Bret Maverick is a 1981-82 American Western television series starring James Garner
in the role that made him famous in the 1957 series Maverick:
a professional poker player traveling alone year after year through the Old West
from riverboat to saloon. In this sequel series,
Maverick has settled down in Sweetwater, Arizona Territory, where he owns a ranch
(The Lazy Ace) and is co-owner of the town's saloon (The Red Ox).
However, Maverick is still always on the lookout for his next big score,
and continues to gamble and practice various con games whenever the chance arises.
The series was developed by Gordon Dawson, and produced by Garner's company
Cherokee Productions (mistakenly dubbed "Comanche Productions" on the end credits)
in association with Warner Bros. Television.
User Review
QuoteDisplay MoreAn underrated achievement for James Garner
9 November 2009 | by Thomas Chacko(United States)
On the heels of his fabulous series THE ROCKFORD FILES, James Garner took the risk of reviving the character that made him a household name. However little faith NBC placed in this series, it remains a treat for Garner fans, far superior to the previous effort, THE NEW MAVERICK (starring Charles Frank), and thoroughly enjoyable for anyone who appreciates a Western done with style and class. Fortunately the prints are in good shape, helping us to appreciate the colour photography and production design.
The main attraction, of course, is the star, who once again had a series tailored to his own unique and very likable persona. Some have dismissed this as Jim Rockford in the Old West, but I consider that an asset. As an older, slightly heavier actor - and former stuntman plagued by injuries - Garner could not simply replay the Maverick of 25 years earlier. Instead he made the attempt to gear more lighthearted plots and characters to a 1980s audience. (Perhaps the attempt was futile, considering what most of '80s television turned out to be!)
Garner is aided by a good cast, among them Richard Hamilton, as his "Lazy Ace" ranch hand; Ramon Bieri, as the snooty bank president; Darleen Carr, as the thorn-in-the-side reporter; and Stuart Margolin, his "Rockford" colleague, as a half-Indian con-man. Country singer Ed Bruce plays Maverick's taciturn partner in the Red Ox Saloon, and lends his writing and singing talents to the delightful theme song ("Maverick Didn't Come Here to Lose").
Pity that this series lasted only for one year. My thanks, however, to the Encore Westerns Channel for providing a pleasant, uninterrupted 50 minutes of television. It sure as shootin' brightens my day!
