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Saturday, August 7, 2021

The Virginian, 1962-1971 and Television Western Episode Guide


There were certain Western TV shows by which other series of the similar genre are compared to for quality in production, writing and acting.  The Virginian was one such TV Western series.

Adapted from the Western novel by Owen Wister, The Virginian originally was seen in four films.

It quickly moved to TV and over its nine seasons the color TV series saw many changes.

The Virginian, 1962-1971, written by Paul Green and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, examines both the movie and TV adaptations.

Included in the book are episode guides, cast and crew listings and interviews all accompanied by photos.

Credited with being the first 90-minite TV Western The Virginian was the gold standard of TV Westerns.

Key actors, actresses and production people are given their well-deserved credit and spotlights.

As a kid I loved watching TV Westerns.  I was raised in the era where Westerns ruled both small and large screens.

Growing up many of my favorites included Have Gun, Will Travel, Gunsmoke, Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Maverick-the list goes on and on.

There was nothing more exciting to a young man as the adventures of two-fisted, tough as dirt lawmen and cowboys along with their equally tough gals in TV series that depicted the Wild West.

Some were extremely realistic, some fantasy depictions, some silly and some dramatic-there were Westerns for everyone.

Television Westerns Episode Guide All United States Series, 1949-1996, write by Harris M. Lentz III and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, is an impressive tome of TV Western shows listed each series complete episode synopsis and credits.

I was delighted to get a copy.  Trying to find episode guides from obscure TV Westerns is a daunting task and this book makes it so easy to look them up.

Look for air dates, histories, cast listings, series premises and a complete index.

Hitch up your wagon, climb aboard and head ‘em up and move ‘em out with this fantastic TV Western resource.

John 3:17-21 - For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.   

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