Richard Boone as "Hec Ramsey". CSI in the new west.

[Wyatt Burp]

This is the 1972 pilot episode of "Heck Ramsey" starring Richard Boone as an ex shoot-em-up Indian Territory lawman who is now into the new fangled forensic way of solving crimes. Set in a 1901 Oklahoma oil boom town, or at the start of the boom, it is very different than most westerns and captures the transition to modern times really good. His concealed weapon of choice is an extremely cut down Colt SAA that get's lots of screen time. This was actually a continual movie of the week. At bottom is clip of stage robbery scene showing how "Hec" works.

http://www.westernstv.com/westerns-tv-shows-to-watch-free/hec-ramsey-western-tv-show/

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lQbY_p3Yv4[/ame]

 

[hardcase60]

Being a Richard Boone fan I couldn't resist the temptation. So I stayed up later than I should and watched the pilot. Now I want to see the rest of the series. Thanks for the link. hardcase60

 

[Tom S.]

Great find! Thanks for posting.

 

[the ringo kid]

Big Boone fan here as well. I think ill rewatch the first three seasons of: Have gun will travel.

Ive never vseen Hec Ramsey before so am sure ill enjoy it.

 

[hardcase60]

Still think Paladin's business card was/is the neatest I've seen! hardcase60

 

[the ringo kid]

Still think Paladin's business card was/is the neatest I've seen! hardcase60

Me too. Ive seen some for sale on line before-but 100% sure if any were original to the show or not? I never knew that Hec Ramsey was a Western? I do believe they are on dvd. Id love to have that series.

 

[model70hunter]

I remember watching some Hec Ramsey shows.

 

[remshooter]

i remember it ,i was in second grade when heck ramsey started ,watched it everytime it came on

 

[jimmyj]

Just the season 1 episode 1 on You Tube ??

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Me too. Ive seen some for sale on line before-but 100% sure if any were original to the show or not? I never knew that Hec Ramsey was a Western? I do believe they are on dvd. Id love to have that series.

In 1985 I ordered a gun rig from Arvo Ojala. He sent me five bucks and the stuff in this frame for me to make a VHS copy of "The Oregon Trail", the only film he said he had dialogue. He also spins a Colt Walker in it. Included was this Paladin card. Is it considered original? I don't know, but it's real close since he made the Paladin rig and was the gun coach for the show.

 

[DWalt]

I have seen a lot of the HG-WT business cards. I suppose many individuals printed them up back in the days the show was in its first run as novelties. I remember when Hec Ramsey was running, and I may even have seen a few episodes of it. But I don't remember much about it other than it was a sort-of old west CSI theme. As I remember, it wasn't a regular weekly series itself but alternated with one or several other series. Maybe McMillan and Wife was one of them?

 

[the ringo kid]

In 1985 I ordered a gun rig from Arvo Ojala. He sent me five bucks and the stuff in this frame for me to make a VHS copy of "The Oregon Trail", the only film he said he had dialogue. He also spins a Colt Walker in it. Included was this Paladin card. Is it considered original? I don't know, but it's real close since he made the Paladin rig and was the gun coach for the show.

That's fantastic. I wish he had been alive when I found his address. It looks properly aged-so you might be good. I thought about making a case of cards using the same thing. Dont know who id paSS them out to? but it would be fun to give out those cards.

 

[Grayfox]

I remember that show. Hec was into things like finger prints and chemical analysis or what could be called modern forensics in 1901. He was also pretty much unshakable, staying cool and calm in the midst of panic.
He was a good character played extremely well by Boone. I liked it.

 

[SteveA]

Remember it well. Part of the Sunday Night mystery series (along with Colombo and McCloud) and my favorite one. Jack Webb was the producer.

 

[hardcase60]

Wyatt,

If that Paladin business card is not authentic, it's darn close. Let me go find that green with envy button. hardcase60

 

[DWalt]

What would you consider to be an original and authentic card - one actually used on the show or in some way connected with the show? And how could you tell? As I said, I've seen quite a few of them over the years, and have no idea where they came from, let alone how to judge their "authenticity." If that card actually came from Arvo Ojala, that would lend some credence to its having some direct relationship with the show and Richard Boone. Or maybe not. My guess is that maybe a relatively small number may have been printed up for use on the show, and maybe some were given out to studio and network VIPs, cast, and production crews as mementos. But probably not very many. Documentation would be very difficult.

eBay is full of these HG-WT cards for sale. At least one listing mentioned that there was a "Paladin Fan Club" and these cards were sent (or maybe sold to) members.
----------------------------------------
This is an apparently "authentic" calling card signed by Boone which sold at auction: Hake's - "HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL" RICHARD BOONE SIGNED BUSINESS CARD/PHOTO. You might compare it to yours.

 

[jlrhiner]

I seem to remember a toy gun/holster set sold that had a Paladin card included in the set. A very looong time ago.....

EDIT TO ADD PIC

 

[yaktamer]

Part of the Sunday Night mystery series (along with Colombo and McCloud)

And (ugh), McMillan and Wife.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

What would you consider to be an original and authentic card - one actually used on the show or in some way connected with the show? And how could you tell? As I said, I've seen quite a few of them over the years, and have no idea where they came from, let alone how to judge their "authenticity." If that card actually came from Arvo Ojala, that would lend some credence to its having some direct relationship with the show and Richard Boone. Or maybe not. My guess is that maybe a relatively small number may have been printed up for use on the show, and maybe some were given out to studio and network VIPs, cast, and production crews as mementos. But probably not very many. Documentation would be very difficult.

eBay is full of these HG-WT cards for sale. At least one listing mentioned that there was a "Paladin Fan Club" and these cards were sent (or maybe sold to) members.
----------------------------------------
This is an apparently "authentic" calling card signed by Boone which sold at auction: Hake's - "HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL" RICHARD BOONE SIGNED BUSINESS CARD/PHOTO. You might compare it to yours.

Ojala was a great marketer and I think he probably had cards made up from when the show was on up to when he gave me one in 1985 and beyond. When looking at online closeups that appear to be from the show's scenes, the corners look sharper than mine which are rounder. So I doubt mine was connected with the show, but only with the guy who coached him and made his rig, which is a big deal to me. I consider my card to be more associated with Ojala than with Richard Boone and HGWT.
I took advantage of talking to Ojala the two times I got the chance, asking him about movie stars. About that cheek to cheek photo of him with Marylyn Monroe I aske if she smelled good. He asaid, "Heh, heh, heh..yeah.". He said the Silverado guys never held guns before that movie. Meaning they had no clue how to handle them. And lots of other stuff I badgered him about. He was a nice guy and very open.

 

[DWalt]

I think I would accept the Boone-autographed one shown in the completed auction to be "authentic" for purposes of comparison. What I would look for would be the shadowed letters and the line detail on the Knight chesspiece, especially the horse's mane.