The Durango Brothers

This was evidently supposed to be a comic episode rather than the usual shoot-em-up. As a famous actor said, "Dying is easy; comedy is hard." As this episode proves.

Another comment refers to the Andy Griffith Show. Yes, indeed. The story of Briscoe Darling (played by Denver Pyle) and his hillbilly family, including lovesick Charlene Darling who was set on capturing Andy's heart. And Andy sang, too. Small wonder a similarity is noted, but I think Andy's show was much more successful, because it was funny.

Here, I found much of this to be cringe-worthy. I can't fault the acting, because they seemed to do well with what they were given. Cheyenne Bodie would otherwise be the perfect straight man for something like this, but he can only be as good as the jokes he responds to.

Has to be the goofiest episode. Over the top performances by Jack Elam and the others.

Cheyenne finds trouble when the three *very* large Durango brothers bring him home to marry their sister, Lottie. But even more trouble is in store when the brothers and their Ma discover Cheyenne is investigating the mysterious disappearance of several men last seen in the area.

The second (some may argue third) of the full-on comedic episodes, clearly played for laughs with no shame whatsoever. Director Otto Lang rolled with the assignment and went for it all the way, complete with chirping bird sounds when Jack Elam gets clocked.

Ridiculous? Absolutely...but way fun nevertheless.

The stellar cast sure went with it, they appeared to be having a blast in this one. Ellen Corby, Jack Elam, and a very young Sally Kellerman? That's a darned good ensemble, and they rise to the occasion. All the cast performances were a hoot.

Ellen Corby as Hortense "Ma" Durango...was she ever young? I love it when she plays the heavy, as she also did in The Andy Griffith Show. A 25yr old Sally Kellerman is most lovely, and Lottie's "accent" is utterly atrocious. It's also amusingly puzzling in that she seems to be the only one in the family with one. Series veterans Mickey Simpson and Charles Briggs are a scream as big oafs Homer and Obed Durango, they really deliver in this one. I loved it when Ma coldcocks Obed across the jaw for nearly spilling the beans for the umpteenth time.

But this is Jack Elam's show, his Calhoun Durango stole the episode completely. His exaggerated facial expressions and dialogue delivery are a lot of fun to watch, and are a direct stepping stone to his numerous comedic roles in the future.

Although clearly not for all, it's one of my favorite episodes. I mentioned Andy Griffith above deliberately. The episode feels more like an episode of the Andy Griffith Show than Cheyenne...not a bad show to emulate. And one notable addition was Cheyenne's rendition of Love's Old Sweet Song.

Watch and enjoy!