Set in the 1870s and 1880s, the series starredOklahoma native Dale Robertson asWells 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 detectiveFred J. Dodge. Agent Hardie was shown working cases in many areas of theOld West, occasionally interacting with legendary outlaws such asJesse James andBelle 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.
In the final season, when episodes were longer, Hardie was given a base of operations, on a new ranch in a town called Gloribee, and four regular supporting characters were added. He was even joined by a Wells Fargo partner, the former henchman of a Confederate insurrectionist, for the first half of the season.
Throughout the series Hardie often rode a chestnut gelding with a white blaze on his face and four white stockings. The horse belonged to Dale Robertson, and was named "Jubilee".[3][4]
Nat Holt was the producer ofTales of Wells Fargo. It initially was broadcast on Mondays from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time.Pall Mall andGeneral Foods were the sponsors.[10]
A review of the series' first episode in the trade publicationVariety 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."[10] 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.[10] In summary the review said that the show was better suited for syndication because "network exposure implies the willingness to depart from the routine."[10]
The pilot forTales of Wells Fargo originally premiered as an episode of the anthology seriesSchlitz Playhouse of Stars. “A Tale of Wells Fargo” aired on December 14, 1956, with Robertson as Jim Hardie. It was directed by Bernard Girad and written byFrank Gruber, based on a story that he wrote withZane Grey.[12]
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,[16] and during the 1958–59 season, it was ranked number seven.[17]
The television series also spawned a number of publications for young readers, including the hardcover bookDanger at Dry Creek (Golden Press, 1959), and a series ofDell Comics andLittle Golden Books. Amongst the uncredited artists who created the comic book adaptation wereDan Spiegle,Gil Kane,Alberto Giolitti andRuss Heath.[18][19] A hardcover & paperback collection of 8 teleplays, written by Frank Gruber, was released in 1958 by Bantam Books.[20]
^Mullins, Jesse, Jr. (August 2002).Good Guys Finish First. Active Interest Media, Inc. pp. 54–57.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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