Rawhide (TV Series)

Incident at Deadhorse: Part II (1964)

Burgess Meredith: Hannibal H. Plew

Photos 

Quotes 

• Hannibal H. Plew : Just as dead, Mr Wiley, but not just as fast. To a man with a noose around his neck, a second could be a lifetime. And a minute can be an eternity. Now it is our job to make this execution just as professional , just as merciful as possible. Do I make myself clear?

• Hannibal H. Plew : You want the reasons, fine. I need your age to tell me how long it will be before your heart stops beating. I need your height in order to know the position of the noose above the cervical vertebrae and whether to use 10 or 13 wraps in the knot. I need your weight in order to know the length of the drop. Too high and your head will be separated from your shoulders. And too short then I run the risk of a long strangulation, the worst possible type of execution. It's medieval and barbaric. So gentlemen, call me a fool, call me a liar, call me nothing at all. The facts remain the same.