stockwell

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Ward Bond	...	Major Seth Adams
Robert Horton	...	Flint McCullough
Dean Stockwell	...	Rodney Lawrence
Frank McGrath	...	Charlie Wooster
Terry Wilson	...	Bill Hawks
Frank DeKova	...	Ocheo (as Frank de Kova)
Cynthia Chenault	...	Mandy McCrea (as Cindy Robbins)
Theodore Marcuse	...	Keller
John Milford	...	Pete Galt
Russ Conway	...	Mr. McCrea
Roger Mobley	...	Young Rodney
Morgan Jones	...	Jason Elliott
Diana Barth	...	Mary Elliott

Storyline

As a young boy Rodney Lawrence's parents are killed by two white men. A single Indian finds him at the same time and raises him. Years later the Adams wagon train is stopped nearby due to Mrs. Elliott about to give birth. While with Flint, Mandy McCrea puts flowers on the newly marked grave of Rodney's parents. Later at the grave she briefly sees Rodney but Pete Galt drives him off. Rodney's foster father Ocheo pushes Rodney to rejoin his people but Rodney's experience in the past and what he observes on the train stops him. Rodney does, however, continually trade items secretly with Mandy sneaking by the guards and the McCreas. Keller and Galt plan to rob people's wagons and decide to blame Rodney for it. After theft of money from a wagon, Rodney's visit become a serious issue. In a meeting with Mandy, Rodney learns he is being blamed but Ocheo tells Rodney to seek out Flint about the issue. Galt shoots Mr. McCrea who catches him in the act just before Rodney rides into camp seeking ...

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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:

10 June 1959 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios - 4024 Radford Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revue Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

One Wise Old Indian

Although Roger Mobley and Dean Stockwell play the title role in the Rodney Lawrence Story at different times, the real star of this episode is a guy who made his career role as a comic Indian. Frank DeKova who was Chief Wild Eagle on F Troop plays an Indian exile who comes across an orphaned Roger Mobley after some outlaws have killed his parents. The two bond together and DeKova teaches him the ways of the woods and also some valuable life lessons.

When years pass and the Wagon Train is passing his former home, Stockwell catches sight of Cindy Robbins who is going west with her father Russ Conway. At that point it's time to start learning of the opposite sex and Stockwell starts paying court on her in an Indian manner.

There are also a couple of no good outlaws traveling on the train and they've got plans of their own and now a scapegoat to blame it on in Stockwell. That's all I'm going to say.

Though this is a fine coming of age episode with a good cast, really standing out is Frank DeKova. You'll agree if you see this story.