Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV Series) Hero in the Dust (1961) User Reviews

Another Very Original Story

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 15 November 2010]

This three-year western TV series starring the famous Steve McQueen was really good in a number of areas. One of which was originality; the stories were all different. This particular episode is a good example.

In fact, in this story real-life brothers play twins in the story: "Pete" and "Harry Weaver." What's really odd is that the brothers, Paul and Nick Bon Tempi, only acted in one TV episode (this one) and one movie, which also was the same one (1962's "The Magic Sword") - that's it.

For much of the story, "Harry" is the main figure. Pete knocks his brothers unconscious and rides off early in the show. He knows his twin will be arrested for his crime. He is the bad brother and "Harry" is the good guy.

Harry manages to walk a day-and-a-half in the desert and find "Josh Randall" (McQueen) and pleads for help. He has to convince Josh he's not his brother and then hope Josh will help him find "Pete" to not only clear his own name but save his brother from getting killed by some other bounty hunter.

Agreeable Josh says okay and the two ride off, meeting some serious obstacles along the way. Ralph Bell is very interesting as fellow bounty hunter "Phil Richards" and Audrey Claire as "Polly" also is fascinating in a small role.

3 stories in 1

[Johnny_West · 8/10 · 26 April 2024]

This is an odd episode, in that it sort of rambles to different little stories in the main story.

One twin brother want Randall to catch the other twin, and collect the bounty on him. Twin 2 is the criminal, but Twin 1 is the guy always getting harassed because he is trying to live a normal life. The twins are played by real twins Paul and Nick Bon Tempi, who tried acting very briefly and then went on to other careers. They had a very classic 1950s film noir look.

The second mini-story involves fellow bounty hunter Phil (played by Ralph Bell), who is down on his luck and tries to steal the bounty from Randall. Even though it was the wrong twin, Phil didn't care, because he needed the money. Randall gives him the permanent cure for stealing, right in the guts.

The third little story involves a very sharp looking Audrey Claire, who plays the bar owner / girlfriend of the bad twin, #2. Randall looks her up and gets into a brief but entertaining discussion with her. Then he follows her and she unknowingly leads her to Twin 2, who feels betrayed by her.

Lots of interesting little things, including what happens when Randall puts the two twins together, and Twin 2 continues trying to work his evil ways.

Not too much here

[ebertip · 5/10 · 9 May 2019]

The innocent twin hires Josh to safely bring in the guilty one. Side plot with greedy bounty hunter. After two episodes using a four barrel pistol, Josh gives the mare's leg a workout here. The female Polly fails to trick Josh. As to money, Josh ends up in the negative here. Nothing too imaginative in this episode.