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Season 1, Episode 1 -
This, the first episode of “Laramie” starts on a dark evening with the shadows of 2 men entering the office of The Laramie Gazette, where the typesetter is setting up the type for the next days edition.
One of the men entering the office is Bud Carlin, a well known outlaw who has come to town to free one of his gang, Pete Morgan, from the Laramie jail. Carlin forces the typsetter to run a “new” story with the headline:
“BUD CARLIN THREATENS TO BLAST LARAMIE OFF THE MAP UNLESS PRISONER IS RELEASED”.
So starts the first adventure in LARAMIE!!
The next day, having seen the headline the sheriff of Laramie has the town locked down with deputies checking every stranger that rides in.
Jess Harper, a young drifter rides into this situation, and instead of obeying an order to halt, he spurs his horse down a side street, and breaks into a gallop while bullets pursue.
Stopping at a lake to rest, he uses a no trespassing sign as a hitching post. He lays on the ground with his head on a log when suddenly his rest is interrupted by the sound of a cocking rifle and the words, “Keep your hands where they are”
His cocky reply gives us some insight into his character. In the verbal sparring match that follows we learn that Jess is from Texas and is looking for Carlin’s gang member Pete Morgan who was supposed to be a friend but who actually knocked Jess out and robbed him.
Slim, because he has the only water this side of Laramie is wary of strangers and tells Jess to leave and Jess says he is happy to oblige. However when Slim looks down Jess quickly disarms him.
Leaving the rancher, Jess’ travels find him riding up to a ranch where he meets Jonesy and Andy. He asks about Pete Morgan, showing them a picture, and the audience discovers that the prisoner is Morgan. Andy invites Jess to see his menagerie and stay for food. While the pair look at Andy’s animals, we learn that the boy sees himself as a free spirit like Jess.
In the house Jess dozes off between dinner and dessert, then when Andy accidentally wakes him up Jess in shock instinctively draws hisgun with lightening speed. The lightning-
Upon arriving home Jonesy tells Slim that Andy is playing poker with a two-
The four are held at gunpoint as the outlaws wait for the stage which is carrying Judge Wilkins -
When the stage finally arrives, with the honorable judge aboard, Carlin takes the Judge’s jacket and hat in order to impersonate him. When Carlin abuses the Judge, Slim intervenes and gets cold cocked for his trouble. After Slim comes around Carlin forces Jess to repeatedly hit Slim for his amusement. Carlin’s taunts of, “With all your might,” and, “That was just fine,” will return to haunt him.
Leaving both Slim and Jess unconscious the outlaws depart, using the stage to complete their deception. Once they have left, Slim comes around and reveals something about his character with his quip to Jess of, “Thanks for missing my nose.”
Slim then heads off to round up a horse to pursue the outlaws. In a touching exchange Andy tries to convince Jess to go with Slim but Jess wants nothing to do with it. Andy’s final words to him, “Who’d want to team up with a saddle tramp like you!” sting.
Meanwhile, Carlin successfully infiltrates the jail, frees his man, and leaves town. They travel to Baxter’s Ridge to meet up with an accomplice who has their horses. Slim spots the accomplice and follows him to the ridge.
Upon arrival Slim is spotted, but is saved by a surprise bullet from Jess. Apparently, Andy’s words had struck home. In the ensuing gunfight Jess comes face to face with Pete Morgan. Pete tries to fake Jess into dropping his guard, but the ruse fails and Pete dies.
Meanwhile Slim has pinned the other two outlaws down. Jess flanks them killing one. Slim’s shot forces Carlin to drop his gun. Carlin runs but is tackled by Slim. In the ensuing fist fight Jess encourages Slim by using Carlin’s words against him.
A posse arrives to take claim of Carlin and Jess tells Slim that Andy doesn’t know that he had come to help then he leaves. Slim pursues and offers Jess a job. Jess refuses but returns after the promise of supper. Andy is thrilled and this joy prompts Jess to say, “Alright then deal me in.”
Everett Sloane
as Judge Wilkins
John Mitchum
as Pete Morgan
Dan Duryea
as Bud Carlin
