A Very Small Assignment

After driving some errant Native American Indians away from a wagon train, Reese (Neville Brand), Chad (Peter Brown), and Joe (William Smith) want a break; and, Reese has a toothache. But, the concerned ladies of Laredo report the disappearance of British schoolmaster Richard Haydn (as Jonathan Pringle), who was to have arrived from London. Despite his aching tooth, Reese is sent, by Capt. Parmalee (Philip Carey) out to find the wayward Mr. Haydn. The going gets tough when an old foe, Ken Lynch (as Anson Jones), recognizes Reese, and seeks revenge for a past prison term.

After several lackluster episodes, "Laredo" gets back in the saddle. This episode has good direction (Paul Stanley), writing (Edward J. Lasko), and photography (William Margulies). The opening action is taken from prior adventures (the flaming arrow hitting the wagon train is a dead giveaway); but, the stock footage, new location, and set material blend very well.

Mr. Brand's toothy "Reese" is at his most memorable; and, though underutilized, the series co-stars all appear - and to good effect. Hank Patterson (Fred Ziffel of "Green Acres"), and Lynch's mob (Len Lesser, Paul Mantee, Erik Holland) lead a strong supporting cast.

***** A Very Small Assignment (3/17/66) Paul Stanley ~ Neville Brand, Richard Haydn, Ken Lynch

Reese is back with Chad and Joe after helping in a short battle against the Comanches's attack at caravan of wagon train, however Captain Parmelee demands that Reese find out a missing English Schoolmaster, Reese complains over a hard toothache, without success he goes away alone try find out the unlucky man, on a small Railway station Reese meets a former convict Anson Jones (Ken Lynch) who he puts in the jail without notice, also there appears the English missing Mr. Pringle (Richard Haydn) arrives after a long walk, what a character, with a typical British niceties, right away they have a quarrel over the Reese's wrong manner to speaking, meanwhile Anson meets with his old gang, before leaves the place he wants for any means a revenge against Reese, now our hero has a hard assignment and worst always dying of a terrible and endless toothache, funny episode!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 6.5

While his two Ranger buddies are off chasing Comanches, Neville Brand gets a special assignment from Philip Carey. There's a new schoolmaster coming to Laredo, one all the way from the United Kingdom, where even Reese Bennett knows they speak proper English.

Well when Richard Haydn arrives late and the buckboard sent to get him departs without him, he's got no choice but ride with Brand to Laredo. Except he does not know how to ride a horse. And he does take exception to Brand's grammar.

Two more things complicate matters. Brand has the mother of all toothaches and there's a man played Ken Lynch who with his three amigos is after ransom for Haydn and a revenge against Brand for sending him to jail.

Brand and Haydn make a contrasting pair and the comedy between them is worth more than a chuckle.

Haydn is the tenderest tenderfoot you ever saw and he really makes this Laredo story.

The main thing I like about this episode is that it is Reese through and through, with very little Chad; the downside being also very little Joe Riley and very little Captain Parmalee. You can almost feel the pain of Reese's toothache. The lack of understanding on the part of Captain Parmalee and the other two rangers seems to make Reese's pain even worse. It's good to see him finally have relief in the end. Ken Lynch does a good job as the leader of the gang. It seems that he can play either the part of a crook or the part of a cop very well.

A little bit of trivia though; The great grandsons of both the schoolteacher and the doctor became famous people; the school teacher's grandson made millions by inventing a funny looking potato chip in a can.

The doctor's great grandson became the band leader on Johnny Carson's tonight show😉