This is an especially good episode. As another reviewer noted, it's always fun to see an actor who later became a big star in one of his early roles. In this case, it's a young Clint Eastwood. But more than this, the script was so good. Months before a gang of motorcyclists went on a rampage through a small town. Among other things, they seriously hurt the wife of the café owner and because of this she will never walk completely right again. When two pleasant young motorcyclists (one of whom is Eastwood) come into the café for breakfast the wife, Birdie Sills is quite pleasant but when her husband, Bernie Sills, comes in he is quite obnoxious and orders the men out of the café. He's also toting a shotgun; wisely, the young men leave. Birdie calls the Highway Patrol and before the officer arrives, Bernie hides the shotgun and doesn't mention it to the officer. He also tells the officer that the men threatened him and he wants them arrested. The officer takes off and tragically a trucker blows through a stop sign and hits and kills the officer. Bernie wants all the blame put on the motorcyclists and Mathews tracks them down and hears their side of the story. All along Birdie tries to get her husband to be reasonable but to no avail. Bitterness over his wife's injury and anger toward those who did it - motorcyclists - have consumed him to the point that all motorcyclists are bad and no amount of reasoning will get him to change his mind. A very sad business indeed.
5 Reviews
People Forget
darbski11 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
**SPOILERS** Yeah, People forget that Clint had ridden motorcycles in other movies; Notably "Coogan's Bluff", and "The Gauntlet". In this one, however, there's something you can't fake. The ability to ride a foot-clutch, tank-shift Harley, which he does quite well. There was NO hesitation, no squirrelly moves, no backing off, he just started up clutched, shifted in, and took off. He knew just how to handle the rig. It's trickier than today's setups with hand clutch and foot shifts. I used to ride a chopped FL Knucklehead, and until I converted her, she could get REAL interesting.
This is a very good episode for those of us bikers who had a lot of fun getting around the image that Brando, Marvin and company established on the big screen. It was good and bad for us. To be honest, Bikers in this one were the primary clients of the Highway Patrol. I had an experience with the Kansas Highway Patrol in which the trooper was a fantastic amount of help when he went clear out of his way to help me out; even if I was, and am, a Biker. I've never forgotten it.
It was great watching Dan Matthews climb down the throat of the guy who perpetrated the event that cost an H-P Motor Patrolman (also a Biker, remember) his life. The guy's wife fixed him good, too; when she told the truth. This was brought about by Matthews' relentless pressure for the real story. Good acting by all. In a lot of these episodes, the actors are unknowns whose acting may be ranked as amateur. In this one, ALL the acting was top drawer, with kudos to Jack Edwards, and Paula Huston, the diner owners, and conflicted couple. The undercover cop was not only an actor and Biker, but also a stuntman; something I really like seeing... a STUNTPERSON getting good billing.
This is a very good episode with a tight, well managed storyline and plot. Close-in direction, and fast moving action. There was absolutely NO faking the bikes, either. They were older Harleys that looked like someone brought them in from their own use for this show.Pretty good acting from Clint, too.
This is a very good episode for those of us bikers who had a lot of fun getting around the image that Brando, Marvin and company established on the big screen. It was good and bad for us. To be honest, Bikers in this one were the primary clients of the Highway Patrol. I had an experience with the Kansas Highway Patrol in which the trooper was a fantastic amount of help when he went clear out of his way to help me out; even if I was, and am, a Biker. I've never forgotten it.
It was great watching Dan Matthews climb down the throat of the guy who perpetrated the event that cost an H-P Motor Patrolman (also a Biker, remember) his life. The guy's wife fixed him good, too; when she told the truth. This was brought about by Matthews' relentless pressure for the real story. Good acting by all. In a lot of these episodes, the actors are unknowns whose acting may be ranked as amateur. In this one, ALL the acting was top drawer, with kudos to Jack Edwards, and Paula Huston, the diner owners, and conflicted couple. The undercover cop was not only an actor and Biker, but also a stuntman; something I really like seeing... a STUNTPERSON getting good billing.
This is a very good episode with a tight, well managed storyline and plot. Close-in direction, and fast moving action. There was absolutely NO faking the bikes, either. They were older Harleys that looked like someone brought them in from their own use for this show.Pretty good acting from Clint, too.
Look for Clint Eastwood, in a cameo role
Bali7919 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
These vintage TV shows are often fun to watch. Broderick Crawford talks in a clipped, fast tone and walks more like a "hood."
I had Highway Patrol on early this morning did a double-take because I saw a very young actor in a small role as a motorcyclist. He looked familiar but I couldn't place the face to a name. When I saw the credits, I realized it was Clint Eastwood! It can be fun to watch these vintage shows, especially when you see a famous actor in his unknown days.
The episode was okay too. About a couple who run a rural diner and are having trouble with motorcycle "hoods." Someone gets killed and Crawford investigates only to find out that it's not entirely what it appears to be. The truth comes out in the end and the real criminal is arrested.
I had Highway Patrol on early this morning did a double-take because I saw a very young actor in a small role as a motorcyclist. He looked familiar but I couldn't place the face to a name. When I saw the credits, I realized it was Clint Eastwood! It can be fun to watch these vintage shows, especially when you see a famous actor in his unknown days.
The episode was okay too. About a couple who run a rural diner and are having trouble with motorcycle "hoods." Someone gets killed and Crawford investigates only to find out that it's not entirely what it appears to be. The truth comes out in the end and the real criminal is arrested.
Outstanding Show
rmoore-8961918 February 2023
I just seen this show for the first time. Clint Eastwood is by far the best actor there ever was. From Highway Patrol Motorcycle to Rawhide, Dirty Harry plus the many westerns he performed in, and any movies that does not fall under these categories, Clint Eastwood has never made a performance that was not OUTSTANDING!!! I only wish that Clint Eastwood and John Wayne would have made a movie together. That would have been a classic just like all of Mr. Eastwoods and Mr. Wayne's performances are. I would love to meet Clint in person although I know that will never happen. Congratulations Mr. Clint for a job well done!!! You are definitely an outstanding actor.
A couple of Wild Ones Not
bkoganbing11 October 2017
Watching this particular episode I couldn't help wondering whether the outlaw motorcycle gang that ravaged the small California town where this episode took place wasn't the group that Marlon Brando was the big honcho in. Clearly the influence of The Wild Ones was present in this story.
Two bikers played by John Compton and a young Clint Eastwood arrive in town and go to the local hash house for some breakfast. Because a biker gang had been there before and trashed the town and crippled his wife Paula Houston, owner Jack Edwards orders them off the place and uses a shotgun as a convincer. Houston calls the Highway Patrol and the responding officer is killed in a collision with a truck.
It was an interesting episode especially after Broderick Crawford hears from both Compton and Eastwood and gets their side. Throws a different light on the events and how Crawford has to proceed.
For all you Clint Eastwood fans a chance to see him in his early days before he became an icon.
Two bikers played by John Compton and a young Clint Eastwood arrive in town and go to the local hash house for some breakfast. Because a biker gang had been there before and trashed the town and crippled his wife Paula Houston, owner Jack Edwards orders them off the place and uses a shotgun as a convincer. Houston calls the Highway Patrol and the responding officer is killed in a collision with a truck.
It was an interesting episode especially after Broderick Crawford hears from both Compton and Eastwood and gets their side. Throws a different light on the events and how Crawford has to proceed.
For all you Clint Eastwood fans a chance to see him in his early days before he became an icon.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
