Paul Colt's Blog, page 33
May 25, 2019
Law of the Plainsman
Michael Ansara played Apache U. S. Marshal Sam Burkhart in Law of the Plainsman. I like most anything Ansara did; but the premise for Law of the Plainsman strained credulity in several respects even by Hollywood standards.
According to the show, Apache Sam Burkhart nursed a wounded cavalry officer. The officer recovered and out of gratitude, provided money for the Apache’s education when he passed away two years later. Burkhart used the money to attend Harvard. Following graduation he became a U.S. marshal and returned to Arizona, where he lived in a boarding house run by Martha Commager played by Nora Marlowe. A thematic conflict to the series portrayed Burkhart’s lack of acceptance by both whites and his own people. That’s about as much credibility as one could extract from the series premise.
First you have an Apache nursing a wounded cavalry officer. Mostly the Apache and cavalry weren’t exactly on ‘nursing’ terms. Next comes the prospect of a late nineteenth century Apache being admitted to Harvard, let alone graduating. Then you have that Apache gaining political appointment to a U.S. marshal’s office, never mind accepting it. Top that off with an Apache named Sam Burkhart, living in a boardinghouse run by a white woman. While we’re at it, Apache were mostly mountain people. How might one come to be known as a plainsman?
All that aside, Law of the Plainsman had a good pedigree. It originated in two episodes of The Rifleman opposite Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain, which became pilots for the series. The show was picked up by Dick Powell’s Four Star Productions, a bold move for a show with a Native American lead in that day. Four Star had a quality track record including Big Valley and Wanted Dead or Alive to go along with the four part syndication of The Westerner.
Law of the Plainsman debuted on NBC for the ’59-’60 season. Those 30 episodes were the extent of its run. In addition to Ansara and the regular cast, guests included Denver Pyle, Robert Vaughn and Wayne Rogers later known for his costarring role in M*A*S*H*. So with all that going for the series, what happened? Truth is I don’t know other than to conclude the ’59-’60 season was tough on westerns.
Next Week: The Dakotas
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Ride easy,
Paul
According to the show, Apache Sam Burkhart nursed a wounded cavalry officer. The officer recovered and out of gratitude, provided money for the Apache’s education when he passed away two years later. Burkhart used the money to attend Harvard. Following graduation he became a U.S. marshal and returned to Arizona, where he lived in a boarding house run by Martha Commager played by Nora Marlowe. A thematic conflict to the series portrayed Burkhart’s lack of acceptance by both whites and his own people. That’s about as much credibility as one could extract from the series premise.
First you have an Apache nursing a wounded cavalry officer. Mostly the Apache and cavalry weren’t exactly on ‘nursing’ terms. Next comes the prospect of a late nineteenth century Apache being admitted to Harvard, let alone graduating. Then you have that Apache gaining political appointment to a U.S. marshal’s office, never mind accepting it. Top that off with an Apache named Sam Burkhart, living in a boardinghouse run by a white woman. While we’re at it, Apache were mostly mountain people. How might one come to be known as a plainsman?
All that aside, Law of the Plainsman had a good pedigree. It originated in two episodes of The Rifleman opposite Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain, which became pilots for the series. The show was picked up by Dick Powell’s Four Star Productions, a bold move for a show with a Native American lead in that day. Four Star had a quality track record including Big Valley and Wanted Dead or Alive to go along with the four part syndication of The Westerner.
Law of the Plainsman debuted on NBC for the ’59-’60 season. Those 30 episodes were the extent of its run. In addition to Ansara and the regular cast, guests included Denver Pyle, Robert Vaughn and Wayne Rogers later known for his costarring role in M*A*S*H*. So with all that going for the series, what happened? Truth is I don’t know other than to conclude the ’59-’60 season was tough on westerns.
Next Week: The Dakotas
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 18, 2019
Johnny Ringo
One source said Johnny Ringo was “loosely” based on the outlaw gunslinger. I guess Hollywood feels free to exaggerate anything – even understatement. So this Johnny Ringo reforms his ways and becomes sheriff of Velardi Arizona. That must balance the scales somehow as the town never existed either.
Aron Spelling created the title role at Dick Powell’s request specifically for Don Durant. The regular cast rounded out with Mark Goddard as Deputy Cully and Karen Sharpe as Laura Thomas. The show pilot ran on Zane Grey Theater in March ’59 before spinning out as a series the following fall.
Recall the distinctive firearms craze in westerns in those days. Josh Randall’s Mare’s laig, packed by Steve McQueen in Wanted Dead or Alive, the .410 bore shot gun carried by Nick Adams as Johnny Yuma in the Rebel and of course Chuck Connors fast cocking Winchester in the Rifleman. Not to be outdone, Ringo carried a custom Le Mat Special, a combination six-shot revolver with a second barrel that chambered a seventh shot shell.
The series had plenty of guest appeal with the likes of Dyan Cannon, John Carradine, Burt Reynolds, L.Q. Jones, Gloria DeHaven, James Coburn, Robert Culp, Buddy Ebsen, Tim Considine, Martin Landau, Wayne Rogers and Tim Considine. You’d think it would add up to a recipe for success. No such luck. This time it wasn’t the ratings as much as viewer taste moving on. The sponsor Johnson Wax, decided they’d rather have a sit com.
Next Week: Law of the Plainsman
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Ride easy,
Paul
Aron Spelling created the title role at Dick Powell’s request specifically for Don Durant. The regular cast rounded out with Mark Goddard as Deputy Cully and Karen Sharpe as Laura Thomas. The show pilot ran on Zane Grey Theater in March ’59 before spinning out as a series the following fall.
Recall the distinctive firearms craze in westerns in those days. Josh Randall’s Mare’s laig, packed by Steve McQueen in Wanted Dead or Alive, the .410 bore shot gun carried by Nick Adams as Johnny Yuma in the Rebel and of course Chuck Connors fast cocking Winchester in the Rifleman. Not to be outdone, Ringo carried a custom Le Mat Special, a combination six-shot revolver with a second barrel that chambered a seventh shot shell.
The series had plenty of guest appeal with the likes of Dyan Cannon, John Carradine, Burt Reynolds, L.Q. Jones, Gloria DeHaven, James Coburn, Robert Culp, Buddy Ebsen, Tim Considine, Martin Landau, Wayne Rogers and Tim Considine. You’d think it would add up to a recipe for success. No such luck. This time it wasn’t the ratings as much as viewer taste moving on. The sponsor Johnson Wax, decided they’d rather have a sit com.
Next Week: Law of the Plainsman
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 11, 2019
Black Saddle
Dick Powell piloted Black Saddle as an episode on his Zane Grey Theater before turning it over to his Four Star Productions Company. The series launched on NBC in January 1959 and ran to May 1960. Given the talent of the cast and the quality of guest appearances you might have expected the show to do better.
In the premise for the series, gunfighter Clay Culhane is wounded in a gunfight in which his brothers are killed. Culhane takes up law practice, eventually hanging out a frontier shingle. Clay is played by Peter Breck, who went on to play Nick Barkley in ABC’s Big Valley. He is co-stared by Russell Johnson as U.S. Marshal Gib Scott. Russell is best known for his role as The Professor on Gilligan’s Island. Anna-Lisa played Nora Travers. The guest list included James Drury who went on to star as The Virginian. Others of note included Buddy Ebsen, James Franciscus, Robert Blake, Lee Van Cleef, L.Q. Jones, James Coburn and Clu Gulager.
Basically you had Perry Mason on horseback. Shows coming out of the Powell stable were generally good stock. Black Saddle was written by John McGreevey who also wrote for Tombstone Territory, Broken Arrow, Colt .45, Bat Masterson, Laramie and Wagon Train.
So with all that going for the show, what happened?
Black Saddle ran its course in 44 episodes, less than two seasons. The public records of the show I found are pretty skinny, so drawing a definitive conclusion is risky; but I’m guessing it was the ratings game shootout that got Black Saddle. The show ran on two networks NBC initially and ABC later in two different time slots. In one slot they faced Have Gun Will Travel and Gunsmoke. We know who won those shootouts. In the other the show faced Gillette Cavalcade of Sports back when boxing was still a big deal.
Next Week: Johnny Ringo
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Ride easy,
Paul
In the premise for the series, gunfighter Clay Culhane is wounded in a gunfight in which his brothers are killed. Culhane takes up law practice, eventually hanging out a frontier shingle. Clay is played by Peter Breck, who went on to play Nick Barkley in ABC’s Big Valley. He is co-stared by Russell Johnson as U.S. Marshal Gib Scott. Russell is best known for his role as The Professor on Gilligan’s Island. Anna-Lisa played Nora Travers. The guest list included James Drury who went on to star as The Virginian. Others of note included Buddy Ebsen, James Franciscus, Robert Blake, Lee Van Cleef, L.Q. Jones, James Coburn and Clu Gulager.
Basically you had Perry Mason on horseback. Shows coming out of the Powell stable were generally good stock. Black Saddle was written by John McGreevey who also wrote for Tombstone Territory, Broken Arrow, Colt .45, Bat Masterson, Laramie and Wagon Train.
So with all that going for the show, what happened?
Black Saddle ran its course in 44 episodes, less than two seasons. The public records of the show I found are pretty skinny, so drawing a definitive conclusion is risky; but I’m guessing it was the ratings game shootout that got Black Saddle. The show ran on two networks NBC initially and ABC later in two different time slots. In one slot they faced Have Gun Will Travel and Gunsmoke. We know who won those shootouts. In the other the show faced Gillette Cavalcade of Sports back when boxing was still a big deal.
Next Week: Johnny Ringo
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Ride easy,
Paul
May 4, 2019
The Westerner
The Westerner was brought to my attention by Ed Bielcik. If you follow the comments appearing on these pages, you’ve probably enjoyed some of Ed’s. I know I do as he is one very knowledgeable fellow when it comes to Western TV and film. I didn’t know if I could find enough material to do a post on a three month run until we got to the syndication story.
Dick Powell discovered quite a few TV Western series on his Zane Grey Theater. He’d pilot them there and package them off to his Four Star Productions Company. The three he added to the Westerner enjoyed varying degrees of success measured in months. One made it to a partial second season. So let’s take a look back at The Westerner, Black Saddle, Johnny Ringo and Law of the Plainsman.
Brian Keith played cowboy drifter Dave Blassingame in Peckinpah’s original The Westerner. Blassingame and his faithful dog Brown, played by Spike better known for his role as Old Yeller, roamed the west fortune seeking funds to fulfill Dave’s dream ranch of his own. A likeable fellow Blassingame could handle trouble with his gun or fists when trouble intruded. He knew how to treat a lady too when one took a shine to him. The show launched on NBC September 1960 and cancelled that December.
Peckinpah wasn’t about to write off good wok. He convinced Powell to give a repackaged version called The Losers a shot in 1963 with Lee Marvin in the title role. The title properly captured the outcome.
The Line Camp episode of The Westerner is credited with inspiring Charlton Heston’s 1968 film Will Penny.
Brian Keith returned to the Blassingame role for an appearance in The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (‘91) which featured cameo appearances by TV Western stars including Gene Barry as Bat Masterson, Hugh O’Brian as Wyatt Earp, Clint Walker as Cheyenne Brodie and Chuck Connors as The Rifleman.
Next Week: Black Saddle
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Ride easy,
Paul
Dick Powell discovered quite a few TV Western series on his Zane Grey Theater. He’d pilot them there and package them off to his Four Star Productions Company. The three he added to the Westerner enjoyed varying degrees of success measured in months. One made it to a partial second season. So let’s take a look back at The Westerner, Black Saddle, Johnny Ringo and Law of the Plainsman.
Brian Keith played cowboy drifter Dave Blassingame in Peckinpah’s original The Westerner. Blassingame and his faithful dog Brown, played by Spike better known for his role as Old Yeller, roamed the west fortune seeking funds to fulfill Dave’s dream ranch of his own. A likeable fellow Blassingame could handle trouble with his gun or fists when trouble intruded. He knew how to treat a lady too when one took a shine to him. The show launched on NBC September 1960 and cancelled that December.
Peckinpah wasn’t about to write off good wok. He convinced Powell to give a repackaged version called The Losers a shot in 1963 with Lee Marvin in the title role. The title properly captured the outcome.
The Line Camp episode of The Westerner is credited with inspiring Charlton Heston’s 1968 film Will Penny.
Brian Keith returned to the Blassingame role for an appearance in The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (‘91) which featured cameo appearances by TV Western stars including Gene Barry as Bat Masterson, Hugh O’Brian as Wyatt Earp, Clint Walker as Cheyenne Brodie and Chuck Connors as The Rifleman.
Next Week: Black Saddle
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Paul
April 27, 2019
The Texan
B western star Rory Calhoun conceived the idea for The Texan in collaboration with Vic Orsatti. Together they formed Rorvic Productions to produce the show in partnership with Desi Arnaz and his Desilu Productions.
In the series Calhoun portrayed former Confederate officer Bill Longley, a fast gun stylized in the image of Robin Hood. This champion of the vulnerable and worst nightmare to the desperado was a far cry from the real Bill Longley. That Bill Longley killed his first man in 1866 at fifteen, lived on both sides of the law until 1878, when caught on the law’s wrong side in Lee County central Texas and hanged.
The show aired on CBS for two seasons ‘58 – ‘60. Shot on location at Pearl Flats in the Mojave Desert area of Southern California and Desilu studios the show produced 78 episodes. Over its brief run the show employed a dozen seasoned directors and thirty-five writers, among them none other than Louis L’Amour.
In a common theme for these back bencher westerns, the ratings game played a part in their early demise. The show aired opposite the successfully established Restless Gun series on NBC in its first season. When two gunfighters go up against each other you know what happens to the second draw. The show had an option for a third season they declined when Calhoun opted to return to feature film making. I’d have had a hard time leaving Domino, the black and white paint Calhoun rode through the series.
Next Week: The Westerner
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Ride easy,
Paul
In the series Calhoun portrayed former Confederate officer Bill Longley, a fast gun stylized in the image of Robin Hood. This champion of the vulnerable and worst nightmare to the desperado was a far cry from the real Bill Longley. That Bill Longley killed his first man in 1866 at fifteen, lived on both sides of the law until 1878, when caught on the law’s wrong side in Lee County central Texas and hanged.
The show aired on CBS for two seasons ‘58 – ‘60. Shot on location at Pearl Flats in the Mojave Desert area of Southern California and Desilu studios the show produced 78 episodes. Over its brief run the show employed a dozen seasoned directors and thirty-five writers, among them none other than Louis L’Amour.
In a common theme for these back bencher westerns, the ratings game played a part in their early demise. The show aired opposite the successfully established Restless Gun series on NBC in its first season. When two gunfighters go up against each other you know what happens to the second draw. The show had an option for a third season they declined when Calhoun opted to return to feature film making. I’d have had a hard time leaving Domino, the black and white paint Calhoun rode through the series.
Next Week: The Westerner
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 20, 2019
Iron Horse
Devil may care, man about town, professional gambler Benjamin Calhoun (Dale Robertson) ‘wins’ the Buffalo Pass, Scalplock and Defiance Railroad in a high stakes poker game. Some poker hand! Only the railroad comes with a couple teensy weensy troubles. The BPS&D is 130 miles shy of a finished junction with the Union Pacific and fresh out of cash to go with a half million dollars in dept. Who got scalped? Such a turn of events might be off-putting to a man of lesser talents, but not Ben Calhoun. Ben might be an overnight rail-baron but he comes into the game with a touch of P.T. Barnum in him.
Calhoun understands railroads are the future. The gambler in him sees a big pot. He summons Lady Luck and convinces construction engineer Dave Tarrant (Gary Collins), foreman Nils Torvals (Roger Torey) and his crew to finish the line for payment in BPS&D stock. Somebody had to invent sweat-equity. Barnabas Rogers (Bob Random) also signed on as engineer. Next, the newly minted rail baron needed a luxurious private coach to traverse his line and entertain a string of lovely romantic interests. Some thought those trysts a trifle racy by the standards of the day. Still a luxury coach for a bankrupt railroad? No problem. This is Hollywood. Call it La Bonne Chance. That set the stage for the series.
Completing the line proved no walk in the park. Indian troubles, bandits, labor unrest, right of way disputes and financing challenges all gave fodder for the series. Forty seven 60 minute color episodes were shot on location at Sierra Railroad in Jamestown and Sonora California. Studio lot shooting used mock up versions of a steam engine and La Bonne Chance, mounted on rubber tires so they could be towed into position where needed.
All things considered Iron Horse had the premise for a great show ala Hell on Wheels. Sadly mediocrity set in along with some very stiff network competition. At various times the show faced off against Gilligan’s Island, Petticoat Junction and Mannix on CBS, The Monkeys, I Dream of Jeannie and a feature film on NBC. Then too by ’67 ’68, TV westerns were past their hay day.
Next Week: Texan
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Ride easy,
Paul
Calhoun understands railroads are the future. The gambler in him sees a big pot. He summons Lady Luck and convinces construction engineer Dave Tarrant (Gary Collins), foreman Nils Torvals (Roger Torey) and his crew to finish the line for payment in BPS&D stock. Somebody had to invent sweat-equity. Barnabas Rogers (Bob Random) also signed on as engineer. Next, the newly minted rail baron needed a luxurious private coach to traverse his line and entertain a string of lovely romantic interests. Some thought those trysts a trifle racy by the standards of the day. Still a luxury coach for a bankrupt railroad? No problem. This is Hollywood. Call it La Bonne Chance. That set the stage for the series.
Completing the line proved no walk in the park. Indian troubles, bandits, labor unrest, right of way disputes and financing challenges all gave fodder for the series. Forty seven 60 minute color episodes were shot on location at Sierra Railroad in Jamestown and Sonora California. Studio lot shooting used mock up versions of a steam engine and La Bonne Chance, mounted on rubber tires so they could be towed into position where needed.
All things considered Iron Horse had the premise for a great show ala Hell on Wheels. Sadly mediocrity set in along with some very stiff network competition. At various times the show faced off against Gilligan’s Island, Petticoat Junction and Mannix on CBS, The Monkeys, I Dream of Jeannie and a feature film on NBC. Then too by ’67 ’68, TV westerns were past their hay day.
Next Week: Texan
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 13, 2019
High Chaparral
Big John Cannon moves his family to the Arizona Mexico border region and establishes a cattle ranch he calls The High Chaparral. Cannon, played by Leif Erickson is joined by his wife Anna-lee Cannon (Joan Caulfield), son Billy Blue (Mark Slade) and brother Buck (Cameron Mitchel). The ranch presence offends Cochise and his renegade Apache band. Anna-lee falls victim to an Indian attack in the first episode.
Big John responds to the hostile threat by proposing an alliance with a wealthy and powerful neighboring Mexican rancher, Don Sabastian Montoya (Frank Silvera). To seal the arrangement, Montoya proposes an arranged marriage between Cannon and his daughter Victoria (Linda Cristal). Cannon agrees. Billy Blue opposes union with a woman more his age than his father’s. Eventually love springs from the heart of the reluctant young bride. Victoria’s Manolito (Henry Darrow), estranged from his arrogant father moves in with the gringo in laws. With that the stage is set for the series.
Episodic plots range from Indian hostilities to personal contentions within the extended family. John manages to forge a peace with the Apache; but it is an uneasy peace. The Army pursuing the renegades does not acknowledge John’s peace-making and meddles.
Disputes arise over terms of the alliance with Montoya. Buck, the ranch foreman is a tough war veteran of the confederacy with a history. John fought for the Union. Buck’s history haunts him. As the series evolves Buck and Manolito become the focal characters, brash and unpredictable each is more than capable of finding his way to trouble.
The series featured a long list of guest stars. Notables include Rory Calhoun, Frank Gorshin, Ricardo Montalban, Jack Lord, Barry Sullivan, Kurt Russell and Denver Pyle. Outdoor scenes were shot on location in Old Tucson Studios and Saguaro National Park, while indoor setting were filmed at NBC in Burbank.
Next Week: Iron Horse
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Ride easy,
Paul
Big John responds to the hostile threat by proposing an alliance with a wealthy and powerful neighboring Mexican rancher, Don Sabastian Montoya (Frank Silvera). To seal the arrangement, Montoya proposes an arranged marriage between Cannon and his daughter Victoria (Linda Cristal). Cannon agrees. Billy Blue opposes union with a woman more his age than his father’s. Eventually love springs from the heart of the reluctant young bride. Victoria’s Manolito (Henry Darrow), estranged from his arrogant father moves in with the gringo in laws. With that the stage is set for the series.
Episodic plots range from Indian hostilities to personal contentions within the extended family. John manages to forge a peace with the Apache; but it is an uneasy peace. The Army pursuing the renegades does not acknowledge John’s peace-making and meddles.
Disputes arise over terms of the alliance with Montoya. Buck, the ranch foreman is a tough war veteran of the confederacy with a history. John fought for the Union. Buck’s history haunts him. As the series evolves Buck and Manolito become the focal characters, brash and unpredictable each is more than capable of finding his way to trouble.
The series featured a long list of guest stars. Notables include Rory Calhoun, Frank Gorshin, Ricardo Montalban, Jack Lord, Barry Sullivan, Kurt Russell and Denver Pyle. Outdoor scenes were shot on location in Old Tucson Studios and Saguaro National Park, while indoor setting were filmed at NBC in Burbank.
Next Week: Iron Horse
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Ride easy,
Paul
April 6, 2019
Shane
Shane is based on a classic western novel by Jack Schaefer. I remember reading it as a kid. Schaefer’s treatment of the fist fight scenes was so vivid you could almost feel the blows. The movie, also a classic, came to the big screen in 1953. Produced in Technicolor by Paramount Pictures, directed by George Stevens based on a screen play by A.B. Guthrie Jr. Critically acclaimed for its landscape cinematography and performances the show starred Alan Ladd in the title role, Van Heflin as homesteader Joe Starrett, Jean Arthur as Joe’s wife Marian and Brandon deWilde as young Joey Starrett with Emile Meyer as rancher Rufus Ryker.
Both book and movie are set in Wyoming in 1889. Range historically open to cattle ranching is being claimed and settled under the Homestead Act of 1862. From that premise the screen play departs from the book to various degrees. We’ll follow the screen play as the TV series would take its lead from the film. Cattle baron Rufus Ryker angered by the homesteaders, wages a war of intimidation to drive them off their land.
A stranger with a mysterious past, known only as Shane arrives at the Starrett farm. When Shane shows interest in Starrett’s troubles, Joe offers him a job. Shane will have none of the intimidation by Ryker or his gunmen and ruffians. He takes a peaceful approach at first; but when the bullying tactics continue Shane fights back.
Young Joey comes to idolize Shane for his toughness and gun skills, much to his mother’s displeasure. When Ryker sets up Joe Starrett for a gunfight intended to kill him, Shane steps in knocks the farmer out and stands in for the showdown. Joey follows him to town. Shane kills Ryker and his assassin. With his gunfighter background exposed Shane rides off over Joey’s pleas “Shane! Come back!”
The TV series cast David Carradine as Shane, with Jill Ireland as a Marion Starrett, widowed for romantic interest and Christopher Shea as Joey. The well made one hour color series never caught on. Carradine wasn’t Alan Ladd. The show aired opposite Jackie Gleason on CBS and Flipper on NBC at a time when western interest had begun to wane.
Next Week: High Chaparral
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Ride easy,
Paul
Both book and movie are set in Wyoming in 1889. Range historically open to cattle ranching is being claimed and settled under the Homestead Act of 1862. From that premise the screen play departs from the book to various degrees. We’ll follow the screen play as the TV series would take its lead from the film. Cattle baron Rufus Ryker angered by the homesteaders, wages a war of intimidation to drive them off their land.
A stranger with a mysterious past, known only as Shane arrives at the Starrett farm. When Shane shows interest in Starrett’s troubles, Joe offers him a job. Shane will have none of the intimidation by Ryker or his gunmen and ruffians. He takes a peaceful approach at first; but when the bullying tactics continue Shane fights back.
Young Joey comes to idolize Shane for his toughness and gun skills, much to his mother’s displeasure. When Ryker sets up Joe Starrett for a gunfight intended to kill him, Shane steps in knocks the farmer out and stands in for the showdown. Joey follows him to town. Shane kills Ryker and his assassin. With his gunfighter background exposed Shane rides off over Joey’s pleas “Shane! Come back!”
The TV series cast David Carradine as Shane, with Jill Ireland as a Marion Starrett, widowed for romantic interest and Christopher Shea as Joey. The well made one hour color series never caught on. Carradine wasn’t Alan Ladd. The show aired opposite Jackie Gleason on CBS and Flipper on NBC at a time when western interest had begun to wane.
Next Week: High Chaparral
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Ride easy,
Paul
March 30, 2019
Branded
Created by Larry Cohen in 1965 and produced by Mark Goodson – Bill Todman, Branded ran on NBC for two seasons 1965 – 1966, in a prime Sunday night time slot. Forty-eight black and white episodes were followed by some in color.
The show cast 6’5” Chuck Connors as Captain Jason McCord, lone survivor of a renegade massacre that wiped out his unit. McCord convicted of desertion and discharged from service is branded a coward. McCord takes the blame to protect the reputation of his beloved commanding general whose failures led to the massacre. McCord wanders the west, followed by a past he didn’t deserve, constantly challenged to prove himself the man he is.
Mid-way through the first season Producer Cecil Barker was replaced by Andrew J. Fenady who was brought in to save the show. Fenady created and produced the successful television series The Rebel for Nick Adams. Andy Fenady was a member of Western Writers of America and recipient of the Owen Wister Lifetime Achievement Award. I had the pleasure of meeting him at my first WWA convention. I enjoyed getting to know him over the next several years. He had a wonderful sense of humor, though his reputation for toughness was believable. Ask the staff of Branded. He fired most of them after taking over. We lost Andy a year ago. A privilege to have known him.
Branded had a great premise, though the quality of the writing didn’t measure up. The show enjoyed quality casting beginning with Connors. Guest stars included John Carradine, Martin Landau, June Lockhart, Burgess Meredith, Burt Reynolds and Lee Van Cleef. In the end not even Andy Fenady could save Branded.
Connors was a fine actor largely responsible for the show’s early success. Unfortunately he tired of his off screen responsibilities to do interviews promoting the show, meet and greet PR parties and appearances at sponsor events. The latter eventually soured relations with series sponsor Proctor and Gamble that eventually led to the show’s cancellation.
Next Week: Shane
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Ride easy,
Paul
The show cast 6’5” Chuck Connors as Captain Jason McCord, lone survivor of a renegade massacre that wiped out his unit. McCord convicted of desertion and discharged from service is branded a coward. McCord takes the blame to protect the reputation of his beloved commanding general whose failures led to the massacre. McCord wanders the west, followed by a past he didn’t deserve, constantly challenged to prove himself the man he is.
Mid-way through the first season Producer Cecil Barker was replaced by Andrew J. Fenady who was brought in to save the show. Fenady created and produced the successful television series The Rebel for Nick Adams. Andy Fenady was a member of Western Writers of America and recipient of the Owen Wister Lifetime Achievement Award. I had the pleasure of meeting him at my first WWA convention. I enjoyed getting to know him over the next several years. He had a wonderful sense of humor, though his reputation for toughness was believable. Ask the staff of Branded. He fired most of them after taking over. We lost Andy a year ago. A privilege to have known him.
Branded had a great premise, though the quality of the writing didn’t measure up. The show enjoyed quality casting beginning with Connors. Guest stars included John Carradine, Martin Landau, June Lockhart, Burgess Meredith, Burt Reynolds and Lee Van Cleef. In the end not even Andy Fenady could save Branded.
Connors was a fine actor largely responsible for the show’s early success. Unfortunately he tired of his off screen responsibilities to do interviews promoting the show, meet and greet PR parties and appearances at sponsor events. The latter eventually soured relations with series sponsor Proctor and Gamble that eventually led to the show’s cancellation.
Next Week: Shane
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Ride easy,
Paul
March 23, 2019
Twenty Six Men
Authenticity was the goal set by producer Russell Hayden in his vision for a series based on the exploits of Arizona’s twenty-six Rangers. Commissioned by the Arizona legislature in 1901 and modeled after Texas’s Rangers, twenty-six volunteer law enforcement officers rode out to tame a lawless territory.
Hayden brought authenticity to the seventy eight thirty minute, black and white episodes aired on ABC from 1957 to 1959. Most notably episodes were introduced by four, then surviving Ranger members, Clarence Beaty, Joe Pearce, Oliver Parmer and John Redmond attesting to the truth of the story you were about to see. Episodes were shot on location in Phoenix against the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. Other locations included Old Tucson, an Indian Mission, Sedona and the Governor’s Palace.
Hayden cast veteran western actor, Tris Coffin as Ranger Captain Harbo Rynning, the man who led the Rangers from 1902 to 1907. Kelo Henderson was cast as Ranger Clint Travis. When it came to authenticity Henderson too was the real deal. A former ranch foreman, his riding, roping and gun skills added much to the show. His fast draw timed at 13/100’s of a second.
The series hosted a long list of guest stars. Notables include one of our readers’ favorites, Lash LaRue along with future Star Trekkies Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley. Nimoy and Kelley give credence to those who assert Sci Fi are westerns with rockets for horses and rays for revolvers.
And so closes the show, “Praise be the glory of twenty-six men . . . Ride on. Ride on. Ride on.”
Next Week: Branded
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Ride easy,
Paul
Hayden brought authenticity to the seventy eight thirty minute, black and white episodes aired on ABC from 1957 to 1959. Most notably episodes were introduced by four, then surviving Ranger members, Clarence Beaty, Joe Pearce, Oliver Parmer and John Redmond attesting to the truth of the story you were about to see. Episodes were shot on location in Phoenix against the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains. Other locations included Old Tucson, an Indian Mission, Sedona and the Governor’s Palace.
Hayden cast veteran western actor, Tris Coffin as Ranger Captain Harbo Rynning, the man who led the Rangers from 1902 to 1907. Kelo Henderson was cast as Ranger Clint Travis. When it came to authenticity Henderson too was the real deal. A former ranch foreman, his riding, roping and gun skills added much to the show. His fast draw timed at 13/100’s of a second.
The series hosted a long list of guest stars. Notables include one of our readers’ favorites, Lash LaRue along with future Star Trekkies Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley. Nimoy and Kelley give credence to those who assert Sci Fi are westerns with rockets for horses and rays for revolvers.
And so closes the show, “Praise be the glory of twenty-six men . . . Ride on. Ride on. Ride on.”
Next Week: Branded
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Ride easy,
Paul
