WHISPERING SMITH "Stake-Out" 1961
WHISPERING SMITH was western star Audie Murphy's attempt at headlining a series. Murphy plays a member of the Denver Police Force in the late 1860's. The series follows Murphy and his partner, Guy Mitchell, as they chase various unsavoury types and bring them to justice. The series ran for 26 episodes between May and November 1961.
This episode is the fourth of the production run.
Whispering Smith, played by Audie Murphy is escorting a prisoner into Denver. The man is wanted for the killing of a Lawman. Just before Murphy can deliver the man, John Cliff to the jail house, he is ambushed by several men. Murphy manages to plug the two and stop the attempted rescue of Cliff.
Cliff is tossed in a cell by Murphy's partner, Guy Mitchell. Mitchell is surprised when he sees Cliff face to face. It seems that Mitchell had been a member of Cliff's gang, 5 years before down Texas way. He had since went straight, gotten married and is now a Lawman in Denver. Cliff believes he has an in with Mitchell now.
One of Cliff's henchmen, Richard Devon pays Mitchell a visit at his home for a chat. He suggests that Mitchell should play ball and help get Cliff out of the crowbar hotel. Devon "hints", that something nasty might happen to Mitchell' pregnant wife, Joyce Taylor, if he refuses.
Mitchell is not sure what to do and hits the bar for far too much whiskey. Murphy drags him out of the saloon when Mitchell fails to show for work. He dunks Mitchell in a handy horse trough to sober him up. Mitchell now tells Murphy about his "past acquaintance" with Cliff. Murphy it turns out already knew about Mitchell's days in Texas. He believes Mitchell is now on the up and up.
The next thing we know is that Devon has indeed grabbed up Miss Taylor as a hostage. Devon stashes the woman with several other gang members in an abandoned church outside town. Devon now returns to town to deliver the terms for an exchange. This does not go over well with Mitchell and Murphy. Devon is soon coughing up blood and teeth as the Lawmen beat the info as to Taylor's location out of him.
Needless to say there is a brisk exchange of lead with more than a few of the bad types biting dirt. Miss Taylor is rescued, and returned to her husband's arms while outlaw Cliff will still be keeping his date with a rope.
An entertaining episode with plenty of action and violence involved. One look at the behind the camera crew shows tells the viewer why. There are three Oscar nominated types in charge.
First is the writer, Borden Chase, Chase got his Oscar nod for, RED RIVER. He also had a hand in the story or screenplay for, THE FIGHTING SEABEES, TYCOON, DESTROYER, MONTANA, BEND OF THE RIVER, WINCHESTER 73, THE FAR COUNTRY and VERA CRUZ.
Second, the director is editor turned director, Christian Nyby. Nyby got his Oscar nod as well for, RED RIVER. His most well-known big screen work as a helmsman would be, THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD.
And third would be the director of photography, Bud Thackery. Thackery got an Oscar nomination for special effects on the 1940 film, WOMEN IN WAR. He became a long time fixture at REPUBLIC STUDIOS before working in television.
WHISPERING SMITH was western star Audie Murphy's attempt at headlining a series. Murphy plays a member of the Denver Police Force in the late 1860's. The series follows Murphy and his partner, Guy Mitchell, as they chase various unsavoury types and bring them to justice. The series ran for 26 episodes between May and November 1961.
This episode is the fourth of the production run.
Whispering Smith, played by Audie Murphy is escorting a prisoner into Denver. The man is wanted for the killing of a Lawman. Just before Murphy can deliver the man, John Cliff to the jail house, he is ambushed by several men. Murphy manages to plug the two and stop the attempted rescue of Cliff.
Cliff is tossed in a cell by Murphy's partner, Guy Mitchell. Mitchell is surprised when he sees Cliff face to face. It seems that Mitchell had been a member of Cliff's gang, 5 years before down Texas way. He had since went straight, gotten married and is now a Lawman in Denver. Cliff believes he has an in with Mitchell now.
One of Cliff's henchmen, Richard Devon pays Mitchell a visit at his home for a chat. He suggests that Mitchell should play ball and help get Cliff out of the crowbar hotel. Devon "hints", that something nasty might happen to Mitchell' pregnant wife, Joyce Taylor, if he refuses.
Mitchell is not sure what to do and hits the bar for far too much whiskey. Murphy drags him out of the saloon when Mitchell fails to show for work. He dunks Mitchell in a handy horse trough to sober him up. Mitchell now tells Murphy about his "past acquaintance" with Cliff. Murphy it turns out already knew about Mitchell's days in Texas. He believes Mitchell is now on the up and up.
The next thing we know is that Devon has indeed grabbed up Miss Taylor as a hostage. Devon stashes the woman with several other gang members in an abandoned church outside town. Devon now returns to town to deliver the terms for an exchange. This does not go over well with Mitchell and Murphy. Devon is soon coughing up blood and teeth as the Lawmen beat the info as to Taylor's location out of him.
Needless to say there is a brisk exchange of lead with more than a few of the bad types biting dirt. Miss Taylor is rescued, and returned to her husband's arms while outlaw Cliff will still be keeping his date with a rope.
An entertaining episode with plenty of action and violence involved. One look at the behind the camera crew shows tells the viewer why. There are three Oscar nominated types in charge.
First is the writer, Borden Chase, Chase got his Oscar nod for, RED RIVER. He also had a hand in the story or screenplay for, THE FIGHTING SEABEES, TYCOON, DESTROYER, MONTANA, BEND OF THE RIVER, WINCHESTER 73, THE FAR COUNTRY and VERA CRUZ.
Second, the director is editor turned director, Christian Nyby. Nyby got his Oscar nod as well for, RED RIVER. His most well-known big screen work as a helmsman would be, THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD.
And third would be the director of photography, Bud Thackery. Thackery got an Oscar nomination for special effects on the 1940 film, WOMEN IN WAR. He became a long time fixture at REPUBLIC STUDIOS before working in television.
