If he ever played 'cowboys and Indians' with other 8-year-olds in his neighborhood in the 1940's, Dennis Hopper probably chose to be someone like the Utah Kid. It's basically the same character he played later on in season two's "The Iron Trail," a lightweight young gun with an attitude and not much to back it up. Cheyenne is escorting a disparate party of settlers to Owl River: Jeffry Billings and his wife, Lavinia, from England, and Frank Endicott and his fiancée, Ella. Along for the ride are gentle, sturdy cowpoke Beef Simpkins, Billings' loyal steward Kevin, and Endicott's ranch foreman. When Comanches attack the wagon, the group take refuge in an abandoned way station. A couple of tension-filled days later, with no water or food, Cheyenne challenges arrogant Chief Yellow Knife (or as he nicknamed him, Chief Pretty Feathers) to a one-on-one fight. The weapon the chief chooses is a small pool of quicksand. Cheyenne Bodie has had his share of man-to-man combat, but this was a new one on him. Still, to save his charges, he agrees. True to his cocky nature, the Utah Kid refuses to agree to the terms (give up your weapon), challenging "General" Cheyenne's authority one last time. We know where that ends up. Among his last words are, "How come I never heard of you?" If he had heard of Cheyenne Bodie, it's doubtful he would have challenged him to a showdown.
The quicksand scene is dramatic, but would have been more so if the director had heated the sawdust/oatmeal concoction so that the actors weren't forced to sink into a frigid pool of gunk. Clint Walker said in an interview that the crew were sitting around in coats, scarves, and gloves while he and the chief, stripped to the waist, were shivering uncontrollably. It adds a slightly comical element to what was actually a heroic gesture on the part of both characters. But all ends well for almost everyone and the travelers can carry on: the Billings with a better understanding of each other and of their new country; Frank and Ella, no longer engaged, but each with an appreciation for what the experience has done for them; Ella looking forward to life in Wyoming with the kind and considerate Beef (please tell me that's not his given name) Simpkins and Frank determined to cut the apron strings that have been tying him down.
Clint Walker is the brave, unselfish Cheyenne Bodie we learned he was in episode one, shirt or no shirt; and despite what any thespian elitist might say, he can convey more with a look from those steely blue eyes than most actors can with a line of dialog. All the secondary players are very good, especially John Alderson in a good-guy role for a change, Peggy Webber as the disillusioned spinster suddenly given reason to hope, and Dennis Hopper playing Dennis Hopper.
The quicksand scene is dramatic, but would have been more so if the director had heated the sawdust/oatmeal concoction so that the actors weren't forced to sink into a frigid pool of gunk. Clint Walker said in an interview that the crew were sitting around in coats, scarves, and gloves while he and the chief, stripped to the waist, were shivering uncontrollably. It adds a slightly comical element to what was actually a heroic gesture on the part of both characters. But all ends well for almost everyone and the travelers can carry on: the Billings with a better understanding of each other and of their new country; Frank and Ella, no longer engaged, but each with an appreciation for what the experience has done for them; Ella looking forward to life in Wyoming with the kind and considerate Beef (please tell me that's not his given name) Simpkins and Frank determined to cut the apron strings that have been tying him down.
Clint Walker is the brave, unselfish Cheyenne Bodie we learned he was in episode one, shirt or no shirt; and despite what any thespian elitist might say, he can convey more with a look from those steely blue eyes than most actors can with a line of dialog. All the secondary players are very good, especially John Alderson in a good-guy role for a change, Peggy Webber as the disillusioned spinster suddenly given reason to hope, and Dennis Hopper playing Dennis Hopper.
