Stories of the Century (1954)
A classic syndicated Western that brought real outlaws of the Old West to life across 39 episodes produced by Republic Pictures.
Stories of the Century - Series Information
- Original Title: Stories of the Century
- First Air Year: 1954
- Last Air Year: 1955
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Western
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 39
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 23, 1954 (United States - TV-G), January 23, 1954 (Canada - PG), January 23, 1954 (Mexico - B)
- Production Companies: Republic Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Stories of the Century - Plot
Stories of the Century is a 39-episode Western television series starring Jim Davis that ran in syndication through Republic Pictures between January 23, 1954, and March 11, 1955.
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Stories of the Century - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Jim Davis
- Mary Castle
- Kristine Miller
- Richard Travis
- Dale Van Sickel
- Ric Roman
- Steve Darrell
- Fess Parker
- Paul Newlan
- James Best
Writers
- Maurice Tombragel
- Milton Raison
Stories of the Century - FAQs
Is Stories of the Century based on real outlaws?
Each episode dramatizes the pursuit of a real historical outlaw from the American West. Figures like Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and Quantrill's Raiders appear throughout the series, giving the show a grounded, semi-documentary feel that set it apart from purely fictional Westerns of the era.
Who stars in Stories of the Century?
Jim Davis leads the cast as Matt Clark, a railroad detective tracking notorious outlaws. He's joined by Mary Castle and Kristine Miller as his rotating female partners. The series also features early appearances by Fess Parker, James Best, Lee Van Cleef, and Richard Jaeckel.
Where can you stream Stories of the Century for free?
The series is available to watch for free on several ad-supported platforms, including Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Cineverse, Mometu, and Fawesome. No subscription is required for any of these options, making it easy to enjoy this classic Western without spending a dime.
Did Stories of the Century win any awards?
The series made history by winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Western or Adventure Series at the 6th Primetime Emmy Awards in 1954 — one of the earliest Emmy wins for a syndicated Western. It was a remarkable achievement for a low-budget Republic Pictures production.
How many seasons and episodes does Stories of the Century have?
The series ran for two seasons totaling 39 episodes. Season 1 comprised 26 episodes and Season 2 wrapped up with 13 more, with the entire run airing in syndication between January 23, 1954, and March 11, 1955. Each episode runs approximately 30 minutes.
Did Lee Van Cleef appear in Stories of the Century?
Long before his iconic spaghetti Western roles, Lee Van Cleef appeared in Stories of the Century playing Jesse James. The series served as an early showcase for several actors who would go on to major careers, including Fess Parker, James Best, and Richard Jaeckel.
What is the content rating for Stories of the Century?
The series carries a TV-G rating, making it suitable for all audiences. Its clean, family-friendly storytelling reflects the broadcast standards of the mid-1950s, and it remains an accessible watch for viewers of any age interested in classic American Western television.
What shows are similar to Stories of the Century?
Fans of this series tend to enjoy other classic Westerns like The Lone Ranger, Have Gun, Will Travel, Rawhide, and Wanted: Dead or Alive. For a slightly later flavor, The Big Valley, The Virginian, and The High Chaparral offer the same frontier spirit with bigger budgets.
More About Stories of the Century
Explore further details about this classic Western series through these authoritative sources.