Unlike most TV Westerns, 'Laredo' took a more casual and humorous approach to life in the Old West, with it's trio of amiable Texas Rangers getting into one scrap or another in just about every episode. I don't ordinarily comment on individual television programs, but when it comes to stories involving boxing, I tend to make an exception. As such, this episode joins the ranks of a handful of other TV Westerns I've seen in which the central story involves a boxing match. As a reference, you can look up The Roy Rogers Show (The Knockout), Laramie (Bare Knuckles), and The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (The Manly Art).
For some reason, Neville Brand did not appear in 'The Pride of the Rangers', as it was mentioned he was on special assignment in Houston. In his place performing virtually the same function, was George Kennedy in the role of a temporary Ranger. When the Army Cavalry comes calling to Laredo, a minor dust up results in a challenge to the Rangers to take on the self proclaimed Texas Cavalry and Great Southwest champion, the oddly named Private Percy Flower. It's always a hoot to catch 'Iron' MIke Mazurki in a TV role, the former pro wrestler played a ton of movie heavies during the Forties and Fifties, usually as a villain but you'll sometimes catch him in a dead-pan comedy role.
Now George Kennedy is a generally fine actor, but the direction here had him looking clownish, what with his inability to maintain a proper boxing stance and flailing wildly in training for his big match. When the day came, he injured his ankle stepping into the ring, and series regular William Smith, Ranger Joe Riley, stepped in to take his place. Ranger Riley scores a neat knockout punch, while Kennedy connects with a haymaker as Mazurki groggily leaves the ring.
The backdrop to the ring action involves the bank robbery of a silver shipment a gang of local outlaws had planned, using the boxing event as a distraction. Riley hightails it out of the ring to join partner Chad Cooper (Peter Brown) and Ranger boss Captain Parmalee (Philip Carey) to take down the bad guys. In addition to Kennedy, the story also features Mickey Shaughnessy as Private Flower's personal manager, and Henry Gibson as a milquetoast Ranger for an additional spot of comic relief. It's a fun episode, though series fans will miss the presence of Neville Brand.
For some reason, Neville Brand did not appear in 'The Pride of the Rangers', as it was mentioned he was on special assignment in Houston. In his place performing virtually the same function, was George Kennedy in the role of a temporary Ranger. When the Army Cavalry comes calling to Laredo, a minor dust up results in a challenge to the Rangers to take on the self proclaimed Texas Cavalry and Great Southwest champion, the oddly named Private Percy Flower. It's always a hoot to catch 'Iron' MIke Mazurki in a TV role, the former pro wrestler played a ton of movie heavies during the Forties and Fifties, usually as a villain but you'll sometimes catch him in a dead-pan comedy role.
Now George Kennedy is a generally fine actor, but the direction here had him looking clownish, what with his inability to maintain a proper boxing stance and flailing wildly in training for his big match. When the day came, he injured his ankle stepping into the ring, and series regular William Smith, Ranger Joe Riley, stepped in to take his place. Ranger Riley scores a neat knockout punch, while Kennedy connects with a haymaker as Mazurki groggily leaves the ring.
The backdrop to the ring action involves the bank robbery of a silver shipment a gang of local outlaws had planned, using the boxing event as a distraction. Riley hightails it out of the ring to join partner Chad Cooper (Peter Brown) and Ranger boss Captain Parmalee (Philip Carey) to take down the bad guys. In addition to Kennedy, the story also features Mickey Shaughnessy as Private Flower's personal manager, and Henry Gibson as a milquetoast Ranger for an additional spot of comic relief. It's a fun episode, though series fans will miss the presence of Neville Brand.
