The Guns of Will Sonnett

Walter Brennan and Dack Rambo played a grandfather and his grandson who roamed the old West searching for Jim Sonnett, Brennan's son and the boy's father, a legendary gunfighter. This was a thoroughly routine western, shot on the cheap, with nothing to set it apart from countless other westerns. Will Sonnet's catchphrase, "No brag, just fact," got old after the first 10 or so times you heard it. While Brennan was always interesting to watch, Rambo didn't make much of an impression, and the only remotely "original" aspect to the show was how the writers would figure out different ways to have Will and his grandson come close to finding Jim, but always managing to just miss him. The show only lasted one season. That was enough.

I was really glad to see "Guns of Will Sonnett" was on DVD. I got the first season and wow what a disappointment! It's the worst color TV video transfer on DVD I have ever seen! My guess is every show was from old 16mm prints that were either edited for more TV commercial time or ripped and snapped so many times and spliced back together with large pieces missing, too many obvious cuts and jumps. The film was very faded and 'washed out'. A first for me, as you watch you notice the left side of the screen is out of focus and slightly (only slightly) sharper on the right side. At times you can see some one must have been adjusting the focus even while the film was being transfered! I wonder if they were being transfered first to videotape because many times you see 'lines' going across the picture just as you see when you watch a VHS tape after it was eaten up! Each DVD even warns you about the limited abilities in digital mastering at the start! Thanks for the warning! You can guess - poor sound quality. Since "Sonnett" is now released you can be quite sure no one else will re-release it and do it right! Gul-dern shame! The show is great and it's better we have this over nothing, or is it?

Walter Brennan played all sorts of characters - crusty sidekicks (Rio Bravo), meddling old fools (Disney's, The One and Only, Original Family Band) and evil baddies (My Darling Clementine and How the West Was Won), but rarely did he play a tough guy, mentor and sage as he did in The Guns of Will Sonnett.

Brennan acts assured with the oft-repeated line, "No brag, just fact." This hombre's nobody to mess with, even if he is an old dude.

He's leading his grandson (Dack Rambo), Jeff Sonnett, from town to town looking for his son, Jim Sonnett (Jason Evers), whom they always seem to just miss. This series was reminiscent of The Fugitive where Dr. Richard Kimble always seemed to barely miss finding the one-armed man.

Brennan really doesn't want to fight unless he has to. He's long on scripture, but short on fuse when it's necessary to defend himself and Jeff.

Jim, it seems, has a reputation of being fast with a gun himself, hence, the continual wandering and cutting out of town just before Grandpa and Son show up for a long-standing family reunion.

Dack Rambo, obviously added to draw a young female audience, was a pretty boy, but fast with a gun like his father and Grandpa.

This was a great show. Brennan's character was wise, tough and ready for action. The music was haunting and wistful. I heartily wish it had run for more seasons than it did.

I think it was a great series, and wish it had lasted. Walter Brennan,s" NO BRAG JUST FACT " was great line then and still is. I have many friends that watched the series and would like to see a return on TV Land,TNT or any classic TV show. I would buy, Lease,Borrow, Beg, or Steal The film or the whole series. I Just thought they should have had more of Jim Sonnet in the show, But i guess the writers thought it would make the plot more exciting. If anyone Knows where to find a few copies please put it on the WEB at E-Bay or any other site. BUT I think it was a super film and should be revised and put on the Air again. Thank you

UPDATE I have found at www.timelessvideo.com Both seasons of" The Guns of Will Sonnett " Thank you and enjoy.

Walter Brennan in his later years was one of my favorites. His characters matched my personal values. The Sonnet Series appeared at the time of our wedding (1967)and as newly marrieds settling in a strange land (Connecticut)-- a "fir piece" from our native home further west -- we didn't watch much TV. I highly recommend the The 3 DVD boxed set by King World. I purchased it locally in a retail store. Enjoying every episode for the first time now in my retirement. GREAT writing by Dick Carr. He keeps you riveted to the screen. As a writer myself, I thoroughly enjoy the "poetry" that begins and ends each episode. Very original and very "Brennanly". I've got some of Brennan's audio CD's. I'm in love with the west as much or even more so than I was in the 50's watching my silver screen heroes. It would be great if the Sonnet Series was brought back or the plot copied.