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Death Valley Days - Deadly Decision (1963) |
Western gunman shoots at silver dollars
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"Death Valley Days" was a half-hour television series which was produced for local television stations
and ran from 1952 to 1970.
The host was the "Old Ranger" (actor Stanley Andrews) who appeared as an Old West lawman
who introduced the story.
The episode "Deadly Decision" was first broadcast on October 8, 1963.
Farmer Steve McKenney has two sons. The older is a feared gunman and Steve doesn't
want the younger son to become one.
At the beginning of the program the older son shoots a pistol at six silver dollars mounted on a log.
The coins used in the program appear to be Ellis Merchantile Company motion picture dollar-size prop coins
which have a large "$1.00" on them.
1. Program title
The Old Ranger appears and introduces the program.
2. The Old Ranger
Howdy folks, I'm the Old Ranger.
Jim McKinney was raised on a farm.
But he soon discovered he could harvest more wealth with a gun than a plow.
The farm boy developed a taste for wild and fancy living.
By 1885, at the age of 24, he was known throughout California's San Joaquin Valley for his display of violence.
But it was Steve McKinney, Jim's father, who was forced to make the ... Deadly Decision.
3. Jim McKinney ready
Steve McKinney runs a small farm with his sons Jim and Matt who is around 12 years old.
Steve does not like how Matt idolizes his older brother.
Jim is applying for a job.
4. Coins on log
Jim makes a comment about wasting money by shooting at silver dollars.
5. Coins close-up
The second coin has a number "$1.00".
The prop coins appear to be Ellis Merchantile dollar prop coins which have a prominent "$1.00" on them.
The Ellis Merchantile Company opened in Los Angeles in 1908 and manufactured imitation prop coins for the motion picture
business until it closed in 2000.
An Ellis Merchantile Company prop coin:
6. Ellis Merchantile Company - $1.00 Coin
Aluminum, 38 mm, 6.30 gm
Obverse: GOOD FOR / $1.00 / IN TRADE / ELLIS MERCHANTILE
Reverse: Bird of Paradise and man kneeling in temple surrounded by eight-pointed star, no text
Reverse: Bird of Paradise and man kneeling in temple surrounded by eight-pointed star, no text
Back to the program:
7. Matt and Steve watch
Matt is excited.
Matt complains to Jim about the local school teacher and Jim goes to see him.
8. Jim threatens the teacher
Steve tells Jim to move out of the house.
Jim later threatens the sheriff with a gun. The sheriff grabs the pistol and arrests Jim.
At a court hearing Jim demonstrates that the pistol can not fire but the court sentences Jim to
two months in jail or a $200 fine.
Matt keeps idolizing Jim and wants to be with him.
9. Steve pays Jim's fine
Steve pays Jim's fine and he is released from jail.
The sheriff gives Jim's defective pistol to Steve.
Steve later finds Matt watching Jim play cards at a saloon.
10. Saloon card game
The saloon owner sees Jim's expertise at cards and offers to make him a partner.
The two men argue over the saloon girl and Jim shoots the owner.
A sheriff's posse is chasing Jim.
He visits his father and asks for enough money to get to Mexico and for a pistol.
11. Steve holds the money and the gun
Steve gives Jim some money and the defective pistol.
The posse of four men catches up with Jim who shoots at them. Jim is immediately shot.
12. The End
Cast, Directors, Writers:
Stanley Andrews as The Old Ranger
James Caan as Jim McKinney
Roger Mobley as Matt McKinney
R.G. Armstrong as Steve McKinney
Walter Brooke as Mr. Jonas (school teacher)
Director: Sidney Salkow
Writers: A. Sanford Wolfe
James Caan as Jim McKinney
Roger Mobley as Matt McKinney
R.G. Armstrong as Steve McKinney
Walter Brooke as Mr. Jonas (school teacher)
Writers: A. Sanford Wolfe
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