Episodes
Roy Huggins , Maverick’s creator, predicated Maverick on dispelling the popular hard hitting, sharp shooting, protector of the weak and womanhood Western Hero myth. Instead, the two main characters, the “Brothers Maverick” otherwise known as Bret and Bart (and later including Beau and Brent), are honestly greedy, slow to the draw, self-proclaimed cowards who usually wear black hats. True anti-heros. This concept is reinforced by the surname – Maverick. Why Maverick? Perhaps because a maverick does not run with the rest of the herd, thereby reinforcing the anti-hero, non-conformist image.
Mr. Huggins would not have cast James Garner were it not for an episode of the anthology based Conflict “The Man from 1997” (erroneously referred to by Mr. Huggins as “The Man from 1999” in an interview.) He was originally dismayed when William T Orr informed him the Mr. Garner would be playing the role of Red, “a n’er-do-well con man”, in the show, as he had not been impressed with Mr. Garner’s acting ability in some of his previous roles. However, while reviewing the dailies and Mr. Garner’s delivery of Red, he came to understand Mr. Garner’s forte and began thinking about him as the lead for a comedic western he was formulating – Maverick.
Roy Huggins departed the series after the second season, followed by James Garner at the close of the third season (While the last episode shown with the character of Bret Maverick was “The Maverick Line” which was episode 10 of season 4, the episode was actually shot during the filming of the third season.). Both men embodied the original concept of Maverick and the series had a difficult time maintaining the animating principle that the viewing public enjoyed. Roger Moore (who had previously played a similar character named Silky Harris, in The Alaskans) was brought in as Beau Maverick, a cousin, for the fourth season. Reportedly unhappy with the quality of scripts, he left after one season. Robert Colbert was surprisingly introduced as a third Maverick brother (despite statements during previous seasons that Pappy had only two sons) named Brent in two episodes (#107, Season 4 episode 28 “The Forbidden City” and #109, Season 4 episode 30 “Benefit of the Doubt”) who presented a slightly distorted mirror image of Bret.
The final season was somewhat of a struggle and included reruns of episodes from other seasons. In the final episode, Bart is joined by two other semi-regulars, Modesty Blaine and Doc Holiday, who are both running their own games. Fittingly, there are reminiscences of how Pappy raised his offspring and one of Pappy’s own con games. At the end, Bart is found walking on the railroad tracks, joined by his two cohorts and one is left to wonder who will end up with the money paid by Diamond Jim Brady.
Spinoffs from the original series included:
The New Maverick (1978) a television movie which served as the pilot for the series Young Maverick (1979) starring Charles Frank as Beau Maverick’s son, Ben.
Bret Maverick (1981-1982) a series in which James Garner reprises his role as Bret Maverick, who has decided to settle down in the town of Sweetwater, Arizona, but can’t really give up the game.
Maverick (1994) a cinematic movie starring Mel Gibson as Bret Maverick and James Garner as “Pappy” Maverick or Bret Maverick, Sr., although no mention of Mr. Gibson’s character as a “Junior” is made.
It should be noted that Jack Kelly reprised his role as Bart Maverick in The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991)
Maverick, the television series, ran from September 22, 1957 to July 8, 1962 as a black and white television series on ABC. During that time, it won the 1959 Primetime Emmy* in the category of Best Western Series.
It was nominated for:
1959 Best Actor in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series: James Garner
1959 Best Cinematography for Television: Ralph Woolsey (Cinemetographer) for the episode “Diamond in the Rough” (January 26, 1958, Season 1, Episode 18)
1959 Best Cinematography for Television: Harold E. Stine (Cinemetographer) for the episode “Shady Deal at Sunny Acres” (November 23, 1958, Season 2, Episode 10)
1959 Best Editing of a Film for Television: Robert Watts (Editor) for the episode “ Saga of Waco Williams (February 15, 1959, Season 2, Episode 21)
1959 Best Editing of a Film for Television: Robert T. Sparr (Editor) for the episode “Rope of Cards” (January 26, 1958, Season 1, Episode 18)**
1958 Best Editing of a Film for television: Robert T. Sparr (Editor) for the episode “The Quick and the Dead” (December 8, 1957, season 1, Episode 12)**
1958 Best Dramatic Series with Continuing Characters
1958 Best New Program Series of the Year
The best episodes (a prime example being “Shady Deal at Sunny Acres”) often involved both Maverick boys and a variety of supporting con artists righting a wrong through some sort of confidence game, Besting a bully was a common theme, with the bully often serving as the “mark” in a con game. Other recurring social issues include the use and abuse of power, civic duty vs. vigilante justice, social conscience, racism, politics, hegemony/ expansionism/ imperialism, sufferage, equality (especially as presented by the efficacy of the various female con artists), and various forms of the seven deadly sins with the dominant presence of greed.
Below, please find a listing of the episodes, which present episode details, cast, production, quotes, historic references, geographic, cuisine, gaming and music mentions and their available links.
First Season
Robert Louis Stevenson’s “The Wrecker”
Second Season
The Day They Hanged Bret Maverick
The Strange Journey of Jenny Hill
Season 3
The Lass with the Poisonous Air
The Ghost Soldiers
The Resurrection of Joe November
Season Four
Season Five
Sources: Maverick episodes (written, spoken and credits), Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Wikipedia, individual observations, and others as indicated by the links.
Note: Give credit where credit is due. Suggestions for corrections, additions and deletions are welcome through the Dispatch Rider.
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