Here’s something else we’ve all been waiting for. The first season of Maverick. With James Garner and Jack Kelly, it’s a terrific show, one of the best Western shows ever on television. This first season has the extra benefit of having three of its 27 episodes, including the pilot, directed by Budd Boetticher.
I try to stay focused on features and leave TV to those more qualified (like Stephen Bowie at The Classic TV History Blog), but I’ll make an exception in this case.
You’re right, this is terrific news. MAVERICK is probably the very best 1950′s show not to have a full season on DVD in any genre.
The second season is even better than the first IMO, and I really hope the entire series is out eventually. Fourth season probably has the weakest scripts, but is the only season with Roger Moore (Garner is only in one episode that season).
Any favorite episodes, Toby? Mine: Shady Deal at Sunny Acres (of course), The Ballad of Waco Williams, Relic of Fort Tejon, Maverick and Juliet, Greenbacks Unlimited, Hadley’s Hunters and Poker Face.
It’s been years since I’ve seen Maverick with any regularity, so I’m lost on an episode by episode basis.
Looks like I’ll be able to remedy that soon!
Besides Shady Deal at Sunny Acres, my list of favorites would include Plunder of Paradise, Comstock Conspiracy, Two Beggars on Horseback, The Savage Hills, The Rivals, Brasada Spur, and The Spanish Dancer.
So many to choose from! I have wondered recently how many TV shows have episodes which are so clearly remembered by their episode titles. They almost seem more like movies, as far as people being able to discuss them by individual titles.
Best wishes,
Laura
Wait, what is this show?
I’ve never seen this show. And this looks like a regular DVD release – I’ll have to give it a go.
You won’t be disappointed.
Hal is right, though, in that it does take a little while to find its tone. The early episodes are perfectly watchable, but it’s not until the second season that the show has that breakthrough into satire.
I haven’t seen beyond the James Garner episodes; curious about the Roger Moore period (and also Moore’s own Warner Bros. “northern,” The Alaskans, which hasn’t been out of the vaults since 1960, as far as I know).