Date: 25 October 2000 Summary: Its success rested on broad shoulders
If "Cheyenne" is one of the most fondly-remembered shows from TV's "Golden
Age of Westerns," it probably isn't due to such factors as writing or
direction, since these elements were probably no better than those found on
a number of other TV westerns. What set "Cheyenne" apart and a bit above
most of its competition lay in the casting of Clint Walker as its title
character.
While Clint was a good-looking fellow with a 48-inch chest, (which seemed
to get bared at least once on every episode), he didn't succeed just on his
physical appearance or on his acting ability which, while passable, didn't
qualify for any awards. No, what probably made Clint such an enduring icon
of the 1950's was his surprisingly quiet, mild-mannered personality which at
first seemed at odds with his massive size. This personality gave Clint an
approachable, almost vulnerable quality which lent him the aura of a "gentle
giant."
Even his "beefcake" scenes had a wholesome, non-threatening quality about
them as opposed to, say, the sly sexuality of Robert Conrad's frequent
bare-chest poses in "The Wild Wild West."
Perhaps the episode best reflecting Clint's unique qualities aired on
12-18-56. Titled "The Trap," this episode had Clint unjustly sentenced to
work in a silver mine. Having Clint push those loaded mine-cars out of the
mine and along a track under a blistering-hot desert sun not only gave ample
opportunities to display that hairy chest gleaming with sweat, but the
atmosphere of cruelty and bondage effectively played on the notion that
audiences like to see the masochistic sufferings of an uncomplaining
strongman.
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