Dalbert Pringle
For me - "Have Gun - Will Travel" ("HGWT", for short) was a disappointing TV Western (set in the year 1875) which ran from 1957-1963.Overall - I found its main character, a complacent "gentleman" gunfighter named Wire Paladin (played by Richard Boone) to be one of the dullest, driest, most uncharismatic macho-men of the "Old West" that you could ever imagine.Boone's stone-faced character was so annoyingly conceited and way too sure of himself that he totally grated on my nerves, big-time. And, it sure didn't take long for me to completely despise that pencil-thin moustache of his that was forever kept immaculately trimmed.You know - I'm generally a pretty enthusiastic viewer of TV Westerns from this particular era in boob-tube history - But HGWT's stories were so badly conceived that I swear they were making them all up as they went along.
Mark Edenburn
As a young boy I remember watching all the classic western TV shows so popular at the time, Maverick, Wagon Train, Cheyenne, and countless others. Some had catchy opening themes, often more memorable than the shows that followed. I always remember "Have Gun Will Travel" in particular because of the insistent opening chords that introduce Paladin and the catchy theme song that became popular as well. However, after recently seeing several episodes on DVD recently, I was struck by the appearance of music cues from Jerome Moross. They are completely unmistakable to anyone familiar with his magnificent score for "The Big Country." Even watching a second rate episode of the series, one can marvel at the simple pleasure of Moross's music. For example, in the season 4 episode "Bear Bait" the story and acting were not up to par with best episodes, but music cues were generally stunning. Something for anyone making a foray into this classic series to consider.
lhughes41
In this world of dark anti-heroes it is refreshing to see a yesteryear hero espousing values perhaps long past. Yet Paladin is a man of complexities despite generally doing the 'right thing.' After all, he is a hired gun. It is not a naive series. Complex story lines, and the good guys don't always win. Finally, who can resist a series featuring episodes written by Gene Rodenberry.My wife and I came across this series from a Netflix recommendation... one not coupled to a Western. The name rang a distant childhood bell of recognition and we tried it out. We haven't looked back.Hope you'll take 25 minutes to try one episode and trying something very refreshing.Luke and Jessica
vranger
Richard Boone was a thoughtful and serious actor, and so must have felt a great satisfaction in playing a 'thoughtful gunman' in the Old West.Although Paladin often professed the desire to settle every situation without gun play if possible, his rivals in most shows didn't afford him that opportunity. Its a rare show that Paladin didn't have to shoot someone ... sometimes a few someones.Despite many story corners having to be cut to fit these stories into a 30 minute format, each story is interesting and compelling, virtually always with a twist that keep them from being some of the many Western clichés.Now that the series has been resurrected on Encore Westerns, generations who had no opportunity to appreciate this fine series in years past can now discover it for themselves. This is yet another example of how many television shows from the 50s and early 60s were far superior to most of what is filmed now.