If you want to watch a classic Western show with two legendary actors, you don’t need to look any further than a 1959 episode of “Maverick.”
Of course, the episode in question featured James Garner in the title tole as Bret Maverick. So, what other famous actor appeared in the episode? Hold onto your cowboy hat! It was Clint Eastwood.
The episode was titled “Duel at Sundown.” In it, Eastwood plays the character Red Hardigan. Let’s just say he’s not a character of the highest moral standards. Eastwood’s character gets irritated with Bret Maverick after Maverick starts sharing time with his girlfriend. Abby Dalton played the girlfriend at the center of all the drama. It was the girlfriend’s father, a friend of Maverick’s, who wanted him to be around her and not around Hardigan.
Watch James Garner and Clint Eastwood Battle it Out in Episode of ‘Maverick’
It’s not surprising that the drama leads to a showdown between James Garner and Clint Eastwood. Garner’s Maverick is playing cards in a saloon when Eastwood’s Hardigan walks in. Hardigan stands over the seated Maverick and threatens him. A friend urges Maverick to leave and he seems like he agrees. But, he surprises Hardigan with a punch to the gut.
Not to be outdone, Hardigan responds very well. He punches Maverick in the face and sends the popular character flying into the table where he was just playing cards. Maverick gets back on his feet, and the fight gets taken outside the saloon. Hardigan lands another solid punch as the townsfolk gather around to watch the brawl.
Maverick then begins to turn the tables on Hardigan and takes control of the fistfight. After Maverick lands several punches, Hardigan goes down to the ground and the fight comes to an end. Hardigan is then carried away by several men to be treated for his injuries.
You can watch James Garner and Clint Eastwood fight it out in “Duel at Sundown” below.
Brothers Scare Hardigan Away on ‘Duel at Sundown’ Episode
According to a synopsis of “Duel at Sundown” on Wikipedia, Maverick and his brother, Bart, are able to scare Hardigan away for good later in the episode. To do so, Bart pretends to be the gunslinger John Wesley Hardin. Bart as Hardin and Bret battle it out and Bret does so well that it shows Hardigan all he needs to know.
The episode ends with Bret and his brother leaving the town. On their way, they come across the actual John Wesley Hardin. Apparently, he’s pretty mad that someone pretended to kill him. So, he’s coming to get that man.
Garner was 31 years old when he made the “Duel at Sundown” episode of “Maverick.” Eastwood was 29 years old at the time.
“Maverick” aired from September 1957 until July 1962 on ABC.
