The Restless Gun

The story

The Restless Gun is an American western television series that appeared on NBC between 1957 and 1959, with John Payne in the role of Vint Bonner, a wandering cowboy in the era after the American Civil War. A skilled gunfighter, Bonner is an idealistic person who prefers peaceful resolutions of conflict wherever possible. He is gregarious, intelligent, and public-spirited. The half-hour black-and-white program aired seventy-eight episodes. Jeanne Bates appeared in varying roles with Payne in five episodes of The Restless Gun.

The Restless Gun theme song begins: "I ride with the wind, my eyes on the sun, and my hand on my restless gun..." The song composer is probably Paul Dunlap, credited as the primary series composer, but could have been contributed to by either of the two other series composers, Dave Kahn and Stanley Wilson, also. Two versions are currently posted on YouTube, but neither posting lists any composer or performance credits.

Cast

J John PayneVint Bonner D Don GradyDonny Betts · Andy Cavis · Sylvester Cromwell III E Ellen CorbyRuth Purcell · Mrs. Amy Morgan · Emma Birch J John LarchSheriff Riker · Anse Newton · Red-eye Kirk S Stuart RandallSheriff Jim York · Sheriff Tinsley J Jack CarrBarfly · Grave Digger J John Ericson H Herbert LyttonMiles Seekamp · Marshal Gavin Brandon H Herb VigranSheriff Longhorn · Jim Pincher F Fred GrahamSecond Deputy · Sheriff Barclay D Don C. HarveySheriff · Joe Tanner D Dan BlockerJohn 'El Bruto' · Ike Burnett

See more cast

R Roy RobertsKit Springer · Doc J Jack ElamTony Molinor · Link Jerrod W Walter CoyNick Dawson · Sheriff Ben Hansen J Joe GarcioJoe (uncredited) · Townsman (uncredited) D Denver PyleSheriff Jay G Guinn 'Big Boy' WilliamsJeff Bonsell K Kasey RogersJenny May McElroy S Sue GeorgeLouise Keller P Paul LukatherRandy Clayton A Anthony RayCharlie S Shirley KnightHeide Ritter R Roy EngelSheriff Roy Willard G George EldredgeBurt Newcomb H Harvey StephensStrad Bricker J John StephensonJoel Fletcher M Madge BlakeEmily Davis P Peggie CastleAmity Hobbs G Grant WithersDutcher E Emmett LynnTown Drunk H Herschel GrahamTownsman (uncredited) C Charles LaneMayor Peter Mercer T Tom McKeeRalph R Ralph SanfordGallagher B Bea BenaderetMadame Brimstone R Robert BlakeLupe Sandoval K Kristine MillerFlorence Wheeler L Lyle TalbotMort Askins F Frank AlbertsonJeb Lacey H Harold J. StoneBen Reed J Jean AllisonBeth R Read MorganBob Kenyon E Edgar BuchananEthan Greenfield L Lane BradfordJesse Drake M Mauritz HugoJed Baker K Kenneth TobeySheriff Cash Harcourt F Frank WilcoxSheriff Abner P Paul E. BurnsPete Drum V Vic MorrowWes Singer O Olive CareyGrandma Singer R Rip TornJody Gilman P Paul FixJake Burnett L Luana AndersLucy Anne J James WestmorelandFrank Kolter F Frank GorshinCowboy with Singer J Jack TornekTownsman (uncredited) W Walter ReedNed Landy J John HarmonTom Jackson F Frank RichardsHarry Potter R Robert AndersonSam Norville C Claude AkinsWes Flagler W William PhippsHeber Grant M Malcolm AtterburyGopher Martin J Jacques AubuchonJohann Hoffman P Patrick McVeyJohn Durant V Virginia ChristineAmy Durant J Jeanne BatesGreta Hoffman G George KeymasTrager O Onslow Stevens J James Coburn R Robert Foulk T Tyler McVey C Chick Hannan