The Ape 

Hoss mentors a lonely, mentally challenged man who, with superhuman size and strength, becomes extremely dangerous when angered. These efforts are undermined by a saloon girl who only wants this giant man-child to manipulate him.

Director:

James P. Yarbrough

Writer:

Gene L. Coon

Stars:

Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, Lorne Greene

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Dan Blocker	...	Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
Michael Landon	...	Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright
Lorne Greene	...	Ben Cartwright
Pernell Roberts	...	Adam Cartwright
Karen Sharpe	...	Sheribelle, the Saloon Girl
Cal Bolder	...	Arnie 'The Ape' Guthrie
Ray Teal	...	Sheriff Roy Coffee
Leonard Nimoy	...	Freddy
Charles Tannen	...	Dave, the Bartender
Rodolfo Hoyos Jr.	...	Pepe (as Rodolfo Hoyos)

Storyline

Arnie is a lonely man with big muscles, a little brain and an ugly face. He is friendly by nature, but when somebody jeers at him and calls him an ape, he becomes mad. Then he is very dangerous. Most people avoid Arnie, but Hoss recognizes something of his own nature in Arnie and wants to help him.

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Plot Keywords:

man child | saloon girl | of mice and men spoof | reference to the novel of mice and men | woman's neck broken | 

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1960 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

TV Guide's synopsis of the episode refers to Cal Bolder's character name as Arnie Gunn rather than Arnie Guthrie. It is unclear whether TV Guide was incorrect, or if different prints contain the different character names, and if so why and when a name change was made.

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Goofs

When the posse is gathering up outside the Sheriff's to go after Arnie, Hoss asks Ben for a headstart to speak with Arnie. He tells them he thinks Arnie is at Granite Point. After Hoss leaves, the Sheriff questions Ben about Hoss's intentions - once Ben convinces the Sheriff that Hoss is not trying to help Arnie get away, the Sheriff asks Ben to show them where Granite Point is. This is a mistake as Ben hadn't told the Sheriff yet that Hoss was going to Granite Point.

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Quotes

Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright: He don't mean any harm? I just won't be able to use my jaw for a week.
Adam Cartwright: Well, that'll be a relief. All you do is jaw with it anyway.

User Reviews

An early Leonard Nimoy

While Leonard Nimoy had a role on Highway Patrol in 'Hot Dust' (1957) and one on 'Dragnet' three years prior in 'The Big Boys' way back in 1954, his brief appearance in the beginning and end of this 1960 Bonanza episode holds dear to my heart as I watch it today on Saturday afternoon TV.

Leonard Limoy died at 83 just yesterday; February 27th 2015 and today's scheduled episodes of each Bonanza and Perry Mason have been graciously preempted with these early debuts. From 'Queen for a Day' in 1951 to Star Trek 'Into Darkness' 2013. His 62 year career is an American and global treasure highlighted by one of the most iconic caricatures ever played in the brief three year run of 'Star Trek' from 1966 to 1969 as the infallible; never failing; always effective; and oh so unforgettable; Dr. Spock.

..just as he spoke, just as he lived, may each of us:

"Live Long and Prosper."