Pic of the Day: “Home to Methuselah” revisited

Posted by Marisa on July 7, 2015

Our pic today revisits one of Timothy’s most underrated performances, that of doomed outlaw Zach Ontro in “Home to Methuselah,” the episode of The Virginian that first aired on November 26, 1969. Ontro is on the run with Jase Dubbins (Anthony D. Call, with whom I share a birthday; he’s also the son of the episode’s director, Abner Biberman).

I’ve finally deduced that The Virginian has been released on DVD in its entirety, so I will soon be able to replace these dreadful-quality pics. Stay tuned!

Pic of the Day: “Home to Methuselah” revisited

Posted by Marisa on May 30, 2014

Sorry for the spotty posting this week! I’m still shaking off that cold, and the medicine makes my brain foggy. In any event, here is another look at “Home to Methuselah,” the episode of The Virginian that debuted on November 26, 1969. Timothy is doomed outlaw Zach Ontro, in one of his most low-key and impressive performances.

If you ever get a chance to see this one, don’t miss it. It should be required viewing for everyone who thinks Tim was just an out-of-control madman in everything he did. They, and you, will be pleasantly surprised.

Videos of the Week: “Home to Methuselah”

Posted by Marisa on October 9, 2013

I’m happy to report that the episode of The Virginian in which Timothy appears, “Home to Methuselah,” is back up on YouTube and in a much better resolution than the one that was up there previously. This episode first aired on November 26, 1969. I’ve posted the two parts that Tim is in (“Embedding disabled by request,” so you need to click on the “Watch on YouTube” link), but I urge you to check out the entire episode; it’s really quite good.

Everyone who thinks that Tim was nothing but over-the-top quirks and mannerisms should sit down and watch him in this. It’s a great, low-key performance with, if I’m not mistaken, a certain subtext. One of his best and most overlooked roles.

Pic of the Day: “Home to Methuselah” revisited

Posted by Marisa on March 18, 2013

Today we take another look at the long-running Western series The Virginian and the episode “Home to Methuselah,” which was first broadcast on November 26, 1969. Outlaws in hiding Zach Ontro and Jase Dubbins (Anthony D. Call) ponder their futures. Ontro is especially adamant in warning Dubbins about the dangers of women, “with their hair hangin’ long,” snaring men into tepid domesticity. It brings a weird kind of subtext to the scene.

Call was directed in this episode by his father, Abner Biberman. Trekkies will remember Call as the overheated Lt. Bailey in the original series episode “The Corbomite Maneuver” (11.10.66). He later became a popular soap opera star. He and I also happen to share the same birthday – August 31! Virgos rule!

Pic of the Day: “Home to Methuselah” revisited

Posted by Marisa on October 19, 2012

Our pic for today (and don’t forget for all pics, you may click to embiggen) is another from “Home to Methuselah,” the episode of The Virginian that was first broadcast on November 26, 1969. It’s always good to see Timothy laughing, even if it’s the desperate laugh of a doomed outlaw.

Tim must have gotten a firm hand from director Abner Biberman, for this is one of his most straight-ahead, low-key (and yet extremely effective) performances. Tim appreciated and in fact needed strong guidance from his directors, or he tended to feel rather lost. At the same time, he seemed to work best with directors who were willing to let him improvise and embellish his characters as he saw fit. Biberman was up to the task; he was another hard-working television director who began his career as a character actor in the 1930’s. I’m willing to bet the two men related to one another.

Pic of the Day: “Home to Methuselah”

Posted by Marisa on April 30, 2012

Our week begins with a pic from the episode of the long-running Western series The Virginian entitled “Home to Methuselah,” which was first aired on November 26, 1969. Timothy gives what I believe is one of his best and most low-key performances as outlaw Zach Ontro, on the run but knowing that his time will soon be over.

Also appearing in this episode is the great G.D. Spradlin, another of Hollywood’s best character actors. He was active in local politics in his home state of Oklahoma before he got into acting, serving as the state director of John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign. He also made an unsuccessful run for mayor of Oklahoma City in 1965.

Videos of the Week: “The Killing” and “Home to Methuselah”

Posted by Marisa on July 27, 2011

EDITOR’S NOTE 09/18/13: Unfortunately both videos are now history. Sorry about that.

Since I missed last week, you lucky people get two Tim videos this week! Let the rejoicing begin!

First off is the scene introducing Tim’s character in Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing (1956). Tim was usually the scene-stealer, but here the scene is stolen right out from under him by an adorable puppy. Even the great Sterling Hayden is forced to bow to the puppy’s awesomeness.

Next up is a complete change of pace. Tim appeared in The Virginian episode “Home to Methuselah,” which was first broadcast on November 26, 1969. Anyone who thinks Tim was the same crazy wild man in everything he did needs to watch this. It’s a low-key but intense performance with some weird subtext going on. Check out part 4 as well.