"Wanted: Dead or Alive" aired on the CBS television network for three seasons, from September, 1958 to March, 1961. It's star, Steve McQueen was tapped as the lead for the series following a successful trial run on another TV Western of the era - "Trackdown" starring Robert Culp. In the appropriately titled episode, 'The Bounty Hunter', McQueen made his debut as Josh Randall, airing on March 7th, 1958. Interestingly, the character of Hoby Gilman was first introduced by Culp in an episode of 'Zane Grey Theater' from May 3rd, 1957. Some great trivia there for old timers like myself.
I've watched the entire three seasons of W:DOA a couple of times now, once a number of years ago, and again just recently. This was one of the shows I caught regularly when it first came on TV, my Dad and I being pretty solid Western fans. I only remembered one of the episodes from back in the Fifties, #1.9 from the first season titled 'The Fourth Headstone'. Randall has to escort a woman accused of murdering three men, including her husband, to a court trial in another town. Actress Mona Freeman displayed an amazingly amenable and charming character who Josh was beginning to fall for. With his wits about him however, he emptied his sawed off shotgun of bullets in case she tried to bushwhack him on the trail. When she finally had the upper hand, she attempted to shoot Randall with an empty gun, proving to him that she was every bit the cold hearted murderer she was said to be.
That shotgun by the way, was a character of the show in it's own right. Nicknamed 'hogleg', Randall wore it on his right hip and it was always at the ready in case of trouble. Others on this board have mentioned how the bullets Randall wore in his bandolero would not have been compatible with the weapon, but what did we kids know back then. It was just cool, every bit as cool as McQueen himself. The interesting thing about McQueen as an actor is that he always sought out little things in his repertoire to add to the character of Josh Randall, He had different ways of mounting his horse for example, and would often shake off his fist after decking some bad guy. In a third season episode titled 'The Long Search', he walked past a saloon girl and blew on the back of her neck to attract attention. It was those same kind of tactics that frustrated Yul Brynner on the set of "The Magnificent Seven", filmed during the series' second season, eventually catapulting McQueen into the big time. Brynner complained that McQueen was stealing his thunder as the nominal star of that movie.
As in all TV Westerns of the era, a lot of character actors appeared who are much better known today, but weren't household names back then. Making repeat appearances in the series were folks like James Best, Richard Devon, William Schallert, John Dehner, and Gloria Talbot. Celebrities who went on to bigger and better things included James Coburn in a couple of episodes, Warren Oates, and DeForest Kelley. The biggest surprise guest for this viewer appeared in episode #3.73 - 'The Twain Shall Meet'. In that one, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in a very minor part as a saloon gal, and her character did not factor in the story's resolution at all, but it was a kick just seeing her in it.
Out of ninety four episodes, it's hard to pick a favorite, but two of the more humorous stories came back to back in Season #3. Noah Beery Jr. portrays a Mexican outlaw in 'El Gato', and in the very next show, 'Detour', actor Howard Morris hires Josh to help him elope! A lot of fans consider first season episode 'Eight Cent Reward' to be a fave, with future Dennis the Menace, Jay North, asking Josh to help him find Santa Claus to help out his family. Certainly, the series got off on the right foot in the very first show, 'The Martin Poster'. In that one, Josh has to track down a pair of outlaw brothers portrayed by Nick Adams and Michael Landon. Western fans know that both of those actors went on to star in their own shows, "The Rebel" and "Bonanza". Ah, the nostalgia, one of the great perks of being an old time TV fan.
Having gotten a little long winded here, I'll wrap this up with some final thoughts on the character of Josh Randall. Take note of Randall's habits as he travels the Old West from town to town. He liked his whiskey, smoked quite a bit, obviously liked his women, and was a fair hand at poker. You might also note he had a fondness for apples, as he ate one in at least a half dozen shows. But the thing that gets me to this day is, how the heck did he hold his pants up? He never wore a belt!
I've watched the entire three seasons of W:DOA a couple of times now, once a number of years ago, and again just recently. This was one of the shows I caught regularly when it first came on TV, my Dad and I being pretty solid Western fans. I only remembered one of the episodes from back in the Fifties, #1.9 from the first season titled 'The Fourth Headstone'. Randall has to escort a woman accused of murdering three men, including her husband, to a court trial in another town. Actress Mona Freeman displayed an amazingly amenable and charming character who Josh was beginning to fall for. With his wits about him however, he emptied his sawed off shotgun of bullets in case she tried to bushwhack him on the trail. When she finally had the upper hand, she attempted to shoot Randall with an empty gun, proving to him that she was every bit the cold hearted murderer she was said to be.
That shotgun by the way, was a character of the show in it's own right. Nicknamed 'hogleg', Randall wore it on his right hip and it was always at the ready in case of trouble. Others on this board have mentioned how the bullets Randall wore in his bandolero would not have been compatible with the weapon, but what did we kids know back then. It was just cool, every bit as cool as McQueen himself. The interesting thing about McQueen as an actor is that he always sought out little things in his repertoire to add to the character of Josh Randall, He had different ways of mounting his horse for example, and would often shake off his fist after decking some bad guy. In a third season episode titled 'The Long Search', he walked past a saloon girl and blew on the back of her neck to attract attention. It was those same kind of tactics that frustrated Yul Brynner on the set of "The Magnificent Seven", filmed during the series' second season, eventually catapulting McQueen into the big time. Brynner complained that McQueen was stealing his thunder as the nominal star of that movie.
As in all TV Westerns of the era, a lot of character actors appeared who are much better known today, but weren't household names back then. Making repeat appearances in the series were folks like James Best, Richard Devon, William Schallert, John Dehner, and Gloria Talbot. Celebrities who went on to bigger and better things included James Coburn in a couple of episodes, Warren Oates, and DeForest Kelley. The biggest surprise guest for this viewer appeared in episode #3.73 - 'The Twain Shall Meet'. In that one, Mary Tyler Moore appeared in a very minor part as a saloon gal, and her character did not factor in the story's resolution at all, but it was a kick just seeing her in it.
Out of ninety four episodes, it's hard to pick a favorite, but two of the more humorous stories came back to back in Season #3. Noah Beery Jr. portrays a Mexican outlaw in 'El Gato', and in the very next show, 'Detour', actor Howard Morris hires Josh to help him elope! A lot of fans consider first season episode 'Eight Cent Reward' to be a fave, with future Dennis the Menace, Jay North, asking Josh to help him find Santa Claus to help out his family. Certainly, the series got off on the right foot in the very first show, 'The Martin Poster'. In that one, Josh has to track down a pair of outlaw brothers portrayed by Nick Adams and Michael Landon. Western fans know that both of those actors went on to star in their own shows, "The Rebel" and "Bonanza". Ah, the nostalgia, one of the great perks of being an old time TV fan.
Having gotten a little long winded here, I'll wrap this up with some final thoughts on the character of Josh Randall. Take note of Randall's habits as he travels the Old West from town to town. He liked his whiskey, smoked quite a bit, obviously liked his women, and was a fair hand at poker. You might also note he had a fondness for apples, as he ate one in at least a half dozen shows. But the thing that gets me to this day is, how the heck did he hold his pants up? He never wore a belt!