The Californians is an American Western television series, set during the California Gold Rush of the 1850s, which was broadcast by NBC from September 24, 1957 to May 26, 1959, with reruns airing through August 27, 1959.
Contents
Premise
The series was set in San Francisco, with episodes focusing on "honest men trying to clean up a wild city overrun by criminals and con men". When episodes began, Sam Brennan owned a newspaper for which Dion Patrick worked as a reporter. Patrick also sought to maintain law and order as a member of a group of vigilantes headed by storekeeper Jack McGivern.
Because the program's sponsors "were uneasy about glorifying vigilantes", the producers changed the characters and cast. In March 1958 Matthew Wayne came to San Francisco. He bought a saloon and soon was elected as the city's sheriff. Wayne became the main character, with McGivern and Patrick being phased out.
The second season began with Wayne as the city marshal, whose efforts were supported by a police department of 50 people. New characters in that season were Wilma Fansler, a widowed young operator of a gambling establishment, and Jeremy Pitt, an attorney who was "friend and foil to the marshal".
Cast
Dion Patrick - Adam Kennedy
Jack McGivern - Sean McClory
Martha McGivern - Nan Leslie
Sam Brennan - Herbert Rudley
Matthew Wayne - Richard Coogan
Schaab - Howard Caine
Wilma Fansler - Carole Mathews
Jeremy Pitt - Art Fleming
Guest stars
Stuart Randall
Episode list
Production
Producer Louis F. Edelman initially offered The Californians to ABC-TV. After that network was unable to obtain sponsors, Edelman offered it to NBC. Robert Bassler was the show's first producer. Felix Feist replaced him in January 1958. The Californians initially was broadcast on Tuesdays from 10 to 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. In April 1959 it was moved to 9 - 9:30 p.m. E. T. on Tuesdays, and in July 1959 it was moved to Thursdays from 7:30 to 8 p.m. E. T.
The Californians theme song, "I've Come to California", was sung by the Ken Darby Singers. Darby also scored the program.
The Californians had competition from The West Point Story, which was broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company, and The $64,000 Question by CBS. In its second season, the western competed with The Garry Moore Show on CBS and the crime/police reality show Confession, hosted by Jack Wyatt, on ABC.