The Monster on Moon Ridge (HGWT)

Paladin investigates stories of a half-man-half-beast monster that inhabits Moon Ridge.

Perhaps it is not surprising this story was written by Star Trek creator, Gene Roddenberry. It ends with an interesting philosophy that is probably as much or more Roddenberry than Paladin, who delievers the line: "Ignorant and prejudiced people like to be deceived, and they deserve it when they are. Why confuse them with the truth."

Roddenberry's often expressed barbed thoughts on distinguishing myths from reality. He once said, "Ancient astronauts didn't build the pyramids. Human beings built the pyramids, because they're clever and they work hard." He also took a fairly hardline stance on religion: "We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing all-powerful God, who creates faulty Humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes." And, "For most people, religion is nothing more than a substitute for a malfunctioning brain. If people need religion, ignore them and maybe they will ignore you, and you can go on with your life."

The script was used on the Have Gun, Will Travel television show on February 28, 1959.

Have Gun, Will Travel #16
The Monster on Moon Ridge
8 Mar 1959
19590308(016)_HGWT_MonsterOnMoonRidge.mp3
Sponsored by: Fitch Shampoo, Rambler Ambassador.
John Dehner, Herb Meadow (creator), Sam Rolfe (creator), Norman Macdonnell (producer, director), John Dawson (adaptor), Lawrence Dobkin, Virginia Christine, Jess Kirkpatrick, Jeanne Bates (doubles), Hugh Douglas (announcer), Bill James (sound effects), Tom Hanley (sound effects), Ben Wright, Gene Roddenberry (writer)

Gene Roddenberry