Improbable but fairly absorbing drama interrupted series' depressing late-season skid. Star power of Leslie Nielsen, Julie Adams and future soap opera stud Eric Braeden, then known as Hans Gudegast, give show a boost, but stock heavy Rex Holman makes the most vivid impression as a psychotic killer in love with his Gatling gun. John Dehner, whose crusty Morgan Starr recurring role went over like a lead balloon with series' fans, shows a compassionate side here as he tries to dissuade Nielsen's bitter ex-lawman character from his assassination scheme before it's too late. It was already too late for Dehner. This was Morgan Starr's final appearance in "The Virginian." There would be big changes in the cast of regulars in season five.
4 Reviews
John Dehner was a WELCOME guest on The Virginian
budsterfish27 February 2019
I have heard and read all the critics of Jon Dehners performance and character on the Virginian. I strongly disagree. I think for the short time he was on, he added conflict to the show. When Lee J. Cobb left mid season, something needed to be done. Dehners experience as an actor in so many westerns, playing so many characters made him the perfect choice. As the new leader of Shiloh he gave the Virginian himself some competition, he gave young Randy a little tough Wisdom, and, well, he didn't mess at all with Trampas! Dehner played his role as Starr with confidence. He is a consummate actor and I appreciated these few episodes.
Assassination in old Mexico
bkoganbing28 January 2020
This Virginian episode has John Dehner and Doug McClure in old Mexico when
Dehner runs into an old friend and former town marshal Leslie Nielsen. But Nielsen has gone over to the dark side and is heading an assassination plot of a
US Senator and Mexican provincial governor who are signing a trade agreement.
Nielsen has a motley crew of assassins and he plans to hatch the plot with a gatling gun from Father Eduardo Ciannelli's church.
Kind of a letdown finish for me. But note the performance of Rex Holman as a man in love with the gatling gun. In these days a poster boy for gun control.
Nielsen has a motley crew of assassins and he plans to hatch the plot with a gatling gun from Father Eduardo Ciannelli's church.
Kind of a letdown finish for me. But note the performance of Rex Holman as a man in love with the gatling gun. In these days a poster boy for gun control.
Great Acting - interesting episode
deswind-150621 June 2022
I rated this perhaps a little higher than I should have, but maybe it will provide some balance. The acting is superb. John Dehner and Leslie Nielsen do a fabulous job here. The storyline is interesting and once again involves some common themes that we see in Westerns but are also important today. I will not get more specific so that this does not need a spoiler alert.
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