Season Two, Episode Twenty-Four

Nerdy confession alert. We’ve finally gotten to what is probably my favorite “type” of The Virginian episode types, the mooney James Drury romantic narratives. As we get to season two, episode 24, “Another’s Footsteps”, we’ve finally found another one. Will it live up to the standards set in “The Mountain and the Sun”? Well, read on!

“Another’s Footsteps” finds The Virginian striking out in a quest for justice after his young friend (Paul Petersen) is killed in a botched bank robbery. The Virginian soon finds his way to the guilty man’s (John Agar) ranch. While he initially stops to confront the guilty man, The Virginian quickly forms an immediate bond with the man’s lonely wife (Sheree North) and son (Dennis Holmes).

Kids, I’m not going to call Paul Petersen’s death in the episode a spoiler. It happens within the first five minutes of the episode.

Petersen is best known to most as Jeff Stone in the long-running family sitcom The Donna Reed Show. Airing in March 1964, this episode coincides with the end of The Donna Reed Show‘s 6th season. The domestic comedy would go on to run until the spring of 1966. Petersen went on to start A Minor Consideration as his acting career came to an end. The organization is tasked with protecting child performers in the entertainment industry.

Like most teenage TV stars during the period, Petersen released a lot of music between 1962 and 1964. I mean, how else is one supposed to compete with Ricky Nelson. Petersen released a new single “She Rides with Me” in February 1964 right before his appearance in The Virginian.

In his role as a young man excited to try out a new gun, Petersen does exactly what he needs to do. He brings a wide-eyed innocence typically associated with sitcoms like The Donna Reed Show. Even in this role, he’s not a western cowhand. He’s the boy-next-door. The audience must mourn his death despite not knowing this character. We need to understand why The Virginian would pack up and follow the killer.

At the same time, these episodes show James Drury at his best. He’s a quiet actor who’s tremendously good in the silent moments. His eyes say so much that dialogue can’t cover. This man has seen a lot and is feeling even more, but he doesn’t always have the words.

Sheree North, meanwhile, came up in the industry during the tail end of the 1950s with featured roles in gentle studio fair like The Lieutenant Wore Skirts and No Down Payment. Though, much of her time in the early 1960s was spent on television. While she shows versatility, much of her work was in westerns and thrillers.

In this episode she showcases the strength casting directors were likely looking at. At the same time though, there’s an exhaustion. This woman has been through so much, for so long. Much like The Virginian. So, as she finds her confidence and can meet The Virginian on his level, it’s almost joyful to see her look refreshed. This family has finally found the companionship they needed and all at once, she’s happy and excited.

The episode is twinged with the tragic nature that’s hung over so many of The Virginian’s romantic exploits. There’s a yearning and a desire here, yet there’s always something standing in the way. This world can’t let them give into these feelings.

This becomes all the more painful as the subject of The Virginian’s quest returns toward the end of the episode.

Now, friends, we get to the elephant in the episode. John Agar.

Agar is an actor I need to get better with. I’ve never been able to quite contextualize his star persona. I’ve seen him in his Perry Mason episode. I’ve seen movies like Tarantula and The Woman on Pier 13. Through this though, I’ve never been able to quite pin him down. He’s largely just been Shirley Temple’s husband in my brain.

In truth though, the episode also seems to struggle with what to do with him. He’s present in the first five minutes and the final ten minutes of the story.

Outside of these scenes, he’s simply a presence. He’s meant to loom as this unknown specter. Yet, as we learn more about him, it’s impossible to ignore the inherent insecurity. He’s a man who can’t find his place in this world. He knows he’s destined for something better, yet he can’t find it.

While I’m not sure it’s intentional, this feels like a poignant commentary on Agar’s persona. This is a man who hit Hollywood fast. His career developed quickly after marrying Shirley Temple in 1945. All at once, the young actor was working with John Wayne and John Ford.

By the 1950s though, the industry apparently lost interest. He spent much of the following decade in television as well as low budget horror and exploitation. When looking at his career, there’s this sense of “what happened there?” that I’m eager to explore.

In the grand scheme of things, this episode did a lot to “wet my whistle” as they say. I am, and will continue to be a sucker for James Drury episodes. This was sweet with the yearning passion that he so easily harnessed. Yet, I came out of this episode wanting to jump more into John Agar’s work. I’d been misunderstanding him for years certainly not giving him enough credit. He’s more than simply Shirley Temple’s ex. His portrayal of this fiery man who can’t find his place struck a chord with me. I was left desperate to know more and John Agar seems like a perfect puzzle to finish.