When I watched this episode, I had no idea Bertie was played by Agnes Morehead. I cannot believe they made her look so old and unattractive. I mean, I've seen Agnes Morehead play some extremely plain Janes, but this role takes the cake.
6 Reviews
Comic relief episode
cpotato101018 July 2018
Taken as a stand-alone episode of the show, it was quite enjoyable.
Watching this anew, or perhaps for the first time (I did not watch much TV as a kid, I do not remember this from its first run) I recognized Richard Anderson immediately. I did NOT recognize Agnes Moorehead, even though we did watch Bewitched a few years later.
Some comment on the director, I noticed the writer, Margaret Armen. In addition to some other episodes of the Rifleman, Big Valley, and a few other westerns, she wrote three episodes of Star Trek. Oh, and one each of the Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman, where Richard Anderson was a co-star.
For the characters, I am not sure the story would have workedas well with other actors besides Ms Moorehead and Mr Anderson.
Richard Anderson plays his character with a subdued menace. He is willing to kill without a second thought, but it is not his first reaction. It is not clear what crime he is wanted for in Oklahoma, but if his punishment is a jail term in Leavenworth, it may not be a capital crime.
Agnes Moorehead was not primarily a comedic actress, but employs a light touch here. Contrast that with her next role, the mute woman fighting invaders from outer space on the Twilight Zone.
In both cases, I do not think any prognostics were needed, For this episode, Agnes was 60 years old. I think her makeup was more a matter of not trying to hide her age.
Although Westerns are not my primary interest, it was fun to watch this particular episode. Recommended.
Watching this anew, or perhaps for the first time (I did not watch much TV as a kid, I do not remember this from its first run) I recognized Richard Anderson immediately. I did NOT recognize Agnes Moorehead, even though we did watch Bewitched a few years later.
Some comment on the director, I noticed the writer, Margaret Armen. In addition to some other episodes of the Rifleman, Big Valley, and a few other westerns, she wrote three episodes of Star Trek. Oh, and one each of the Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman, where Richard Anderson was a co-star.
For the characters, I am not sure the story would have workedas well with other actors besides Ms Moorehead and Mr Anderson.
Richard Anderson plays his character with a subdued menace. He is willing to kill without a second thought, but it is not his first reaction. It is not clear what crime he is wanted for in Oklahoma, but if his punishment is a jail term in Leavenworth, it may not be a capital crime.
Agnes Moorehead was not primarily a comedic actress, but employs a light touch here. Contrast that with her next role, the mute woman fighting invaders from outer space on the Twilight Zone.
In both cases, I do not think any prognostics were needed, For this episode, Agnes was 60 years old. I think her makeup was more a matter of not trying to hide her age.
Although Westerns are not my primary interest, it was fun to watch this particular episode. Recommended.
"The little old lady from Philadelphia..."
grizzledgeezer24 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I hope you're reading this before reading anything else, because I can't tell you any more than that Lucas and Mark meet a little old lady (Bertie Hoakam -- ie, hokum) who carries a scrapbook of wanted posters. Telling anything else would spoil the surprises.
This is -- let's be honest -- a silly and implausible story. But it's so deucedly clever that it wins simply on originality. Bertie's motivations are only slowly revealed, which keeps the viewer wondering as to what's really going on. (It would have made a good "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode, except for the revelations coming about halfway through.)
The always-wonderful Agnes Moorehead plays Bertie. James Clavell is the director. (Yes, /that/ James Clavell.) Though not a story of great substance, it's one of those rare must-see episodes.
PS: At the end, Lucas advises Bertie to move out west permanently and earn a living selling pies (which Mark has given his seal of approval to). Coincidentally, this is episode 3.14.
A note to IMDb management... The other descriptions of this episode reveal far too much, breaking your rule about plot spoilers. They need to be edited, so as not to diminish the viewer's pleasure in seeing the story unfold.
This is -- let's be honest -- a silly and implausible story. But it's so deucedly clever that it wins simply on originality. Bertie's motivations are only slowly revealed, which keeps the viewer wondering as to what's really going on. (It would have made a good "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" episode, except for the revelations coming about halfway through.)
The always-wonderful Agnes Moorehead plays Bertie. James Clavell is the director. (Yes, /that/ James Clavell.) Though not a story of great substance, it's one of those rare must-see episodes.
PS: At the end, Lucas advises Bertie to move out west permanently and earn a living selling pies (which Mark has given his seal of approval to). Coincidentally, this is episode 3.14.
A note to IMDb management... The other descriptions of this episode reveal far too much, breaking your rule about plot spoilers. They need to be edited, so as not to diminish the viewer's pleasure in seeing the story unfold.
Agnes Moorehaed, Bounty Hunter?
gordonl5626 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
THE RIFLEMAN – Miss Bertie - 1960
This is the 90th episode from the 1958 to 1963 western series, THE RIFLEMAN. Over the course of 168 episodes we follow the life of Lucas McCain and his son, Mark. They have moved to the small western town of North Fork where they hope to start a new life. Chuck Connors headlines the series with Johnny Crawford as his son. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle which of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble.
Returning to North Fork by stage, Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford are entertained by tales of outlaws by elderly passenger, Agnes Moorehead. The stage reaches North Fork and unloads. Riding by the stage at the station is Richard Anderson. Anderson, it seems is a wanted outlaw in the next state.
Moorehead it turns out is trying her hand and being a bounty hunter. Moorehead is soon pestering the man about surrendering to her, so she can take him in and collect the $2000 reward. North Fork Sheriff, Paul Fix, can do nothing unless Anderson breaks the law in town. Otherwise he can't touch Anderson.
Moorehead becomes such a pain to Anderson that she suckers him into drawing his gun on the Sheriff. Connors is of course handy and shoots the gun out of his hand. Anderson in grabbed up for a visit to jail and a return to the proper jurisdiction for trial. Moorehead is up for the reward.
Not really a very good episode. Moorehead plays the part like she is Irene Ryan of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. It has that slapped together so we can hit the bar feel to it. It is as if they could not decide to pay it straight, or as a comedy. Not a keeper in my books.
Of note here is the director, James Clavell. Writer, producer and director Clavell is best known as the man behind, SHOGUN. He wrote the novel, story or screenplay for, SHOGUN, THE FLY, FIVE GATES TO HELL, 633 SQAUDRON, THE GREAT ESCAPE, THE LAST VALLEY, TO SIR WITH LOVE, KING RAT, TAI-PAN and THE Satan BUG. He directed, TO SIR WITH LOVE, THE LAST VALLEY and FIVE GATES TO HELL.
This is the 90th episode from the 1958 to 1963 western series, THE RIFLEMAN. Over the course of 168 episodes we follow the life of Lucas McCain and his son, Mark. They have moved to the small western town of North Fork where they hope to start a new life. Chuck Connors headlines the series with Johnny Crawford as his son. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle which of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble.
Returning to North Fork by stage, Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford are entertained by tales of outlaws by elderly passenger, Agnes Moorehead. The stage reaches North Fork and unloads. Riding by the stage at the station is Richard Anderson. Anderson, it seems is a wanted outlaw in the next state.
Moorehead it turns out is trying her hand and being a bounty hunter. Moorehead is soon pestering the man about surrendering to her, so she can take him in and collect the $2000 reward. North Fork Sheriff, Paul Fix, can do nothing unless Anderson breaks the law in town. Otherwise he can't touch Anderson.
Moorehead becomes such a pain to Anderson that she suckers him into drawing his gun on the Sheriff. Connors is of course handy and shoots the gun out of his hand. Anderson in grabbed up for a visit to jail and a return to the proper jurisdiction for trial. Moorehead is up for the reward.
Not really a very good episode. Moorehead plays the part like she is Irene Ryan of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. It has that slapped together so we can hit the bar feel to it. It is as if they could not decide to pay it straight, or as a comedy. Not a keeper in my books.
Of note here is the director, James Clavell. Writer, producer and director Clavell is best known as the man behind, SHOGUN. He wrote the novel, story or screenplay for, SHOGUN, THE FLY, FIVE GATES TO HELL, 633 SQAUDRON, THE GREAT ESCAPE, THE LAST VALLEY, TO SIR WITH LOVE, KING RAT, TAI-PAN and THE Satan BUG. He directed, TO SIR WITH LOVE, THE LAST VALLEY and FIVE GATES TO HELL.
The Rifleman - Miss Bertie
Scarecrow-8824 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Sometimes a western show that deals with adult themes that can be tense and thought provoking has a lighter side. "Miss Bertie" is one of those. The titular character is played by guest starring Agnes Moorehead in old age makeup, hamming it up. Bertie wants $2000 for an old folks' retirement ladies home so she "goes bounty hunter", eyeing Richard Anderson's notorious gunfighter Duke Jennings as her prize for such a sum. However, could she be messing with danger always poking around while Duke is at the Poker table in North Fork's saloon? It was amusing watching Bertie attempt to "influence" Jennings to turn himself in so she can get that bounty money, but as she keeps hanging around him Lucas and Sheriff Micah worry about her aggravating him. Considering Jennings is a known killer, you'd think the episode would produce suspense, but the tone is always cutesy and light so his drawing the gun won't exactly elicit a response of concern for the viewer. I don't think anyone would envision Jennings gunning down "a little ole' lady" in a saloon. Lucas can take it easy for the most part although the whole episode has him keeping a close eye on Jennings
you know that Lucas will be nearby to make sure Bertie is okay. Mark and Bertie of course bond while Lucas and Micah often watch their visitor sew and make little comments about Jennings' hand and eventually his drawing from the bottom of a deck during a game. It always kind of annoyed me a bit when shows like this kept bringing back actors who had previously portrayed different characters, even dying during certain circumstances. Anderson had previously portrayed a woman killer, and in this episode pops up as an infamous gunfighter Lucas knows all too well. Anderson and Connors' opening scene is one of those "few words speak volumes" moments where it's clear there's plenty of distrust and disregard. This episode actually didn't end the way I had imagined
I just figured Jennings would pull that gun and Lucas put him down as Bertie stood to be in peril. It makes sense that it would end the way it did though considering what was at stake. Moorehead is a favorite of her time, so her presence on the show must have been thought to be a big deal
she gets star treatment, too. She is on the tips of tongues the whole time and part of nearly every conversation when she isn't even present. The part of not being an old woman dying all alone enough to try and earn a bounty (which is implausible and absurd if you think about it) is perhaps the sole driving force of the plot. Still when compared to superior plots in other episodes where Lucas and company face difficult odds, "Miss Bertie" is pure fluff.
Was expecting more but was disappointed
kfo949423 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I really wanted to like this episode. It contained Agnes Moorehead as a grandmother type character that you would assume would be a nice watch. But there is little to this show worthy of the usual fine performance from a Rifleman episode.
On their way back to North Fork, Lucas and Mark meet Miss Bertie Hoakam while on the stage. Miss Bertie is from back east and is out west to make money. She needs money so that she can live her final days in a place where she will not be lonely. But the way she is thinking about getting the money is being a bounty hunter.
With outlaw Duke Jennings in North Fork, Miss Bertie will stay a few days to see of she can cash in on the golden calf that has a reward on his head. With Miss Bertie hanging out in the saloon, Lucas and Micah knows something is different about this older woman.
This really was not a bad show but it was not what I was expecting. Once the stagecoach arrived in North Fork the action seemed so slow that the show became disappointing. The show just could not hold the attention enough to make for a interesting watch.
On their way back to North Fork, Lucas and Mark meet Miss Bertie Hoakam while on the stage. Miss Bertie is from back east and is out west to make money. She needs money so that she can live her final days in a place where she will not be lonely. But the way she is thinking about getting the money is being a bounty hunter.
With outlaw Duke Jennings in North Fork, Miss Bertie will stay a few days to see of she can cash in on the golden calf that has a reward on his head. With Miss Bertie hanging out in the saloon, Lucas and Micah knows something is different about this older woman.
This really was not a bad show but it was not what I was expecting. Once the stagecoach arrived in North Fork the action seemed so slow that the show became disappointing. The show just could not hold the attention enough to make for a interesting watch.
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