The Californians is an American Western television series, set during the California Gold Rush of the 1850s, which was broadcast by NBC from September 24, 1957 to May 26, 1959, with reruns airing through August 27, 1959.
Premise The series was set in San Francisco, with episodes focusing on "honest men trying to clean up a wild city overrun by criminals and con men". When episodes began, Sam Brennan owned a newspaper for which Dion Patrick worked as a reporter. Patrick also sought to maintain law and order as a member of a group of vigilantes headed by storekeeper Jack McGivern.
Because the program's sponsors "were uneasy about glorifying vigilantes", the producers changed the characters and cast. In March 1958 Matthew Wayne came to San Francisco. He bought a saloon and soon was elected as the city's sheriff. Wayne became the main character, with McGivern and Patrick being phased out.
The second season began with Wayne as the city marshal, whose efforts were supported by a police department of 50 people. New characters in that season were Wilma Fansler, a widowed young operator of a gambling establishment, and Jeremy Pitt, an attorney who was "friend and foil to the marshal".
Cast Dion Patrick - Adam Kennedy Jack McGivern - Sean McClory Martha McGivern - Nan Leslie Sam Brennan - Herbert Rudley Matthew Wayne - Richard Coogan Schaab - Howard Caine Wilma Fansler - Carole Mathews Jeremy Pitt - Art Fleming
Guest stars
Charles Aidman Frank Albertson Chris Alcaide Fred Aldrich John Anderson Robert Anderson John Archer R. G. Armstrong Rayford Barnes Whit Bissell Robert Blake Willis Bouchey George Brenlin Edgar Buchanan James T. Callahan James Coburn Fred Coby Mike Connors Hans Conried Russ Conway Bill Coontz Robert O. Cornthwaite Ted de Corsia Robert L. Crawford Jr. Richard H. Cutting Frank Dekova Troy Donahue John Doucette Douglass Dumbrille Duke Fishman Douglas Fowley Robert Fuller Bruce Gordon Herman Hack Don Haggerty James Hong Russell Johnson Ray Jones Allyn Joslyn Robert Karnes Stacy Keach, Sr. Ray Kellogg Tommy Kirk Gail Kobe Michi Kobi Ethan Laidlaw Lyle Latell Keye Luke Rod McGaughy Patricia Medina Don Megowan Gerald Mohr Jimmy Noel Robert Osborne J. Pat O'Malley Richard Reeves Stafford Repp Addison Richards Stephen Roberts Carlos Romero Cosmo Sardo Vito Scotti James Seay Alex Sharp Quentin Sondergaard George Sowards Arthur Space Bob Steele Brick Sullivan John Sutton Ray Teal Joan Tompkins Sammee Tong Jack Tornek Audrey Totter Arthur Tovey Maria Tsien Lurene Tuttle Alan Wells James Westerfield Peter Whitney Jean Willes Marie Windsor
Stuart Randall
Episode list
Season 1: 1957–58
Season 2: 1958–59
Production Producer Louis F. Edelman initially offered The Californians to ABC-TV. After that network was unable to obtain sponsors, Edelman offered it to NBC. Robert Bassler was the show's first producer. Felix Feist replaced him in January 1958. The Californians initially was broadcast on Tuesdays from 10 to 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. In April 1959 it was moved to 9 - 9:30 p.m. E. T. on Tuesdays, and in July 1959 it was moved to Thursdays from 7:30 to 8 p.m. E. T.
The Californians theme song, "I've Come to California", was sung by the Ken Darby Singers. Darby also scored the program.
The Californians had competition from The West Point Story, which was broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company, and The $64,000 Question by CBS. In its second season, the western competed with The Garry Moore Show on CBS and the crime/police reality show Confession, hosted by Jack Wyatt, on ABC.1957–1958 and 1958–1959 American network television schedules.
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