Riff-Raff

This episode features James Drury, Doug McClure, and Gary Clarke all joining the Rough Riders. One wonders how Judge Garth was going to run Shiloh ranch with the top 3 heeding a patriotic call.

Ray Danton and Don Durant play a pair of Ivy League Easterners who have to whip a bunch of undisciplined cowboys into a fighting unit, to make Theodore Roosevelt's vision a reality. Karl Swenson plays TR and he's lived in both worlds and with The Virginian's help the westerners and easterners start working together.

Nice story as our three Shiloh men return as war heroes.

Always enjoy seeing Bing Russell in my westerns and i especially loved him as this character Sgt Eads. The best i can describe him is constantly bewildered lol. And it was he who spoke the word that outraged Steve: RIFFRAFF! So while i'm being random ... though i've seen this episode before, i never paid attention to how absolutely ADORABLE the Virginian aka James Drury is when he's frustrated and furious! This entire episode is simply pure fun! The sort of show that can change your day & make things better just from watching it! All the actors did their usual excellent jobs. Hmph? Think i'll go ahead and steal the phrase "lighthearted fun". More fitting than anything else i could think of. i smiled for every minute i watched this program, that alone (imo) insists on a 10/10 rating!

Of all the storyline lines that came out of this great series, this one is the hardest to swallow. Teddy Roosevelt showing up at Medicine Bow, Wy to recruit for the Rough Riders. That aside, Shilo owner Judge Garth just lets the backbone of his ranch head off for training and then deployment to forgiven soil. The reality is that the chunk of time would take months to do it right.

Still, the storyline Is a good one that pits The Virginian Trampas and Steve up against seasoned military cavalry troops. The trio does very well indeed in this fanciful story and it all fits in one episode. Enjoy the episode, folk. Thanks to IMDb for such a great site to review, learn about, and to have input on films and small screen entertainment.

The club-by rapport between James Drury, Doug McClure and Gary Clarke is a natural fit for the service comedy trappings of offbeat, enjoyable yarn that mixes two big action sequences into the fun. Smartly organized plot, spiced by character actor Karl Swenson's zesty portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt, marches along with nary a misstep except for the hobbling presence of Pippa Scott as Molly Wood. The character, conceived by Owen Wister as a prim schoolmarm in love with The Virginian, was made by the series into a coyly sophisticated newspaperwoman who didn't click with Drury, McClure or Clarke. Scott's recurring role rivaled the later Morgan Starr for unpopularity -- and brevity.

Silly episode, but a good vehicle for the characters Trampas, Steve, and The Virginia. Interesting piece of American history we don't hear much about any longer, and TR is always worth watching or reading about.