EPISODE: Alias Joe Cartwright

Reviewed by Lynne Coulson

Episode 151, Season 5: First aired January 26 1964

Guest stars: Keenan Wynn, Douglas Dick, Owen Bush, Hugh Sanders, Joseph Turkel, and Dave Willock

Written by: Robert Vincent Wright

Directed by: Lewis Allen

SUMMARY:

In the opening scene, we see Joe riding across some fairly barren country, unaware that someone is following him. At this point we have no idea where Joe is going or who the other man is.

Joe stops for the night and prepares himself some food. (By the look on his face when he tastes it, it is definitely not up to Hop Sing's standard.) We hear some coyotes/wolves howling and Cochise, who is tethered just behind Joe, whinnies and stamps her hoof. Joe goes over to her, pats her and fusses her (would that I was that horse) and reassures her that whatever it is out there is more afraid of them, than they are of it. (Not sure if that is for Cochise's benefit, or his own).

He then settles down and goes to sleep. The man who has been tailing him enters the clearing where Joe is camping and hits Joe with the butt of his gun, knocking him out. The next thing we see is the man, dressed in Joe's clothes, buckling on Joe's gunbelt and sliding it round so that the gun is on his right hip. We get a glimpse of his face and see that he looks very much like Joe, except for a bigger nose and a moustache. (Wish we'd seen the clothes being taken off). Joe is still unconscious on the ground and is now wearing the man's clothes, which are doused in whisky by the man, before he leaves.

We then have the opening credits and when we return to Joe, it is the next morning and he is just coming round. After rubbing his head, he looks down and sees that he is wearing different clothes (a check shirt and brown pants, with suspenders, which help give us a lovely view of his gorgeous butt, as they make the pants quite tight.) He picks up the whisky bottle and walks, rather unsteadily, over to the horse the man left, just as three soldiers arrive, holding guns on him. The leader, Sergeant O'Rourke, tells him not to even wiggle a toe, or else he will turn him into a lead soldier; a line that I just love, even though it is delivered when Joe is in danger of being shot. Joe tries to explain what happened and that it is all a mistake, but O'Rourke says the only mistake Joe made was stopping to get drunk, instead of continuing to run. He calls Joe a deserter and Joe says he can't be a deserter as he's never been in the Army, but O'Rourke makes reference to the fact that Joe has an Army horse and saddlebags in his possession. He says he is still in trouble for stealing them, even if he isn't a soldier. Then one of the troopers (the bank manager from Bank Run) finds a paybook for Corporal Angus Borden in the saddlebags and O'Rourke is then convinced that he's caught a deserter. He orders Joe to mount up and they head back to Fort Mead, with the real Borden looking on and smiling before he rides off in the opposite direction. (He is riding Cochise, the horse that doesn't let anyone else ride her, but I suppose this guy was so much like Joe that he fooled even her.)

Joe and the soldiers arrive at the fort and are greeted by Captain Merced, the new commander. Sergeant O'Rourke explains that they have caught a deserter named Corporal Borden. The captain recognizes the name and interrupts Joe when he tries to tell his story. He tells Joe to go to his office with him and that he will speak to him alone. Joe tells what happened, explaining that he was on his way to Lode City. Merced wants to know if Joe saw the man, but Joe says he was asleep when the assailant struck. Joe remembers that he has a letter, stuffed down his boot (no explanation as to why it is there, rather than in his jacket pocket) in which it introduces Joe to a man called Mr. Billings in Lode City. Merced takes the letter, reads it, and calls in the sergeant. He congratulates O'Rourke on capturing Borden, a fugitive from Fort Craig, Montana Territory, saying he is wanted for the murder of a superior officer and has already been tried and convicted. Joe still tries to get them to believe him, but Merced says that he probably stole the letter. He then plays his ace card. He tells Joe that he was at Fort Craig when Borden was on trial and so knows him. Joe says that he's never met Merced in his life, but Merced tells him to stop lying and orders O'Rourke to put Joe in the guardhouse. Merced intends to wire Fort Craig and get permission to execute "Borden" immediately.

As O'Rourke escorts Joe to the guardhouse, Joe continues to argue his case and says that maybe Merced is the liar. The sergeant says he cannot accuse his commanding officer of lying and Joe points out that Merced has only been there for a few days and so O'Rourke doesn't know what he's capable of. He accuses O'Rourke of losing the ability to think for himself since being in the army and asks him to send a telegram to Ben to sort it out (not sure why that would sort things out, but still). The sergeant says he could lose his stripes for going against orders; Joe says he could lose his life, if O'Rourke doesn't send the wire.

O'Rourke goes over to the soldiers' sleeping quarters and we see him sitting at a table, deep in thought. Peters, one of the men, returns from a night in town and thanks O'Rourke for his pass. He says he met a real nice saloon gal, a bit on the fat side, but she was fun to be with. O'Rourke offers Peters another pass, in exchange for doing him a favor in town, but Peters says he's too tired to go. The sergeant accuses him of being a disgrace to the uniform if he turns it down, and so Peters says he will go.

The sergeant returns to the guardhouse and tells Joe that the wire is going to be sent to his father. Joe gets a bit choked up and thanks O'Rourke, who tries to pretend he's not moved by Joe's show of emotion, but he is really.

We now go to Captain Merced's office and a soldier tells him that there is a man asking to see him, but he won't give his name. The captain tells the soldier to bring him in and it is Borden.

Merced calls Borden a fool for coming onto Army property and Borden says that he's no fool and he has the whole thing planned out. He says that he targeted Joe because of the similarities in height and weight, followed him, switched clothes with him and left him with his army equipment. Then he tells Merced that all he has to do is execute him. As he is saying all this, Borden is sitting on the edge of the Captain's desk, much as Joe does on Ben's, and he picks up a cigar. (Despite the fact that Borden is supposed to be right handed, he lights a match with his left hand; presumably ML couldn't do that with his right hand? Michael changed his voice for playing Borden; he has a Southern accent, reminiscent of LJ in the pilot episode.)

Merced tells Borden that he wasn't that clever, as he left the letter on Joe, and he shows it to him. Borden decides to try and collect the $5,000 which Mr. Billings has waiting for Joe and pockets the letter. Merced tells him not to, but Borden says Merced is not in charge of him anymore and he's going to do things his way. He goes to the door, telling Merced to smile as they've been getting away with murder so far. As he opens the door, O'Rourke is waiting to speak to the captain and says it's about the prisoner. Merced introduces Borden to the sergeant, telling him that this is Joe Cartwright, and that he's told the captain the full story. The sergeant leaves, without speaking to the captain, as he now thinks that Joe has been lying to him and that he really is Borden.

Borden goes to the hotel in Lode City and asks for a room. There is a rather harassed looking man on the desk and when he sees that Borden has signed the register as Joe Cartwright, he tells him that he hasn't yet sent off the telegram for him. The desk clerk is also the telegrapher and the barman, and has appropriate outfits for each job. He changes into them as he moves from each section of the room. He goes over to the telegraph section and hands Borden the paper on which is written the message for Ben from O'Rourke. Borden tells the man that it's not necessary to send it after all, and then goes for a drink.

Back at the fort, O'Rourke yells at Dougan (the bank manager from Bank Run) for sleeping while on duty outside the guardhouse, and then goes in to talk to Joe, who is now looking a lot happier and is eating breakfast. (I'm not sure why Joe is sitting at a table, rather than eating in his cell)  O'Rourke tells him that he doesn't have many mornings left and Joe doesn't understand until the sergeant explains that the real Joe Cartwright turned up at the fort late the night before. Joe asks if the man was wearing a green jacket, brown shirt and grey pants. O'Rourke doesn't answer Joe, but is obviously surprised that Joe can describe the clothes. Joe goes on to say that the reason he can is because they are his clothes and then O'Rourke asks why Borden would be stupid enough to come to the fort. Joe reminds him that Merced is the only person who knows what Borden looks like and adds that all will be sorted out when the reply arrives to the telegram.

At the hotel, Borden comes down from his room and asks the desk clerk, who is now in his chef's outfit, where he can find the Cattle Exchange, as he needs to speak to Mr. Billings. The clerk tells Borden that Mr. Mort Billings is at a table in the restaurant of the hotel. Borden goes over to Billings and introduces himself as Joseph Cartwright. He gives Mr. Billings the letter from Ben, saying it's from his Dad, and Billings acknowledges that Ben told him he would be sending his youngest son to pick up the bank draft. Billings tells him that the check is waiting in his office. Borden doesn't want a check; he wants cash. But as it's Saturday, Billings says he will have to wait until Monday for the bank to open. Borden is mad, but has to accept it, and so he leaves the table, insisting that the money is ready for him first thing Monday morning. Billings is suspicious and asks Mr. Weems, the clerk, to send a telegram to Mr. Cartwright of Virginia City. Weems says that Billings was just talking to Mr. Cartwright, but Billings explains that the wire is to go to Joe's father.

Back at the fort, Peters returns from his night in town, but didn't wait for the reply to the telegram. When O'Rourke yells at him for being such an idiot, Peters replies that's why he is enlisted man, as he doesn't know how to think for himself. The sergeant then insists that Peters returns to town and, once again, the man tries to get out of it. The sergeant berates him about being a disgrace to his uniform and says he's to stay in town until he gets an answer to the telegram. The poor guy (looking like he's spent the night on the pulque) heads back to town, but falls asleep in the saddle and is found by Hoss and Ben, who are looking for Joe. When they wake him up and suggest he should go back to the fort, he says he has to get to town to see about a telegram for Joseph Cartwright. Before they can ask him anymore, he rides off, leaving the two of them baffled as to what a soldier from Fort Mead could have to do with Joe. Ben decides to go to the fort and Hoss takes off after the soldier, planning to check up about the telegram. They agree to meet in Lode City.

Ben talks to Captain Merced and explains what the soldier said. The captain says that Joe stopped to get his cinch fixed. He had completed his business in Lode City and was on his way home. When Ben asks again about the telegram, Merced says that the soldier was probably doing Joe a favor and sending a telegram to Ben to advise him that Joe was going to be a bit late getting home. Ben is satisfied with this explanation (no reason why he shouldn't be) and leaves without knowing that Joe is being held a prisoner at the fort.

Hoss arrives at the hotel and asks Weems if Joe is registered there. Weems says he's in room 4, but is not there at the moment. Hoss asks if Joe is all right and Weems says he's not a doctor, but Joe looked all right. He suggests that Hoss go and search the saloons (something that Hoss has often done when trying to find that little brother of his).

At the fort, Merced calls O'Rourke into his office and tells him that Fort Craig has old them to go ahead with the execution the next day. O'Rourke points out that tomorrow is Sunday and he's never known an execution to take place on the Sabbath. Merced is obviously agitated and anxious for Joe to be killed and so insists that it takes place.

O'Rourke goes to see Joe and tells him that they haven't received an answer from the wire and that the execution is set for the following morning. He says that a man is waiting in town for the reply, but if it doesn't come in time, then there's nothing else he can do. Poor Joe is left all alone to contemplate his fate, bless.

Ben catches up with Hoss, who is dozing in the hotel lobby. He tells Hoss that Joe is fine and on his way home, but Hoss is surprised, as he has checked the room and all of Joe's belongings are still in it. Ben can't understand why Joe would leave his stuff and so he and Hoss go to search the town again. Hoss says that he hasn't spoken to Billings, as the man won't be in town until the next day, and so they can't check if Joe did conclude his business or not.

Peters returns to the fort and tells the sergeant that he waited for a reply, only to be told that the telegram was never sent. He said that Weems saw Joe Cartwright, who told him there was no need to send it. The sergeant finally believes that Joe is telling the truth. He sends Peters to bed and then tells Joe that although he knows they have the wrong man, he still can't stop the execution. He calls in Dougan to alert the men who have been chosen for the firing squad that they are to be on the parade ground at dawn the next day. The sergeant says Corporal Angus Borden is to be shot, but Joe says that if he is to die, he wants it known that he is Joe Cartwright. When Dougan hears the name, he tells them that another man visited Captain Merced with that last and describes Ben. Joe insists that O'Rourke goes into Lode City to talk to Ben, but the sergeant says he can't go, but he will send someone. You guessed it; it's poor old Peters again. O'Rourke goes and wakes the man up, and once more tells him that he is a disgrace to the uniform if he doesn't go.

Ben is not that happy when Joe can't be found and says that the boy is in for a piece of his mind when he finds him, but Hoss, ever the peacemaker, says that Joe didn't know they were looking for him. (I can imagine Hoss doing this a lot over the years; in fact he mentions it in Question of Strength, that he used to plead to Pa n behalf of Joe LOL) The pair of them are sitting in the lobby and Borden comes in through another entrance and goes up to the bar to get a drink. Both Hoss and Ben think it is Joe at first, as they recognize the clothes (they should, he ALWAYS wore them). Weems tells Borden that two men are waiting to talk to him and points out Ben and Hoss. As they approach Borden, they both say hello to him, acting as though it is Joe. Ben says he wants them to have a nice family talk, in private, and takes hold of Borden's arm. Borden resists and Hoss slams his head down on the bar as Ben removes his gun. Weems intervenes, but backs off when Ben says it's just a family discussion. Borden tells them that he won Joe's clothes in a poker game. Then Ben asks him why he is using Joe's name and Borden says he found the letter about the $5,000 and thought he could steal it, but it didn't work. Borden is getting rather anxious and wants to leave, but Ben keeps a firm grip on him. He asks Borden about visiting Fort Mead and talking to Captain Merced. Borden denies going to the fort and says he doesn't know where Joe is (he lies to Pa, bad boy). Ben says they are all going out to the fort to talk to the captain and Hoss adds that Borden can go conscious or unconscious, makes no difference to him. They lead him away and Weems remarks that he wishes he had time for such interesting discussions.

Poor Peters arrives after the Cartwrights have left, and asks Weems if he knows a man named Cartwright. Weems replies that there are three of them, and Peters looks really pained at this news. He says he needs to talk to any one of them, but Weems says he can't, as it is a family affair and very private. The poor man lays his head in his hands and pleads for some sleep.

At the fort, day is dawning and Joe is pacing the cell. O'Rourke comes to tell him that there is no sign of his father yet. He tells Joe that he will try and stall things for as long as he can and Joe thanks him for trying to help. (When he looks out through the bars, he just looks so adorable, it makes me cry - sorry, but I'm a big softy) The sergeant says that he's a good soldier. (But it looks like he is about to become that lead soldier O'Rourke mentioned at their first meeting).

O'Rourke advises the guard on the gate to let him know if anyone arrives. The firing squad march up to the guardhouse to collect Joe; oh boy, he looks scared, bless him. They lead him outside and he tells Merced that he is going to die without knowing why, but that he knows that Merced will live with the knowledge until the day he dies. Joe is left standing up against the wall of the fort and Merced reads out the charge. The men are told to aim and fire and they all shoot at Joe. (What a terrifying moment that must have been for him). However, he is unharmed, as all the rifles have been loaded with blanks (O'Rourke's doing). Merced says the sergeant will lose his stripes for that and orders that the men all reload and that no one gets a blank this time. (The regulations stated that one man in the firing squad was issued with a blank so that none of them knew who was actually responsible for killing the man and so couldn't feel guilty about it).

Ben, Hoss and Borden are on their way and hear the rifle fire; it spurs them on to ride faster.

O'Rourke walks over to Joe and says he doesn't know what else to do. Merced tells him to move away from the prisoner, but O'Rourke stands in front of Joe and won't allow them to kill him. He says that he's been in the Army for 27 years and never disobeyed an order, but he knows that Joe is innocent and so can't stand by and let him die.

Merced puts O'Rourke under arrest and two soldiers move in to escort him away. The sergeant and Joe start to fight, but are soon overcome when more soldiers join in. The firing squad loads their weapons and takes aim; we hear the sound of galloping hooves and Ben, Hoss and Borden ride in. Ben goes straight over to Joe and stops the execution. He says that Joe is his son. Merced starts blustering and Joe says that he knew who was Borden and that it wasn't him. He says Merced never knew him at Fort Craig and that the real Angus Borden is the man who has just ridden in, wearing his clothes.

Borden then speaks and explains what happened. Merced juggled the books at Fort Craig and Borden peddled the supplies to the Indians. Another officer discovered what they were doing and so Borden killed him, in front of Merced. Then, when Borden was found guilty, Merced helped him escape.

Once the story has been told, O'Rourke puts both Merced and Borden under arrest and has them taken to the guardhouse. He then comes over to talk to Ben and Hoss, and Joe tells them that this is the man who saved his life. Ben removes his hand from Joe's shoulder long enough to grasp O'Rourke's in both of his and thank him. O'Rourke says if Joe causes Ben any more trouble, Ben's to send for him. Both Hoss and Joe thank O'Rourke again and then the three walk away, Joe in the middle, with Hoss one side of him and Ben the other. One question remains unanswered, though. Does Joe get his clothes back, or does he go home in Borden's clothes and Ben has to send out for yet more green corduroy?

Peters arrives back and tells O'Rourke that Weems wouldn't divulge anything about the Cartwrights, as it was a family affair. O'Rourke can see that Peters is just about asleep on his feet and bawls him out, saying he would be a pretty good soldier if only he didn't keep asking for passes all the time. Peters falls onto O'Rourke, who yells for Dougan to help him.

REVIEWS:

“This episode gives Michael the chance to play a bad guy for a change and I think he enjoyed it, although that ferret (moustache) on his top lip looked rather troublesome…I think Michael handled the other role very well, although I wonder how many takes it took them to get through the scene where Ben and Hoss rough up Borden in order to find out what has happened to Little Joe. When Dan bashes his head down on the bar, I wouldn’t be surprised if Michael didn’t start giggling, or pretending to be really hurt. After all the times I have seen this episode, I still find myself getting anxious that Ben is not going to get there in time to save his boy and poor Joe looks terrified as he stands there, thinking that this is the end of his life. I assume that the recurring theme of Peters being the one sent to town is to inject some humor into an otherwise tense episode. I suppose it is rather amusing, but personally I could have done with out it.” Lynne

“What seems amazing to me is that although I've seen this episode countless times, and I know that Pa and Hoss are going to get to Joe in the last minute...I still tense up those last few seconds as they gallop toward the fort to save him.” Lillian

“I clearly remember seeing the coming attractions for this one in the first run. They showed Joe lined up to be shot and the scene of Ben and Hoss hearing the shots ring out. I waited all week on pins and needles sure that this time Joe would be shot. I was sure he couldn't escape doom this time. By the time the episode was on, my entire family sat glued to the screen for the entire episode and didn't breathe until Ben and Hoss walked off with Joe. I also remember wondering where they found the actor who looked so much like Michael Landon and figured it must have been his less handsome brother.” Robin

“I agree on that guy going back and forth to town…I definitely could have gone without him in the show. I would rather have seen more Little Joe or even Angus because it was funny to watch him. I wonder if ML liked that wad in his mouth! I think he probably very much enjoyed doing this episode.  Lot’s of LJ in this one so lots to like about it for sure. The suspense at the end was great!” Deb

“The best part about this episode is the emotion Joe shows when he thinks he's about to die -- the way he grips the cell bars and prays, and the fearful yet trying to be brave look as he stands before the firing squad. I also like the bit at the beginning when Joe calms Cochise. I always envied the horse being able to snuggle his nose into Joe's chest. God know, I've wanted to do that many, many times!” Susan Grote

“That disbelieving look on Joe's face after the volley was priceless.  He couldn't believe he was still alive and standing there.” Ginny

“Might I say that ML was wonderful in both roles. The character of Borden was a bit more believable than and certainly more evil than ML as one of those Slade Boys!  I will say you just can't take the Cartwright out of ML and if you watch this show closely his gate, posture and gestures of Borden are Little Joe all the way.  Watch the scene where ML "Borden" is talking to the Captain, the facial expressions, acting is the playful, youthful LJ in trouble or nervous.  That part of the episode always kind of bothered me. Still, I have a question...can I give Joe his last and final request before the firing squad?  Oh please, please, please!!!!!” Nancy 

“I like the comic touches that lighten the mood of this episode - yes, even the storyline of the beleaguered Peters dealing with his unwanted passes.  I especially enjoy watching the hotel clerk/telegrapher/barkeep/waiter who finds it necessary to methodically change into the appropriate attire for each job - love it as he removes the telegrapher's eye shade and both sleeve protector thingies just to walk the few steps from the telegraph key to the hotel front desk, then dons the suit jacket appropriate for that task.  As for the more serious stuff, I thought ML's acting job was terrific when he was facing the firing squad - realistic and not overplayed.” Sue W