The Virginian (TV Series) The Girl on the Pinto (1967) User Reviews

New Neighbors

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 11 June 2020]

Some new folks have purchased the next ranch to Shiloh and they are R.G. Armstrong, his wife Vivi Janiss and their adopted daughter Valora Noland..a rather strange and withdrawn young woman who intrigues Doug McClure.

At the same time a couple of veteran outlaws are planning some kind of job at Medicine Bow. Just what it is the law doesn't know but it does have sheriff Mark Abbott concerned.

The plans of Warren Stevens and Sandy Kenyon do intersect with Valora Noland. That I won't reveal, but there's a nice slam bang shootout as a climax, enough to satisfy any western fan.

Starlet shines

[pfors-647-501497 · 7/10 · 7 May 2013]

Neglected starlet Valora Noland capitalizes on a rare chance to shine in psychological drama that's intriguing despite episode's cramped, set-bound look, reflective of studio economy. Noland's stigmatized character is always sympathetic, even when her psychosis puts others in senseless danger, and the viewer roots for her attempts to grope through the mental fog. McClure generously backs Noland with an attentive performance. Bullish character actor R.G. Armstrong and slick, shady Warren Stevens are also solid. The bullets fly fast and furious during a botched bank robbery, but no one needs to reload. Such sloppy indifference to detail is the bane of many western fans.

A Killer in Our Midst?

[CaptWinkie · 4 September 2023]

Valora Noland is no neglected starlet- she quit acting after being forced to appear as a Nazi in Star Trek, even though everyone watching knew she wasn't from Earth. No matter- she would have objected to something else and she couldn't do beach movies forever, so win-win.

Valora plays a dim young neighbor, Amanda, who likes to ride her pinto wherever she pleases- frequently crossing into Shiloh and seemingly only noticed by Trampas. He's with the Virginian in town one day when he spots the 'ghost' in real life and rides up to ask her to a dance. She declines but her adoptive mother is with her and is thrilled that Amanda was asked. Adoptive mom talks to RG Armstrong, playing adoptive dad and he shuts down all invitations. Trampas isn't discouraged and talks to dad, who has a good story, but since it doesnt have anything to do with dancing, Trampas shows up on dance night to get permission from mom in front of dad and Amanda. McClure seems to jump from his Trampas persona into real life when he asks the mom for permission, it's something to see- he had more the easy grace and dialogue of a seasoned professional actor than the manner of a warm, flirtatious cowhand.

Amanda's real dad shows up in town to get some cash and take her away, but after so many years absent from her life, it's not easy to do- esp since the girl is a little slow and the cash he picked up wasn't his.

This show is mostly guest stars and supporting cast but they are good, Trampas is worth watching and the action is fairly consistent.