The Restless Gun (1957)
A classic NBC western following idealistic gunfighter Vint Bonner as he drifts through the post-Civil War frontier seeking peaceful resolutions.
The Restless Gun - Series Information
- Original Title: The Restless Gun
- First Air Year: 1957
- Last Air Year: 1959
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Western
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (28 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 76
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 23, 1957
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Window Glen Productions, Revue Studios
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Restless Gun - Plot
The Restless Gun is an American western television series that appeared on NBC between 1957 and 1959, with John Payne in the role of Vint Bonner, a wandering cowboy in the era after the American Civil War. A skilled gunfighter, Bonner is an idealistic person who prefers peaceful resolutions of conflict wherever possible. He is gregarious, intelligent, and public-spirited. The half-hour black-and-white program aired seventy-eight episodes. Jeanne Bates appeared in varying roles with Payne in five episodes of The Restless Gun. The Restless Gun theme song begins: "I ride with the wind, my eyes on the sun, and my hand on my restless gun..." The song composer is probably Paul Dunlap, credited as the primary series composer, but could have been contributed to by either of the two other series composers, Dave Kahn and Stanley Wilson, also. Two versions are currently posted on YouTube, but neither posting lists any composer or performance credits.
The Restless Gun - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a feel for the frontier world of Vint Bonner.
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The Restless Gun - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- John Payne
- Don Grady
- Ellen Corby
- John Larch
- Jack Carr
- John Ericson
- Herbert Lytton
- Herb Vigran
- Fred Graham
- Don C. Harvey
Writers
- Dean Riesner
- Marion Hargrove
- David Dortort
- Malvin Wald
The Restless Gun - FAQs
Who plays the lead role in The Restless Gun?
John Payne stars as Vint Bonner, a wandering cowboy and skilled gunfighter navigating the post-Civil War American frontier. Payne brings a thoughtful, idealistic quality to the role, portraying Bonner as a man who favors diplomacy and peaceful resolution over violence whenever circumstances allow.
What is The Restless Gun about?
The series follows Vint Bonner, a gregarious and intelligent drifter roaming the post-Civil War West. Despite his reputation as a formidable gunfighter, Bonner consistently seeks peaceful solutions to conflict. Each episode places him in a new frontier situation, blending action with a quietly idealistic moral compass.
Where can you stream The Restless Gun?
The Restless Gun is currently available to stream on Philo as part of a flat-rate subscription. For the most up-to-date availability in your region, it's worth checking your local streaming services, as classic western titles can shift between platforms over time.
Is The Restless Gun based on a true story?
The Restless Gun is a work of fiction, though it draws authentically from the atmosphere of the post-Civil War American West. The character of Vint Bonner is entirely invented, but the social tensions, frontier justice, and westward expansion themes reflect genuine historical realities of 19th-century Texas and the wild west era.
How many episodes does The Restless Gun have?
The Restless Gun ran for 76 episodes across two seasons on NBC, airing from 1957 to 1959. Season 1 contained 39 episodes and Season 2 featured 37 episodes, each running approximately 28 minutes in the half-hour black-and-white format typical of late 1950s television westerns.
Did The Restless Gun feature any notable guest stars?
The series attracted several performers who would go on to greater fame. Dan Blocker, later beloved as Hoss Cartwright on Bonanza, appeared as Ike Burnett, while Jack Elam — one of Hollywood's most recognizable character actors — played Link Jerrod. Jeanne Bates also recurred across five episodes in various roles.
What is the theme song of The Restless Gun?
The show's memorable theme opens with the lyrics: "I ride with the wind, my eyes on the sun, and my hand on my restless gun." The song is most likely composed by Paul Dunlap, the primary series composer, though Dave Kahn and Stanley Wilson also contributed music to the production.
What are similar shows to The Restless Gun?
Fans of The Restless Gun will likely enjoy Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) and Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958), which share a similar lone-drifter premise. Gunsmoke (1955), Rawhide (1959), and Bonanza (1959) are also excellent choices for classic western television from the same golden era.
More About The Restless Gun
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