The Night of the Howling Light (17 Dec. 1965)

Jim and Arte must deliver a message of peace to Chief Ho-Tami, head of the Indian tribes. Dr. Arcularis captures Jim in an attempt to stop the treaty signing.

Director:

Paul Wendkos

Writers:

Henry Sharp, Michael Garrison (creator)

Stars:

Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Sam Wanamaker

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Robert Conrad	...	Jim West
Ross Martin	...	Artemus Gordon
Sam Wanamaker	...	Dr. Arcularis
Scott Marlowe	...	Ahkeema
Ralph Moody	...	Ho-Tami
E.J. André	...	Hospital Superintendent
Ottola Nesmith	...	Maggie Lafarge
Don Kennedy	...	Hale - Junior Officer
Robert Bice	...	Captain
Dan Riss	...	Naval Officer
Roy Barcroft	...	Sikes
Linda Marsh	...	Indra

Storyline

Jim and Arte must deliver a message of peace to Chief Ho-Tami, head of the Indian tribes. Dr. Arcularis captures Jim in an attempt to stop the treaty signing.

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Plot Keywords:

lighthouse | racism | hairy chest | bell | brainwashing | 

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1965 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Sierra Railroad, Jamestown, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 50 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The vase destroyed in this episode is identical to the one that is destroyed in The Wild Wild West: The Night of the Torture Chamber.

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Goofs

At one point during his conditioning, West breaks free long enough to send a signal using a blanket held in front of the lighthouse's light. A sailor on a passing ship reports, "Captain, this is strange, I've picked up a blinker SOS." His captain responds, "What's so strange about a ship in distress Mr. Hale?". "The Wild Wild West" was set during the administration of Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877). "SOS" did not become a standard for international distress calls until 1905, and even then it took some time for it to replace the older "CQD" signal. Not only was "SOS" anachronistic, "CQD" did not come into use as a nautical distress signal until around 1904 when its use was suggested by Guglielmo Marconi.

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Quotes

Artemus Gordon: Now, where is he?
Sikes: They'll kill me if I tell you.
Artemus Gordon: And I'll kill you if you don't. The only difference is, I'll do it now.

User Reviews

The mad Pavlovian doctor

I have this season on disc(25 shows) and this is one of Robert Conrad's favorite shows. It is also one of my favorite shows.

I want to point out that at the beginning of each show there is a little "debriefing" by James West himself. I also want to point out that if you do not want to know anything about the story, do not listen to Robert Conrad's introduction. In my mind, that intro is full of spoilers.

The madman in the "The Howling Light" is a scientist and technically a clinical psychologist. A cruel, sick, Pavlovian behaviorist. The other guest star is a Native American, most likely educated in American schools, yet a vehement man who does not like whites. Probably despises them, but does not like Ocularis much either.

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