EPISODE: Invention of a Gunfighter

Reviewed by Susan Grote

Episode # 169, Season 6, first aired September 20, 1964

Guest stars: Guy Stockwell, Valerie Allen, Ron Foster

Written by Dan Ullman

Directed by John Florea

SUMMARY:

Sitting at a table in the saloon, Joe is watching with amusement as his friend Johnny Chapman flirts with one of the saloon girls, Olive. When Olive goes to the bar to get drinks, Joe remarks to Johnny that his friend “has it bad” for Olive and Johnny agrees with a grin. Meanwhile, a well-dressed stranger has entered the saloon and is standing at the bar. When Olive approaches the bar, the stranger grabs her, saying he has been looking for her for months. As Olive is struggling to get away from the man’s grasp, Johnny quickly intervenes. The man at the bar – who we learn is named Al Mooney – punches Johnny and then challenges Johnny to draw. It’s obvious the man is a professional gunfighter, while equally as obvious is the fact that Johnny isn’t (his gunbelt is worn high around his waist and his holster is pushed back from his side). Olive begs Al not to draw on Johnny and Johnny stares at the man with a frightened look on his face. Finally, Johnny puts his hands behind his back, signaling he doesn’t intend to draw. As Joe watches his friend with concern, Al calls Johnny a coward and mocks him. Finally, the young cowboy lowers his head and walks out of the saloon.

Back at the Ponderosa, an obviously upset Joe is poking at the fire and ignoring Hoss’ efforts to distract him. Ben finally tells Joe to stop poking the fire, and advises him to put the whole incident in the saloon out of his mind. Joe admits it’s not that easy; he’s been friends with Johnny since school and it’s hard to think of his friend being humiliated. Adam remarks that Johnny would have been dead if he had drawn, and Hoss adds that Johnny will get over it. Joe replies to Hoss that Hoss has never been afraid of anything in his life, but Hoss protests that this isn’t true. Then Ben joins the discussion, telling Joe that Johnny did the right thing, that men shouldn’t settle their differences with guns. He also comments that Johnny would have felt bad if there had been a gunfight and some innocent bystander had been killed. Joe grudging admits his father is right, but wonders how to make Johnny understand this. He knows all Johnny is feeling right now that he turned “yellow” in front of the whole town, and worse, in front of his girl.

Just then, Johnny arrives at the Ponderosa, and is warmly invited into the house by the Cartwrights. After Adam and Hoss disappear (Adam to the barn, and Hoss to the kitchen to get coffee), Johnny settles down to talk with Ben and Joe. He humbly thanks the Cartwrights for treating him so nicely, adding that many people wouldn’t have been so friendly. Then Johnny turns to Joe to explain he really doesn’t know how to use a gun; he just carries it to shoot snakes or to signal for help. Ben notes that not using a gun to shoot a human being is nothing to be ashamed of, and Johnny agrees. But he adds that he doesn’t even know how to handle a gun. Johnny then asks Joe to teach him how to use a gun.

With disapproval obvious on his face, Ben asks Johnny how he can claim he never wants to shoot anyone and yet ask Joe to teach him how to do just that. Johnny acknowledges that this sounds strange, but explains that he just needs to know he knows how to handle a gun. If he knows inside himself that he can handle a gun, he won’t be afraid.

Ben tells Johnny that he feels a certain responsibility for the young man, since he has known Johnny most of his life, and Johnny’s father was a close friend. He agrees that Johnny shouldn’t have to be afraid, but suggests learning how to shoot isn’t going to give Johnny the courage he thinks it will.

Disagreeing with Ben, Johnny declares that Joe would never have walked away from the gunfight. Joe demurs, saying no one can be sure what he would have done, and Ben agrees that no man can say for sure how he would have acted in those circumstances. Johnny argues that Joe wouldn’t have walked away, adding that he knows Joe is really good with a gun. When Johnny asks Joe who taught him to shoot, Joe admits his father and brothers taught him. Johnny then states that the Cartwrights know his father died when Johnny was only 10, and that Joe is the closest thing Johnny has to a brother. After exchanging looks with Ben, Joe agrees to teach Johnny how to shoot. Johnny gratefully tells Joe that he won’t be sorry.

The next day, Johnny and Joe are out in a meadow, and Johnny is showing Joe how he shoots. He squints as he takes aim, trying hard to zero in on the target. When he finally fires, Johnny misses all six tin cans which have been lined up on a rock as targets. Dumbfounded by his friend’s ineptitude, Joe tells him to try again, and this time, Johnny can’t even get his gun to fire.

When Joe looks at Johnny’s gun, he finds the gun is rusted and the ammunition is old. Joe then orders Johnny to clean the gun and get new bullets, adding that Johnny was kidding when he said he knew nothing about guns. Going into a teaching mode, Joe instructs his friend that one of the first things his Pa taught him was to make sure the first shot counted, because you might not get a second chance. When Johnny observes this means “don’t miss or the other guy will kill you”, Joe gets a disturbed look on his face. Joe tells Johnny to stop thinking about shooting in terms of human beings, that his Pa meant you might not get another shot at a bear or cougar. Looking ashamed, Johnny nods and acknowledges he understands. Accepting Johnny’s tacit apology, Joe then proceeds to show his friend how to shoot, easily hitting three of the targets with three shots.

As time passes, Johnny and Joe continue to practice and Johnny improves, getting to the point where he can occasionally hit one of the tin cans.

Riding up to the Ponderosa ranch house, Ben sees Joe is sawing a log. Stopping to rest, Joe asks if his father happened to see Olive when he was in town. Ben answers that he heard she is working nights now and adds that Al Mooney is still in town, playing poker and not giving any indication he intends to leave. Shrugging, Joe dismisses Mooney, saying it’s a free country. Ben then asks Joe how “his pupil” is doing, and Joe replies that Johnny is getting better. When Ben asks if Johnny understands that carrying a gun carries a certain responsibility, Joe assures his father that Johnny understands; he explains that he reminds Johnny that every day. Ben observes that he is sure Joe understands about the responsibility of handling a gun because he had something to do with convincing Joe. He goes on to say that it’s different hearing about responsibility from someone your own age than it is hearing about it from one’s father. Surprised, Joe asks if Ben thinks he shouldn’t have taught Johnny how to shoot. Ben answers that he’s glad Joe is teaching Johnny. He notes that Johnny was determined to learn how to shoot and Ben is happy Joe is teaching him rather than someone with a different set of values.

Continuing to practice on his own, Johnny becomes a good shot, being able to hit all the targets he aims at. He then begs Joe to teach him how to be a fast draw. Joe shows Johnny his quick draw and then agrees to teach it to Johnny.

Times passes and Joe hasn’t had a chance to work with Johnny as much as he would like. When he finally gets a chance to meet with Johnny in the meadow, he finds that Johnny has become a fast draw and accurate shooter. Joe declares Johnny is now one of the best in the territory as using a gun. When Johnny thanks Joe for teaching him how to shoot, Joe replies that the only thanks he wants is for Johnny to use the gun as he promised – in self-protection. Johnny assures Joe that he will. When Johnny says he will be going into Virginia City, Joe looks concerned and starts to comment, but then stops. He finally just asks Johnny to give his best to Olive. As he rides away, though, Joe hears Johnny continuing to practice.

Arriving in Virginia City, Johnny goes to the saloon to see Olive. When Mooney sees Johnny with Olive, he mocks the young cowboy again, telling him to leave. Johnny replies that he doesn’t want any trouble, and walks away to the bar. However, once he gets to the bar, Johnny confronts Mooney, ordering him to leave the saloon. Mooney, thinking he has an easy target, laughs and prepares to draw on Johnny. When he sees how confident the young cowboy looks, however, Mooney gets a bit nervous. Johnny outdraws Mooney and kills him.

The next morning, Joe prepares to leave the Ponderosa as Ben, Adam, and Hoss are eating breakfast. Ben stops Joe at the door, telling his son that it’s not his fault that Mooney was killed. Joe argues that it was his fault because he taught Johnny how to use a gun. Ben tries to convince Joe that he is wrong; he tells his son that Joe doesn’t know what happened, and that just because he taught Johnny how to shoot doesn’t make him responsible for the killing. Joe disagrees and stalks out of the house. As Ben is standing at the door watching Joe leave, Adam and Hoss come up behind him. Hoss declares that Joe might need some help and that he and Adam should go after him. Adam agrees, softly telling his father that they’ll look after Joe for him.

In town, the bartender explains to Joe that Johnny tried to avoid the gunfight, adding that Joe would have been proud of Johnny. When Joe asks why, the bartender replies that Joe taught Johnny everything he knows. This comment disturbs Joe.

Next, Joe goes to Olive’s room at the hotel, looking for Johnny. After Olive tells Joe that Johnny isn’t with her, she angrily asks Joe to leave Johnny alone, declaring that he wouldn’t have killed anyone if it hadn’t been for Joe. Looking stricken, Joe starts to leave, but Olive calls him back. She apologizes for her comment and invites Joe into her room.

Outside the hotel, Hoss and Adam are waiting and watching. Hoss comments that he hopes Joe isn’t “taking out his orneriness on that little gal”. He then spots Johnny riding into town. He and Adam hurry over to Johnny and invite him to have a beer. At first, Johnny declines, saying he wants to visit Olive, but finally agrees.

Up in Olive’s room, Joe listens as Olive explains how she was once in love with Al Mooney but ran away from him when she found out he was a gunfighter. She adds that she knew he would come after her, and was afraid someone would die if he showed up in Virginia City. She thought that it would be Johnny who would be killed. She declares she is in love with Johnny and that it doesn’t matter that he killed “a rat like Al Mooney”. Joe says he’s sorry that he ever taught Johnny to shoot, but admits that if he hadn’t taught Johnny how to shoot, someone else would have. He also says that he heard that Johnny tried to avoid the fight. Olive confirms this is true.

Suddenly there is a knock on the door, and Olive opens to door to find Johnny standing there, with Hoss and Adam just behind him. Johnny sees Joe in the room and is surprised – but not angry – to find him with Olive. Olive invites Hoss and Adam to join them, but they decline, saying they just came by to pick up Joe. Glaring at his brothers, Joe gives them a tight-lipped “thanks”. Johnny then tells Joe he’s glad to see him because he wanted to explain to Joe about the gunfight. Joe answers that he finally got the right story, that Olive and the bartender told him what happened. A bit taken aback, Johnny asks if Joe thought he came to town to deliberately pick a fight with Mooney, and Joe admits that is exactly what he thought. He then says he’s glad he was wrong.

After Joe leaves with Hoss and Adam, Johnny tells Olive how happy he is to see her. He also says that he never knew how many friends he had, that everyone was saying nice things to him. Then Johnny talks about marrying Olive as soon as he gets enough money. Olive offers to save her money, too, but Johnny answers he doesn’t like her working in the saloon. Looking pleased with himself, Johnny states that no one will ever bother Olive again.

As Adam, Hoss and Joe descend the stairs at the hotel, the Cartwright brothers are quarreling a bit. Joe is angry Hoss and Adam followed him, while Hoss tries to explain they were worried about him, given his mood. Suddenly, Sheriff Roy Coffee walks into the hotel and asks if the Cartwrights know where Johnny Chapman is. Concerned, Joe asks if Johnny is in trouble. Sheriff Coffee answers it’s just the opposite – Mooney was a wanted man and Johnny is going to get a reward for killing him. Relieved at the news, Joe declares he’ll tell Johnny about the reward, and bounds up the steps again.

Entering Olive’s room once more, Joe tells Johnny that Mooney was a wanted man and that he will get a $2,000 reward for killing him. Johnny excitedly declares he did the law a favor by killing Mooney, and that he made more money in two seconds than he has in the last two years, simply by pulling a trigger. As Johnny gleefully celebrates, Joe frowns and looks concerned.

Back at the Ponderosa, Ben drives the buckboard loaded with supplies and mail into the yard in front of the house. Adam, Hoss and Joe come to help unload the wagon, and Ben announces he heard some news in town: Johnny Chapman has quit his job and left town. Before he left, Johnny asked Roy Coffee to deputize him, which Roy declined to do. When Hoss asks why Johnny wanted a badge, Ben explains that Johnny felt it would help him in his new line of work – being a bounty hunter. Once again, Joe looks disturbed.

Riding to Virginia City, Joe goes to see Olive. She shows him a letter she received from Johnny, telling her about the money he is making as a bounty hunter. Olive defends Johnny, saying Johnny is just doing it to get the money they need to get married. She is sure Johnny wouldn’t deliberately kill anyone. But Joe states that he and Olive were wrong about Johnny. He just heard from Sheriff Coffee that Johnny was after a man with an $800 reward on his head, and Johnny killed the man.

Sometime later, Joe is once again in Virginia City, listening as someone reads an article in the paper about Johnny Chapman and his growing reputation as a bounty hunter. He goes to see Olive and finds her sprawled on the floor of her room with a small bottle of poison near her hand. Joe goes for the doctor immediately.

When Joe returns to Olive’s room, she is lying in bed. She tearfully tells Joe that she doesn’t need any lectures about what she did, then asks why Joe came looking for her. Joe answers that he was concerned about her because of the newspaper article, adding Johnny isn’t worth killing herself over. Olive agrees, but explains she did it because the only decent man who ever cared for her turned into a killer, just like Al Mooney. Joe advises Olive to forget Johnny, and she says she will try. Joe declares that there are an awful lot of things in this world to live for besides Johnny Chapman, and Olive seems to agree.

Returning to Virginia City, Johnny Chapman rides down the street looking almost exactly like Al Mooney did when that gunman first arrived. Johnny goes to the saloon, searching for Olive, but the bartender won’t tell him where she is. Roy Coffee walks into the saloon and tells Johnny to leave town, stating that Johnny doesn’t have any friends left in Virginia City. Johnny taunts Roy, declaring he is doing Roy’s job for him and getting paid a whole lot more than the sheriff. Roy angrily answers that his job is to protect people, not kill them at so much a head. He again tells Johnny to leave town, but Johnny insists he has to see Olive first. Roy reveals to Johnny that Olive is at the Ponderosa, which surprises the young gunman. Johnny looks a bit pensive as he murmurs, “Ponderosa? Little Joe?” Then Johnny walks out of the saloon.

When Johnny rides up to the ranch house, Olive is dozing in the rocking chair on the porch and reacts with fright when she realizes Johnny is standing in front of her. She tries to run away but he grabs her. Johnny asks if Olive is glad to see him, but she replies that he has become just another killer like Al Mooney. Johnny claims that he has been out working hard, trying to get enough money so they can get married, and he came back to find her two-timing him with Little Joe. Olive slaps Johnny, and Johnny gets angry.  He declares he is going to kill Joe, and asks Olive where she wants him to do it – at the Ponderosa, in town or on the road.

A short time later, Joe rides into the yard of the ranch house and sees a note on the rocking chair in which Olive had been resting. The note is from Johnny, thanking Joe for taking care of Olive for him. Joe immediately heads for town.

In Virginia City, Johnny and Olive are leaving the stage depot when Roy Coffee confronts them. He asks Olive if she really wants to go with Johnny and she insists that she does. Johnny then suggests that he and Olive go over to the saloon and have a beer as they wait for the stage. While he is in the saloon with Olive, Johnny spots Joe riding into town. He immediately gets up and walks toward the door. Olive tries to stop him, but Johnny shrugs her off.

Outside the saloon, Johnny calls to Joe. When Joe asks where Olive is, Johnny tells him to stay away from her. Joe insists he wants to see Olive, and Johnny replies that Olive is still in love with him Joe disagrees, stating that Olive was in love with what Johnny used to be, and not with the killer that he has become.

When Johnny warns Joe not to do anything he’d be sorry for, Joe grimly replies that there is already a lot that he is sorry for, mainly the things he couldn’t teach Johnny. Johnny answers that Joe taught him everything he needed to know. Joe counters by saying he taught Johnny a skill, but Johnny taught himself to be a paid killer. Angry at Joe’s comment, Johnny challenges Joe to draw on him, but Joe calmly answers that he remembers someone saying that to Johnny and now that person is dead, just as Johnny will be when he meets a faster gun. Calmly crossing his arms, Joe asks Johnny what his excuse is going to be for shooting him since Joe doesn’t have a price on his head. Joe then wonders how many of the men that Johnny killed could have been brought in alive.

Laughing a bit, Johnny yells that Joe is afraid of him, but Joe answers that he isn’t afraid of Johnny, only sorry for him.  As Joe starts to walk away, Johnny angrily yells at him and starts to draw. Joe does his dive and roll, and then shoots Johnny in the arm. As Johnny is kneeling in the dirt of the street, Olive walks over and thanks Joe for not killing Johnny. Joe replies that he didn’t need to kill Johnny; Johnny did that to himself a long time ago. Joe walks away and Olive returns to Johnny, who is standing in the street. Bitterly, Johnny complains that everyone saw what happened, and now he is nothing. Olive tells Johnny she is planning to take the stage and invites Johnny to come with her, suggesting that the two of them might be able to put their lives back together again. Olive takes a few steps and waits; Johnny finally staggers forward to join her. The two walk down the street and presumably into the sunset.

REVIEWS:

“I really like this episode, even if the plot line isn't very original. We get to see Joe show lots of angst as well as show off his ability with a gun. I also like the little bits in this episode which show some aspects of the family we don't get to see very often, such as Joe stating he believes Hoss is afraid of nothing, and Adam telling Ben that he and Hoss will take care of Joe for him. I think this a great episode to watch, even if we can guess what will happen at the end.” Susan Grote

“I like this episode too, although I am not a big fan of guns. I like hearing Joe explaining how Pa taught him to use a gun; he not only learned the skill, he learned to have respect for what a gun can do, as well. I do understand that Johnny would feel ashamed that he was made to look a coward in front of Olive and that it was important for him to regain his self respect, but it was a shame that he felt the need to become a bounty hunter I'm glad that Joe didn't kill Johnny and that he and Olive were going to be able to rebuild their life together. I love the scene when Adam and Hoss immediately go after Joe, when they fear he is in trouble, and Joe's reaction to them showing up at the hotel, typical little brother. A good ep, with a good supporting cast.” Little Joe forever Lynne

“I always liked the way that Joe was portrayed. Young yes, but mature and  responsible. It's interesting to see that he doesn't seem to get much free time away from the ranch business. And when Ben catches up with him he's voluntarily sawing wood. (Must have been for Hop Sing's stove, you wouldn't need to cut those logs for that fireplace).” Pat

“I think most people look at this as a Joe ep, but to me, it is a whole family ep, since it highlights several things about the family: that Joes' father and brothers not only taught Joe how to handle a gun, but to handle it responsibly; that Ben was glad that it was Joe who was going to teach Johnny because he knew that Joe would teach him the same as he was taught; and that bit when Joe went to see Olive and Adam assured Ben that he and Hoss would look after Joe.” Ginny

“I too enjoyed this episode. Just seeing Joe do his "classic" dive was and fancy gun work made it worth watching.  The only thing that disturbed me about this episode was the "Olive" character.  I could never understand her drastic suicide attempt. Her self-esteem just didn't appear to be that low but when Joe found her on the floor, half dead...well I was shocked. Gotta love Joe, though.  The old Cartwright creed of "help those in need" kicked in and he did the only logical thing he could; invited her to stay and recuperate at the ranch. Gee would it be worth it?  For me maybe, for Olive?  I think she was just a poor lost soul.” Nancy