Have Gun Will Travel: The Complete Series (1957-1963)
“Have Gun Will Travel” is a classic Western television series that aired from 1957 to 1963. The show starred Richard Boone as Paladin, a professional gunfighter who traveled the Old West seeking to right wrongs and help those in need. “Have Gun Will Travel” was a popular and critically acclaimed series, and it has been praised for its strong characters, compelling storylines, and beautiful cinematography. The show has been released on DVD and Blu-ray, and it is still enjoyed by fans today.
In this article, we will take a closer look at “Have Gun Will Travel.” We will discuss the show’s origins, its cast and crew, and its critical reception. We will also provide a brief overview of the show’s plot and characters. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of why “Have Gun Will Travel” is considered one of the best Western television series of all time.
| Title | Year | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Have Gun Will Travel | 1957-1963 | 156 |
Overview
Summary of the series
Have Gun – Will Travel is an American Western television series starring Richard Boone as Paladin, a mysterious “man of the West” who travels the Old West offering his services as a “professional for hire” to those in need. The series aired on CBS from September 17, 1957, to July 21, 1963, for 225 episodes.
Paladin is a loner who rides a black horse named “The Black” and carries a pair of Colt Peacemaker revolvers. He is a skilled gunfighter, but he prefers to avoid violence if possible. He is also a skilled detective and tracker.
Paladin is often hired by people who are in danger or who need help. He is also sometimes hired by people who are simply looking for revenge. In each episode, Paladin uses his skills and abilities to help his clients and to bring justice to those who have wronged them.
Cast and crew
The main cast of Have Gun – Will Travel included:
- Richard Boone as Paladin
- Amanda Blake as Miss Featherstone
- Tom Poston as Hey Boy
- John Dehner as Josh Rainey
- Paul Fix as Judge Henry Garth
- William Schallert as Dr. Michael “Mike” Denning
- James Drury as Mark McCain
- Barry Sullivan as Clay Grainger
- Robert Fuller as Amos Burke
The series was produced by CBS Television and created by Sam Rolfe. The show was directed by a number of directors, including Robert Altman, Andrew V. McLaglen, and Don Siegel.
Production and release
Have Gun – Will Travel was filmed in California. The series was produced by CBS Television and distributed by CBS Television Distribution. The show was first broadcast on CBS from September 17, 1957, to July 21, 1963.
The series was released on DVD by CBS Home Entertainment in 2005. The complete series is also available on Blu-ray from CBS Home Entertainment.
Episodes
List of episodes
The following is a list of episodes of Have Gun – Will Travel:
- “The Paladin” (September 17, 1957)
- “The Black” (September 24, 1957)
- “The Gauntlet” (October 1, 1957)
- “The Lawbringer” (October 8, 1957)
- “The Last Chance” (October 15, 1957)
- “The Con Man” (October 22, 1957)
- “The Avenger” (October 29, 1957)
- “The Lost Woman” (November 5, 1957)
- “The Prodigal” (November 12, 1957)
- “The Gambler” (November 19, 1957)
- “The Runaway” (November 26, 1957)
- “The Lawman” (December 3, 1957)
- “The Deputy” (December 10, 1957)
- “The Stranger” (December 17, 1957)
- “The Sheriff” (December 24, 1957)
- “The Judge” (December 31, 1957)
- “The Marshal” (January 7, 1958)
- “The Gunfighter” (January 14, 1958)
- “The Desperado” (January 21, 1958)
- “The Bandit” (January 28, 1958)
- “The Outlaw” (February 4, 1958)
- “The Avenger” (February 11, 1958)
- “The Lawman” (February 18, 1958)
- “The Sheriff” (February 25, 1958)
- “The Deputy” (March 4, 1958)
- “The Marshal” (March 11, 1958)
- “The Judge” (March 18, 1958)
- “The Stranger” (March 25, 1958)
- “The Prodigal” (April 1, 1958)
- “The
Themes and Issues
The Western genre
Have Gun Will Travel is a Western series, and as such, it shares many of the genre’s characteristic themes and tropes. These include:
- The conflict between civilization and the frontier
- The importance of personal honor
- The role of violence in society
- The search for redemption
The series also explores some of the social and political issues of the time, such as:
- The Cold War
- The civil rights movement
- The Vietnam War
Social and political commentary
Have Gun Will Travel was a popular series during the 1950s and 1960s, and it often used its setting to comment on contemporary social and political issues. For example, in the episode “The Day of the Assassin,” Paladin is hired to protect a civil rights leader from a white supremacist group. In the episode “The Guns of Bunker Hill,” Paladin helps a group of Vietnamese refugees escape from their country.
These episodes were not simply political propaganda, but rather they used the Western genre to explore complex social and political issues in a way that was both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Gender roles
Have Gun Will Travel was also notable for its portrayal of gender roles. In a genre that was traditionally dominated by male characters, Paladin was a strong and independent woman who was not afraid to stand up for what she believed in. She was also a skilled gunfighter, and she was often called upon to save the day.
Paladin’s character was a positive role model for women, and she helped to break down the traditional stereotypes of women in Westerns.
Legacy
Cultural impact
Have Gun Will Travel was a popular and critically acclaimed series, and it has had a significant impact on popular culture. The series has been praised for its writing, acting, and direction, and it has been cited as an influence on other Westerns, such as The Rifleman and Gunsmoke.
The series has also been praised for its portrayal of women. Paladin was a strong and independent woman who was not afraid to stand up for what she believed in. She was also a skilled gunfighter, and she was often called upon to save the day.
Paladin’s character was a positive role model for women, and she helped to break down the traditional stereotypes of women in Westerns.
Influence on other works
Have Gun Will Travel has been cited as an influence on a number of other works, including:
- The Rifleman
- Gunsmoke
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- The Magnificent Seven
- The Lone Ranger
These series all share some of the same themes and tropes as Have Gun Will Travel, such as the conflict between civilization and the frontier, the importance of personal honor, and the role of violence in society.
Critical reception
Have Gun Will Travel was a critical success, and it received numerous awards and nominations. These include:
- Five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Western Series
- Two Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series Drama
- A Peabody Award
The series has also been ranked as one of the greatest television shows of all time by a number of publications, including Time magazine and TV Guide.
Have Gun Will Travel was a groundbreaking Western series that broke new ground in terms of its portrayal of women and its social and political commentary. The series was a critical and commercial success, and it has had a lasting impact on popular culture.
Question 1: What is Have Gun Will Travel?
Answer: Have Gun Will Travel is a Western television series that aired on CBS from 1957 to 1963. The show starred Richard Boone as Paladin, a mysterious gunfighter who travels the Old West offering his services to those in need. Have Gun Will Travel was one of the most popular Westerns of its time, and it helped to establish Boone as a major star.
Question 2: Who are the main characters in Have Gun Will Travel?
Answer: The main characters in Have Gun Will Travel are Paladin, a gunfighter; Samuel Clemens, a writer who accompanies Paladin on some of his adventures; and Hey Boy, a young Chinese man who serves as Paladin’s valet.
Question 3: What are some of the most famous episodes of Have Gun Will Travel?
Answer: Some of the most famous episodes of Have Gun Will Travel include “The High Card,” “The Deadly Image,” and “The Man from Shiloh.” These episodes are all considered classics of the Western genre, and they showcase Paladin’s skills as a gunfighter and a detective.
Question 4: Where can I watch Have Gun Will Travel?
Answer: Have Gun Will Travel is available to watch on a variety of streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix. The series is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Question 5: What is the legacy of Have Gun Will Travel?
Answer: Have Gun Will Travel is considered one of the greatest Westerns of all time. The series helped to establish Richard Boone as a major star, and it also influenced a number of other Westerns that followed it. Have Gun Will Travel continues to be popular with fans of the Western genre today.
Have Gun Will Travel is a classic Western television series that aired from 1957 to 1963. The show starred James Arness as Paladin, a gunfighter for hire who traveled the Old West helping those in need. Have Gun Will Travel was a popular and critically acclaimed series, and it is still considered one of the best Westerns ever made.
The show’s success can be attributed to a number of factors, including its strong characters, compelling storylines, and beautiful cinematography. Paladin is a complex and well-developed character who is both a skilled gunfighter and a compassionate man. The show’s storylines are often thought-provoking and suspenseful, and they often explore important themes such as justice, honor, and redemption. The show’s cinematography is also stunning, and it helps to create a truly immersive viewing experience.
Have Gun Will Travel has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The show has been referenced in countless other works of fiction, and it has inspired a number of films and television series. Paladin has also become a pop culture icon, and he is often cited as one of the greatest Western heroes of all time.
If you are a fan of Westerns, or if you are simply looking for a good show to watch, then I highly recommend checking out Have Gun Will Travel. It is a classic series that is sure to entertain you from beginning to end.