Limit of the Law Larkin

Chad (Peter Brown), Joe (William Smith), and Reese (Neville Brand) are joined by new Ranger Claude Akins (as Cotton "Buck" Buckmeister). The quartet are sent out to round up illegal still-operator Dub Taylor (as Dude Meeker). They try to give Mr. Taylor some time to escape, because Laredo has a new judge in town. Judge John Hoyt (as "Limit of the Law Larkin") is a prohibitionist who hands out the toughest sentences possible. Later, the judge has Parmalee (Philip Carey) send Chad, Joe, and Mr. Akins on a dangerous mission transporting a box of legal documents to nearby Uvalde.

This is the first of several episodes featuring semi-regular Claude Akins. Like George Kennedy in a previous episode, his character seems like a "replacement" for Neville Brand. Mr. Akins does quite well in his part-time Ranger role. Mr. Brand, who does appear, seems unwell, probably due to alcohol consumption. Ironically, this is most apparent when the prohibitionist Judge tells the "Laredo" group he doesn't feel Brand is competent enough to go on the episode's mission; and, "Reese" is left to mind the office. Brand is better in an earlier courtroom scene. Joan Marshall (as Ivy Vine) is an attractive distraction.

*** Limit of the Law Larkin (1/27/66) William Witney ~ Peter Brown, William Smith, Claude Akins

An interesting group of character players populate the ensemble cast in this Laredo episode. This particular story marks the first of several appearances Claude Akins makes as Cotton Buckmeister, Texas Ranger in training understudying Neville Brand in style.

A new federal judge John Hoyt a rather strict fellow is dispensing justice in Laredo before going on to Uvalde County to replace Jacques Aubuchon as the new judge. Aubuchon is particularly nasty and corrupt judge who has Uvalde under his judicial thumb with a few gunfighter deputies to back him up.

Akins has a real fear to go to Laredo as he busted out of jail rather than serve a sentence for breach of promise. Whom did he gilt? None other than Aubuchon's sister.

This is one of the first times Akins ever did comedy. Up to this point for the most part, those swarthy looks and booming voice were part of some of the meanest characters in film history. For the rest of his career Akins varied his roles. He showed he could play comedy like his fellow character actor Jack Elam did.

The two contrasting judges Hoyt and Aubuchon and the sly rapscallion moonshiner Dub Taylor as well as Akins, make this a very good Laredo episode.