Where did The Virginian come from?
Personable Western series based in Wyoming from the 1890s onward. Personable Western series based in Wyoming from the 1890s onward.
Did The Virginian ever reveal his name?
The series was loosely based on Owen Wister's 1902 novel “The Virginian, A Horseman of the Plains,” in which the name of the main character was never revealed.Apr 6, 2020
What is the story behind The Virginian?
The novel revolves around the Virginian and the life he lives. As well as describing the Virginian's conflict with his enemy, Trampas, and his romance with the pretty schoolteacher, Molly Stark Wood, Wister weaves a tale of action, violence, hate, revenge, love, and friendship.
What are the Virginians called?
James Drury as the Virginian in the Universal series by the same name. Played by James Drury, the Virginian was the tough foreman of the Shiloh Ranch. Based loosely on the character in the Owen Wister novel, he always stood his ground firmly.
Why did Steve leave The Virginian?
Gary Clarke as Steve Hill Gary Clarke, now 87 years old, left The Virginian in 1964 to pursue other projects, although he stayed in touch with James Drury. The two were slated to work on a kids spinoff of The Virginian in 2015 titled Billy and the Bandit that never seemed to fully get off the ground.Feb 18, 2021
Did The Virginian ever get married?
Late actor James Drury was wed three times, but the love of his life will always be his third wife, Carl Ann Drury.Apr 8, 2020
Why was James Drury called The Virginian?
Drury's laconic character was always referred to as “The Virginian”; he had no name, unlike his horse, a white Appaloosa called Joe D. The Shiloh foreman may have sported a black hat, but he routinely did the right thing, rescuing folks and fighting rustlers and outlaws in the Wyoming Territory in the 1890s.Apr 6, 2020
Who was the real Virginian?
JAMES DRURYJAMES DRURY, the one true "Virginian" by whom all others are measured, is the star of the first 90-minute color western TV series, "The Virginian", which aired from 1962-1971.
What happened to the Grangers on The Virginian?
Unfortunately, halfway through season six, Charles Bickford passed away. He was replaced by — you guessed it —John McIntire. McIntire played John Grainger's brother, Clay, who took over the ranch. Clay Grainger's wife on the show, Holly, was played by Jeanette Nolan, who was married to John McIntire in real life!Feb 14, 2020
Who is James Drury wife?
Carl Ann Headm. 1979–2019Phyllis Mitchellm. 1968–1979Cristall Ortonm. 1957–1964James Drury/Wife
Who married Betsy on The Virginian?
When Betsy Garth (Roberta Shore) married former minister David Henderson (Glenn Corbett), declared “I don't need Shiloh anymore” and left for her new home in Pennsylvania as a preacher's wife a vital character in The Virginian departed.Jul 21, 2013
When did Betsy leave The Virginian?
The departure of main character Betsy Garth in the beginning of Season 4 nearly sunk the drama, but The Virginian managed to survive the upheaval.Aug 20, 2020
What is the Virginian based on?
The Virginian was a Western TV show that ran from 1962 to 1971. It was based on the 1902 Owen Wister novel, “The Virginian, A Horseman of the Plains.” The star was the foreman of the Shiloh Ranch, played by James Drury. He was known only as The Virginian, the man with no name. The series circled around the foreman’s quest to maintain an orderly lifestyle at Shiloh. It was set in Medicine Bow, Wyo., around the year 1898. The Shiloh ranch was named after the two-day American Civil War Battle of Shiloh, Tenn.
How many seasons did the Virginian run?
The Virginian ran for nine seasons; it was television’s third longest running Western after Bonanza and Gunsmoke. Towards the end of its run, spaghetti Westerns were becoming popular, so the format was changed in the final season and it was renamed to The Men From Shiloh. Sadly, it was discontinued along with other Western shows in what was known as the “rural purge” of 1969 to 1971. CBS had become known as the “country broadcasting system” and sought to change its image.
What year was the Virginian?
March 24, 1971 . ( 1971-03-24) Chronology. Related shows. Laredo. The Virginian, which was renamed The Men from Shiloh in its final year on network TV, is an American Western television series starring James Drury in the title role, along with Doug McClure, Lee J. Cobb, and others.
When did the Virginian air?
The half-hour black-and-white pilot titled The Virginian aired in 1958 as part of the series Decision, which in other weeks aired pilots for three other series.
Where is the show The Virginian based?
Set in the late 19th century, and loosely based on The Virginian, A Horseman of the Plains, a 1902 novel by Owen Wister, the series revolved around the tough foreman of the Shiloh Ranch, played by Drury. His top hand, Trampas (McClure), and he were the only characters to remain with the show for the entire run, although Ross Elliott, as Sheriff Abbott, recurred throughout the run, appearing in 61 episodes over nine years. As in the book, the foreman went only by the name "the Virginian". The series was set in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. Various references in the first season indicate that setting is 1898:
Who played the Virginian in Medicine Bow?
Played by James Drury , the Virginian was the tough foreman of the Shiloh Ranch. Based loosely on the character in the Owen Wister novel, he always stood his ground firmly. Respected by the town citizens and the hands of the ranch, he was a prominent figure in Medicine Bow. In the series, the Virginian is the ranch foreman from the first episode. This way, the producers were able to establish a feeling that he had been there for a while, thus keeping a consistent story line. In the book, however, the Virginian was the deputy foreman, and only became the foreman after a promotion from the judge. He usually wore a black hat, black leather vest, black boots, a maroon red shirt and a single right-handed holster and revolver. He often ordered Monongahela brand whiskey in saloons.
Is The Virginian on DVD?
Timeless Media Group ( under license from NBCUniversal) has released all seasons of The Virginian on DVD in Region 1. All episodes on all releases have been fully restored and digitally remastered in full color and are available in special collectors' edition tin cases. They also each include a bonus disk with interviews from the actors.
What is the Virginian?
For other uses (including film adaptations), see The Virginian. The Virginian (otherwise titled The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains ) is a 1902 novel by the American author Owen Wister (1860-1938), set in Wyoming Territory during the 1880s. It describes the life of a cowboy on a cattle ranch and is considered the first true fictional western ...
Where is the Virginian in the book?
The Virginian is a ranch hand at the Sunk Creek Ranch, located outside of Medicine Bow , Wyoming . His friend Steve calls him "Jeff" presumably after Jefferson Davis, but he is always referred to as the Virginian, and no name is mentioned throughout the story. He is described as a tall, dark, slim young giant, with a deep personality. At first, he is only a cowboy, but halfway through the book, he is signed on as the full-time foreman. He is the Judge's most trusted worker. Several times throughout the book, he is offered the chance to run down his enemy, Trampas, behind his back, but each time he refuses the temptation. It is made clear that he will not use his official position as foreman to crush any of his employees. One of the main plots is the Virginian's ongoing romance with the newly appointed "schoolmarm" of Bear Creek School, Miss Molly Stark Wood. Being from the East, she is not used to the wild West, and the Virginian is a perfect gentleman to her, intending to make her "love him before we get through."
What happened after Trampas killed the Virginian?
After Trampas shoots first in a duel, the Virginian shoots Trampas in self defense and leaves to marry his young bride.
Where is the Virginian manuscript?
The Virginian at Project Gutenberg. The Virginian at Open Library. The Virginian public domain audiobook at LibriVox. The manuscript of The Virginian is preserved at the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming.
What is the first true western?
It describes the life of a cowboy on a cattle ranch and is considered the first true fictional western ever written, aside from short stories and pulp dime novels, though modern scholars debate this. The Virginian paved the way for many more westerns by such authors as Zane Grey, Louis L'Amour and several others.
Who was the Virginian?
The Virginian was one of the original 'men with no name' that populated the fictional West. To give away his name would destroy the illusion.
What did Steve write to the Virginian before he was hung?
But in the book by Owen Wister there is mention of a name in a note that Steve wrote to The Virginian before he was hung he writes the name Jeff but The Virginian says that was only a nickname Steve called him. Kate. Jim. Jim.
What episode does the Virginian use Ed Morgon?
The Virginian uses the name Ed Morgon in the episode 'A Bad Place To Die' . He hires on at the ranch where Trampas supposedly killed a man to find out who really killed him. I doubt very much that the Virginian's real name was ever revealed.
Who played the top hand on the Virginian?
He and his top hand Trampas ( Doug McClure) were the only characters to remain with the show for the entire run. As in the book, the foreman went only by the name “The Virginian.”. The Virginian’s real name was never revealed in the nine years the show was on the air.
How many episodes of The Virginian are there?
The Virginian (known as The Men From Shiloh in its final year) is an American Western television series starring James Drury and Doug McClure, which aired on NBC from 1962 to 1971 for a total of 249 episodes. Filmed in color, The Virginian became television’s first 90-minute western series (75 minutes excluding commercial breaks ).
Who played Clay's wife in The Virginian?
After the death of Charles Bickford, John McIntire was hired as his brother, Liz and Stace’s great uncle. Clay had a wife, Holly ( Jeanette Nolan ), and was the ranch owner for seasons 5 through 8. McIntire had earlier taken over the lead role in Wagon Train upon the death of Ward Bond, assuming the role of the new wagonmaster. In season 9, The Virginian was revamped, and McIntire, along with Jeanette Nolan, Sara Lane, David Hartman, and Tim Matheson, left the show.
What was the horse named on the show Trampas?
The Virginian’s white Appaloosa was named Joe D., and Trampas’ buckskin horse was named Buck. As the show progressed, Trampas became the more developed of the characters, and it continues to be the role for which actor Doug McClure was best known. There were several cast changes throughout the program’s run.
What was the inspiration for the character of the Virginian?
The Virginian. When it came to inspiration for developing the character of The Virginian, Drury turned to his ancestry. His grandfather traveled west by wagon train from Missouri as a teen in the 1880s. If another TV pilot he had acted in had sold, he would never have had the opportunity to star in The Virginian.
Who is the cowboy in The Virginian?
James Drury: The Man Behind The Virginian. He played the iconic cowboy, the mysterious man of upstanding character, and few words: The Virginian. Turns out James Drury , the real cowboy, is not as reticent as his TV counterpart. Before his passing, Drury wrote a blog post for True West, revealing some tidbits about his life.
Who played Trampas in The Virginian?
“I drove her into a convent!”. Drury writes. In 1995, the world lost another beloved TV cowboy, Doug McClure who played Trampas on The Virginian. He was just 59.
When did the Virginian come out?
The long-running Western series, The Virginian, came on air around 1962 to 1971. The series had a large viewership for many reasons: its top-notch production, brilliant storyline, and excellent casting.
What topics did the Virginian cover?
The episodes of The Virginian covered topics on compassion, injustice, responsibility, and morals. It covered all these while remaining family-friendly. The episodes explored the typical Western themes such as cattle riding, fighting, gunslinging, relationships, and love.
What did Clarke do in the 90s?
Clarke worked on a project with James Drury, Billy, and the Bandit before Drury died.
How old is Clarke from Virginian?
Clarke (88 years old now) worked on different sets before acting the Steve Hill role on The Virginian. He was on How to Make a Monster, Passion Street, Date Bait, and Missile to the Moon. According to him, he had a contract with Universal Pictures as a contract player.
Why did Gary Clarke leave the Virginian?
The network didn’t offer any concrete information on why Gary Clarke left The Virginian. However, his character began to phase out in season two.
How many seasons of The Virginian?
The Virginian ran for nine seasons, making it the third longest-running Western on television, coming behind Gunsmoke with 20 seasons and Bonanza with 14. Because of how long the show lasted and to keep it interesting, the production kept introducing changes to the show.
Who played Steve Hill in The Virginian?
Gary Clarke played Steve Hill in the famous Western, The Virginian. His character was close friends with Trampas (Doug McClure) and The Virginian (James Drury). Moreover, their friendship and chemistry got so much love and attention from viewers.
Who played the Virginian in the movie?
James Drury played the Virginian, and he gathered a lot of attention for the role because he embodied the character so well. The Virginian achieved a lot with help from Trampas, his sidekick, and other people.
What happened to the cast of the Virginian?
The show ended years ago, and the cast went on to do different things. Some actors featured in other projects, some went into writing, directing, and other aspects of entertainment. Meanwhile, others are relaxing and spending time with their loved ones.
How many episodes are there in The Virginian?
The 1902 novel by Owen Wister called “The Virginian, A Horseman of the plains” inspires the show. The series consists of 249 episodes, making up the show’s nine seasons.
What are the topics in The Virginian?
The episodes of The Virginian were family-friendly while covering topics on injustice, responsibility, compassion, morals, and overall good behavior. The episodes covered everything from fighting to cattle rides to love and relationships. All of these happened because of the production and actors who played their roles so well.
When did the Virginian end?
People were curious about their lives, including how their careers turned out after the show ended in 1971.
Who played Trampas in The Virginian?
Trampas’ character grew on the show. He was good-looking and well-intentioned, and viewers couldn’t get enough of him. McClure, who played Trampas on The Virginian, got so much attention that most people recognize him as Trampas even after the show ended, and he was in other movies.
Will the cast of The Virginian ever work together again?
As much as many people would like to see the casts of The Virginian work together again, it’s apparent that such a thing won’t happen. Death has snatched away some of the cast members, while the others may be at a level where they can’t perform like they used to do.
Overview
The Virginian, which was renamed The Men from Shiloh in its final year on network TV, is an American Western television series starring James Drury in the title role, along with Doug McClure, Lee J. Cobb, and others. It originally aired on NBC from 1962 to 1971, for a total of 249 episodes. (Drury had played the same role in 1958, in an unsuccessful pilot that became an episode of the NBC sum…
Production
When Revue Productions' hour-long series Wagon Train moved from the NBC network to ABC, The Virginian was proposed to replace it. From the beginning, the 90-minute series was filmed in Technicolor on 35 mm movie film. The half-hour pilot in 1958 was filmed in black-and-white.
Synopsis
The half-hour black-and-white pilot titled The Virginian aired in 1958 as part of the series Decision, which in other weeks aired pilots for three other series.
In the pilot, unlike in the later series, the Virginian had a noticeable Southern accent and wore a belt buckle marked "CSA", indicating service in the Confederate army. (This portrayal of him as a young Civil War veteran would i…
Characters
Played by James Drury, the Virginian was the tough foreman of the Shiloh Ranch. Based loosely on the character in the Owen Wister novel, he always stood his ground firmly. Respected by the town citizens and the hands of the ranch, he was a prominent figure in Medicine Bow. In the series, the Virginian is the ranch foreman from the first episode. This way, the producers were able t…
Guest stars
Well-known guest stars from film and television included Claude Akins, Eddie Albert, Lloyd Bochner, Charles Bronson, Robert Culp, Joan Crawford, Jim Davis,Bette Davis, Troy Donahue, Patty Duke, Robert Duvall, Nina Foch, Harrison Ford, James Gregory, Pat Hingle, Robert Lansing, Jack Lord, Lee Marvin, Eve McVeagh, Vera Miles, Leonard Nimoy, Edmond O'Brien, Ryan O'Neal, Slim Pickens, Robert Redford, John Saxon, George C. Scott, William Shatner, Franchot Tone, Tom Tryon and James Whit…
Reception
The Virginian prevailed or held steady against its network competition, topping in its first season Dwayne Hickman's The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, which ceased production in 1963. In its fifth season, The Virginian faced competition from another Western, one also set in Wyoming: ABC's The Monroes, starring Michael Anderson Jr. and Barbara Hershey as orphans trying to hold their famil…
Filming locations
• Western streets in the backlot of Universal City, California
• Iverson Movie Ranch, Chatsworth, California
• Lone Pine, California
• Pollock Pines, California (Ghost Mountain Ranch)
Spin-offs
In April 1965, an episode of The Virginian called "We've Lost a Train" served as a backdoor pilot for the TV series Laredo.