Portrait of an Unknown Man

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Deborah S "Maybe they stare at you because they admire you." To the towering stranger, it didn't feel like admiration, but he recognized the courage it took for Ellen to say it. This was a perfect vehicle for Clint Walker, who as wandering cowboy Cheyenne Bodie made the gentle yet strong and capable man heroic no matter what the circumstances. David Wolfe is his usual understated but powerful character, with none of the action of "Cheyenne" or his movies while still commanding a calm, subtle presence just because of who he is. There's almost a biographical element to the story, which no doubt some other men can relate to. The other actors in this unpretentious drama are also well-cast, from the conflicted bully of a father played by Jay C. Flippen to his daughter's creepy would-be suitor, Harvey (Robert Duvall), sympathetic Reverend Larsen (Ron Foster), and old Cob, whose "D'you suppose she's took with that fella?" can't help but bring a smile. The sweet, but repressed Ellen (Mala Powers) is the only villager unselfishly drawn to the towering 'unknown man' who wants only to be left alone. It's through Ellen that we learn why. Kraft Suspense Theatre was an anthology series in the early 1960s that included a variety of storylines. The theme music composed by the prolific John Williams remains one of the best in television. This episode was well-crafted from start to finish. The suspense is mainly in whether or not one or more of the nosy townspeople would somehow act out against the relentlessly taciturn David Wolfe, as so often happens when intolerance and suspicion lead to mindless violence. But this was in 1964, so the story plays out logically, almost gently, with a satisfying denouement. This intriguing, minimalist story by Robert Guy Barrows makes you think, and you find yourself pulling for both Ellen and David in whatever the next phase of their lives brings. Her relieved smile at the end gives reason for optimism that there just might be a happily-ever-after ending that the romantics among us crave. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/16/25 Full Review Read all reviews

Portrait of an Unknown Man

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