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| caption = Dale Robertson as James "Jim" Whitcomb Hardie, 1958
| caption = Dale Robertson as James "Jim" Whitcomb Hardie, 1958
| genre = [[Western (genre)|Western]]
| genre = [[Western (genre)|Western]]
| creator = James Brooks<br>Frank Gruber<br>[[Gene Reynolds]]
| creator = {{Plainlist|
* James Brooks
* Frank Gruber
* [[Gene Reynolds]]
}}
| director = [[Earl Bellamy]]<br>William F. Claxton<br>[[Lewis R. Foster]]<br>Jerry Hopper<br>[[Leslie H. Martinson]]<br>Gene Reynolds<br>[[Sidney Salkow]]<br>[[R. G. Springsteen]]<br>[[George Waggner]]<br>[[William Witney]]
| director = {{Plainlist|
| starring = [[Dale Robertson]]<br>[[William Demarest]]<br>[[Virginia Christine]]<br>[[Jack Ging]]
* [[Earl Bellamy]]
⚫
| theme_music_composer = Mort Greene<br>[[Harry Warren]]<br>[[Stanley Wilson (musician)|Stanley Wilson]]
* William F. Claxton
| composer = Paul Dunlap<br>Michael Greene<br>Melvyn Lenard<br>[[Morton Stevens]]<br>Harry Sukman<br>[[John Williams]]
* [[Lewis R. Foster]]
* Jerry Hopper
* [[Leslie H. Martinson]]
* Gene Reynolds
* [[Sidney Salkow]]
* [[R. G. Springsteen]]
* [[George Waggner]]
* [[William Witney]]
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Dale Robertson]]
* [[William Demarest]]
* [[Virginia Christine]]
⚫
* [[Jack Ging]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist|
* Mort Greene
* [[Harry Warren]]
⚫
* [[Stanley Wilson (musician)|Stanley Wilson]]
}}
| composer = {{Plainlist|
* Paul Dunlap
* Michael Greene
* Melvyn Lenard
* [[Morton Stevens]]
* Harry Sukman
* [[John Williams]]
}}
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
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| num_episodes = 201
| num_episodes = 201
| list_episodes = List of Tales of Wells Fargo episodes
| list_episodes = List of Tales of Wells Fargo episodes
| producer = Nat Holt<br>Earle Lyon
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Nat Holt
* Earle Lyon
}}
| runtime = 30 minutes (1957–1961)<br>60 minutes (1961–1962)
| company = Overland Productions<br>[[Revue Studios]]
| runtime = {{Plainlist|
* 30 minutes (1957–1961)
| distributor = [[MCA TV]]
* 60 minutes (1961–1962)
}}
| company = {{Plainlist|
* Overland Productions
* [[Revue Studios]]
}}
| channel = [[NBC]]
| channel = [[NBC]]
| picture_format = Black and white (1957–1961)<br>Color (1961–1962)
| audio_format = [[Monaural]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1957|03|18}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|1957|03|18}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1962|06|02}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1962|06|02}}
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[[File:Suzanne Lloyd Jack Ging Howard Keel Tales of Wells Fargo 1961.JPG|right|thumb|180px|[[Suzanne Lloyd]], [[Jack Ging]] and [[Howard Keel]] in 1961]]
[[File:Suzanne Lloyd Jack Ging Howard Keel Tales of Wells Fargo 1961.JPG|right|thumb|180px|[[Suzanne Lloyd]], [[Jack Ging]] and [[Howard Keel]] in 1961]]
[[File:Dale Robertson Tales of Wells Fargo 1963.JPG|right|thumb|180px|{{center|Dale Robertson in 1962}}]]
[[File:Dale Robertson Tales of Wells Fargo 1963.JPG|right|thumb|180px|{{center|Dale Robertson in 1962}}]]
'''''Tales of Wells Fargo''''' is an American [[Western (genre)|Western]] television series starring [[Dale Robertson]] that ran from 1957 to 1962 on [[NBC]]. Produced by [[Revue Productions]], the series aired in a half-hour format until its final season, when it expanded to an hour and switched from [[Black and white#Media|black-and-white]] to [[Color television|color]].<ref name="Brooks_and_Marsh">{{Cite book|last=Brooks|first=Tim|author-link=Tim Brooks (historian)|last2=Marsh|first2=Earle F.|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present|publisher=[[Ballantine Books]]|year=2007|page=1003|isbn=978-0-345-49773-4|location=New York|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Complete_Directory_to_Prime_Time_Net/w8KztFy6QYwC|access-date=May 28, 2021}}</ref><ref name="McNeil">{{cite book|last=McNeil |first=Alex |title=Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present |location=New York |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |page=901 |isbn=0-14-02-4916-8 |date=1996 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Total_Television/dctkAAAAMAAJ| access-date=May 28, 2021}}</ref>
'''''Tales of Wells Fargo''''' is an American [[Westerns on television|Western television series]] starring [[Dale Robertson]] that ran from 1957 to 1962 on [[NBC]]. Produced by [[Revue Productions]], the series aired in a half-hour format until its final season, when it expanded to an hour and switched from [[Black and white#Media|black-and-white]] to [[Color television|color]].<ref name="Brooks_and_Marsh">{{Cite book|last1=Brooks|first1=Tim|author-link=Tim Brooks (historian)|last2=Marsh|first2=Earle F.|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present|publisher=[[Ballantine Books]]|year=2007|page=1003|isbn=978-0-345-49773-4|location=New York|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w8KztFy6QYwC|access-date=May 28, 2021}}</ref><ref name="McNeil">{{cite book|last=McNeil |first=Alex |title=Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present |location=New York |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |page=901 |isbn=0-14-02-4916-8 |date=1996 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dctkAAAAMAAJ| access-date=May 28, 2021}}</ref>


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
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Set in the 1870s and 1880s, the series starred [[Oklahoma]] native Dale Robertson as [[Wells Fargo (1852–1998)|Wells Fargo]] special agent Jim Hardie, noted at the time as "the left-handed gun". The character was fictional, but the series' development was influenced by the biography of Wells Fargo detective [[Fred J. Dodge]]. Agent Hardie was shown working cases in many areas of the [[Old West]], occasionally interacting with legendary outlaws such as [[Jesse James]] and [[Belle Starr]], as well as with other American historical figures. Hardie's own history was rarely discussed, but one episode gave a detailed backstory, portraying him as a Louisiana-born drifter who almost became an outlaw before finding his true mission in life.{{Citation needed |date=December 2022}}
Set in the 1870s and 1880s, the series starred [[Oklahoma]] native Dale Robertson as [[Wells Fargo (1852–1998)|Wells Fargo]] special agent Jim Hardie, noted at the time as "the left-handed gun". The character was fictional, but the series' development was influenced by the biography of Wells Fargo detective [[Fred J. Dodge]]. Agent Hardie was shown working cases in many areas of the [[Old West]], occasionally interacting with legendary outlaws such as [[Jesse James]] and [[Belle Starr]], as well as with other American historical figures. Hardie's own history was rarely discussed, but one episode gave a detailed backstory, portraying him as a Louisiana-born drifter who almost became an outlaw before finding his true mission in life.{{Citation needed |date=December 2022}}


In the final season, when episodes were longer, Hardie was given a base of operations, in a town called Gloribee, and four regular supporting characters were added. Hardie usually rode a chestnut gelding with a white blaze on his face and four white stockings. The horse actually belonged to Dale Robertson, and was named "Jubilee". In at least one episode, Jubilee came when Hardie whistled and called his name.
In the final season, when episodes were longer, Hardie was given a base of operations, in a town called Gloribee, and four regular supporting characters were added. Hardie usually rode a chestnut gelding with a white blaze on his face and four white stockings. The horse actually belonged to Dale Robertson, and was named "Jubilee". In at least one episode, Jubilee came when Hardie whistled and called his name.{{Citation needed |date=December 2022}}

In the 1957 [[Christmas]] episode, titled "Laredo", Jim Hardie must track gunrunners across the [[Mexico–United States border]] in [[Laredo, Texas]], a quest that keeps him from spending the holiday with friends as he had intended. Guest stars include [[Henry Rowland (actor)|Henry Rowland]], [[Rodolfo Hoyos Jr.]], [[Karl Swenson]], and [[Pierre Watkin]].{{Citation needed |date=May 2021}}


==Cast==
==Cast==
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* [[Virginia Christine]] as Ovie (1961–1962)
* [[Virginia Christine]] as Ovie (1961–1962)
* Lory Patrick as Tina (1961–1962)
* Lory Patrick as Tina (1961–1962)
* Mary Jayne Saunders as Mary G. (1961-1962)
* Mary Jayne Saunders as Mary Gee Swenson (1961–1962)


===Notable guest stars===
===Notable guest stars===
{{col-begin|width=70%}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{{col-break}}
* [[Nick Adams (actor, born 1931)|Nick Adams]]
* [[Nick Adams (actor, born 1931)|Nick Adams]]
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* [[Roy Barcroft]]
* [[Roy Barcroft]]
* [[Trevor Bardette]]
* [[Trevor Bardette]]
* [[Bob Bailey (actor)]]
* [[Rayford Barnes]]
* [[Rayford Barnes]]
* [[Baynes Barron]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Western_and_Frontier_Film_and_Television/eWVZAAAAMAAJ?hl=en|title=Western and Frontier Film and Television Credits 1903-1995: Section I. Actors and actresses. Section II. Directors, producers, and writers|page=56|first=Harris|last=Lentz|publisher=McFarland|date=1996|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
* [[Baynes Barron]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eWVZAAAAMAAJ|title=Western and Frontier Film and Television Credits 1903-1995: Section I. Actors and actresses. Section II. Directors, producers, and writers|page=56|first=Harris|last=Lentz|publisher=McFarland|date=1996|isbn=9780786402175 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
* [[Hugh Beaumont]] as [[Jesse James]]
* [[Hugh Beaumont]] as [[Jesse James]]
* [[John Beradino]], three times
* [[John Beradino]], three times
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* [[Brad Dexter]]
* [[Brad Dexter]]
* [[John Doucette]]
* [[John Doucette]]
* [[Dan Duryea]]
* [[Buddy Ebsen]]
* [[Buddy Ebsen]]
* [[Bill Erwin]]
* [[Bill Erwin]]
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* [[Dabbs Greer]]
* [[Dabbs Greer]]
* [[Herman Hack]]
* [[Herman Hack]]
* [[Neil Hamilton (actor)|Neil Hamilton]]
* [[Chick Hannan]]
* [[Chick Hannan]]
* [[Ron Hayes]]
* [[Ron Hayes]]
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* [[Tom Hennesy]]
* [[Tom Hennesy]]
* [[Robert 'Buzz' Henry]]
* [[Robert 'Buzz' Henry]]
* [[Robert Hinkle (stuntman)|Robert Hinkle]]
* [[Ed Hinton (actor)|Ed Hinton]]
* [[Ed Hinton (actor)|Ed Hinton]]
* [[Harry Holcombe]]
* [[Harry Holcombe]]
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* [[George Selk]]
* [[George Selk]]
* [[Richard Shannon (actor)|Richard Shannon]]
* [[Richard Shannon (actor)|Richard Shannon]]
* [[Alex Sharp (actor)|Alex Sharp]]
* [[Alex Sharp (American actor)|Alex Sharp]]
* [[Dan Sheridan]]
* [[Dan Sheridan]]
* [[Olan Soule]]
* [[Warren Stevens]] as [[Clay Allison]]
* [[Warren Stevens]] as [[Clay Allison]]
* [[Boyd Stockman]]
* [[Boyd Stockman]]
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* [[Robert J. Wilke]]
* [[Robert J. Wilke]]
* [[Guinn Williams (actor)|Guinn Williams]]
* [[Guinn Williams (actor)|Guinn Williams]]

⚫
* [[Dan Duryea]]
{{Col-end}}
{{Col-end}}


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{{Main|List of Tales of Wells Fargo episodes}}
{{Main|List of Tales of Wells Fargo episodes}}
{{:List of Tales of Wells Fargo episodes}}
{{:List of Tales of Wells Fargo episodes}}

== Production ==
[[Nat Holt]] was the producer of ''Tales of Wells Fargo'', and Les Martinson was the director. N. B. Stone Jr. was the writer. It initially was broadcast on Mondays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. [[Pall Mall (cigarette)|Pall Mall]] and [[General Foods]] were the sponsors.<ref name="v" />

==Critical response==
A review of the series's first episode in the trade publication ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' described the show as "strictly formula, with none of the characterization or human values that have embellished the better class of TV westerns to date."<ref name=v>{{cite magazine |date=March 20, 1957 |page=39 |title=Tales of Wells Fargo |magazine=Variety |url=https://archive.org/details/variety206-1957-03/page/n167/mode/1up?view=theater |accessdate=July 2, 2023}}</ref> It said that Robertson seemed "authoritative enough" in his role but compared the overall product to the lesser of two films in a double feature.<ref name="v" /> In summary the review said that the show was better suited for syndication because "network exposure implies the willingness to depart from the routine."<ref name="v" />


==Release==
==Release==
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The pilot for ''Tales of Wells Fargo'' originally premiered as an episode of the anthology series ''[[Schlitz Playhouse of Stars]]''.
The pilot for ''Tales of Wells Fargo'' originally premiered as an episode of the anthology series ''[[Schlitz Playhouse of Stars]]''.


In the 1960–61 season, ''Wells Fargo'' was scheduled opposite [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s [[detective fiction|detective series]] ''[[Surfside 6]]'' and [[CBS]]'s new [[sitcom]] ''[[Bringing Up Buddy]]'', starring [[Frank Aletter]]. ''Wells Fargo'' and ''Surfside 6'' survived another year, but ''Bringing Up Buddy'' was cancelled. ''Wells Fargo'' was the lead-in that year to a new NBC Western, ''[[Klondike (TV series)|Klondike]]'' starring [[Ralph Taeger]] and [[James Coburn]], but that series, set in the [[Klondike Gold Rush]] town of [[Skagway, Alaska]], survived only 17 episodes.
In the 1960–61 season, ''Wells Fargo'' was scheduled opposite [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s [[detective fiction|detective series]] ''[[Surfside 6]]'' and [[CBS]]'s new [[sitcom]] ''[[Bringing Up Buddy]]'', starring [[Frank Aletter]].


===Home media===
===Home media===
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==Ratings==
==Ratings==
For its first two years, the series was in the top 10 of the Nielsen Ratings. During the 1957–58 season, it was ranked number three,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1957.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1957–1958|publisher=classictvhits.com}}</ref> and during the 1958–59 season, it was ranked number seven.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1958.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1958–1959|publisher=classictvhits.com}}</ref>
For its first two years, the series was in the top 10 of the Nielsen Ratings. During the 1957–58 season, it was ranked number three,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://classictvguide.com/tvratings/1957.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1957–1958|publisher=classictvhits.com}}</ref> and during the 1958–59 season, it was ranked number seven.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://classictvguide.com/tvratings/1958.htm|title=TV Ratings: 1958–1959|publisher=classictvhits.com}}</ref>


==Merchandise==
==Merchandise==

Latest revision as of 04:33, 13 May 2024

Tales of Wells Fargo
Dale Robertson as James "Jim" Whitcomb Hardie, 1958
GenreWestern
Created by
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composer
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes201 (list of episodes)
Production
Producers
  • Nat Holt
  • Earle Lyon
Running time
  • 30 minutes (1957–1961)
  • 60 minutes (1961–1962)
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseMarch 18, 1957 (1957-03-18) –
June 2, 1962 (1962-06-02)
Dale Robertson in 1957
Dale Robertson in 1959
Dale Robertson in 1959
Suzanne Lloyd, Jack Ging and Howard Keel in 1961
Dale Robertson in 1962

Tales of Wells Fargo is an American Western television series starring Dale Robertson that ran from 1957 to 1962 on NBC. Produced by Revue Productions, the series aired in a half-hour format until its final season, when it expanded to an hour and switched from black-and-white to color.[1][2]

Synopsis[edit]

Set in the 1870s and 1880s, the series starred Oklahoma native Dale Robertson as Wells Fargo special agent Jim Hardie, noted at the time as "the left-handed gun". The character was fictional, but the series' development was influenced by the biography of Wells Fargo detective Fred J. Dodge. Agent Hardie was shown working cases in many areas of the Old West, occasionally interacting with legendary outlaws such as Jesse James and Belle Starr, as well as with other American historical figures. Hardie's own history was rarely discussed, but one episode gave a detailed backstory, portraying him as a Louisiana-born drifter who almost became an outlaw before finding his true mission in life.[citation needed]

In the final season, when episodes were longer, Hardie was given a base of operations, in a town called Gloribee, and four regular supporting characters were added. Hardie usually rode a chestnut gelding with a white blaze on his face and four white stockings. The horse actually belonged to Dale Robertson, and was named "Jubilee". In at least one episode, Jubilee came when Hardie whistled and called his name.[citation needed]

Cast[edit]

Lead[edit]

Recurring[edit]

Notable guest stars[edit]

Episodes[edit]

Main article: List of Tales of Wells Fargo episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedRankAverage viewership (in millions)Run TimeColor
First airedLast aired
114March 18, 1957 (1957-03-18)July 8, 1957 (1957-07-08)314.8[5]30 minblack & white
238September 9, 1957 (1957-09-09)May 26, 1958 (1958-05-26)713.3[6]30 minblack & white
339September 8, 1958 (1958-09-08)June 15, 1959 (1959-06-15)Not in top 30N/A30 minblack & white
437September 7, 1959 (1959-09-07)May 30, 1960 (1960-05-30)Not in top 30N/A30 minblack & white
539September 5, 1960 (1960-09-05)July 10, 1961 (1961-07-10)Not in top 30N/A30 minblack & white
634September 30, 1961 (1961-09-30)June 2, 1962 (1962-06-02)Not in top 30N/A60 mincolor

Production[edit]

Nat Holt was the producer of Tales of Wells Fargo, and Les Martinson was the director. N. B. Stone Jr. was the writer. It initially was broadcast on Mondays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Pall Mall and General Foods were the sponsors.[7]

Critical response[edit]

A review of the series's first episode in the trade publication Variety described the show as "strictly formula, with none of the characterization or human values that have embellished the better class of TV westerns to date."[7] It said that Robertson seemed "authoritative enough" in his role but compared the overall product to the lesser of two films in a double feature.[7] In summary the review said that the show was better suited for syndication because "network exposure implies the willingness to depart from the routine."[7]

Release[edit]

Broadcast[edit]

The pilot for Tales of Wells Fargo originally premiered as an episode of the anthology series Schlitz Playhouse of Stars.

In the 1960–61 season, Wells Fargo was scheduled opposite ABC's detective series Surfside 6 and CBS's new sitcom Bringing Up Buddy, starring Frank Aletter.

Home media[edit]

Timeless Media Group released the first two seasons on DVD in Region 1.[8]

DVD name Ep # Release date
The Complete First and Second Seasons 52 October 25, 2011

Ratings[edit]

For its first two years, the series was in the top 10 of the Nielsen Ratings. During the 1957–58 season, it was ranked number three,[9] and during the 1958–59 season, it was ranked number seven.[10]

Merchandise[edit]

The television series also spawned a number of publications for young readers, including the hardcover book Danger at Dry Creek (Golden Press, 1959), and a series of Dell Comics and Little Golden Books. One of the artists who created this comic-book adaptation was Russ Heath.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present. New York: Ballantine Books. p. 1003. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  2. ^ McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present. New York: Penguin Books. p. 901. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  3. ^ Lentz, Harris (1996). Western and Frontier Film and Television Credits 1903-1995: Section I. Actors and actresses. Section II. Directors, producers, and writers. McFarland. p. 56. ISBN 9780786402175 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Tales of Wells Fargo: The Branding Iron". Video Detective.
  5. ^ "TV Ratings: 1957-1958". ClassicTVguide.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  6. ^ "TV Ratings: 1958-1959". ClassicTVguide.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "Tales of Wells Fargo". Variety. March 20, 1957. p. 39. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  8. ^ Lambert, David (September 9, 2011). "Tales of Wells Fargo – 'The Complete 1st and 2nd Seasons' 6-DVD Tin". TV Shows On DVD. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  9. ^ "TV Ratings: 1957–1958". classictvhits.com.
  10. ^ "TV Ratings: 1958–1959". classictvhits.com.
  11. ^ "Russ Heath". lambiek.net.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tales of Wells Fargo.
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