description The Virginian Overview
The Virginian was a 90-minute Western television series running from 1962 to 1971, featuring James Drury as the titular character. Initially based on an earlier pilot, the show followed storylines in the Wyoming Territory – previously known as Wyoming – around 1898. The cast evolved over its run with several actors replacing Lee J. Cobb throughout the series’ duration.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
info The Virginian Specifications
| Country | United States |
help The Virginian FAQ
Who starred as The Virginian on television?
James Drury played the title character, a strong-silent-type ranch foreman on the Shiloh Ranch, across the show's entire run from 1962 to 1971. The cast also included Doug McClure as Trampas, who became nearly as iconic as Drury's character.
How long was each episode of The Virginian?
Each episode ran approximately 90 minutes, making it one of the first Western television series to adopt this feature-length format. This allowed for more complex storylines and guest character development than the typical 30- or 60-minute Westerns of the era.
Was The Virginian based on a novel?
Yes, the show was inspired by Owen Wister's 1902 novel The Virginian, widely considered the first true Western novel. The television adaptation loosened the plot considerably, using the novel's Wyoming Territory setting and central character as a starting point for weekly guest-star-driven stories.
What network aired The Virginian?
The Virginian aired on NBC for its entire nine-season run from 1962 to 1971. In its final season, the show was retitled The Men from Shiloh in an attempt to revitalize declining ratings before it was ultimately cancelled.
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