Posts from Jay J. Foraker in thread „Classic TV Westerns- Discussion (Archive)“

It seems the sum total of our experiences, knowledge and memories color our perceptions of our remembrances of things past (I sound like Philosophy 101 here). Western series from our youth (addressing the older members here) are seen with different perspectives than we had when first seen. Mostly production values have improved over the years and some of the old-time series seem a little stiff and stilted now from what we remember. Whatever!!!
Cheers - Jay

To bring this topic back on track - I noticed that "The Virginian" was mentioned about 3 times, but "The Big Valley" only received one nod.

Cheers -

Hi Ringo -

Barbara Eden did another piece of fluff shortly after the Harper Valley thing - "Chattanooga Choo Choo" - not noteworthy of anything more than an amusing diversion, but, HOO, BOY, did she look good in those outfits!
More seriously, she seems to have been active up to the present time and has seemed to age very gracefully.
We should all have relatives like this!!!

Cheers - Jay

Quote

Originally posted by The Ringo Kid@Jan 28 2005, 02:01 PM
I can't say anything about i Dream of Jeannie because I am related to Barbara Eden

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Hi Ringo -

Actually Barbara Eden was the best thing on that series (even though NBC wouldn't let her show her naval). What irked me was the dumbing down of the astronauts and the military. I know this was a comedy, but it was done at the expense of those personnel.

Regards - Jay

There are some programs I can't (couldn't) stand. "Green Acres" was one (how Eddie Albert got roped into that one, I don't know?) and "I Dream of Jeannie" was another. I'm sure there are others that will come to mind, but because of their inept concepts, they are better left forgotten!

Jay

I saw that announced in the paper this morning. The item went on to say how sanitized the series was since Wyatt Earp was as much a scoundrel as he was a righteous character. This series was made before the "spaghetti westerns" knocked all those clean, spotless scenarios into a cocked hat.

Cheers - Jay

Hi Ringo -

Thanks for that info. That is probably the source of my confusion!

Cheers -

Jay <_<

Hi All -

Since the memory cells don't always connect, I have a question regarding Gunsmoke - didn't the show begin as a half-hour series before evolving into an hour format? I know the Western Channel (premium channel, unfortunately for many) is running two episodes every evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST (off the top of my head, so not sure) , but they have all been the hour-long episodes in B&W.

Anyway, the ones I have been able to watch reinforces my (and a majority from what I have seen on this board) sense that this was just about the best western on TV, bar none!

Cheers -

Jay

Gunsmoke would have to be the best and most venerable of TV Westerns. Just about anybody who was an active character actor during its run appeared on the series.

As a bit of trivia - William Conrad was the radio Matt Dillon, but his appearance was not that of a leading man and so when the TV series evolved, he was dropped.
His voice was just right for radio - everyone may remember him from Cannon and Jake and the Fatman.

Cheers -

Jay

Hi Jen & Chilibill -

I would have to agree - though the stories took place in a local that was already tamed, the area was just on the fringes of explored territory for the time portrayed. The series was generally topnotch, with high moral values and lessons incorporated into the story lines.

Jay