From any who are big fans of the TV series: The Virginian--I have a question or so that I need help on. I recently watched the movie: The Virginian-which starred: Joel McCrea, Brian Donlevy, William Frawley, Stanley Andrews, Tom Tully and Barbara Britton.
The Virginian: Joel McCrea.

Brian Donlevy as Trampas:





Trampas in the TV series: Doug McClure:




Brian Donlevy as Trampas:

In the Western movie--Donlevy as Trampas was as evil as he was in: Beau Geste as Sergeant Markoff:




W/ Gary Cooper, Robert Preston etc

The above done for character comparisons only.


The question is this: I dont remember that Trampas in the TV series was a bad guy-but in the movie--he was and was also killed in it. OK. the movie is what spawned the idea for the Tv series. So, since ive not seen more than 2-3 episodes of the TV series--and has been since around 1980 since I saw those......Was the Trampas in the TV series also a bad guy--or someone who always seemed to get into trouble because of a possible troubled past?

The movie Trampas was one who evolved into evil and got worse.

Trampas was more of a sidekick, and occasional comic relief. He was actually a very likable character.

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Even older, even crankier....

I remember Trampas on the TV show being the good guy sidekick.
He was always joking, being funny and backing up his boss, the Virginian.

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Thank you and that is what I had thought. I havent seen any episodes since at least 1981-and then only saw a few for the first time.

Ive always liked and been a fan of Doug McClure and he and I share the same birthday as well.

Id just watched the movie last week and was taken aback by Donlevy's Trampas being a bad guy-based on the long ago few episodes I saw from the series. It was neat in a way to see a bad movie character--being turned around and done like McClure did. I think ill also be looking at the Western shows site and see if they have some episodes to watch.

In the Virginian series Trampas was introduces as the son of a con man and a con man himself. The Judge, Lee J. Cobb was forced to kill the dad. Set on revenge and various twists and turns, he knew the judge was protecting himself, etc. He then worked on the ranch from then on.
One thing. Everyone called the Virginian "The Virginian". Everybody. What happened when it was payday? Did the judge make the check out to "The Virginian"? Was his bank account under that name? Was his first name "The"? Things I've always wondered about.

Trampas was a no good cattle rustler in the1902 novel.

He also was no good in several motion picture versions dating as far back as 1914. A Gary Cooper version 1929 and a Joel McCrea version 1946 are the best known.

BUT, darn, if TV didn't change things around. Young Trampas was a right nice guy.

Got this info off the Internet.

Perhaps the Virginian was a bit simple minded since he never learned the old time cattle men's creed: Never eat your own beef when your neighbor's taste just as good.

All the pain of the name game. I have Gotten in a lot of trouble here New Mexico for number of reasons.
The name game. One of our locals is a famous bear. I have made the mistake of calling him Smokey The Bear.
His name is Smokey Bear. First name Smokey, last name Bear. Those of us who know him well usually call him Smoke or Old Smoke Hole. Just don't include that the.

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There was also a pretty good and very realistic Virginian TNT Turner movie on T.V. with Bill Pullman in the lead role. Diane Lane as the school marm. William Devane was great as the ranch owner. But Trampas was a weak choice, whoever the guy was. The film is visually beautiful. Here's a taste of it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD4i9cCt-HA

IIRC, the novel was very popular when it came out. (I wasn't there, I read about it!)

It's been so long since I read it that I don't remember it well. One of the great lines from the book was
"Smile when you say that."

Used to hear that all the time when I was a young-un. Don't hear it much any more.

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You're shy a few manners.

That "smile when you say that". Pretty sure Virginian and Trampas were across the table from each other in a poker game, and Trampas' hand got beat. His angry remark was, "You son of a ___" Virginian's response to that, with his gun out, was, "When you call me that, smile".

Only thing I remember from the book. Got it for Christmas when I was in the fourth grade. Never made it through it.

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I cant remember what the Virginians name was as used ad said in the movie but--imSUPPOSING it was the same if it was ever used in the series?

yeowch, i didnt know the character went that faar back but, ill be doing some research soon. Asohad not known that Gary Cooper did a movie with a haracter of that name. Imlooking forward to checking that our too. :-))

I never read any of the books or saw any of the movies but I did enjoy the tv series. Trampas was my favorite character. He was a great source of humor in the show, perhaps a little on the irresponsible side but when it came to the rough stuff he was always ready to stand his ground.

My favorite Trampas line was in one episode where he was in a bar and some guy was trying to goad him into a fight. Trampas gave him a look and said, "You don't have to push me mister. Just make you move."

He could always be counted on to keep things interesting.

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Hi Jack,gie the Joel mcCrea/ Brain Donlevy movie a watching--its well worth it. Walmart sells a 10 Western DvD pack for $5 bucks and this movie is on it along with Sierra and Whispering Smith etc. This DvD is put out by the actual studios sois the best quality available.

If I can find anothe copy?ill get it for ya.

I remember that scene too! IIRC, the trouble maker in the bar had an old score to settle with the whole town, and was taking great pleasure by making townsmen back down from his obvious skill with a handgun.

Trampas showed up and the bad hombre tried to taunt him. As I recall, Trampas said "You don't have to push me. If you're going to do something, do it."

But I did see it a long time ago...

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You're shy a few manners.