The Misfortune Teller

The town of Medicine Bow seems most hospitable to Bret Maverick until he mentions his name. Then Sheriff Ben Gage has to arrest him to prevent the town from lynching him.. It seems as though someone borrowed James Garner's name to both perpetrate a swindle and when he investigated, murder the mayor.

Help comes from unexpected sources Kathleen Crowley arrives in town. They've met before and she was hoping to get Garner involved with one of her con games. But that won't happen if he's tried and hung. So she agrees to help.

Garner also has a lawyer in Alan Mowbray, a new arrival in town who is a devout believer in astrology and numerology. If the stars aren't right he won't be much help.

Of course Bret Maverick didn't kill the mayor of a town he's never been in. That's a given.

I have to salute Ben Gage who is making one of four appearances as a sheriff with a strong sense of duty on Maverick. He plays it absolutely straight and the result is hilarious.