Death Valley Days went off the air when I was 3 so I missed out on this show. I've heard about it and have watched a couple episodes over the years. I just finished watching one that drew my interest: Samaritans, Mountain Style. The tale opens somewhere in the West in 1843 or 1844, during the Second Expedition of John C. Fremont (Dick Simmons). Kit Carson (Phillip Pine) and Frenchy Godey (Michael Pate) are playing pranks on the hapless William Gilpin (Don Keefer). Gilpin has a low opinion of these rough mountain men, but Fremont says they are necessary for the success of the expedition. Later, a Mexican man and his son arrive, having just survived an Indian attack which cost them many relatives and a herd of horses. Gilpin urges Fremont to take action but he declines, stating that his job is to blaze a trail to Oregon, not risk the expedition on fighting Indians. On their own, Carson and Godey locate the missing horses and snatch them from the Indians. Gilpin is quite impressed and changes his opinion of mountain men.
It is a simple tale and even true. Carson and Godey did retrieve horses for a Mexican during the expedition. Generally, quite enjoyable. However, the casting is a bit of a problem. 34 year-old Kit Carson is portrayed by 46 year-old Pine. Godey was only 25 but Pate is 46. Gilpin was 30 while Keefer is 50. Lastly, Fremont was only 30 but is portrayed by a 53 year-old Simmons. Though probably not a problem for most viewers, this took me out of the story repeatedly. Also, this expedition had around 50 men who brought along a canon. As shown, Fremont has fewer than 10 men in the expedition. Changes have been made for budgetary reasons and casting must have depended on the stock of regular actors for the series.
Entertaining and even mildly educational.
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