Ranch Copter (21 Jan. 1957)

After an accidental shooting occurs on a ranch, the Highway Patrol helicopter is used to prevent a revenge killing by the supposed shooter's angry brother-in-law.

Director:

Jack Herzberg

Writers:

William Driskill (screenplay), William George (screenplay)

Stars:

Broderick Crawford, Douglas Henderson, Troy Melton

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Broderick Crawford	...	Chief Dan Mathews
Douglas Henderson	...	George Wilson
Troy Melton	...	Ted Johnson
Robert Cavendish	...	Harry Johnson
Virginia Dale	...	Iris Wilson
Howard Wright	...	Physician
James Logan	...	Farmer
Vance Skarstedt	...	Officer Larrabee
Stephen Bradley	...	Officer Arnold
Art Gilmore	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

Ranchers Ted and Harry Johnson are openly disdainful of George Wilson, their sister Iris's new city-bred husband who lives on their ranch. George and Iris argue about the situation and Iris is critically shot and wounded when she foolishly tosses a loaded revolver in George's direction. George panics and flees, but quick-tempered Ted Johnson is determined to extract revenge for his sister's (presumed) death and goes after George with a rifle. Iris subsequently survives an emergency operation and weakly admits that the shooting was an accident. Given this information, Dan Mathews uses the Highway Patrol helicopter for an all-out effort to locate George Wilson and Ted Johnson in the rough terrain before a fatal tragedy occurs.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 1957 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

ZIV Television Programs

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The narration states that the story takes place on "July 11th", but the characters all wear heavy shirts, jackets, or coats throughout the episode. It is apparent that the filming actually took place during the late fall or winter months.

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Quotes

Harry Johnson: Let me go after Ted. He's a hot-headed kid, Mathews. Father and mother have been dead for a long time and Iris has been more than just a sister to him. I know how to handle him.
Chief Dan Mathews: Up until now, I don't think you've done a good job! He's out there with a gun - the law will take it from here!

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