The Big Valley (TV Series) A Noose Is Waiting (1967) User Reviews

Bradford Dillman is perfect in this strange but interesting episode

[kfo9494 · 9/10 · 17 October 2012]

In one of the most bizarre episode in the entire 'The Big Valley ' series, this show takes a dive into the macabre world of a psychopath doctor set on killing people for a deed many years ago. And with Bradford Dillman playing the evil doctor, the entire story plays out well. Without a perfect cast for Doctor James Beldon this show could have been unfortunate. But with Dillman as the lead this hit all the bases to make for a surprising and interesting show.

Dr James Beldon is the new young doctor in Stockton and is well traveled and well versed in the customs of the world. And with Audra seemly sweet on the doc there is not much that could go wrong.

In the mean time Sheriff Madden is investigating several strange deaths were a person was hung with a rope and hands tied behind them. And at each death, a note was left with some clue about the killing. Just so happened the last note named Victoria Barkley as the next victim.

Victoria has been ill recently and with the Barkley Ranch on high alert they send for Doctor Beldon. The viewer knows that Beldon is responsible for the deaths but the Barkleys have all the faith in him. He is able to get access to Victoria and also Audra. Will the Sheriff finally link the crimes to a death that occurred many years ago before any harm can befall Victoria or Audra - or will the Doctor leave his calling card with the two women?

A strange story for a western that could have fallen like a large rock. But instead, with the acting of Bradford Dillman, this episode comes across as a story that will entertain for many years to come.

Weird, Contrived, Essential

[summerfields · 7/10 · 15 April 2010]

This episode is really weird.

Bradford Dillman is a good actor and I like him: it's why I find it interesting - a less-talented actor would have made the already hokey and implausible theme hopelessly ridiculous.

Audra has another beau here: in the form of a young M.D. who studied medicine in Vienna (!) That poor generic house we've seen maybe a dozen times on the show in various stories is shown as a deserted hovel here! The doctor Dillman plays goes insane and scares the petticoats off Miss Audra: thank goodness her big brothers are nearby...

It's really a hokey and far-fetched episode, but then that stuff can be winning entertainment - sometimes!

Enjoy at your leisure

This is a surprisingly good episode

[uber_geek · 9/10 · 9 July 2011]

I don't usually care that much for this show, but I've got to say that Bradford Dillman playing the insane doctor adds an unaccustomed chill to the episode.

This guy would have been great as Norman Bates role in psycho. Or a "Dexter" if they had had such a show back then. As the other reviewer said, a lessor actor would have made for a hokey episode. When he smiles it's a very creepy smile.

The old doctor goes out of town leaving a new, young doctor in charge, whom Audra is smitten with. (Poor Audra she must have ended up an old maid!) People start dying an the sheriff and Jarod must find the connection between them and Victoria Barkley who's next on the killer's list.

I went ahead and added the spoilers tag just to be safe, although you find out right from the first scene that the doctor is the killer. Course one wonders how this guy was able to get his doctorate with all his issues.

The psycho doctor

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 22 September 2016]

In this episode, Bradford Dillman guest stars as a deranged doctor who kidnaps and tries to kill Audra. There are some rather spooky scenes in the fourth act that are obviously inspired by Hitchcock's PSYCHO. And of course, it goes without saying that Dillman is channeling Anthony Perkins' Norman Bates during the story. Dillman had played a slightly different but equally troubled man involved with Audra back in season 2's 'Day of the Comet.' He's excellent at these kinds of roles, where his character is basically tormented and experiences great mental anguish.

What makes it work so well is the way the story builds. Initially, there are scenes with Victoria Barkley coming down with pneumonia. Audra takes her to see the new doctor in town, where a series of grisly murders have been occurring. Later Victoria's health takes a turn for the worse, and Dillman goes out to the ranch to treat her. At this point we get a clearer sense of how psychotic he is. He nearly suffocates her with a pillow, until he decides that harming Audra would harm Victoria and the rest of the Barkleys more. It would cause prolonged suffering for them. He is doing all this to exact vengeance on the people he blames for his father's death years earlier.

Pieces of the backstory are carefully revealed through voice-overs. Dillman's character remembers problems experienced by his father and mother after several bad business deals. He was an impressionable boy and internalized all their pain, and it became a burden which he carried with him into adulthood. We can't help but feel sorry for him. Audra's brothers will come to her rescue at the end, but nobody will be able to save a man who is too far gone.

Such an AMAZING episode

[karmakafebargain · 10/10 · 18 July 2017]

I have all 4 DVD's of The Big Valley series. This may be my favorite episode. I have watched it over and over. Don't get me wrong, I love all of the Big Valley episodes. But, this one is special. Bradford Dillman is just amazing!!! But,the acting of Barbara Stanwyck in the first scene where she refers to her filly colt, and when she is in the bed sick asking for her children, saying they were her reason for living...just great dramatic acting that we love her so for. Then: Richard Long's part with the sheriff when he finds out that Victoria Barkley is victim number 3...the way he grabs the stair post and stares up the stares to where is sick mother is sleeping...gets me every time! And, last but certainly not least, Linda Evans...Mg, when she finds out that Dr. Beldon is insane, her portrayal of traumatized Audra is amazing!

Norman Bates issues

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 26 April 2016]

One of the weirder Big Valley episodes has Linda Evans urging her mother to see a new doctor in town. As it turns out Barbara Stanwyck may be coming down with something, but her daughter just wants a chance to see the new doctor reputed to be a babe.

Well Bradford Dillman is indeed that, but a whole lot more. His arrival coincides with several strange deaths in and around Stockton, several homicides by strangulation.

Since we see Dillman do one killing immediately as the show commences we know he's the culprit. It's all in whether they can figure it out and why he's doing it. It all has to do with Dillman being a Norman Bates type in the old west only with father issues.

Even at that he has a specific list of people and one of them is a Barkley.

Dillman channels his inner Anthony Perkins to bring us his mad doctor character. The story has defects, but Dillman does fine.

Weird!

[angelsunchained · 5/10 · 7 October 2023]

This was one weird and off beat episode. Bordered on demented. Not really a Western Story at all. This type of thing would be better on Ironside not on The Big Valley. With that said, Bradford Dillman is terrible. His acting is way over the top and comes across as cartoonish. It is amazing how so many countless actors just can not play a psychopathic role without greatly exaggerating the whole thing. The rest of the cast isn't much better. Linda Evans is beautiful, but sorry, she is not much of an actress. She is just a flat tire and has no on screen chemistry with anyone on this episode. I wanted to like this, but just couldn't.