In the 1950's , Westerns had the drop on television, pardner!!
On the three major networks, Cowboys rode the 21- inch range, the law of that land was enforced by a solitary, stoic hero with a Colt .45 loaded with blanks and the Old West was only as big as the Universal back lot.
One of the most popular shows of TV's halcyon Era was NBC-TV's TALES OF WELLS FARGO.
Westerns may have resonated with the post-war audience and their baby-boomer children because it depicted a weekly morality play in glorious monochrome.
A battle between good and evil unfolding against the rustic canvas of the American Prairie.
Starring the courtly Dale Robertson,and sponsored by such iconic brands as Pall Mall Cigarettes and GM's Buick Motorcar Division, this two-fisted adventure portrayed the daring cases of Jim Hardie, an agent of the Wells Fargo Company.
Train robberies, stage coach chases, barroom brawls and romance with mysterious beauties were the stuff that propelled TALES OF WELLS FARGO to the top of the ratings.
As LIVING COLOR became more important to NBC and it's parent, COLOR-TV manufacturer, RCA, TALES OF WELLS FARGO expanded to an hour-long COLORCAST for it's final seasons.
Robertson became one of television's most bankable stars and never strayed far from the Western genre, going on to play the lead in ABC-TV'S THE IRON HORSE (1966-67).
Here, from the THE VIDEO PRISMS YOU TUBE SITE, is the December 2, 1961 episode of TALES OF WELLS FARGO, IN LIVING COLOR.
ENJOY!!!!
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