Have Gun – Will Travel: The Fourth Season, Volume One (1960 – 1961/CBS DVD)
Picture: B- Sound: C-
Extras: D Episodes: A
The classic returns in this, the first half of the fourth season on DVD. Presented here are the first 19 episodes to
the fourth season of Have Gun - Will Travel. The series, so well known for the superb
talent it would attract from many of the day’s top TV script writers, also drew
in many noteworthy guest stars. Appearances
in this volume include excellent turns from the likes of such actors as Robert
Blake, George Kennedy and others.
While the first three seasons were sold in complete volumes, this set marks the
first departure from that format - splitting this season’s episodes evenly
between this and a second volume, which has also been covered on this site.
Remarkably, this show is still fresh four seasons in. As in earlier
seasons, the writers have done a commendable job at keeping things interesting
for our hired gun. His cool demeanor and desire to solve situations with
brain power and logic before resorting to a weapon ensure that no matter what
the situation is, it will always be a joy to watch.
The episodes contained in this volume are as follows.
1) The Fatalist
2) Love’s Young Dream
3) A Head of Hair
4) Out at the Old Ballpark
5) Saturday Night
6) The Calf
7) The Tender Gun
8) Killing of Jessie May
9) Poker Fiend
10) Crowbait
11) Marshal’s Boy
12) Foggbound
13) The Legacy
14) The Prisoner
15) The Montebank
16) Sanctuary
17) Quiet Night in Town, Part I
18) Quiet Night in Town, Part II
19) Princess and the Gunfighter
The picture is in black and white, with its original 35mm full-frame aspect
ratio of 1.33:1. While it isn't perfect, it is crisp, with few examples of
neglect or careless transferring. The audio track provided is in Dolby
Digital 2.0 Mono, and while not as great as the video, it is pretty good for
its age.
There are no extras on these discs, and while that is a shame, you're still
getting some bang for your buck, as there are nearly 20 episodes here to enjoy.
There are at least summaries and original airdates listed on the artwork
as a reference accompaniment to your viewing.
I recommend this volume to any fans of the series, or western fans in general
who have yet to check this show out. For those who are uninitiated, grab
this set - it is essential viewing.
- David Milchick
