Black Saddle
Peter Breck as Clay Culhane and Anna-Lisa as Nora Travers (1959)
Genre	Western
Created by	Hal Hudson John McGreevey
Starring	Peter Breck Russell Johnson Anna-Lisa J. Pat O'Malley Walter Burke
Theme music composer	Jerry Goldsmith Arthur Morton
Composers	Michael Hennagin Arthur Morton
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	44
Production
Executive producer	Hal Hudson
Producers	Antony Ellis Hal Hudson
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	24 mins.
Original release
Network	NBC (1959) ABC (1959-1960)
Release	January 10, 1959 (1959-01-10) – May 6, 1960 (1960-05-06)

Black Saddle is an American Western television series starring Peter Breck that aired 44 episodes on NBC from January 10, 1959, to May 6, 1960. The half-hour program was produced by Dick Powell's Four Star Television, and the original backdoor pilot was an episode of CBS's Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, with Chris Alcaide originally portraying the principal character, Clay Culhane.^[1]

Synopsis

Clay Culhane, is a gunfighter who becomes a lawyer after his brothers are killed in a shootout. He carries his law books as he rides across the New Mexico Territory in the years following the Civil War, ready to help people who need help with the law. U. S. Marshal Gib Scott follows Culhane, dubious of Culhane's turning away from gunfighting.^[2] Nora Travers owns the town's hotel, and Kelly is the bartender at the saloon.^[3]

Cast

Main cast

Peter Breck as Clay Culhane^[4]
Russell Johnson as Marshal Gib Scott^[4]
Anna-Lisa as Nora Travers^[4]
J. Pat O'Malley as Judge Caleb Marsh
Walter Burke as Tim Potter

Guest cast

Some of the Black Saddle guest stars include Warren Oates,^[5] Chris Alcaide (who portrayed Clay Culhane in the original pilot), Fred Aldrich, John Anderson, Parley Baer, Raymond Bailey, Russ Bender, Paul Birch (in the role of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant in the episode "Mr. Simpson"), Lane Bradford, Paul Burke, Archie Butler, James Coburn, Dennis Cross, John Dehner, Frank Dekova, Alan Dexter, Buddy Ebsen, Hampton Fancher, Scott Forbes in Episode "Client: Steele"), James Franciscus, Jack Ging, Dabbs Greer, Robert Griffin, Clu Gulager, Robert Harland, Stacy Harris, Brett King, Jess Kirkpatrick, Robert Knapp, John Marley, Ken Mayer, Ann McCrea, Patrick McVey, James Parnell, Vic Perrin, Sam Reese, Stafford Repp, Bing Russell, Richard Rust, Simon Scott, Richard Shannon, Robert F. Simon, Quentin Sondergaard and Patrick Macnee.

Episodes

Season 1 (1959)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"Client: Travers"	John English	John McGreevey	January 10, 1959 (1959-01-10)
2	2	"Client: Meade"	Roger Kay	John McGreevey	January 17, 1959 (1959-01-17)
3	3	"Client: McQueen"	John English	Robert Yale Libott	January 24, 1959 (1959-01-24)
4	4	"Client: Dawes"	Roger Kay	John McGreevey	January 31, 1959 (1959-01-31)
5	5	"Client: Starkey"	John English	Robert Yale Libott	February 7, 1959 (1959-02-07)
6	6	"Client: Tagger"	John English	Frederick Louis Fox	February 14, 1959 (1959-02-14)
7	7	"Client: Robinson"	John Florea	Jack Jacobs	February 21, 1959 (1959-02-21)
8	8	"Client: Martinez"	Francis D. Lyon	John Tucker Battle	March 7, 1959 (1959-03-07)
9	9	"Client: Northrup"	David Lowell Rich	John McGreevey	March 14, 1959 (1959-03-14)
10	10	"Client: Steele"	Francis D. Lyon	Rod Peterson	March 21, 1959 (1959-03-21)
11	11	"Client: Mowery"	David Lowell Rich	Frederick Louis Fox	March 28, 1959 (1959-03-28)
12	12	"Client: Braun"	David Lowell Rich	John McGreevey	April 4, 1959 (1959-04-04)
13	13	"Client: Banks"	John English	Antony Ellis	April 11, 1959 (1959-04-11)
14	14	"Client: Jessup"	John English	Stuart Jerome	April 18, 1959 (1959-04-18)
15	15	"Client: Frome"	John English	Frederick Louis Fox	April 25, 1959 (1959-04-25)
16	16	"Client: Nelson"	Boris Sagal	John McGreevey	May 2, 1959 (1959-05-02)
17	17	"Client: Neal Adams"	William D. Faralla	Ken Kolb	May 9, 1959 (1959-05-09)
18	18	"Client: Brand"	Gerd Oswald	Joe Stone & Paul King	May 16, 1959 (1959-05-16)
19	19	"Client: Reynolds"	David Lowell Rich	John McGreevey	May 23, 1959 (1959-05-23)
20	20	"Client: Vardon"	William D. Faralla	Frederick Louis Fox	May 30, 1959 (1959-05-30)

Season 2 (1959–60)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
21	1	"The Freebooters"	William D. Faralla	John McGreevey	October 2, 1959 (1959-10-02)
22	2	"The Saddle"	David Lowell Rich	John McGreevey	October 9, 1959 (1959-10-09)
23	3	"The Long Rider"	David Lowell Rich	Antony Ellis	October 16, 1959 (1959-10-16)
24	4	"The Hotel"	James Sheldon	Antony Ellis	October 23, 1959 (1959-10-23)
25	5	"Client: Peter Warren"	David Lowell Rich	Donn Mullally	October 30, 1959 (1959-10-30)
26	6	"The Freight Line"	David Lowell Rich	Antony Ellis	November 6, 1959 (1959-11-06)
27	7	"Murdock"	David Lowell Rich	Fred Frieberger	November 13, 1959 (1959-11-13)
28	8	"Apache Killer"	William D. Faralla	Joe Stone & Paul King	November 20, 1959 (1959-11-20)
29	9	"Four from Stillwater"	David Lowell Rich	George & Gertrude Fass	November 27, 1959 (1959-11-27)
30	10	"The Deal"	David Lowell Rich	William Link & Richard Levinson	December 4, 1959 (1959-12-04)
31	11	"Change of Venue"	William D. Faralla	John McGreevey	December 11, 1959 (1959-12-11)
32	12	"Blood Money"	Frank Baur	John McGreevey	December 18, 1959 (1959-12-18)
33	13	"The Killer"	William F. Claxton	Antony Ellis	January 1, 1960 (1960-01-01)
34	14	"Letter of Death"	David Lowell Rich	Frederick Louis Fox	January 8, 1960 (1960-01-08)
35	15	"Mr. Simpson"	David Lowell Rich	Antony Ellis	January 22, 1960 (1960-01-22)
36	16	"Means to an End"	Frank Baur	John McGreevey	January 29, 1960 (1960-01-29)
37	17	"The Indian Tree"	David Lowell Rich	John McGreevey & Antony Ellis	February 19, 1960 (1960-02-19)
38	18	"The Apprentice"	David Lowell Rich	John McGreevey	March 11, 1960 (1960-03-11)
39	19	"Burden of Guilt"	Elliott Silverstein	John McGreevey	March 18, 1960 (1960-03-18)
40	20	"The Cabin"	David Lowell Rich	Antony Ellis	April 1, 1960 (1960-04-01)
41	21	"The Return"	David Lowell Rich	John McGreevey	April 8, 1960 (1960-04-08)
42	22	"A Case of Slow"	David Lowell Rich	Antony Ellis	April 15, 1960 (1960-04-15)
43	23	"The Penalty"	William D. Faralla	John Falvo	April 22, 1960 (1960-04-22)
44	24	"End of the Line"	William F. Claxton	Richard Fielder	May 6, 1960 (1960-05-06)

Production

Originally entitled War Gun, but changed just prior to filming (presumably due to the similarity to Warner Brothers' Lawman^[6]), the series was created by executive producers Hal Hudson and John McGreevey.^[7] Antony Ellis was the producer.^[4] On NBC the show was broadcast on Saturdays from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. When it was moved to ABC it was shown on Fridays from 10:30 to 11 p.m. E. T.^[2]

The pilot for the series was "Threat to Violence", the May 23, 1958, episode of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre. Chris Alcaide portrayed Culhane in it, with Johnson and Anna Lisa in the roles that they had in the series..^[7] The change of stars occurred because the program's sponsor thought Alacaide "had become too familiar as a villain".^[1]

Filming

The NBC episodes were filmed at Fox Movie Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains,^[6]^[8] while ABC's were shot at the Republic studio lot in Studio City.^[9]

Theme

Although the Black Saddle TV series lasted less than two full seasons, its original theme tune—written by Jerry Goldsmith under the name of his then-brother-in-law, J. Michael Hennagin, because Goldsmith himself was still under contract to CBS^[10]^[11]—lives on. Several cover versions of the tune have been recorded,^[12]^[11]^[13] many of which have since become available on YouTube.^[14] Moreover, from February 1967 until at least the fall of 1992, the theme was frequently featured in the programs of marching bands and bugle corps.^[15]

Syndication as The Westerners

For syndicated reruns, Black Saddle was combined withLaw of the Plainsman, Johnny Ringo, and The Westerner, under the umbrella title, The Westerners,^[7] with new hosting sequences by Keenan Wynn.^[16]

Critical response

A review of the premiere episode in the trade publication Variety said that the script "did not stand up with the better westerns" and indicated that the pace of the episode should have been faster.^[17] The review called the characterizations of the sheriff and the villain "hard to swallow".^[17] Lisa was praised, primarily for her beauty, while Breck was said to be "okay in a flat sort of way", and the "Supporting cast was competent."^[17]

References

^ ^a ^b Aaker, Everett (2017). Television Western Players, 1960-1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 54. ISBN 9781476662503. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
^ ^a ^b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
^ Terrace, Vincent (January 10, 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 101. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
^ Compo, Susan A. (April 17, 2009). Warren Oates: A Wild Life. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-3918-0. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Giving 'Law Gun ' New Tag to Avoid 'Lawman' Conflict". The Hollywood Reporter. December 2, 1958. p. 8. ProQuest 2338270459. New telefilm series, 'Law Gun,' just signed by NBC for a mid-season January start, goes into immediate production tomorrow at Four Star's Fox Western studios with Peter Breck and Russell Johnson in stellar roles. According to executive producer Hal Hudson, title of the series will definitely be changed, presumably since it's too similar to Warner's 'Lawman.'
^ ^a ^b ^c Erickson, Hal (29 September 2009). Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows: Factual and Fictional Series About Judges, Lawyers and the Courtroom, 1948-2008. McFarland. pp. 45–46. ISBN 978-0-7864-3828-0. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
^ Newton, Dwight (December 19, 1958). "Day and Night: Westerns, Westerns, Westerns". The San Francisco Examiner. Sec. III, pg. 7. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
^ "Hal Hudson Sets Up Shop on Republic Lot". The Hollywood Repoprter. May 31, 1965. p. 7. ProQuest 2338330903. Hal Hudsod, executive v-p of Zane Grey Prods., has moved the company to Republic to ready production of the telefilm series in which Zane Grey is partnered with Four Star. Hudson will again produce 'Zane Grey Theatre' which goes into its fourth year and will resume as exec producer of 'Black Saddle' which enters its second season.
^ Burlingame, Jon (1996). TV's Biggest Hits : The Story of Television Themes from "Dragnet" to "Friends". New York: Schirmer Books. pp. 83–84. ISBN 0028703243. "Goldsmith had scored to radio western 'Frontier Gentleman,' for producer Antony Ellis. When Ellis moved into television with 'Black Saddle,' starring Peter Breck as a gunfighter-turned-lawyer, he asked Goldsmith to write the theme. Because the composer was still under contract to CBS at the time, he penned it under a pseudonym (that of his then brother-in-law, J. Michael Hennagin) and never received screen credit for his fast rhythmically exciting theme for guitars, brass and percussion. Arthur Morton (b. 1908), who several years later became Goldsmith's regular orchestrator, wrote a library of Coplandesque music for the series."
^ ^a ^b "J. Michael Hennagin credits". Discogs. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
^ Harris, Steve (1988). Film, Television, and Stage Music on Phonograph Records : A Discography. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 281. ISBN 0-89950-251-2.
^ "Golden Buffalo Marching Band, University Of Colorado; 1975". Internet Archive. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
^
evanlewis1836 (July 10, 2019). "BLACK SADDLE - Bud Wattles & His Orchestra". YouTube. Retrieved November 8, 2023. See also:
- Buddy Morrow - Topic (November 8, 2014). "Black Saddle". YouTube.
- mguidice1 (March 11, 2012). "The REVELAIRS - Theme From 'Black Saddle'". YouTube.
- Drew Weaver and the Alvarados (July 13, 2021). "Theme from 'Black Saddle'". YouTube.
^
"Remington Jr. Corps Reorganized". The Standard-Star. February 24, 1967. p.4 . Retrieved November 8, 2023. See also:
- Davis, Eric (August 12, 1976). "Corps Judges Work Hard But Gain Little Glory". The Marion Star. p. 33.
- "Six Units to Compete in Band Showcase '79". The Evening Sun. October 4, 1979. p. 9.
- Mitchell, Sandy; Buckwalter, Tim; Hostetler, Amy (August 28, 1984). "School Bands Ready for a Big Year; School Bands Ready to Strut Their Stuff". Intelligencer Journal. pp. 34, 9.
- Cramer, Gary; Knapp, Tom (September 8, 1987). "Bands Tune Up for Game Day; 17 Bands Tune Up for Game Day". Intelligencer Journal. pp. 42, 29.
- "Lincoln High School Hosting Lawrence County 'Festival'". Ellwood City Ledger. September 29, 1992. p. 1.
^ "New...In Syndication! 5 Great Stars...125 Action Half Hours! Keenan Wynn presents The Westerners (originally seen as: Black Saddle / Johnny Ringo / The Law of the Plainsman / The Westerner)". Broadcasting. May 31, 1965. pp. 12–13. ProQuest 1014491186. Now being filmed in Hollywood! 125 different Keenan Wynn wrap-arounds are being produced and carefully integrated into each of THE WESTERNERS episodes ... giving this series A FIRST RUN LOOK! [...] Fall '65 start! For stripping, once-a-week, or as a back-to-back hour (with special Keenan Wynn bridges). [...] starring Brian Keith as Dave Blasingame, Michael Ansara as Sam Buchart, Peter Breck as Clay Culhane, Don Durant as Johnny Ringo.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Black Saddle". Variety. January 14, 1959. p. 39. Retrieved November 10, 2023.