Judge Roy Bean - Volume 3 (DVD)

In the untamed frontier, the law of the Pecos was enforced by one man alone - the irascible Texan, Roy Bean. Edgar Buchanan (Petticoat Junction) stars as the powerful judge who, assisted by his pretty niece, Letty (Jackie Loughery) and Deputy Jeff Taggard (Jack Buetel), dispenses justice with common sense backed up by a Winchester rifle and a dollop of good humor.

This 1956 television series is based on the true-life legend of the real Judge Roy Bean. Infamous in American folklore as "the hanging judge," Bean ran his courtroom from his own saloon in West Texas from about 1882 to 1902. Director John Huston would later explore this character in the feature film, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, starring a bearded and grizzled Paul Newman, in 1972.

The Defense Rests: Jeff Taggert's brother is accused of robbing the Del Rio bank. While investigating the case, Jeff is implicated in the hold-up.

The Hidden Truth: Judge Bean discovers that a young vagabond he jailed for a minor offense may be involved in a major unsolved gold heist.

The Judge's Dilemma: Judge Bean's integrity is called into question when a representative from the State Attorney General's office comes to the border town looking for the Judge's court records.

Vinegarone: Miguel, a young Mexican, inherits a silver mine from his father. After the Rio Grande changes course and the mine becomes part of United States territory, two con men stake a claim on it. Judge Bean wants to help Miguel, but the law is on the side of the bad guys.

• television