Bat Masterson (TV series)
Bat Masterson is an American Western television series which was a fictionalized account of the life of real-life marshal/gambler/dandy Bat Masterson. The title character was played by Gene Barry, and the half-hour black-and-white series ran on NBC from 1958 to 1961. The show was produced by Ziv Television Productions. "Bat" is a nickname for Masterson's first name, Bartholemew.
| Bat Masterson | |
|---|---|
 Gene Barry as Bat Masterson, 1958 | |
| Genre | Western |
| Starring | Gene Barry |
| Narrated by | Bill Baldwin, Bob LeMond |
| Theme music composer | Havens Wray (David D. Rose) |
| Ending theme | Bill Lee (Singer) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 108 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Frank Pittman Andy White Frederick W. Ziv |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production companies | Ziv Television Programs (1958-1960) (seasons 1-2) Ziv-United Artists (1960-1961) (season 3) |
| Distributor | MGM Television Sony Pictures Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Picture format | Black-and-white |
| Audio format | Monaural |
| Original release | October 8, 1958 – June 1, 1961 |
Although the series was fiction, it claimed in the closing credits to be based on the biography Bat Masterson, by Richard O'Connor.[1]
Overview
The series had a tongue-in-cheek flair, with Barry's Masterson often dressed in expensive Eastern clothing and preferring to use his cane rather than a gun to get himself out of trouble. Masterson was also portrayed as a ladies' man who traveled the West looking for women and adventure. Born Eugene Klass, suave actor Gene Barry had changed his last name as a subtle tribute to actor John Barrymore.
The black derby, fancy decorative vest, black jacket, and elegant gold-topped cane were his trademarks. Miniaturized toy versions were marketed to children as tie-in products during the run of the series.[2] When dressed more casually in episodes centered on outdoor action, Masterson would sometimes wear an identical but gray derby in place of the black one. After the turn of the century, the real-life Bat Masterson became a prominent writer of Western reminiscences as well as a flamboyant New York City newspaper journalist and close friend of Damon Runyon, and was the inspiration for the character "Sky Masterson" in Runyon's Guys and Dolls, portrayed by Marlon Brando in a theatrical film three years before the television series began.
Cast
Main cast
- Gene Barry as Bat Masterson (108 episodes)
- Allison Hayes as Ellie Winters (7 episodes)
- Allen Jaffe as belligerent drunk (7 episodes)
- Ken Drake as Burdette (6 episodes)
- Troy Melton as government agent (6 episodes)
Guest cast
Bat Masterson guest stars included the character actor Robert F. Simon, who appeared as Harrison Whitney in the episode "Death by Decree", and Richard Eastham, who appeared in the 1961 episode "A Lesson in Violence". Stefanie Powers appeared in the 1961 episode named "Dead Man's Claim" (using the name Taffy Paul) as Ann, the niece of the boarding house owner. George Macready appeared as Clyde Richards in the 1961 episode "Tempest at Tioga Pass". Quintin Sondergaard appeared in various roles on the series five times between 1958 and 1961. Dan Sheridan was cast as Joe Rankin in the 1959 episode "Election Day". The lovely Allison Hayes had a recurring role as card dealer Ellie Winters in 7 episodes.
Yvonne Lime Fedderson was cast as Lola White in the 1960 episode "The Snare". Ron Hayes appeared four times in the role of Wyatt Earp. Gary Vinson appeared as Billy Thompson in the 1958 episode "A Noose Fits Anybody". Tyler McVey appeared from 1958 to 1961 in different roles in three episodes ("Dynamite Blows Two Ways", "Incident at Fort Bowie", and "Dead Man's Claim"). Ron Foster (1960) appeared twice as Toby Dawson in "Six Feet of Gold" and as Sheriff Buck Simpson in "Jeopardy at Jackson Hole" (1961). James Coburn also appeared in "Six Feet of Gold". Tom Greenway guest starred twice, as Charlie in "Buffalo Kill" (1959) and as Ben Pick in "Dagger Dance" (1961). Brett King appeared four times, beginning with the role of Hub Elliott in "License to Cheat" (1959); Douglas Kennedy was cast as Sheriff Jeb Crater in that same episode. William Tannen was cast in four episodes of Bat Masterson.
Diane Brewster, also known as "Beaver" Cleaver's second-grade teacher "Miss Canfield" in Leave It to Beaver and as gambler "Samantha Crawford" opposite James Garner in Maverick, played the role of Miss Lynn Harrison in the 2-part episode "The Conspiracy" (1959). Kevin Hagen appeared as Ace Williams in "The Fourth Man" (1961). Lon Chaney Jr. played the role of Rance Fletcher in "Bat Trap" (1961).
Production
Development
The series was loosely based on Richard O'Connor's 1957 biography of Masterson.[3] This was highlighted by the book's front cover being shown at the end of the closing credits with an onscreen notation "based on".
From 1955 to 1959, Mason Alan Dinehart played a 20-something Bat Masterson in thirty-four episodes of the ABC/Desilu western series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O'Brian as the frontier peace officer Wyatt Earp. Dinehart left the series, and Barry was cast as a 40-something Masterson in a separate series on a different network. In the year 1958-1959 both actors were featured in the role of Masterson.[4]
According to BMI and the sheet music, the theme music was written by Havens Wray (although incorrectly spelled by BMI as Ravens Wray). However it was likely written by David Rose, an ASCAP member who couldn't use his own name for a BMI composition.[5] The words were by BMI writer Bart Corwin. The theme song was sung by Bill Lee, a member of the Mellomen.
Episodes
The series consisted of three seasons and 108 episodes:
Season 1 (37 episodes)
From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
| Ep # | Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Double Showdown" | October 8, 1958 |
| 2 | "Two Graves for Swan Valley" | October 15, 1958 |
| 3 | "Dynamite Blows Two Ways" | October 22, 1958 |
| 4 | "Stampede at Tent City" (with James Best and William Conrad) | October 29, 1958 |
| 5 | "The Fighter" (with Marie Windsor and Robert J. Wilke) | November 5, 1958 |
| 6 | "Bear Bait" | November 12, 1958 |
| 7 | "A Noose Fits Anybody" | November 19, 1958 |
| 8 | "Dude's Folly" | November 26, 1958 |
| 9 | "The Treasure of Worry Hill" (with Ross Martin) | December 3, 1958 |
| 10 | "Cheyenne Club" | December 17, 1958 |
| 11 | "Sherman's March Through Dodge City" | December 24, 1958 |
| 12 | "Trail Pirate" | December 31, 1958 |
| 13 | "Double Trouble in Trinidad" | January 7, 1959 |
| 14 | "Election Day" | January 14, 1959 |
| 15 | "One Bullet from Broken Bow" | January 21, 1959 |
| 16 | "A Personal Matter" | January 8, 1959 |
| 17 | "License to Cheat" | February 4, 1959 |
| 18 | "Sharpshooter" | February 11, 1959 |
| 19 | "River Boat" | February 18, 1959 |
| 20 | "Battle of the Pass" | February 25, 1959 |
| 21 | "Marked Deck" | March 11, 1959 |
| 22 | "Incident in Leadville" | March 18, 1959 |
| 23 | "The Tumbleweed Wagon" | March 25, 1959 |
| 24 | "Brunette Bombshell" | April 1, 1959 |
| 25 | "Deadline" | April 8, 1959 |
| 26 | "A Matter of Honor" with John Vivyan | April 22, 1959 |
| 27 | "Man of Action" | April 29, 1959 |
| 28 | "Lottery of Death" | May 13, 1959 |
| 29 | "The Death of Bat Masterson" | May 20, 1959 |
| 30 | "The Secret is Death" | May 27, 1959 |
| 31 | "Promised Land" | June 10, 1959 |
| 32 | "The Conspiracy: Part 1" | June 17, 1959 |
| 33 | "The Conspiracy: Part 2" | June 24, 1959 |
| 34 | "The Black Pearls" | July 1, 1959 |
| 35 | "The Desert Ship" | July 15, 1959 |
| 36 | "The Romany Knives" | July 22, 1959 |
| 37 | "Buffalo Kill" | July 29, 1959 |
Season 2 (37 episodes)
| Ep # | Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "To the Manner Born" | October 1, 1959 |
| 2 | "Wanted -- Dead" | October 15, 1959 |
| 3 | "No Funeral for Thorn" | October 22, 1959 |
| 4 | "Shakedown at St. Joe" | October 29, 1959 |
| 5 | "Lady Luck" | November 5, 1959 |
| 6 | "Who'll Bury My Violence?" | November 12, 1959 |
| 7 | "Dead Men Don't Pay Debts" | November 19, 1959 |
| 8 | "Death and Taxes" | November 26, 1959 |
| 9 | "Bat Plays a Dead Man's Hand" | December 3, 1959 |
| 10 | "Garrison Finish" | December 10, 1959 |
| 11 | "The Canvas and the Cane" | December 17, 1959 |
| 12 | "The Inner Circle" | December 31, 1959 |
| 13 | "The Pied Piper of Dodge City" | January 7, 1960 |
| 14 | "A Picture of Death" | January 14, 1960 |
| 15 | "Pigeon and Hawk" | January 21, 1960 |
| 16 | "Flume to the Mother Lode" | January 28, 1960 |
| 17 | "Death by the Half Dozen" | February 4, 1960 |
| 18 | "Deadly Diamonds" | February 11, 1960 |
| 19 | "Mr. Fourpaws" | February 18, 1960 |
| 20 | "Six Feet of Gold" | February 25, 1960 |
| 21 | "Cattle and Cane" | March 3, 1960 |
| 22 | "The Disappearance of Bat Masterson" | March 10, 1960 |
| 23 | "The Snare" | March 17, 1960 |
| 24 | "Three Bullets for Bat" | March 24, 1960 |
| 25 | "The Reluctant Witness" | March 31, 1960 |
| 26 | "Come Out Fighting" | April 7, 1960 |
| 27 | "Stage to Nowhere" | April 14, 1960 |
| 28 | "Incident at Fort Bowie" | April 21, 1960 |
| 29 | "Masterson's Arcadia Club" | April 28, 1960 |
| 30 | "Welcome to Paradise" | May 5, 1960 |
| 31 | "A Grave Situation" | May 12, 1960 |
| 32 | "Gold Is Where You Steal It" | May 19, 1960 |
| 33 | "Wanted -- Alive Please" | May 26, 1960 |
| 34 | "The Elusive Baguette" | June 2, 1960 |
| 35 | "The Big Gamble" | June 16, 1960 |
| 36 | "Blood on the Money" with Walter Coy | June 23, 1960 |
| 37 | "Barbary Castle" | July 1, 1960 |
Season 3 (34 episodes)
| Ep # | Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Debt of Honor" | September 29, 1960 |
| 2 | "Law of the Land" | October 6, 1960 |
| 3 | "Bat Trap" with Guest Star Lon Chaney Jr. | October 13, 1960 |
| 4 | "The Rage of Princess Ann" | October 20, 1960 |
| 5 | "The Hunter" with guest star John Vivyan | October 27, 1960 |
| 6 | "Murder Can Be Dangerous" | November 3, 1960 |
| 7 | "High Card Loses" | November 10, 1960 |
| 8 | "Dakota Showdown " | November 17, 1960 |
| 9 | "The Last of the Night Raiders" | November 24, 1960 |
| 10 | "Last Stop to Austin" | December 1, 1960 |
| 11 | "A Time to Die" | December 15, 1960 |
| 12 | "Death by Decree" | December 22, 1960 |
| 13 | "The Lady Plays Her Hand" | December 29, 1960 |
| 14 | "Tempest at Tioga Pass" | January 5, 1961 |
| 15 | "The Court Martial of Major Mars" | January 19, 1961 |
| 16 | "The Price of Paradise" | January 19, 1961 |
| 17 | "End of the Line" | January 26, 1961 |
| 18 | "The Prescott Campaign" | February 2, 1961 |
| 19 | "Bullwhacker's Bounty" | February 16, 1961 |
| 20 | "A Lesson in Violence" | February 23, 1961 |
| 21 | "Run for Your Money" | March 2, 1961 |
| 22 | "Terror on the Trinity" | March 9, 1961 |
| 23 | "Episode in Eden" | March 16, 1961 |
| 24 | "The Good and the Bad" | March 23, 1961 |
| 25 | "No Amnesty for Death" (with DeForest Kelley) | March 30, 1961 |
| 26 | "Ledger of Guilt" | April 6, 1961 |
| 27 | "Meeting at Mimbres" | April 13, 1961 |
| 28 | "Dagger Dance" | April 20, 1961 |
| 29 | "The Fourth Man" | April 27, 1961 |
| 30 | "Dead Man's Claim" | May 4, 1961 |
| 31 | "The Marble Slab" | May 11, 1961 |
| 32 | "Farmer with a Badge" | May 18, 1961 |
| 33 | "The Fatal Garment" | May 25, 1961 |
| 34 | "Jeopardy at Jackson Hole" | June 1, 1961 |
Spin-offs and remakes
Guns of Paradise (1990)
Barry recreated the role of Bat Masterson in an episode of the television series Guns of Paradise (1990), alongside Hugh O'Brian as Wyatt Earp.
The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991)
In The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991) Barry played Masterson, also with O'Brian as Earp, as well as Jack Kelly as Bart Maverick and Clint Walker as Cheyenne Bodie.[6]
Home media
TGG Direct released the first and second seasons on DVD in Region 1 on January 29, 2013.[7][8] The third and final season was released on November 5, 2013.[9] Due to licensing issues, the episode Terror on the Trinity is not included.
In other media
Comic Book
Dell Comics issued nine issues of a quarterly Bat Masterson comic book between Aug./Oct. 1959 and Nov. 1961/Jan. 1962 with the initial issue a Four Color tryout (#1013).[10]
Comic Strip
Columbia Features syndicated a comic strip from September 7, 1959 to April 1960 written by Ed Herron and drawn by Howard Nostrand (Sept. 1959–Dec. 1959) and Bob Powell (Dec. 1959–April 1960).[11] Nostrand was assisted (on backgrounds) by Neal Adams who had just graduated from the School of Industrial Arts; it was among his first professional art jobs.[12]
References
- https://youtube.com/watch?v=S1V7upBZp8w
- http://sentimental-journeys.com/2010/02/08/bat-masterson-cane--derby-hat--comic-book-ad.aspx
- Robert K. Dearment. Bat Masterson: The Man and the Legend. University of Oklahoma Press , 1989. p.9
- "Full Cast and Crew for The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
- http://www.classicthemes.com/50sTVThemes/themePages/batMasterson.html
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101933/
- Bat Masterson Complete Season One
- Bat Masterson Complete Season Two
- Bat Masterson Season 3
- BAT MASTERSON
- The Badmouths of the West
- Neal Adams: Renaissance Man Part I Archived 2008-12-17 at the Wayback Machine
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bat Masterson (TV series). |