In addition to my love of monster movies and shows, I've always enjoyed classic TV westerns. They were on a ton while I was growing up. I remember watching GUNSMOKE on Saturday nights before staying up for late night monster films. I have many favorites, but will watch just about any of them. With the recent addition of cable channels showing so many old series, I've been getting to enjoy them again.
My top favorite will always be GUNSMOKE. The great cast and writing hold up so well and I believe it will keep inspiring new fans when they're exposed to it, which I try to do.
Some of my other favorites are THE RIFLEMAN, HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL, WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE, TALES OF WELLS FARGO, THE LONE RANGER and BONANZA.
I have some seasons on DVD and catch others on cable. Right now, Starz Encore Westerns has TALES OF WELLS FARGO on demand and most episodes look gorgeous in HD. That series I hadn't seen since the '60s when UHF first came out, so it's particularly nostalgic.
Thought it might be fun to have a thread to discuss some favorite series, episodes and stars from these wonderful shows. So, please feel free to share your thoughts, memories and love of classic western series.
Although it's not a traditional Western, I think "The Wild, Wild West" is one the greatest TV shows that ever aired.
Definitely a fan. One of my sons bought me the complete series set. That will be lots of fun to go through. It was a unique idea to blend the spy and western genres and the show is a treat with various guest stars and creative gadgets. Michael Dunn was so cool as Dr. Loveless. I always loved those episodes. Maybe I'll watch one tonight. ;)
The Lone Ranger -- but only the Clayton Moore episodes. I found John Hart to be a bit of a drip in the role.
The Rifleman was another favorite as a kid... and does F-Troop count as a Western?
I like all the above as well as Magnificent Seven ,Young Riders and Lonesome Dove "The Outlaw Years".
Favorite TV Westerns ?
THE WILD WILD WEST and the CENTENIAL mini-series.
I love this era of tv as well! My particular favorite is Rawhide. Several episodes combine elements of horror with the western motif. Watching a young Clint Eastwood as Rowdy Yates is a treat; you can definitely see the origins of the man with no name In these early performances.
RF
It hardly counts as a classic, but Godless on Netflix is really, really good. Only 7 episodes total, and something happens the 3rd episode in that literally made me jump out of my chair. Great stuff.
My favorites are/were .. Wagon Train, Have Gun Will Travel, Maverick, The Deputy The Lawman. As well as the trio of Bronco, Cheyenne and Sugarfoot.
I never saw an episode of The Deputy as a kid, but I was given the The Deputy board game as a birthday present by friends of the family:
(https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/marvelmasterworksfansite/imageproxy.php?url=http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/General%20Album%203/TheDeputyGame3_zpsa95eb045.jpg)
(https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/marvelmasterworksfansite/imageproxy.php?url=http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g434/Balticprince/TheDeputyGame-1.jpg)
While it was a very cool game indeed, I didn't realize that it was based on a TV show until I chanced upon it again on the Hake's Auctions site some twelve years ago. I ended up having to pay for it at auction's end.
;D
I used to like Bat Masterson, Wagon Train, Maveric, LawMan, and the Rebel.
I forgot about Bat Masterson.