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Pete Duel as Hannibal "Joshua Smith" Heyes |
Alias Smith and Jones |
Ben Murphy as Kid "Thaddeus Jones" Curry |
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Roger Davis as Heyes |
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Pete Duel as Hannibal "Joshua Smith" Heyes |
Alias Smith and Jones |
Ben Murphy as Kid "Thaddeus Jones" Curry |
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Roger Davis as Heyes |
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Alais Smith and Jones
ABC was attempting to capitalize on the success of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with this Western adventure series featuring two amiable outlaws trying to go straight. Alias Smith and Jones premiered on January 21, 1970, starring Pete Duel as Hannibal "Joshua Smith" Heyes and Ben Murphy as Kid "Thaddeus Jones" Curry. Heyes was a silvery-tongued safecracker and card sharp, while Jones was a dead-eye gunslinger, who, in spite of all the banks and trains he robbed, never shot anyone. Desiring to lead upstanding lives, Heyes and Curry are promised a pardon from the governor if they can stay out of trouble for one year. In the meantime, however, they would remain wanted.
For three television seasons Heyes and Curry were chased across the American West (many scenes were filmed on location in Moab, Utah) by posses, bounty hunters, and fellow outlaws looking to settle a score. Despite their earnest attempt to lead honest lives, circumstances would often dictate that they fall back on the tools of their former trade to get themselves out of trouble. Alias Smith and Jones was able to capture a fair audience with its catchy theme song and unique opening credit sequence where a gravelly-voice narrator provides unique insight into the adventures of our likeable anti-heroes. Sally Field joined the show for two episodes as Clementine Hale, a fun-loving rogue who simultaneously spelled pleasure and trouble for the guys.
On December 31, 1971, Pete Duel died after a suicide attempt. With several episodes featuring Duel already in the can, ABC had to move fast to recast the role of Heyes. Roger Davis, who had been doing the program's opening and closing narrations was chosen. Although handsome, he didn't possess Duel's shifty demeanor. Then, for the 1972-73 season, ABC scheduled the show on Saturdays at 8:00 opposite All in the Family, which would rule that time slot for the next five years. Not surprisingly, ABC cancelled Alias Smith and Jones in January of 1973.
