The Virginian (later renamed The Men From Shiloh) became television's first prime time series to run 90 minutes(with commercials) and the first series to be filmed in color airing on NBC's Wednesday night lineup for the nine seasons it was on the air producing 249 episodes. From 1962 until 1963 the series was produced by Revue Studios. From 1963 until 1971 the series was produced by Universal Television (Filmed at Universal City). Airing from September 19, 1962 until the final episode of the series on March 24, 1971. For the nine seasons it was on the air it was network television's third-longest running Western behind Bonanza and Gunsmoke where it was one of the top ten shows on television during its long phenomenal run.
Based on the the 1902 novel by Owen Wister and produced under executive producers Charles Marquis Warren, Norman MacDonnell, Frank Price, and Roy Huggins, the series revolved around the tough foreman of the Shiloh Ranch and his assistant Trampas along with the owner Judge Henry Garth(Lee J. Cobb in Seasons 1-4) and later on other previous owners like Judd Starr(John Dehner midway through Season 4) and later on the Grainger Brothers(Charles Bickford in Season 5 and John McIntire In Seasons 6-8),and later Colonel McKenzie (Stewart Grainger in the final season of the series). Other colorful characters also included Gary Clarke(Seasons1-3), Roberta Shore(Seasons 1-4), Randy Boone(Seasons 3-5), Diane Roter(Season 5), Don Quine (Seasons 5-7), Sara Lane (Seasons 6-8), David Hartman (Seasons 7-8),Tim Matheson(Season 8), and Lee Majors(Season 9). Other characters included Deputy Emmett Ryker played by Clu Gulager(Seasons 3-7) and Sheriff Mark Abbott (Ross Elliott from Seasons 1-8 and also in Season 9).
And the town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming during the mid 1800's where most of the episodes were involved. Only actors James Drury and Doug McClure were the only two actors that stayed with the series throughout it's entire run. Several cast changes were made during the series run especially with new characters added to the cast.(during the 1966-1967 season and the 1970-1971 season). This was a series that had a vast array of guest stars on board each week with fantastic storytelling from some of the best writers in the business along with some top notch directors from Hollywood's best. This was a brillant achievement even after 60 years it still entertains.
Based on the the 1902 novel by Owen Wister and produced under executive producers Charles Marquis Warren, Norman MacDonnell, Frank Price, and Roy Huggins, the series revolved around the tough foreman of the Shiloh Ranch and his assistant Trampas along with the owner Judge Henry Garth(Lee J. Cobb in Seasons 1-4) and later on other previous owners like Judd Starr(John Dehner midway through Season 4) and later on the Grainger Brothers(Charles Bickford in Season 5 and John McIntire In Seasons 6-8),and later Colonel McKenzie (Stewart Grainger in the final season of the series). Other colorful characters also included Gary Clarke(Seasons1-3), Roberta Shore(Seasons 1-4), Randy Boone(Seasons 3-5), Diane Roter(Season 5), Don Quine (Seasons 5-7), Sara Lane (Seasons 6-8), David Hartman (Seasons 7-8),Tim Matheson(Season 8), and Lee Majors(Season 9). Other characters included Deputy Emmett Ryker played by Clu Gulager(Seasons 3-7) and Sheriff Mark Abbott (Ross Elliott from Seasons 1-8 and also in Season 9).
And the town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming during the mid 1800's where most of the episodes were involved. Only actors James Drury and Doug McClure were the only two actors that stayed with the series throughout it's entire run. Several cast changes were made during the series run especially with new characters added to the cast.(during the 1966-1967 season and the 1970-1971 season). This was a series that had a vast array of guest stars on board each week with fantastic storytelling from some of the best writers in the business along with some top notch directors from Hollywood's best. This was a brillant achievement even after 60 years it still entertains.