Episode 116 - SONG IN THE DARK

[Episode Guide]

Date: January 13, 1963

Summary: Adam searches for proof when singing cowhand Danny Morgan is accused of murder.

Written by: Judith George and George W. George
Directed by: Don McDougall
Guest Stars: Gregory Walcott (Danny Morgan), Edward Andrews (Rev. William Johnson) Virginia Christine as Mary Johnson and Mort Mills as Deputy Sheriff Jeff Sykes.


Slideshow by Adamant

[snapdragon]

I really liked this episode. I have one question however:

In the third part, the preacher shoots at a man in black riding a white house and singing that Red Rock Rim song. Is this Adam that he shot at? See here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwpdU1V29nc&t=39m25s

Later, Adam confronts the man in his house but he's not shot. I don't understand. Who exactly did the preacher shoot at if it wasn't Adam? Can anyone explain?

[ellen]

I agree it's confusing. I believe it WAS Adam on the horse, but the preacher missed him, and Adam just fell from the horse, either to fool the preacher or because it was safer on the ground.

[daisy60]

This episode is a bit confusing. Danny seems to be the guilty one. The preacher ends up being a bit scary. I really do like the singing, though.

[AdamCult2b]

I agree, it was a bit confusing but I did concentrate on Adam and his acting skills

[manulanee]

Here is what Gillie posted in 2011 about this episode and the song in particular:

"Greg Walcott came up with the idea of the song, "Under the Red Rock Rim", while he was discussing his role of Danny Morgan for this show with David Dortort. Greg said he couldn't sing very well, but gave it a try for David over the phone. He liked it and David Rose joined the conversation. In less then 30 minutes, they composed the song over the phone.
Greg reported to the recording studio at Paramount and sang the song in different variations. A guitarist came in and did the playing for the instrumental part of the duet. One completed, the recordings were played back on the sound stages and the guitarist was out of camera range, playing the chords, when Greg would lip synch to them and fake the strumming in his scenes.
Walcott finished the 6-day shoot and he went to seek other work. Post-production followed immediately and this is where the film dubbing was done. Pernell reported to the studio to voice dub the song for all the scenes of Danny singing, and that includes the night scene where Adam is shot off the horse by the Reverend Johnson. "
Thread: Question about "Song in the Dark"

[snapdragon]

Manulanee, for the info/link.

So it really was Adam riding the white horse at night. I guess he was trying to fool the preacher into coming out of the house, and then he faked getting shot?

I love that Red Rock Rim song. Too bad it was never recorded in its entirety.

[manulanee]

So it really was Adam riding the white horse at night. I guess he was trying to fool the preacher into coming out of the house, and then he faked getting shot?

Adam said before this scene to Ben that he wondered why the preacher was in such a hurry to sell the place. And I guessed he would try to find out, confronting the preacher with the white horse. - Besides, look at the guitar! There must have been some string attached to it, because it flies away in a queer angle.

[Adamant]

What I find odd about this episode is that Adam would take a chance on being shot by the "Reverend" while he's out there singing. I mean, I understand that he wants to gaslight Johnson but he takes too great a chance.

[Calamity]

Ohhhhh I adore this episode because it's the classic murder mystery - Cartwright style. Adam is certainly styling in his pursuit of the guilty Rev. Johnson. That staircase scene catches me every time. The only problem with this one is that it leaves me wishing that the writers had given Adam more mysteries to solve in future episodes.