The Rebel (TV Series) Decision at Sweetwater (1961) User Reviews

Johnny Yuma runs into trouble riding the stagecoach

[padutchland-1 · 7/10 · 21 February 2011]

Found an old VHS tape at the flea market with 5 The Rebel shows that someone had recorded off their TV years ago - this show "Decision at Sweetwater" is one of them. Nick Adams as Johnny Yuma is a passenger on the stagecoach along with a rich mine owner, his wife and son and the painted lady run out of town. Story is somewhat similar to the movie Stagecoach that gave John Wayne his big start. Except it's not Indians on the warpath this time, it is a small band of outlaws out to get what is in the strongbox. They plan on meeting the stage at the Way Station. During the ride, the mine owner is rude to the painted lady played by Yvette Vickers (Playmate of month July 1959), while the wife and boy try to be friendly. Ms Vickers has more than beauty though, she was an excellent actress besides. Once at the station where the outlaws are waiting with guns ready....sorry, can't reveal the ending, but great acting as in all The Rebel shows.

Yvette Vickers and Donald Buka

[kevinolzak · 7/10 · 25 July 2016]

"Decision at Sweetwater" begins much like the 1939 "Stagecoach," casting pretty Yvette Vickers (previously seen in "Shriek of Silence") as scarlet woman Catherine Jewel (standing in for Claire Trevor), a widow for six years who managed to make enough money dancing to open a hat shop in Philadelphia. Along on the stagecoach is a family of three, wealthy mine owner Morton Bishop (William Phipps, previously seen in "The Guard") and his wife and son, while waiting ahead at the next stop is a trio of gold seeking outlaws led by Jess Galt (Donald Buka). Finding the strongbox full of sand instead of gold they figure to kidnap the boy for a handsome ransom, until Mrs. Jewel convinces Galt that she's willing to go with him so long as they leave the kid behind. Johnny Yuma sets out after them, despite having no weapons, while Bishop wrestles with his conscience in regard to Catherine's selflessness. Galt's two accomplices are played by Herman Rudin (his lone appearance) and Bruno VeSota (third of four).