The Virginian: The Complete First Season

Loosely based on Owen Wister's oft-filmed 1902 novel (the 1929 movie helped launch Gary Cooper's career), this anthology-style series set in the Wyoming Territory of the 1890s was TV's first 90-minute western. The lengthy episodes gave writers the opportunity to craft ambitious dramas, and the show ran for nine successful seasons between 1962-1971. James Drury plays the eponymous unnamed Virginian—the very capable foreman of the Shiloh Ranch—a man with a vague past but also an unflinching loyalty to his friends. Doug McClure costars as Trampas, an impulsive, fun-loving younger cowpoke who looks up to his boss. Hollywood veteran Lee J. Cobb gets top billing as Shiloh's owner Henry Garth, who is also a local judge determined to see civilization come to the frontier, while Gary Clarke plays ranch hand Steve Hill and Pippa Scott fills a recurring role as Molly Wood, editor and publisher of the local paper. Hugh O'Brian (famous as TV's Wyatt Earp) delivers a dazzling guest performance in the pilot as a charming drifter with a sinister undercurrent, while Sam Fuller writes and directs the stand-out episode “It Tolls for Thee,” with Lee Marvin as a ruthless gang leader. One of the better westerns of its day, The Virginian delivers solid stories and features excellent guest stars, with first season familiars including George C. Scott, Bette Davis, Robert Duvall, Eddie Albert, and Ida Lupino. Compiling all 30 episodes from the 1962–63 first season, DVD extras include nearly two hours of video interviews with cast members. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)