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» » The Virginian The Evil That Men Do (1962–1971)

Short summary

The Virginian stops Matthew Cordell a prisoner on a work detail from escaping. He learns he has been in prison since the age of 15 but is in his mid twenties. He asks Judge Garth to check Cordell's background on a trip to the prison to discuss prison reform with the new warden. Cordell was in an orphanage until he went to prison for attempting to kill another boy. He has no history of freedom or a normal life. The Judge agrees to take him as a parolee as a test to Shiloh where he continues his prison lifestyle of isolation. When he heals a split hoof on Betsy's new horse, she develops a crush for him. But at Steve's birthday party Cordell is more interested in the older dressmaker Rita Marlow who also finds him interesting. When Cordell nearly kills Belden over dancing with Rita, Garth is close to sending him back to prison. Given a second chance, Cordell tries to make amends with the other men but his socialization is tested again when another convict shows up saying he is on parole ...

Roberta Shores' favorite episode of the series.

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  • comment
    • Author: Flocton
    A young Robert Redford is featured in this episode of The Virginian. In it Redford plays a young man who has spent many years in prison since he was 15. Redford is given a job at Shiloh ranch as a prototype of Judge Garth's belief in a separate system of juvenile justice. Lee J. Cobb feels Redford was too harshly punished.

    Unfortunately since that is the only life he knows Redford has become what Morgan Freeman described in Shawshank Redemption as an institutional man. I've known a couple like that in my life. He can't adjust and at a social event he gets into a nasty fight with another hand there.

    Young Roberta Shore kind of crushes out on Redford, but he's got his eyes on Patricia Blair who's a bit more adult. Shore gets to sing the Stephen Foster song Some Folks Do which is a favorite of mine.

    All you Robert Redford fans shouldn't miss this.
  • Episode cast overview, first billed only:
    Lee J. Cobb Lee J. Cobb - Judge Henry Garth
    Doug McClure Doug McClure - Trampas (credit only)
    Gary Clarke Gary Clarke - Steve Hill
    James Drury James Drury - The Virginian
    Robert Redford Robert Redford - Matthew Cordell
    Roberta Shore Roberta Shore - Betsy Garth
    Patricia Blair Patricia Blair - Rita Marlow
    Simon Scott Simon Scott - Warden Fred Harris
    Don Kelly Don Kelly - Deke (as Don O'Kelly)
    L.Q. Jones L.Q. Jones - Belden
    Ross Elliott Ross Elliott - Sheriff Mark Abbott
    Jon Locke Jon Locke - Johnson
    John Bryant John Bryant - Frank Mason
    Frank Chase Frank Chase - Wrangler
    Jerry Catron Jerry Catron - Prison Guard (as Jack Catron)
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