Western annuals are always popular and we usually have plenty available, including some from the 1950's. Ask us if there is one you are looking for.
Gunsmoke was set in Dodge City, Kansas in the 1890s, the series focused on US Marshall, Matt Dillon, played by James Arness. The part was designed for John Wayne, who chose not to complicate his successful film career with commitment to a long-term television contract. Wayne, who introduced the first episode, suggested the younger actor for the lead role. The tall, rugged-looking Arness, who had played minor film roles, became synonymous with his character during the next twenty years.
Bonanza was the first Western televised in colour, it began in Autumn 1959. After Gunsmoke, Bonanza was the longest-running and most successful Western in american television, running for fourteen series. It related the story of Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) and his sons, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe, ranchers in the vicinity of Virginia City, Nevada in the mid 1800s during the Civil War years and the discovery of the Comstock Silver Lode.
Roy Rogers was called the "King of the Cowboys" during his long career as a singing hero of movies and TV. He was an original member of the singing group The Sons of the Pioneers, and in 1937 he signed with Republic Pictures, replacing Gene Autry. He starred in more than 80 westerns with titles like The Arizona Kid and In Old Cheyenne. He often co-starred with cowgirl Dale Evans, whom he married in 1947. Rogers' famous horse was Trigger, a Palomino stallion who became a favorite with the fans. In the 1950s Rogers moved into TV with the The Roy Rogers Show.
Champion the wonder horse was produced by Gene Autry.The story of Champion, a wild stallion who befriends twelve year old Ricky North (Barry Curtis) in the American Southwest in the 1880's. Although Ricky, who lived on his Uncle Sandy's (Jim Bannon) ranch, had an attraction for trouble, he was always rescued by the wonder horse, aided by the boy's other companion, German shepherd dog, Rebel.
