The Restless Gun

Based on a radio teleplay starring James Stewart, Restless Gun follows the exploits of Vint Bonner, (John Payne), a retired gunfighter and restless drifter who wanders the Southwest in search of adventure. Payne's fine, easy-going performance made Bonner a very appealing western hero. Preferring to find peaceful resolutions to the problems he faced, Bonner was often given no choice but to fight and his proficiency with a gun made him a fearsome opponent to those who dared cross him. With a fine supporting cast, including guest appearances by Dan Blocker, James Coburn, Royal Dano, Claude Akins, Denver Pyle, Alan Hale. Restless Gun consistently ranked in the Neilsen Top Ten during its run. Product Description

Classic Television at it's BEST!

I recently purchased an eight episode DVD of the Restless Gun and will buy the 20+ episode package from Amazon.

I am in my early 50's and fondly remember many of the classic shows of the fifties and sixties, and one of them is The Restless Gun. John Payne was ideally cast as Vint Bonner in a show that makes many of today's
programs pale in comparison.

It is great to see that so many of the classic television programs
of the past, comedy, drama and western are being released on DVD for not only current but future generations to enjoy.

If you tire of the news, politics and much of the fare on the tube
these days, pop in a few episodes of The Restless Gun starring John
Payne in your DVD player, you will not be disappointed.
November 8, 2008

"The Restless Gun (1957-1958) ... John Payne ... NBC (2007)"

NBC and Timeless Media Group presents "THE RESTLESS GUN" (1957-1958) (600 mins/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- The Six Shooter was a 1953-54 radio series created by Frank Burt in which legendary actor James Stewart played the role of the cowboy traveler Britt Ponset --- James Stewart's Britt Ponset was a man with a reputation for having a fast gun but nonetheless a thinking man who didn't reach for his gun first and ask questions later.

The Six Shooter was to become The Restless Gun on television in 1957-58 --- Action film star, John Payne took over from James Stewart, taking the name Britt Ponset with him into three appearances on TV's Schlitz Playhouse of Stars before moving onto a regular TV series, entitled The Restless Gun and with a name changed to Vint Bonner --- Just like Stewart, Payne "narrated" proceedings in a series of stories which were often adapted from episodes aired on radio.

John Payne also produced the TV series (along with David Dortort, who would go on to produce Bonanza) which ran for two seasons and 77 episodes - these were very polished, well budgeted 30 minute B&W western adventures which also featured an interesting array of guest stars: Ben Johnson, James Coburn, J. Carrol Naish, Edgar Buchanan, Jack Elam, William Hopper, Andrew Duggan plus eventual regulars on Bonanza: Dan Blocker & Michael Landon.

Payne was a thoroughgoing professional in every kind of film be it musical or dramatic --- That was much in evidence in The Restless Gun --- It ran on NBC opposite another western show with an actor looking to make the transition to television --- That would be Rory Calhoun in The Texan -- But I preferred Mr. Payne.

BIOS:
1. John Payne
Date of Birth: 23 May 1912 - Roanoke, Virginia
Date of Death: 6 December 1989 - Malibu, California

Hats off and thanks to Les Adams (collector/guideslines for character identification), Chuck Anderson (Webmaster: The Old Corral/B-Westerns.Com), Boyd Magers (Western Clippings), Bobby J. Copeland (author of "Trail Talk"), Rhonda Lemons (Empire Publishing Inc) and Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") as they have rekindled my interest once again for B-Westerns and Serials --- If you're into the memories of B-Westerns with high drama, this is the one you've been anxiously waiting for --- please stand up and take a bow --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 600 min on VHS/DVD ~ Timeless Media Group ~ (10/30/2007) April 22, 2008

Restless Gun

I am half way through the series and I am amazed at the quality of acting and the stories presented for viewing. My only complaint is that on occasions the quality of the picture is reduced slightly obviously from the transfer to DVD and the age of the series. But still a great watch and I highly recommend it for viewing by all ages. April 2, 2008

A Slick Series

The 77 half-hour episodes (all in B&W) of the television western "The Restless Gun" ran from 1957-1959 on NBC. John Payne (best known as the Santa believing attorney in "Miracle on 34th Street") played the title character whose series name was Vint Bonner. There was also a half hour pilot where Payne's character had a different name (Britt Ponset). 23 of these episodes (including the pilot) are on the new DVD release.

"The Restless Gun" was a big deal back in those days. It had its own Dell 4-color comic book and was part of Topps 1958 set of T.V. Western trading cards. This was the first series for "Bonanza" producer David Dotort. Payne was the show's executive producer.

What distinguished Vint Bonner from the legion of televised loners (Johnny Yuma, Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Bronco Lane, etc.) who were roaming the range back then was that he was clearly a professional gunfighter (like Paladin) and not just somebody trying to find themselves. He didn't have Paladin's style or fondness for the good life, rather he seemed pretty world weary and disillusioned.

Bonner carried around a special kit that would extend the effective range of his colt. This involved a detailed assembly sequence in which a barrel extension and a rifle stock were attached to the handgun. The idea of a modified novelty gun soon inspired imitators, "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "The Rifleman" in the western genre. But it was the U.N.C.L.E. gun a few years later that was the most like what was featured on "The Restless Gun". The original has been largely forgotten except among toy collectors as a replica was released along with the show's other merchandising programs.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child. March 8, 2008

Classic John Payne Western Available in DVD

The Restless Gun only aired for two seasons (1957-1959), and was caught up in the glut of Western television programming that occurred in the 1950s. But it is wonderful news that Timeless Media has released episodes of this series on DVD because this is another example of a great show that has not received its due.

The series starred and was co-produced by John Payne, who was transitioning his career from motion pictures to television after a long film career capped by his performance as the defense attorney in the classic Christmas film, "Miracle On 34th Street." Payne played Vint Bonner, a former gunfighter who has retired from the trade and wanders the West. Bonner is more reticent than most heroes to use his gun, and has sensitivity and compassion that is expected from Western heroes, but more fully realized here than in most Westerns.

The series had all the hallmarks of great television - great lead character, great performances, great writing, and great casting. David Dortort, who would go on to produce Bonanza, worked with Payne to include the best supporting actors in The Restless Gun. Perennial Western actors like Jack Elam, Denver Pyle, James Coburn, Claude Akins, Royal Dano, plus some of the actors that would appear on Bonanza, including Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, and Ray Teal.

Payne's Vint Bonner is a thoughtful, decent fellow who is easy to root for, and The Restless Gun merits this DVD release, and a full series release sometime in the near future. December 31, 2007

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