Ep 8. Little Pistol

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp was a popular television series that aired during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The show focused on the adventures of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp during his days in the Wild West. Season 3, Episode 8 of the show is titled "Little Pistol."

The episode begins with Wyatt Earp (Hugh O'Brian) receiving news that a banker named Jubal Baker (Stuart Randall) has been killed by a young boy known as Little Pistol. Jubal's widow, Martha (Peggy Stewart), asks Wyatt to bring the boy to justice, but Wyatt is hesitant to get involved in the case.

Wyatt soon learns that Little Pistol is actually a 10-year-old boy named Johnny Clay (Gary Vinson). Johnny's father was falsely accused of a crime and lynched by a mob, and Johnny has been seeking revenge ever since. He is determined to avenge his father's death by killing the people responsible for it, and Jubal was one of them.

Wyatt tries to talk to Johnny and convince him to turn himself in, but the boy is stubborn and won't listen. Wyatt is torn between his duty as a lawman and his sympathy for the young boy's situation. He ultimately decides to help Johnny seek justice for his father's death, but in a lawful manner.

In the meantime, Wyatt's friends Doc Holliday (Douglas Fowley) and Bat Masterson (Mason Alan Dinehart) become involved in the case. Doc tries to reason with Little Pistol but is shot in the arm by the boy. Bat, on the other hand, tries to intimidate Johnny into turning himself in but is unsuccessful.

As the episode progresses, Wyatt and his friends work to bring Johnny to justice while also protecting him from angry townspeople who want to lynch the boy. In the end, Johnny realizes that Wyatt is the only person who truly cares about him and decides to turn himself in. Wyatt promises to help him and make sure he gets a fair trial.

Overall, "Little Pistol" is a compelling episode that explores themes of revenge, justice, and the struggle between duty and personal beliefs. The character of Little Pistol is complex and sympathetic, making it difficult for Wyatt and the audience to determine the right course of action. The episode also features strong performances by the cast, particularly Gary Vinson as Johnny and Hugh O'Brian as Wyatt. Fans of the show and of Westerns in general will find much to enjoy in this episode.