THE TEXAN was a successful series for Desilu that only lasted two seasons because star Rory Calhoun was eager for more big screen roles. His character, Bill Longley, is depicted as a former Confederate Captain who now roams the West alone as a gunman aiding the downtrodden, unlike his real life counterpart, a serial killer whose life was snuffed out on the gallows. 1959's "No Love Wasted" is a first season episode distinguished by the presence of longtime Western veteran Lon Chaney as Wylie Ames, who starts out looking like a villainous fellow picking fights at the local saloon, only coming to his senses with the arrival of his former Captain Bill Longley, Ames the sergeant who courageously saved his life on two occasions. Longley's arrival is well timed, as Ames explains how he's been corresponding for two years with a single woman looking for a husband, and she's due on the next day's coach to marry Ames and become stepmother to his young son Jody (Eugene Mazzola, the Pharaoh's son in "The Ten Commandments"). Unfortunately, the expectant father who was knocked to the floor during Ames' drunken rampage has now died from his injuries, the victim's two brothers unwilling to accept an apology in gunning down the defenseless Ames on his own property. Not only does Longley have to console the already widowed bride (Marian Seldes), he also has to defend both her and Jody when the killers return to the Ames ranch for a final showdown. Scriptwise it's a bit too neat and tidy overall but it definitely comes as a shock to see Chaney's repentant character deliberately murdered, while his crime was purely accidental. Acclaimed stage actress Marian Seldes makes a strong impression, first mistaking Longley for her would be husband (understandable, as the bridegroom sent her his Captain's photo instead of his own!), then displaying both fragility and courage in safeguarding Jody's life. The handsome Calhoun is actually the weak link, almost walking through his role, working again opposite Chaney in A.C. Lyles oaters "Young Fury," "Black Spurs," and "Apache Uprising." The director was veteran Robert Florey, who worked exclusively in television after 20 years of feature films.
