Olan Soule Movies

The ninth season of Bonanza began on September 17, 1967 with the episode titled "Second Chance". Ben Cartwright joins an army patrol to rescue his sons Hoss and Joe, who are presently at the mercy of renegade Indians. The boys are pinned down with a wagon party, consisting almost exclusively of society's outcasts: A group of thieves, two women of checkered reputation, a dying man, and a coward (appropriately enough, this episode went into production as "The Losers"). Also in the cast are James Gregory as Mulvaney, Bettye Ackerman as Estelle, Joe De Santis as Dawson, Douglas Kennedy as Frazier, Zane Zachery as Anna, and Ken Drake as Breck. Written by John Hawkins and Paul Sneider, "Second Chance" was one of several "classic" episodes rebroadcast during the Spring and Summer of 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

FBI agent Rhodes (Stephen Brooks) goes undercover as a truck driver to locate the site where hijacked shipments of nitroglycerin are being sold to enemy spies. Teamed with trucker Carl Munger (Gerald S. O'Loughlin), who is being stongarmed into cooperating with the hijackers, Rhodes is ordered to drive a particularly volatile shipment of explosives over some extremely rough terrain. Meanwhile, Rhodes' every move is being monitored by his boss, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.)--who cannot move in and make an arrest without forfeiting the lives of everyone concerned!. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) has learned that defecting East European cryptographer Holman (George Voskovec), reported killed in a fire, is alive and in hiding from his countrymen. Assisted by Holman's wife Barbara (Dana Wynter), Erskine goes to great lengths to convince Red diplomat Korvin (Paul Lukas) that Holman is indeed dead. Meanwhile, opportunistic double agent Yustov (John Van Dreelen) formulates a self-serving scheme that will spell disaster not only for Holman, but for all his loved ones behind the Iron Curtain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One of the handful of truly classic Bonanza episodes, "The Flapjack Contest" first aired January 3, 1965. Having entered the titular contest, Hoss Cartwright is put on a starvation diet by his brother Joe to ensure victory. Meanwhile, several other plot strands are woven into the proceedings, involving a bank heist, a glib con artist, a phony ruby-and an abundance of hilarious property damage. The supporting cast includes Johnny Seven as Trager, Mel Berger as Big Ed, Joan Huntington as Lily, Howard Wendell as the Banker, and and Olan Soulé as Ira. "The Flapjack Contest" was written by Frank Cleaver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Seeking the ideal pollution-free environment to de-rust the spaceship, Martin (Ray Walston) and Tim (Bill Bixby) head to Death Valley. While Martin labors away, the capricious Tim dons Martin's spacesuit for laughs--only to be spotted by Daniel Farrow (Olan Soule), a well-armed vacationer. Daniel and his kids are convinced that Tim is a Martian--forcing Martin to sustain this illusion to cover up the truth! Seen as Farrow's teenage daughter Sally is a pre-Big Valley, pre-Dynasty Linda Evans. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fred Clark returns in the role of Dr. Clyburn, still anxious to prevent Granny from practicing her own brand of mountain medicine. But even Clyburn is impressed when Granny announces that she found a cure for the common cold nearly 50 years ago, with one of her own special potions -- which, amazingly, seems to work like a charm! The supporting cast includes sci-fi film perennial Tom Browne Henry as Parker and radio actor Olan Soule as the salesman. "The Common Cold" originally aired on December 29, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After being hit on the head by a falling safe (!), Herman (Fred Gwynne) completely loses his memory. The police find Herman and take him into protective custody, whereupon Lily (Yvonne DeCarlo) and Grandpa (Al Lewis) try to figure out a way to get him back. They hit upon the brilliant idea of "adopting" Herman as their son--an idea that may not work, depending upon "John Doe" Herman's reaction to his "new" family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This episode stars Jackie Cooper as Jonathan West, a pathetically unsuccessful ventriloquist. Unable to find work in any other profession, Jonathan turns to a life of crime -- with his sinister, cigar-smoking dummy Caesar acting as "mastermind." Featured in the cast as a malevolent youngster is Susanne Cupito, who grew up to become glamous TV star Morgan Brittany. First telecast on April 10, 1964, "Caesar and Me" was the only Twilight Zone episode to be scripted by a woman, Adele T. Strassfield. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Veteran character actors Lyle Talbot, Olan Soule and Ian Wolfe are seen in this episode, a gentle spoof of the "modern art" world. When a visiting art dealer purchasing one of Uncle Joe's own paintings, Joe (Edgar Buchanan) thinks he has a lucrative future as a brush-pusher. In truth, the dealer is interested only in the painting's valuable frame--but Joe doesn't know that as he spends Kate's hard-earned dollars on canvases, easels, smocks, berets and the like! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Although he has Van Gogh's ear for music, Barney takes it for granted that he will be selected as soloist in the upcoming Mayberry choir concert. But choir director John Masters (Olan Soule) has already selected Gomer Pyle, who despite his "gaw-lee" speaking cadence possesses a beautiful singing voice. Rather than break Barney's heart, Gomer feigns laryngitis just before the concert-but it is Andy who comes up with a solution whereby both Barney and Gomer can be heard to best advantage. Written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, "The Song Festers" originally aired on February 24, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Kate (Bea Benadaret) is confused when Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) begins buying up old bug-spray cans. It turns out that Joe is off on another of his get-rich-quick schemes, in this case the manufacture and sale of his own brand of cologne, "Lord and Lady Violet." Joe boasts that this business enterprise will be something new in "the field of smell"--and unfortunately, he's right. Hank Patterson makes his first series appearance as hog farmer Fred Ziffel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This Elvis Presley vehicle is close to a lemon, even for his die-hard fans. Elvis is Mike Edwards, a pilot of a small plane who has a faithful sidekick, Danny (Gary Lockewood), and a penchant for singing. The story, such as it is, takes place in-between a total of ten different songs, the most memorable being "One Broken Heart for Sale". Mike is tough on the outside but he is willing to take up a good cause when he finds Sue Lin (Vicky Tiu) temporarily abandoned at the Seattle Worlds Fair. Aside from Sue Lin, he also finds an attractive nurse who is not abandoned but might still need attention. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Extra! Extra! The unthinkable has happened! PERRY MASON HAS LOST A CASE! The jury brings in a guilty verdict, and Perry's client Janice Barton (Vera Miles) is convicted of murder and sentenced to the gas chamber. Though perennial also-ran Hamilton Burger (William Talman) should be elated, he is sympathetic towards the brooding Mason (Raymond Burr), who blames himself for Janice's plight. But it soon develops that Janice had virtually condemned herself by lying about her whereabouts when the murder was committed. Still convinced of his former client's innocence, Perry works feverishly behind the scenes to expose the real killer--whose identity will come as quite a shock to fans of 1960s sitcoms. This justifiably famous episode, ranked as #51 in the "100 Greatest TV Episodes of All Time" by TV Guide, was originally scheduled to air on October 3, 1963. (Curiously, it was removed from the series' syndicated package in 1966, and not seen again until it was cablecast in 1988). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide