Frank Pierson Movies
Distinguished screenwriter and noted director Frank Pierson earned an Oscar nomination for his debut screenplay, Cat Ballou, in 1965 and a decade later won an Oscar for the screenplay for Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon. In between the two, Pierson wrote the acclaimed script for Cool Hand Luke (1967). Before entering the film industry, the Harvard-educated Pierson was a correspondent for Time magazine. He then became a story editor and during the early '60s produced and directed many episodes of the Have Gun Will Travel television series. In addition, Pierson also wrote the screenplays for several other series. He directed his first feature film, The Looking Glass War, in 1969. Other features he directed include the 1976 version of A Star Is Born and King of the Gypsies (1978). By the '90s, Pierson focused most of his energy writing teleplays and directing television movies, including the well-wrought Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee (1994). In his final years, he served as one of the consulting producers on the blockbuster cable series Mad Men. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1961
After a confrontation with a roughneck named Merton (Gene Lyons) in a seedy flophouse, Paladin (Richard Boone) rides off into the mountains--only to be waylaid and robbed by Merton's gang. Left without food, weaponry, a horse or a coat, Paladin must now make his way through a treacherous, snowswept mountain range. En route, he meets a pair of father-and-son prospectors who could offer him assistance...but strangely refuse to do so. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
Paladin (Richard Boone) is hired to protect the somewhat disreputable Commodore Guilder (Ken Lynch), who must venture into Indian country to promote his latest get-rich-quick scheme. Travelling by stagecoach, Paladin, Guilder and Guilder's wife Juliana (Miranda Jones) are attacked by a Commanche leader who has a long-standing grudge against the Commodore. Likewise trapped by the Comanche braves is another of Guilder's old enemies, half-breed Buffalo hunter Quannah Parker (Brad Weston), whose loyalties are highly in doubt. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
Billy Banjo (Jacques Aubuchon), an old friend of Paladin (Richard Boone), is currently running for the Wyoming State Senate. Billy's wife Elise (Rita Lynn) is so devoted to her husband that she is willing to do anything--anything!--to assure his victory. As a result, a nervous Billy hires Paladin (Richard Boone) to prevent Elise from arranging the murder of the opposing candidate! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
Paladin (Richard Boone) is one of four travellers who witness a man falling down a ravine and being trapped on a ledge by a landslide. It is highly likely that the man died in the fall, but there is also the likelihood that he is still alive. Paladin is all for making the perilous downward climb to check on the man's fate, but he is unable to do so without the help of his four diverse companions--all of whom, for various reasons, are reluctant to even attempt the climb. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
Released from prison after eight years, Aaron Bell (Barry Cahill) heads to the town where his brother was lynched during the Civil War. Fearing that Bell craves revenge, the nervous townsfolk hire Paladin (Richard Boone) for protection. As it turns out, however, Paladin must protect Bell from the townsfolk! This is the first Have Gun--Will Travel episode directed by series star Richard Boone. directed by Richard Boone. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
Paladin (Richard Boone) is hired by a mortally woman named Mrs. Kilmer (Lillian Bronson), who wants to learn the whereabouts of her long-long son before she dies. The trail of clues leads Paladin to Harper City, a town held in the grip of the wealthy--and psychotic--Fred Harper (Charles Aidman). Clearly, Harper knows something about Mrs. Kilmer's prodigal son, but he isn't telling...and Paladin is fully aware that the previous detective hired to locate the boy turned up dead. This is the final episode of Have Gun, Will Travel's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1960
Paladin (Richard Boone) has been summoned to the town of Whiskey Slide, where a baseball game has been going on for days and days. Unfortunately, the makeshift ballpark has become a battleground due to long-standing feuds amongst the local players and their professional out-of-town rivals; in fact, several men have been killed or wounded in the course of the marathon game! Donning an umpire's uniform, Paladin attempts to bring the game to a satisfactory conclusion--while simultaneously avoiding further bloodshed. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1959
In Carson City, Paladin (Richard Boone) finds a kindred spirit in the form of an elderly, cultured gentleman named Ainslee (John Abbott). Like Paladin, Ainslee has been forced by circumstances to become a gunfighter, and now must face down every young punk in the west who is trying to make a name for himself. Hoping to retire with his reputation and honor intact, Ainslee prevails upon Paladin to shoot him in the hand during a gunfight--with the thorough understanding that the fight will be fair, and that Paladin will be risking his own life in the process. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1959
An old friend of Paladin's named Gravely (Bill Mims) has organized a western "safari" for a group of wealthy British visitors. The highlight of the festivities is to be a mock Indian raid--but things take a deadly turn when one member of the party is found dead, shot by an arrow! Called in to protect the survivors, Paladin (Richard Boone) begins to suspect that the murderer is not an Indian, but instead a member of the safari...but who, and why? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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