Lone-Handed 90

Infobox Television episode
Title = Lone-Handed 90
Series = Joe 90
Season = 1
Episode = 24
Airdate = March 9, 1969
Production = 20
Writer = Desmond Saunders
Keith Wilson
Director = Ken Turner
Episode list = List of "Joe 90" episodes
Prev = See You Down There
Next = Attack of the Tiger

"Lone-Handed 90" is the 24th episode of the Supermarionation television series "Joe 90". It was the 20th episode to be produced. Its original UK air date was March 9, 1969 on ATV Midlands. It was written by Desmond Saunders and Keith Wilson and directed by Ken Turner.

Synopsis

As Mac, Sam and Shane argue over a breakdown on the BIG RAT, Joe falls asleep while watching television. Dreaming that he is a sheriff in the Wild West, Joe must thwart the notorious WIN Gang as they plot to rob a gold consignment.

Plot

At the McClaines' cottage, Mac, Sam and Shane are in the middle of a heated argument over a breakdown on the BIG RAT, which is urgently required for a mission in Arizona. Joe tries to make a suggestion, but is snubbed by the men and returns to the lounge to continue watching a Western on television. Joe soon falls asleep and dreams that he is in the BIG RAT receiving a brain transfer…

In Spoke City in old Arizona, the notorious WIN Gang – consisting of Shane, Sam and Mac – wraps up a bank robbery. After starting a fire and leaving the helpless teller trapped inside the building, the crooks steal their victim's car and speed out of town with their loot. For their next raid, Shane, the ringleader, has his eye on a gold consignment in Altuna and decides that they will travel to the nearest town, Joesville. Shane is reminded that the local sheriff is a strict law enforcer and a fast draw, but orders his companions to stop complaining.

As the WIN Gang enters Joesville, a doc rushes to inform Sheriff Joe of their arrival. Joe dons his special glasses and heads for the saloon where the criminals are having a drink. At the bar, Shane reveals his plan for the consignment raid: at six o'clock that day, just before the gold is loaded onto a train for shipment, it will be left exposed on the Altuna station platform for several minutes. Joe arrives and a shootout with the gang ensues, in which all the robbers are disarmed and arrested.

The doc locks up the gang members at the sheriff's office, but must man the jailhouse alone because Joe's presence is required at the Triple Creek Rodeo. After the doc has fallen asleep at the sheriff's desk, Shane, Sam and Mac are able to seize the keys to their cell by throwing a hooked piece of string through the bars, latching onto the metal left on the table and raising it towards them. Shane retrieves their guns while Sam and Mac bind and gag the startled doc. Shane starts another fire and leaves the doc trapped before joining his associates in the car. At the rodeo, Joe makes a call to his office and the doc is able to knock the phone onto the ground and groan a response, prompting the sheriff to return to Joesville and rescue his friend. Joe remembers that the crooks intended to rob the Altuna gold consignment and boards the mail train, the "Texas Belle", to guard it against the outlaws.

Meanwhile, the WIN gang have stopped their vehicle as they argue on whether to attempt the robbery or make for the border. Mac, the driver, doubts that the rickety car will survive the mountain track, but is finally persuaded to take the route towards Altuna.

In the time wasted by their bickering, the gang has given the "Texas Belle" a head start and encounters the train as it surges along the railway line. Standing on the footplate with the driver, Hank, Joe engages the crooks as they open fire on the train. Eventually, Shane and Sam are thrown from the car as Mac recklessly navigates the rough ground. Mac overtakes the "Texas Belle", but the steering wheel detaches and soon the battered car grinds to a halt across the rail track. Mac dives for cover as the train smashes into the car, which ignites and causes the "Texas Belle" to leave the track and crash down the hillside…

Joe wakes up the lounge facing Mac, who says that he, Sam and Shane have reached a decision on the BIG RAT and that his mission to Arizona will go ahead. Mac is curious to know what his son was dreaming about and the three men listen as Joe recalls his story.

Cast

Regular voice cast

*Joe McClaine — Len Jones
*Professor Ian "Mac" McClaine — Rupert Davies
*Sam Loover — Keith Alexander
*Shane Weston — David Healy

Guest voice cast

In speaking order:

*Bank Teller — Gary Files
*Doc — Gary Files
*Barmaid Sylv — Sylvia Anderson
*Barman — Jeremy Wilkin
*Slim (voice) — Jeremy Wilkin
*Hank — Gary Files

Goofs

*Sheriff Joe's badge is spelt "Sherrif".

External links

* [http://www.fanderson.org.uk/epguides/joeeg2.html#Episode%20Twenty Fanderson.org.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "Lone-Handed 90"]
* [http://www.bigrat.co.uk/episodes/episode_20.html Bigrat.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "Lone-Handed 90"]
* [http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Joe%2090%20Timeline.htm# Clivebanks.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide]