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This episode of "Death Valley Days" provides us with out-of-the-box performances by two legendary character actors of the post-war era: Robert J. Wilke and Jim Davis. Another great character actor, Denver Pyle, best known as "Uncle Jesse" on "Dukes of Hazard" directed this episode. His experience in Westerns was obvious in the quality of this episode. Robert Wilke was one of the best at playing "bad guys", and Jim Davis played western characters on both sides of the law, ending his career as Jock Ewing in "Dallas". In "Brute Angel", we see a quiet, introspective Robert Wilke as "Sherrif Tom McBain". Wait until you see him flash an engaging smile in conversation with his wife! Even though his first grandchild will be born in his home, he is still determined to bring in young gunslinger Sam Bolt, played by Sherwood Price. When Sherrif McBain arrives in Durango, he meets up with Pony Cragin, the weak-minded sidekick of Sam Bolt. Played by Jim Davis. McBain had once saved Pony's life. Out of gratitude, he tries to discourage McBain from taking Bolt into custody, without success. That evening, Robert Wilke shows what a truly talented actor he was, as he reads from the Psalms and offers a prayer that he does not lose his life (so he can see the birth of his grandchild), and that he not be forced to take the life of Sam Bolt. The emotion in his eyes as he offers that prayer is extremely moving. In the morning, McBain confronts Bolt, and a rather intriguing conclusion to the story shows that our prayers may not always be answered in the ways that we expect. Wilke and Davis are outstanding in this episode, showing a range that they were offered on only rare occasions. Bob Wilke did get one role near the end of his career "The Farm Foreman" in Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven", which again showed the extent of his acting talent. A truly great episode of a wonderful series of classic Western television.

Part 2 finds Hazel using her wits to frustrate the mobsters summit meeting. Her friend Gracie (Linda Watkins) continues to be a flighty nervous wreck, and completely useless to Hazel. Her performance continues to be quite annoying. Roland Winters, Edgar Stehli, Emile Meyer and Lou Krugman provide solid support as mobsters...with a twist. You need to watch the episode to see what I mean. In the end, George Baxter (Don DeFore) drives to California and comes to the rescue, and of course, there's a happy resolution. If Gracie were played less broadly, I would give this episode a much higher rating.

I enjoy "Hazel" mostly for Shirley Booth, the third actress to be a Triple Crown winner (Tony, Oscar, Emmy). She truly shines in this role. This rare 2 part episode features a number of terrific character actors as a group of mobsters trying to have a summit meeting to resolve disagreements. Of course, Hazel winds up right in the middle of the situation, as a result of visiting her friend, Gracie, overplayed by Linda Watkins. It is Miss Watkins' hammy performance that forces me to not like this episode (and Part 2) more. She is far too over-the-top with her "Nervous Nellie" act. More in Part 2.