The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp: Season 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)I have just received The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp ( The Complete Season One)from Amazon,which,of course, I was absolutely delighted about.
However on checking the discs I discovered that, although this was supposed to be Season One, the episode Wichita is Civilized is from Season Two. There is also the matter of the transmission dates which are not in chronological order. Hopefully for Season Two and beyond, Infinity Entertainment and Falcon will rectify these glaring errors.

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Tate Review

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(More customer reviews)Timeless Media Group has done Western lovers a huge favor by releasing episodes from some classic television Westerns that have been largely forgotten. They released collections for Cimmarron City (starring George Montgomery), The Tall Man (Barry Sullivan), Laredo (Neville Brand, Peter Brown, William Smith, Phillip Carey), Riverboat (Darren McGavin and Burt Reynolds), and the fantastic Restless Gun (John Payne).
But the other collection they have released would be even easier to overlook. A 13 episode series aired as a summer replacement with a possibilty to be a midseason replacement. Shot on tape instead of film. The star was famous as the Marlboro Man on TV commercials (and would eventually die of lung cancer). A gunfighter hero with only one arm. The series, called Tate, never caught on. And all we have to remember it by are these 13 episodes.
But what a great Western Tate was, and it is great to be able to enjoy the series almost fifty years later. David McLean played Tate, who fought with the Confederacy during the Civil War and lost the use of his left arm at Vicksburg. After the war, he covered the arm is black leather, put it in a sling, and went to work as a gunfighter for hire/bounty hunter. With only a Kansas City PO Box for an address, Tate rode all over the West, hoping to make enough money to afford surgery that a St Louis doctor said might help his arm.
McLean's Tate was very much like the typical genre-issue gunfighter, but in some ways he was very atypical. Like most, he was fast on the draw, hired out to good guys only, was nice to kids and women, and figured out a way to win every time. But unlike other gunfighters of the time, he could be crusty, harsh, and at times unpleasant - kind of precursor to the Man With No Name and other 60's-70s era gunfighters.
Tate would have made a great 60's Western. Too bad it never had the chance, but at least we have this collection to remember it.

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Zane Grey Theatre Complete Season One Review

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(More customer reviews)I remember seeing this show in syndication years ago as a child and teenager, and I had no idea Mr. Powell had had such a diverse career. Starting out as a crooner in Busby Berkeley musicals in the 1930's, evolving into a star in film noir, and then transitioning to television in a number of shows including this one from the golden age of TV westerns in the 1950's. He was in good company with other stars such as Robert Montgomery, who hosted his own first-rate TV show in the 1950's.
This show is not really a series. Instead it was in the mold of the weekly playhouse kind of show that was so popular in the 1950's. Each episode stood alone and featured different stars each week, some being quite popular figures from the silver screen. The show first used material from Zane Grey, but as time passed material had to come from elsewhere as well. The following is a listing of the episodes of that first season as well as the stars that were featured.
1.01 - You Only Run Once- Robert Ryan, Cloris Leachman
1.02 - Fearful Courage- James Whitmore, Ida Lupino
1.03 - The Long Road Home - Mr. Powell, Ray Collins
1.04 - The Unrelenting Sky - Lew Ayres, Phyllis Avery
1.05 - The Lariat - Jack Palance, Constance Ford
1.06 - Death Watch - Lee J. Cobb, Bobby Driscoll
1.07 - Stage for Tucson - Eddie Albert, Mona Freeman
1.08 - Quiet Sunday in San Ardo - Wendell Corey, Gerald Mohr
1.09 - Vengeance Canyon - Walter Brennan, Ben Cooper
1.10 - Return to Nowhere- John Ireland, Steven McNally
1.11 - Courage is a Gun - Mr. Powell, Beverly Garland
1.12 - Muletown Gold Strike - Rory Calhoun, Barbara Eiler
1.13 - Stars over Texas - Ralph Bellamy, Gloria Talbott, James Garner
1.14 - Three Graves - Jack Lemmon, Nan Leslie
1.15 - No Man Living- Frank Lovejoy, Margaret Hayes
1.16 - Time of Decision - Lloyd Bridges, Diane Brewster
1.17 - Until the Man Dies - Stuart Whitman, John Payne
1.18 - Backtrail- Mr. Powell, Catherine McLeod
1.19 - Dangerous Orders - Jack Elam, Mark Stevens
1.20 - The Necessary Breed - Sterling Hayden, Jean Willes
1.21 - The Hanging Tree - Robert Ryan, Cloris Leachman
1.22 - Village of Fear- David Niven, George D. Wallace
1.23 - Black Creek Encounter- Ernest Borgnine, Jan Merlin
1.24 - There Were Four- John Derek, Dean Jagger
1.25 - Fugitive - Eddie Albert, Celeste Holm
1.26 - A Time To Live - Ralph Meeker, Julie London
1.27 - Black is for Grief - Mary Astor, Beulah Bondi, Chester Morris
1.28 - Badge of Honor - Gary Merrill, Tom Tully, Robert Culp
1.29 - Decision at Wilson's Creek - John Forsythe, John Dehner
1.30 - Man on the Run - Scott Brady, Nancy Hale
Each episode is 30 minutes in length and features such diverse talent as James Garner at the beginning of his career and Chester Morris near the end of his career. Mr. Powell stars in three of the thirty episodes. VCI, though not widely known, has taken part in some quality restorations before, so I am hoping these great western dramas will be carefully restored.

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The Texan Review

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(More customer reviews)I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with this outstanding set from Timeless Media Group. Seventy of the 78 episodes of the classic (1958-60) CBS television western "The Texan," starring rugged Rory Calhoun as "Bill Longley," are found in this compilation. The video quality is a surprising "9;" the audio quality of this set is equally good. Each episode runs roughly 26 minutes and contains the original open and close -- which includes the wonderful rumbling/muscular Desilu theme music soundtrack. Outstanding guest stars accompany Calhoun in his trek through the southwest, including Jack Elam, Morgan Woodward, James Coburn, Bethel Leslie, Richard Devon, Bob Steele, Anthony Caruso, Alan Hale Jr., Denver Pyle, Neville Brand, Harry Dean Stanton, Richard Jaeckel, Cesar Romero, Karen Sharpe, R.G. Armstrong, Strother Martin, James Best, Shirley Knight, Brian Donlevy, Robert Wilke, Michael Landon, John Dehner, Paul Fix, and Mike Connors. This set is a MUST HAVE for any collector of classic TV westerns. Thank you for taking the time to read my review.
Disc One:
Law of the Gun -- Neville Brand
Man With the Solid Gold Star -- Bruce Bennett
Troubled Town -- Harry Dean Stanton
First Notch -- J. Carroll Naish
Edge of Cliff -- Mike Connors
Jail for Innocents -- Vaughn Taylor
Tree for Planting -- James Westerfield, Paul Fix
Disc Two:
Hemp Tree -- Michael Landon
Widow of Paradise -- Alan Hale Jr.
No Tears for Dead -- Michael Pate, Beverly Washburn
Easterner -- Jack Elam
Time of the Year -- George Macready
Lord Will Provide -- Murvyn Vye, Ellen Corby
Duchess of Denver -- Alan Dinehart
Disc Three:
Quart of Law -- Robert Lowery, Holly Bane
Outpost -- Christopher Dark
Peddler -- Lou Jacobi
Return to Friendly -- John Harmon
Man Behind the Star -- Richard Jaeckel, Brian Donlevy
Ringer -- Grant Withers, Paul Brinegar, Ron Hayes
Marshal of Yellow Jacket -- Robert Wilke, Read Morgan
Disc Four:
No Love Wasted -- Lon Chaney Jr.
Race for Life -- Kelly Thordsen
Letter of the Law -- R.G. Armstrong, Trevor Bardette
Private Account -- Karen Sharpe, Jesse White
Caballero -- Cesar Romero
Blood Money -- Dorothy Provine
No Place to Stop -- Strother Martin, Denver Pyle
Disc Five:
Reunion -- Bethel Leslie, Robert F. Simon
Badlands -- Ralph Moody
South of Border -- Jack Elam, John Doucette
Smiling Loser -- Harry Lauter, Red Morgan
Sheriff of Boot Hill -- Denver Pyle
Gunfighter -- John Pickard
Man Hater -- Henry Brandon, Henry Kulky
Disc Six:
No Way Out -- James Griffith, Lucien Littlefield
Image of Gulit -- Don Haggerty
Dishonest Posse -- Jack Lambert, Bing Russell
Blue Northern -- Harry Dean Stanton
Traildust -- Brian Donlevy
Telegraph Story -- Denver Pyle
Stampede -- Shirley Knight
Disc Seven:
Showdown at Abilene -- Barbara Luna
Trouble on Trail -- Michael Dante
Cowards Don't Die -- Sherwood Price
Border Incident -- Alan Hale Jr.
Dangerous Ground -- Alan Hale Jr.
End of Track -- Alan Hale Jr.
Friend of the Family -- John Dehner, James Coburn
Disc Eight:
Terrified Town -- Bob Steele, Richard Devon
Sixgun Street -- Richard Devon, Alan Dinehart
Taming of Rio Nada -- Richard Devon, Alan Dinehart
Thirty Hours to Kill -- Malcolm Atterbury
Quarantine -- Alan Hale Jr.
Buried Treasure -- Duncan Lamont
Captive Crew -- Alan Hale Jr.
Disc Nine:
Showdown -- Anthony Caruso, Alan Hale Jr., Ron Hayes
Governor's Lady -- Myron Healey
Town Divided -- Morgan Woodward
Guilty & Innocent -- Denver Pyle
Presentation Gun -- Harry Harvey
Nomad -- Wm. Fawcett
Killer's Road -- James Best, Lane Bradford
Disc Ten:
Lady Tenderfoot -- Jack Elam, Claire Kelly
Invivible Noose -- Bill Erwin
Johnny Tuvo -- Frank Wilcox, Myron Healey
Accuser -- Don Haggerty
Mission to Monterey -- Lane Bradford
Badman -- Anthony Warde
Twenty-four Hours to Live -- Paul Birch

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Cimarron City Review

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(More customer reviews)If you asked fans of old TV western series to recall the names of 5 or even 10 series from the heyday of the era in the late 50's ,early 60's it is unlikely thatCimarron City would be one of those mentioned. Not because it was bad series, more likely because it ran only one season of 26 episodes at a time when the airwaves were dominated by over 20 westerns per week. It is also sometimes confused with the later Stuart Whitman series `Cimarron Strip'
Surprising, but welcome therefore, that Timeless Media have released a dozen of those episodes along with several other western series recently.
Cimarron City appeared in the 50 minute format from 1958/60. Starring George Montgomery, an excellent western hero from many features in the late 40's/50's.
It was a `Mont Production' indicating Montgomery had a hand in the production.
Montgomery played Matt Rockford cattle rancher & mayor of Cimarron City in the 1890's. His father had been the founder of the town & Rockford was anxious for it to grow & prosper. Also in the regular cast were Audrey Totter as hotel owner Beth Purcell & John Smith (later star of Laramie) as Deputy Sheriff Lane Temple. Also appearing was Dan Blocker of Bonanza fame who had a recurring role as Tiny Buddinger, a townsman & slight comic relief. Curiously in an early episode Blocker played a villain of the same name.Montgomery does not appear in every episode.
Cimarron City was very much an adult western. relying on strong plotlines & characterisation rather than fights, chases & gunplay. Numerous guest stars included Fred MacMurray in the pilot (sadly not included in this set) the always menacing Dan Duryea, Elizabeth Montgomery, Dorothy Provine & J Carrol Naish. Seasoned western aficionados will also spot Don Megowan & the ever sneering Robert Wilke in familiar roles. Interesting plots include the tracking of a mysterious beast & the outbreak of bubonic plague, along with the usual western fare.
The episodes in this set comprise
2Terror Town
3 To Become a Man
5 Medicine Man
6 Hired Hand
8Beast of the Cimarron
10The Bloodline
13The Bitter Lesson
18Beauty & the Sorrow
19 Return of the Dead
22The Ratman
23Have Sword, Will Duel
26The Evil One It appears that the deal struck between Timeless Media & NBC relates only to the `rights' to issue these series, not the supply of original prints which apparently are very costly to remaster. Accordingly Timeless have to track down their own prints which seem to come from 16mm sources. They do seem to have found some decent masters here & although they are not as sharp & detailed as studio prints, are still quite clean & clear. Do not expect the same quality obtainable from some other black & white series such as `Gunsmoke' or `Rawhide' currently available from Paramount. There are the odd flecks & scratches & they are not as `sharp as some but perfectly watchable. Sound seems fine & quite distinct.
There are 3 discs (4 episodes per disc), each in its own case in an outer slip case.
If you prefer the `Roy Rogers' style western with lots of action then these may disappoint, on the other hand if you like `Gunsmoke' with its more involved storylines then I'm sure this will appeal. I think TV western fans familiar with the genre should enjoy.
I was unsure whether to award 4 or 5 stars, based on the print quality, but all things considered & knowing the problems involved I have given it 5. It is pleasing that Timeless have released Cimarron City as the major studios would never consider it & it is probably the only opportunity we will get to revisit some of these vintage shows.


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Wanted: Dead or Alive - Season 3 (1958) Review

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(More customer reviews)STEVE MCQUEEN...He had that something..."SPECIAL"... that can take a simple story and turn it into a..."MUST SEE"...production!! Wanted Dead or Alive is a perfect example of just how GREAT an actor he was...This program had Very Talented Writers and Wonderful Costars. But... I can only compare how you feel when MCQUEEN does his thing, to the times I saw TED WILLIAMS come to bat!! You just know that something "VERY SPECIAL" is about to happen!! I don't care what you pay for these DVD's, it's worth every penny....DON'T MISS IT!!!!

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Frontier Circus - The Complete TV Series - 26 episodes Review

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(More customer reviews)This box set contains all 26 episodes of this somewhat obscure western filmed in 1961-62. The episodes appear to be complete, and have nice picture quality and sound. If you remember the show like I do , you'll enjoy this set.The show is similar to Wagon Train in that as the circus arrives in a new destination the main cast members ( Richard Jaeckel, John Derek, Chill Wills) get to interact with the guest cast. So each episode has a differant focus. The shows have strong scripts, and good acting. Packaging is first rate also. Timeless is doing a great job with their TV westerns. I'd love to see them release The 1961 NBC Civil War Show The Americans, or The Gray Ghost .

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TV Guide Presents Classic Westerns (8 Episodes) Review

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(More customer reviews)The eight western episodes on this GENIUS ENTERTAINMENT product are certainly tempting. Be advised however that the description "sound enhanced" means cheesy modern music that's used in place of theme songs or during breaks in action where background score is brought forward. That's right. No Season 1 BONANZA theme here.
Programs thus tampered with are very annoying, especially to those who remember how they originally sounded. I made the mistake of buying one of GENIUS's TV Guide "sound enhanced" box sets, but won't be purchasing others.
Change the channel.

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