The Big Valley (TV Series) Hide the Children (1966) User Reviews

Very Good.

[summerfields · 8/10 · 15 April 2010]

I like this episode for it's unusual storyline.

Mr. Nick gets mixed up with a gypsy woman who's engaged to be married.

They encounter prejudice when they arrive in the obvious gypsy-inhabited wagon and get fruits and veggies pelted on them.

Naturally, there's a 'mini-romance' between Nick and the gypsy maiden.

For the most part, the acting is excellent.

That great character actor, Royal Dano is superb as usual: what a fantastic presence! Dano appeared in another installment where he was equally impressive.

Gotta review that one right now! Cheers and have fun watching Gypsies traveling in The Big Valley!

I Guess I Thought It Was Bonanza

[richard.fuller1 · 7/10 · 14 September 2012]

"Sara Jane, I told ya git back inside the house 'fore that gypsy kidnaps ya, cuts yer ears off and sells ya!" How could such a simple piece of dialogue stick with me for so many decades, as I couldn't even remember the show I had seen it on. An old western was all I knew.

Was it Bonanza? Could be. High Chapparel? Maybe.

Nope, it was The Big Valley.

Words uttered by none other than Royal Dano about a gypsy woman (played by non-gypsy Louise Sorel) and who was Sara Jane? Nnne other than Eve Plumb, as other reviews have noted.

Sara Jane approached Sorel in the barn one time, Dano told her to get back inside. She crept her way back to Sorel and this was when Dano uttered lines only Dano could speak.

Jan Brady fled back thru the barn door as quickly as she could.

Dano had to be one of the most amazing actors ever. To hear him take cheesy or wasted dialogue and make it work (with the voice if nothing else), is a marvel to behold.

And he was never recognized for his talent or contribution.

Nick being Nick- and Eve Plumb's first TV role

[kfo9494 · 7/10 · 3 January 2012]

The episode begins with Nick thinking some gypsies have stolen some wine from the Barkley ranch. So hot-headed Nick goes riding out and gets into a fight with the gypsy father. As the fight is going on, Heath and Jarrod come up and advise Nick that the wine he was looking for is in another part of the storage building.

The father is no longer able to take his daughter, wife and mother to the wedding because Nick has broken some of his ribs. So Nick agrees to go along with the women and make sure they get to the wedding on time.

Along the path Nick experiences the bigotry that comes along with being labeled a gypsy. As he is leading the wagon through one town, the people come out and yell and throw rocks. One hits Nick in the temple and he is knocked out.

Because they think he is with the gypsies they will not give him medical attention. They have to go to the town's vet and force him to sew up the wound.

The next day the vet's child (played by Eve Plumb of Brady Bunch fame) comes up missing. The town thinks the gypsies have taken the child so they go out to arrest them.

In kind of an odd occurrence, the sheriff decides to let Nick and one gypsy go looking for the child. They find the child in a well just out of town. As always Nick (Peter Breck) acts like he is going beyond human capabilities when he tried to pull the girl up on a rope. I think he was trying to go after an Oscar, or at least a Golden Globe, nomination because he completely over-hammed the scene up with his acting.

Anyway the story was good and was interesting. Note- Eve Plumb's first TV role.