Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns
Page 28
[Comic book strip; France; SFW]
English title for Les Persecutes.
Out in the Black
[RPG book; SW]
Authors: Tracy Hickman, Laura Hickman; Based on the motion picture screenplay by Joss Whedon (Serenity role-playing game); First publication: Margaret Weis Productions Ltd., 2006.
An adventure for the Serenity role playing game, set in Frisco, a lawless mining town in the 'Verse.
Out of the Night
[Comic book]
Supernatural anthology title that ran to seventeen issues between February 1952 and November 1954.
“FROZEN GHOST” [WW]
First publication: #8 (May 1953); Editor: Richard Hughes; Art: Al Camy: Publisher: American Comics Group.
A lake is haunted by the vengeful ghost of an Indian chief with a deadly frozen touch.
Out of the Unknown
(1965) [TV series; UK]
Science fiction and fantasy anthology series conceived by Sydney Newman, head of BBC's drama department. Out of the Unknown, which ran to 49 episodes between 1965 and 1971, was a mixture of original screenplays and adaptations of stories by science fiction authors, including Isaac Asimov, J.G. Ballard, Ray Bradbury, John Brunner, Robert Sheckley, Clifford Simak, Frederick Pohl and John Wyndham.
“THE FASTEST DRAW” (2:09) [SFW]
Air date: December 8, 1966; Cast: Ed Begley as Amos Handworthy, Annette Carell as Emma Bowles, James Maxwell as Peter Stenning; Story: Larry Eisenberg; Adaptation: Julian Bond; Producer: Irene Shubik; Director: Herbert Wise; 50 min,; UK; BBC TV; b/w.
Obsessed by the memory of his U.S. marshall grandfather, Amos Handworthy builds an android gunslinger to test his skill as a gunfighter. Adapted from the Larry Eisenberg short story.
See: The Fastest Draw
Outland
(1981) [Film; SW]
Premiere: May 21, 1981; Main Cast: Sean Connery as Marshal W.T. O'Niel, Peter Boyle as Sheppard, Frances Sternhagen as Lazarus; Executive Producer: Stanley O'Toole; Story-Director: Peter Hyams; 112 min.; Ladd Company; Color.
Marshal W.T. O'Niel investigates the mysterious deaths of workers on a mining colony on Jupiter's moon Io.
Outlaw Files
[Comic book; WW]
First publication: June 2006; Stories: Michael Hoskin, Stuart Vandal, Ronald Byrd, Jeff Christiansen, Sean McQuaid, Mark O'English, Anthony Flamini, Madison Carter; Publisher: Marvel.
A collection of tales from the files of the Phantom Rider. Featured are the Phantom Rider, Black Rider, Tex Dawson, Gunhawk, Kid Colt, Masked Raider, Outlaw Kid, Rawhide Kid, Steam Rider and Two-Gun Kid.
See: The Mighty Marvel Western
Outlaw Star
(1998) [Anime; Japan; SW]
U.S. release title for Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star which premiered on January 15, 2001.
Outlaws
(1986) [TV series; SFW]
Premiere: December 28, 1986; Main Cast: Rod Taylor as Sheriff Jonathan Grail, William Lucking as Harland Pike, Richard Roundtree as Isaiah “Ice” McAdams, Charles Napier as Wolfson Lucas, Patrick Houser as William Pike, Christine Belford as Deputy Maggie Randall; Creator: Nicholas Corea; 1 × 120 min, 11 × 60 min.; Universal TV; Color.
Season One [SFW episodes]
“OUTLAWS” (1:01)
Air date: December 28, 1986; Guest Star: Shannen Doherty; Story: Nicholas Corea; Director: Peter Werner.
The Pike gang and former gang member Sheriff Grail travel through time from 1886 to 1986 after lightning strikes them in a graveyard. Trapped in 1986 Houston, the sheriff and outlaws form the Double Eagle Detection Agency.
“TINTYPE” (1:02)
Air date: January 3, 1987; Story: Deborah Dean Davis; Director: Don Chaffey.
Harland Pike falls for a woman who is the image of his lost love from the Old West.
“PRIMER” (1:03)
Air date: January 10, 1987; Story: Bruce Cerui; Director: Frank Orsatti.
When illiterate Billy Pike attends classes to learn to read, he encounters thugs working a protection racket.
“ORLEANS” (1:04)
Air date: January 17, 1986; Story: Nicholas Corea; Director: Phil Bondelli; Guest Star: Denny Miller.
Isaiah “Ice” McAdams attempts to recover buried cash he hid in 1886 but faces opposition from a descendant of his slave owner from the 1880s.
“MADRIL” (1:06)
Air date: February 7, 1987; Guest Stars: Lew Ayres, Claudia Christian; Story: Nicholas Corea; Director: Alan J. Leui.
A millionaire has plans to convert the Old West ghost town of Madril into a shopping mall. But the former sheriff of Madril in the Old West, Jonathan Grail, encounters unexpected trouble when an elderly resident recalls Grail shooting his father almost a century earlier.
“POTBOILER” (1:07)
Air date: February 28, 1987; Guest Star: Marshall Teague; Story: Timothy Burns; Director: Frank Orsatti.
A western historian's curiosity is aroused when he notices the striking resemblance between a photograph of the Pike Gang taken in 1885 and the founders of the Double Eagle Detection Agency.
“PURSUED” (1:08)
Air date: March 7, 1987; Guest Star: Robin Dearden; Story: Robert Heverly; Direct: Phil Bondelli.
Hired to locate the daughter of a dying ex-mobster, Jonathan Grail and the outlaws think of the loved ones they left behind in 1886.
“HARDCASE” (1:10)
Air date: March 28, 1987; Story: Timothy Burn, Nicholas Corea; Director: Frank Orsatti.
A rebellious kid on the run reminds Billy Pike of himself at the same age when he turned to crime back in the Old West. He attempts to make certain the youth doesn't follow his same path.
“BIRTHDAY” (1:12)
Air date: May 2, 1987; Story: Timothy Burns; Director: Nicholas Corea.
With their ranch under siege, Grail recalls how he first met Wolfson Lucas. In a neat twist to the final episode in this short-lived series, footage from the TV Western series Oregon Trail is included in the flashback sequence. Like this episode, Oregon Trail also starred Rod Taylor and Charles Napier.
The Outpost
[Novel; SW]
Author: Mike Resnick; First publication: New York: Tor, 2001.
A group of colorful characters including Three-Gun Max, Reverend Billy Karma, Hurricane Smith, Catastrophe Baker, Cyborg de Milo, Bet-A-World O'Grady, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse exchange stories at the Outpost tavern on the planet Henry II, situated on the edge of a black hole. But an impending alien invasion forces them to pursue the invaders before their favorite bar is just another memory.
Overland Stage Raiders
(1938) [Film; WW]
Premiere: September 20, 1938; Main Cast: John Wayne as Stony Brooke, Ray “Crash” Corrigan as Tucson Smith, Max Terhune as Lullaby Joslin, Louise Brooks as Beth Hoyt, Anthony Marsh as Ned Hoyt; Associate Producer: William Berke; Story: Bernard McConville, Edmond Kelso; Screenplay: Luci Ward; Director: George Sherman; 55 min.; Republic Pictures; b/w.
Modern-day Western with a Greyhound bus transporting a shipment of gold substituting for the “Overland Stage” of the title. Parachuting cowboys add to the weird mix. The 18th feature in Republic Pictures' Three Mesquiteers series starring John Wayne one year before he attained international stardom via Stagecoach (1939).
Owlwoman
[Comic book character: WW]
First publication: Super Friends #7 (August 1977); Creators: E. Nelson Bridwell, Ramona Fradon; Publisher: DC Comics.
Cherokee Wenonah Littlebird is an American Indian from Oklahoma with night vision, superior tracking and navigation skills, heightened senses and the ability to glide on air currents. Owlwoman is a member of the international law enforcing Global Guardians.
The comic book Super-Friends was based on the Hanna-Barbera animated series of the same name.
Ozark
[Comic book character; France; SFW]
First publication: Mustang #54 (1980); Story: Jacques Lennoz; Art: Franco Oneta; Publisher: Editions Lug.
/> Wa-Tan-Peh's sacred amulet gives Lakota Indian Russell Red Horse a.k.a. Ozark the ability to communicate telepathically with his cosmic-powered horse Mustang, who represents the mystic power of the Lakota tribe. Able to see through illusions and lies with the “Light of Kelios,” Ozark protects himself from the evil forces of the supernatural with the Shield of Kronan. His enemies include the extra-dimensional entity Typho, the mad Dr. Kain and the alien invaders Gronz, whom he combats with the help of the Magic Circus troupe that has also been granted powers by the amulet.
Following the death of the Magic Circus members, Ozark's search for the seven gems known as the Hand of Shivar leads him to the sorcerer Maleficus and goddess Shakti. Ozark returned in Zembla Special #154-55 in 2001, followed by an ongoing series in Fantask in 2002.
Ozark, “Le Disciple.” Story: J.M. London; Art: J.J. Dzialowski. © Mosaic Multimedia. Used with permission.
Pale Rider
(1985) [Film; WW]
Premiere: June 28, 1985; Main Cast: Clint Eastwood as Preacher, Michael Moriarty as Hull Barret, Carrie Snodgress as Sarah Wheeler, Richard Dysart as Coy LaHood, Christopher Penn as Josh LaHood; Executive Producer: Fritz Manes; Story: Michael Butler, Dennis Shryack; Director: Clint Eastwood; 116 min.; Malpaso Company; Color.
The mysterious preacher appears as if in answer to the prayers of a young girl who asks for help for a strip-mining community at the mercy of Coy LaHood.
Eastwood's film shows influences of Shane (1953), Django il Bastardo and his previous Western High Plains Drifter. The supernatural origin of Eastwood's character in both Pale Rider and High Plains Drifter is purposely left ambiguous.
El Pantano de Las Ánimas
(1957) [Film; Mexico; WW]
Premiere: September 5, 1957; Main Cast: Gaston Santos as Gaston, Manola Saavedra, Pedro de Aquillon, Manuel Donde, Sara Cabrera; Producer: Alfredo Ripstein Jr.; Story: Ramón Obón; Directors: Rafael Baledón, Stim Segar; 75 min.; Alameda Films; Spanish; Color.
Cowboy detective Gaston, his horse Moonlight and assistant Squirrel Eyes hunt for a swamp monster responsible for killing the local townsfolk. K. Gordon Murray had further scenes filmed for the U.S. release in 1965. A low-budget mixture of the Western, horror, comedy and musical genres.
See: The Swamp of the Lost Monster
Paragon
[Comic book character; SFW]
First appearance: Captain Paragon #1 (1970); Story-Art: Bill Black; Publisher: Paragon Publications, AC Comics.
Charlie Starrett first develops the paranormal ability of mind over matter with the help of Doc Marvel while adopting a new identity as Old West gunslinger Latigo Kid. But an encounter with Samuel Lieber, a pioneer in para-psychological studies, leads down the path of learning and discovery to domination, manipulation and experimentation. The end result is immortality, invulnerability, flight and super-strength as Charlie Starrett becomes Lieber-controlled government agent Captain Paragon in World War II.
Freed from Lieber's control by adversary the Black Shroud, Starrett remains in suspended animation until aliens from the planet Rur awaken him. Forming the paranormal group the Sentinels of Justice, Paragon finally defeats the Black Shroud and eventually marries Femforce member MS. Victory.
See: Latigo Kid Western
Paragon Western Stars
[Comic book; WW]
First appearance: 1976; Art: Dick Ayers; Publisher: Paragon Publications.
This title continued the numbering from Macabre Western and featured the Haunted Horseman strip “Play of Death.”
Pariah
[Comic book character; WW]
First appearance: Incredible Hulk #268 (February 1981); Creators: Bill Mantlo. Sal Buscema; Publisher: Marvel Comics.
In the year 1871, a gunslinger is possessed by the Spirits of the Stone after digging into sacred Indian burial ground in Whispering Wells.
Peace Party
[Comic book; SFW]
First issue: May 1999; Creator: Rob Schmidt; Publisher: Blue Corn Comics.
Following a car crash, two modern-day Pueblo Indians receive special powers from an ancient Indian spirit and a mission to protect the Earth.
People of the Talisman
[Novel; SW]
Author: Leigh Brackett; First publication: New York: Ace Books, 1964.
Expanded version of “Black Amazon of Mars.” The alterations are extensive, including a different conclusion.
See: The Secret of the Sinharat
Perdition's Daughter
[RPG book; WW]
Authors: Shane Lacy Hensley, Hal Mangold; First published: 1996; Deadlands: The Weird West #1 Dime Novel series; Publisher: Pinnacle Entertainment Group.
This 100-page Deadlands dime novel includes a novella by Shane Lacy Hensley and an adventure set in Derry's Ford by Hal Mangold.
Les Persecutes
[Comic book strip; France; SFW]
First appearances: Special-Kiwi #114, Special-Rodeo #115, Kiwi #462 to 467 (1987); Art: Raffaelle Paparella: Publisher: Éditions Lug.
Tawa, Edgar, young Milos, the eccentric Prof. MacKenzie, the villainous Sgt. Crumb and Corporal Buchet encounter the advanced underground civilization of the Riis in the Old West.
See: The Outcasts
Petticoat Planet
(1996) [Film; SW]
Main Cast: Troy Vincent as Steve Rogers, Elizabeth Kaitan as Delia Westwood, Leslie Kay Sterling [Lesli Kay] as Sheriff Sarah Parker, Betsy Lynn George as Lily; Story: Matthew Jason Walsh; Director: Ellen Cabot [David DeCoteau]; 78 min.; Full Moon Entertainment, Castel Film, Romania; Color.
Astronaut Steve Rogers crashlands on a planet with an Old West theme inhabited solely by sex starved cowgirls. Soft-core Space Western set in Puckerbush Gulch.
“Phantom Cargo”
[Pulp fiction; WW]
Author: Lon Williams; Character: Lee Winters; Real Western Stories (December, 1953).
Deputy Marshal Lee Winters has strange, eerie experiences on his ride through haunted Alkali Flats.
The Phantom City
(1928) [Film; WMW]
Premiere: December 23, 1928; Main Cast: Ken Maynard as Tim Kelly, Eugenia Gilbert as Sally Ann Drew, James Mason as Joe Bridges, Charles Mailes as Benedict; Story: Adele Buffington; Producer: Harry Joe Brown; Director: Albert S. Rogell; Charles R. Rogers Productions–First National Pictures; 65 min.; Silent; B/W.
In the deserted mining town of Gold City, a mysterious Phantom warns Tim Kelly to stay clear of the gold mine. Kelly has inherited a share of the mine from his late father but others have ideas about taking the gold. Footage from this film was re-used in the 1932 remake Haunted Gold.
The Phantom Empire
(1935) [Film serial; SFW]
Premiere: February 23, 1935; Main Cast: Gene Autry as Gene Autry, Frankie Darro as Frankie Baxter, Betsy King Ross as Betsy Baxter, Dorothy Christy as Queen Tika, Wheeler Oakman as Argo, the High Priest, Warner Richmond as Rab, Muranian Ray Inventor, Smiley Burnette as Oscar; Producer: Nat Levine; Story: Hy Freedman, Gerald Geraghty, Wallace MacDonald, John Rathmell, Armand Schaefer; Directors: Otto Brower, B. Reeves Eason; 245 min.; Mascot Pictures; B/W.
Twelve-part serial starring Gene Autry in a unique mix of the singing cowboy and science fiction genres. The ancient civilization of Mu, located beneath Autry's Radio Ranch, is threatened by speculators buying the Muranian supply of radium. Autry attempts to save the people of Mu and protect his Radio Ranch. The lead role was originally planned for Ken Maynard but he was replaced due to conflicts with producer Nat Levine. The serial was also released in condensed feature film format as Men With Steel Faces 1940) a.k.a. Radio Ranch.
Chapter titles: 1. The Singing Cowboy; 2. The Thunder Riders; 3. The Lightning Chamber; 4. Phantom Broadcast; 5. Beneath the Earth; 6. Disaster from the Skies; 7. From Death to Life; 8. Jaws of Jeopardy; 9. Prisoners of the Ray; 10. The Rebellion; 11. A Queen in Chains; 12. The End of Murania
The Phantom Empire (1935) film serial starring Gene Autry, Betsy King Ross, and Frankie Dar
ro.
Phantom of the Horse Opera
[Animated theatrical short; WW]
1. Premiere: October 1961; Theatrical series: Woody Woodpecker; Story: Dalton Sandifer; Animation: Les Kline, Ray Abrams; Director: Paul J. Smith.
Woody Woodpecker encounters ghosts in Spooksville, Arizona.
2. See: Beany and Cecil
The Phantom of the Range
(1936) [Film; WMW]
Premiere: November 28, 1936; Main Cast: Tom Tyler as Jerry Lane, Beth Marion as Jeanne Moore, Sammy Cohen as Eddie Parsons; Producer: Sam Katzman; Story: Basil Dickey; Director: Bob Hill; 57 min.; Victory Pictures Corp.; B/W.
Seeking a new life, Jerry Lane buys a ranch that locals claim is haunted by the Phantom Rider. After Lane discovers a stash of money hidden on the ranch, he comes face to face with the Phantom Rider and a gang of thieves.
The Phantom of the West
(1931) [Film serial; WMW]
Main Cast: Tom Tyler as Jim Lester, William Desmond as Martin Blaine, Frank Lanning as Francisco Cortez, Dorothy Gulliver as Mona Cortez, Tom Santschi as Bud Landers; Producer: Nat Levine; Story: Wyndham Gittens, Ford Beebe, Ben Cohn; Director: D. Ross Lederman; 172 min.; Mascot Pictures; B/W.