Daniel is beset by Boonesborough goings-on due to the arrival of minstrel-showman Prater Beasley (Burl Ives), an irascible sailor (Lyle Bettger), and a land speculator (Willis Bouchey) who wants Dan to survey and settle emigrants on Onodaga tribal sacred ground (apparently a short stroll from the fort gate)
The hour is a showcase for the talents of the jovial Ives, who was at the peak of his career as a singer and actor, and whose must enduring screen memory as the animated snowman narrator of "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer seems likely to last several generations more. His presence is a touching reminder of a time when one could be a successful mainstream entertainer without displaying boorish behavior or an outlandish personal life. Bettger dutifully provides the week's flawed character in need of reform, and oversees a crippled son lest the belabored meme be missed. John Ford stock company actor Bouchey reprises his usual character of scheming blowhard.
Not sure how the Onodaga take up residence in Boonesborough this hour - they were part of the Six Nations, and firmly rooted in New York State during the late 18th century. When an Onodaga tribesman shows up, he is apparently back from a raid on the NBC prop warehouse - with accoutrements from the Eastern Woodlands, Florida, the Great Plains, and the South Pacific. This is also likely the 7th or 8th time that the cavern set has been used in the last two seasons, but we are spared the mini-skull on a pole.
The hour follows what has become a regular Season 5 pattern - Fess Parker makes a token or less appearance, Israel and the fort folk are overused, and the series declines into "Tales of Boonesborough." But the hour is redeemed by Ives, a welcome dose of nostalgia for the good times of the 1960's The rural-Illinois raised actor makes a convincing network frontiersman, and the enthusiasm he showed for all his roles puts a shine on any period network offering.
The hour is a showcase for the talents of the jovial Ives, who was at the peak of his career as a singer and actor, and whose must enduring screen memory as the animated snowman narrator of "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer seems likely to last several generations more. His presence is a touching reminder of a time when one could be a successful mainstream entertainer without displaying boorish behavior or an outlandish personal life. Bettger dutifully provides the week's flawed character in need of reform, and oversees a crippled son lest the belabored meme be missed. John Ford stock company actor Bouchey reprises his usual character of scheming blowhard.
Not sure how the Onodaga take up residence in Boonesborough this hour - they were part of the Six Nations, and firmly rooted in New York State during the late 18th century. When an Onodaga tribesman shows up, he is apparently back from a raid on the NBC prop warehouse - with accoutrements from the Eastern Woodlands, Florida, the Great Plains, and the South Pacific. This is also likely the 7th or 8th time that the cavern set has been used in the last two seasons, but we are spared the mini-skull on a pole.
The hour follows what has become a regular Season 5 pattern - Fess Parker makes a token or less appearance, Israel and the fort folk are overused, and the series declines into "Tales of Boonesborough." But the hour is redeemed by Ives, a welcome dose of nostalgia for the good times of the 1960's The rural-Illinois raised actor makes a convincing network frontiersman, and the enthusiasm he showed for all his roles puts a shine on any period network offering.
