The Virginian (TV series)
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The Virginian was a Western-themed television series which aired on NBC from 1962 to 1971. It was unique in that it was the first Western to air in 90-minute installments each week (75 minutes excluding commercial breaks). Two other Westerns later followed the same 90-minute format later in the 1960s, Wagon Train and Cimarron Strip, each for only a single season.
Loosely based on the Owen Wister novel, the series revolved around a ranch hand, played by James Drury, who went by the name The Virginian; his real name was never revealed in the nine years the show was on the air. The series took place in Medicine Bow, Wyoming, and revolved around The Virginian's quest to maintain an orderly lifestyle for the ranch he worked on, which was called Shiloh Ranch. Other key characters included Trampas (played by Doug McClure) and Steve Hill (played by Gary Clarke). The main horse played was named Windsor V.
The ranch had four owners throughout its run: Judge Garth (played by Lee J. Cobb), the Grainger brothers (played by Charles Bickford and John McIntire) and Colonel Alan McKenzie (played by Stewart Granger).
In the final year, when Col. McKenzie took over Shiloh Ranch, the name of the program was changed to The Men from Shiloh.
[edit] Trivia
- The series was mentioned in the Monty Python's Flying Circus epsiode "Royal Episode 13" in which John Cleese announced that the Pythons would not be engaging in their typical silliness because the Queen (Elizabeth II) would be tuning in to the show later, although, at the time of the introduction, she was watching The Virginian.
[edit] External link
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