This is one of my favorite episodes of Rawhide. It was written by the show's star Eric Fleming. It's a shame he didn't script more episodes of the series. Not only does he nail Gil Favor and Rowdy Yates, he nails the supporting characters. He gives them all important scenes and meaningful lines of dialogue.
I think if an actor has the ability to write well, then he should be encouraged to do so. Actors usually know what other actors need in order to flesh out their characters and situations. They also know what doesn't work. Sometimes writers that lack acting experience fail to give the actors what they need. Fleming gives them all what they need- there's conflict, lots of it, and humor too.
The main conflict found in this episode is a conflict that had been explored on other western television series. Jane Wyman was a woman doctor at odds with narrow-minded travelers on Wagon Train. Vera Miles faced opposition as Dr. Sam Tavish on a special episode of Gunsmoke when Milburn Stone's Doc was out of town and folks in Dodge City needed medical attention.
Here on Rawhide there's a lady physician, feeling mighty unwelcome, and she is played by Gail Kobe. Kobe specialized in presenting strong female characters, both as an actress and later as an executive producer in charge of Guiding Light.
What makes this story work for me is the inspired subplot. Mala Powers portrays a townswoman who seeks out medical advice from Kobe's character. Powers is dying and plans to go away to do it with dignity.
Before Powers goes, Kobe steadfastly treats her even though another doctor that carries out barbaric practices is creating problems. He attempts to get the townsfolk, including Powers' husband the mayor, to run the woman doctor off. But this gal's practice won't be thwarted. The women in the community need her, they need a doctor who understands their unique problems.
Into the story comes Gil Favor, Rowdy Yates and some of their men. They arrive fresh off the trail with an injured drover, who needs treatment. Of course Gil- progressive that he is- sides with the lady doc and works with Rowdy and the others to make sure the townsfolk see sense. It's a compelling piece of western television drama, with fresh perspective laid on top of the genre's most familiar tropes.
I think if an actor has the ability to write well, then he should be encouraged to do so. Actors usually know what other actors need in order to flesh out their characters and situations. They also know what doesn't work. Sometimes writers that lack acting experience fail to give the actors what they need. Fleming gives them all what they need- there's conflict, lots of it, and humor too.
The main conflict found in this episode is a conflict that had been explored on other western television series. Jane Wyman was a woman doctor at odds with narrow-minded travelers on Wagon Train. Vera Miles faced opposition as Dr. Sam Tavish on a special episode of Gunsmoke when Milburn Stone's Doc was out of town and folks in Dodge City needed medical attention.
Here on Rawhide there's a lady physician, feeling mighty unwelcome, and she is played by Gail Kobe. Kobe specialized in presenting strong female characters, both as an actress and later as an executive producer in charge of Guiding Light.
What makes this story work for me is the inspired subplot. Mala Powers portrays a townswoman who seeks out medical advice from Kobe's character. Powers is dying and plans to go away to do it with dignity.
Before Powers goes, Kobe steadfastly treats her even though another doctor that carries out barbaric practices is creating problems. He attempts to get the townsfolk, including Powers' husband the mayor, to run the woman doctor off. But this gal's practice won't be thwarted. The women in the community need her, they need a doctor who understands their unique problems.
Into the story comes Gil Favor, Rowdy Yates and some of their men. They arrive fresh off the trail with an injured drover, who needs treatment. Of course Gil- progressive that he is- sides with the lady doc and works with Rowdy and the others to make sure the townsfolk see sense. It's a compelling piece of western television drama, with fresh perspective laid on top of the genre's most familiar tropes.