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Title

The Blue Roan Stallion

Plot

A proud "half-breed", Dan Bowles unwittingly saves the life of ranch owner Hale Chalmer. In gratitude, he is hired as a ranch hand and life becomes complicated when he falls in love with the boss's daughter. Despite their differences, the lovers make plans to get married but things come to a head when the foreman challenges the cowboy to a gun-fight because of his mixed heritage. Chalmers saves Dan's life only to throw him a gun when he learns that the man he has just saved is a half-breed.

Episode

0431

Air Dates

  • First Run - February 13, 1976
  • Repeat - June 30, 1976

Actors

Writer

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Rating

79
70     9


8 Responses to Episode 0431

Great episode. Really underscores how whites felt about Indians in the 19th century. The end will surprise you.

Jonathan Wald

Yes, great episode. Great love not wasted.

misty

A man with an Aboriginal mother and a white father appears more white than anything and, when his mother passes away, he sets out to continue his life. Happening upon a man injured in the desert, he helps mend the man's injuries and takes him home to his ranch. He turns out to be a rather wealthy rancher who takes the man on to work. He also seems to have aspirations for the young man in terms of his daughter and the future of his holdings. The current ranch boss is less than enthusiastic having thought the ranch and the girl's hand would be his own.

Kristle Paile

Always listen at night and sometimes during the day as I drive around and do my job as a food service sales rep. It takes away the crazyness of talking with chefs all day :) Fantastic site.

Frank

A pretty good story about hatred and where it can lead. Interestingly enough my best friend is Native American and he's married to a redheaded woman of Ukranian descent. Their first son is a redhead and you wouldn't think he's Native, but their second son has black hair and it's definitely noticeable (although not overtly, but then again neither is my friend). I'm not sure if he'd like this story or not, but perhaps I'll forward it to him.

Alec

my comment is about how the whole plot was told in the description before i even had to chance to listen to it. Spoiler Alert.

Brede

I rate this episode ★★★★★ stars for EXCELLENT. One of Ian Martin's best mystery stories. A dramatic beginning, compelling plot points, the haunting symbolism of the blue roan stallion, and best of all: a surprising ending that no one would expect (the surprising ending is revealed at the 39:55 mark). The title is good, another way to title it would be "The Half-Breed." Sound effects to the stallion neighing, echoes of the hooves galloping, vultures, howling wind, farm animals, doors, footsteps, trains at Miller's Junction, luggage, horse wagons, bar patrons, and the gunshots were very effective. The music as well with its dramatic and compelling tunes where the feelings of love, hatred, agony, and even death can be spotted at any turn in this story. In our Host's Prologue, E.G. Marshall begins with the authentic era of the old West. In ACT-1, he informs the CBSRMT listeners that there was a time period where it was Cowboys VS Indians and our main character is both. In ACT-2, our Host knows that our main character is a man of principle, but may have signed his death warrant. In ACT-3, after revealing the shocking conclusion, E.G. Marshall states that, "Prejudice and bigotry die hard." A lesson never to be ignored. In his Epilogue, he points out that Life is a constant change and challenge (another lesson to be learned from this episode). Finally, our cast: Tony Roberts (as Dan Bowles a.k.a. Little Buffalo), Rosemary Rice (as Dan's Mother and Mercy Chalmers), Earl Hammond (as Hale Chalmers), and Joe Silver (as Mike "Black Mike" Patterson). These 4 were magnificent in their performances. Joe Silver was perfect to be the villain, Earl Hammond had a great cowboy accent, Rosemary Rice had a delicate voice to play the daughter and mother, and Tony Roberts acted in one of his best roles ever on CBSRMT. If you're looking for mystery stories that involve the old West or even searching for tales involving Horses, this one's for you. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =^D

Russell

This story was first released in 1976 on our bicentennial. It is sad to say that this type of bias still exists in some minds passed down from the generation before. Dan's kindness and honor reflect that good is not a reflection of our outward human attributes, but on the individual. The love of Dan and Mercy surpasses the biases and what triumphs. This story outlines those struggles we still see today and what we need to conquer to make us a successful, flourishing country again. Kudos for tackling such a topic in 1976.

Maureen


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