Johnny Ringo is an American Western television series starring Don Durant that aired on CBS from October 1, 1959, until September 29, 1960. It is loosely based on the life of notorious gunfighter and outlaw Johnny Ringo, also known as John Peters Ringo or John B. Ringgold, who tangled with Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Buckskin Franklyn Leslie. "There really was a gunfighter-turned-lawman named Johnny Ringo in the 1880s, though it is doubtful that his exploits resembled those portrayed in this series."
Synopsis Ringo puts aside his gunfighting ways to become the 27-year-old sheriff of fictional Velardi in the Arizona Territory. Ringo has two deputies: William Charles Jr., or Cully (Mark Goddard), and Case Thomas (Terence De Marney), who is also a storekeeper and formerly the town drunk. Case is killed in a robbery in the episode "Border Town", which aired on March 17, 1960. Case's daughter, Laura Thomas (Karen Sharpe), is Ringo's girlfriend in the series. Michael Hinn appeared in nine episodes as George Haig.
In the episode "The Posse", Richard Devon plays Jessie Mead, a former friend of Ringo who storms into town asking that he be jailed for protection from a pursuing posse, which Mead claims is really a lynch mob. Mead breaks a storefront glass to compel Ringo to arrest him. Actually, Mead has conspired with three others to rob the bank while the townspeople are diverted from their regular activities to pressure Ringo into turning Mead over to "the posse", the members of which are the other criminals. Ringo urges caution, but the irate townspeople want to take the matter into their own hands.
Cast Main cast Don Durant as Johnny Ringo Mark Goddard as Cully Karen Sharpe as Laura Thomas Terence De Marney as Case Thomas
Recurring cast Michael Hinn as George Haig Jess Kirkpatrick as Bartender
Production Johnny Ringo was broadcast on Thursdays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Durant composed and sang the theme.
Development Aaron Spelling produced the show for Four Star Television. Spelling created Johnny Ringo at the specific request of Dick Powell as a role for Durant. It was filmed at CBS Studio Center. The pilot episode was shot as part of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, titled "Man Alone", and featured Thomas Mitchell as Case Thomas. A second pilot was shot with Terence de Marney in the role.
Syndication as The Westerners For syndicated reruns, the show was combined with three other Western series from the same company, Black Saddle starring Peter Breck, Law of the Plainsman starring Michael Ansara, and Sam Peckinpah's critically acclaimed creation, The Westerner starring Brian Keith, under the umbrella title The Westerners, with additional hosting segments featuring Keenan Wynn.
Episodes
Reception Johnny Ringo scored good ratings, but was dropped at the request of a sponsor, Johnson Wax Company. After the cancellation of Johnny Ringo, Mark Goddard went on to co-star as Det. Sgt. Chris Ballard in still another Four Star Productions TV series, The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor on ABC, replacing Lee Farr. He later went on to the CBS-TV series, Lost in Space.
References
External links
Golden Wheel Saloon -- showcasing Mark Goddard/Johnny Ringo. Johnny Ringo Fan/Tribute site