This is Cook in an episode of Wagon Train—The Tracey Sadler Story

I’m dedicating these notes to the memory of the man I believe to be the greatest and most talented of all American character actors, Elijah Cook Jr. Cook’s list of credits is stunning but he’s here because he appeared in a remarkable number of tv westerns. According to Wikipedia Cook appeared in episodes of Gunsmoke (he appeared in four different episodes of Gunsmoke).

In many ways my memories of watching the westerns has a Proustian memory element. I was only 6 or 7 when most of them first aired on tv in the mid 50s so it’s probable that I watched syndicated shows during those years. The shows that stuck out most— Hopalong Cassidy, Daniel Boone (Disney) and Guy Madison’s Zorro. My parents allowed me to watch whatever I wanted because my brothers and sisters were so much younger that I was.

The following are the themes that have motivated these notes and memories.

The Western on American Television : Parable, History, Image and Imagery.

Critical notes on the westerns that appeared television between 1955 and 1980.

Several other Western series also expanded o. the 20th century idea of what westerns were to American viewers—Wanted Dead or Alive, Rebel and Tombstone Territory.

The similarities in dramatic storylines are amazing mostly because they were written by the creations only one or two the same authors from season to season and often show to show.

Bat Masterson, Rawhide, Wagon Train, Tombstone Territory, The Rebel, The Deputy, Laramie, The Dakotas

The directors, like the writers were often very familiar and very capable genre craftsmen.

Robert Redford made his first credited debut in this episode of Maverick—The Iron Hand.

 

Richard Jaeckel appears in this scene from Gunsmoke with the legendary John Carradine.

Before the Man From Uncle Robert Vaughn and Connie Stevens (I Dream of Jeannie) often appeared in tv westerns.

Sammy Davis Jr. appeared in this fascinating segment of The Rifleman as a a man pretending to being a notorious gunman displaying remarkable tricks with a gun. When the real outlaw shows up

In the early 60’s Wanted Dead or Alive with Steve McQueen and the The Rebel with Nick Adams represented an early attempt to reach the increasingly politicized youth market. McQueen’s rise to superstar status was immediate following this series as was James Coburn’s. Coburn open to this point often played one of the most menacing villains in a number of westerns.

In this scene from Have Gun Will Travel is Lee Van Cleef one of the greatest villain/outlaws in TV and movie history.

Dyan Cannon had a riveting debut role on Wanted Dead or Alive

Jeremy Slater was a versatile talent in lots of westerns during the 50’s and 60’s playing a complex range of good and bad types. His career included similar roles in other television dramas especially police procedurals.

The Remarkably gifted young Kurt Russell appeared in several westerns on television during the 1950s Including Gunsmoke

In The Rifleman Chuck Conners and Johnny Crawford were the most quintessential father and son on television. The use of the word Parable in these notes is because of their relationship—every show is about how they learn something about themselves from each other. Crawford’s instincts add to the dramatic moments.

Charles Bronson’s debut on television was an impressive appearance as Butch Cassidy on The Tales of Wells Fargo. Bronson’s early career

This scene from Have Gun Will Travel features the great African singer Miriam Makeba as a woman of a condemned man whose body she liked to retrieve for burial. Richard Boone as Paladin intercedes. It was remarkable how well these mid 50’s westerns heroes dealt with racial prejudice but it’s especially notable in Have Gun Will Travel. Paladin’s relationship with Hey Boy and Hey Girl played Kam Tong and Lisa Lu respectively were not just hired help— they were friends and colleagues.

In this seen from an episode from Wanted Dead or Alive called the Empty Cell, Lon Chaney Jr. plays a man who joins forces with a deranged Confederate general when he falls in love with the man’s wife. It’s a complex and fascinating performance.

The remarkably gifted young Kurt Russell, made several appearances on Gunsmoke But it is youthful credits included lobster roles

in some of the most popular television series of the era .