"Lawman" (1958) TV series 1958-1962

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

5 October 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title | Based On Novel

Cast

John Russell	...	Marshal Dan Troop (155 episodes, 1958-1962)
Peter Brown	...	Deputy Johnny McKay (76 episodes, 1958-1962)

Also Known As:

The Lawman (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

30 min (156 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Television

Trivia:

In the early 1960s when TV-western mania reached its peak, an American magazine sponsored a contest for the actors who portrayed western heroes and villains. Since the climactic moment of so many shows was the classic quick-draw shoot-out, the actors had to acquire that skill to play their scenes. The magazine held a competition among some of the stars of the shows, firing blanks, aiming not at each other but downrange, and using an electronic timer. Quite a number of cowboy stars showed up to slap leather. Peter Brown beat them all and won the title of the fastest gun in Hollywood.

Wise Marshall, Young Protégé

John Russel was excellently cast in this Western about protecting Laramie from the badder elements of society.

Russell, a former Marine, was straight and tall and worked wonderfully as the wise lawman who used his six-gun with deadly accuracy and regularity. Peter Brown as Deputy Johnny McKay was also fast in the leather slappin' dept.

Brown brought the young ladies in to view the weekly adventures while Russell, I'm sure, caught the attention of both women viewers and men.

This was a smart Western with a great theme song composed of male voices singing the praises of the "Lawman." Russell's steely eyes made the part of tough-guy Marshall believable. The epitome of what you would expect a real Marshall in the old west to be. Brown's good looks and athletic prowess made for some great action during the series.

I was sad to see Russell cast as a villain in the 1985 Clint Eastwood film, Pale Rider. Russell will forever remain one of the ultimate lawmen in the Old West in my mind as a result of this wonderful old Western series.