Bat Masterson (1958)

The classic NBC Western that brought the legendary frontier dandy Bat Masterson to life across 108 episodes of Wild West adventure.

Bat Masterson - Series Information

  • Original Title: Bat Masterson
  • First Air Year: 1958
  • Last Air Year: 1961
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Western, Drama
  • Content Rating (US): TV-14
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 30 minutes
  • Number of Seasons: 3
  • Number of Episodes: 108
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: October 8, 1958 (United States - TV-14), October 8, 1958 (Canada - PG), October 8, 1958 (Mexico - B)
  • Networks: NBC
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Bat Masterson - Plot

Bat Masterson is an American Western television series which showed a fictionalized account of the life of real-life marshal/gambler/dandy Bat Masterson. The title character was played by Gene Barry and the half-hour black-and-white shows ran on NBC from 1958 to 1961. The series was produced by Ziv Television Productions, the company responsible for such hit series as Sea Hunt and Highway Patrol.

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Bat Masterson - Cast & Crew

Main Cast

  • Gene Barry
  • Allison Hayes
  • Troy Melton
  • Dennis Moore
  • Howard Petrie
  • Charles Maxwell
  • Ron Hayes
  • George Eldredge
  • Will Wright
  • Jerome Cowan

Writers

  • Gene Levitt
  • John McGreevey
  • John Tucker Battle
  • Leo Gordon
  • Don Brinkley

Bat Masterson - FAQs

Was Bat Masterson based on a real person?

Yes. Bat Masterson was a real historical figure — a lawman, gambler, and journalist who lived from 1853 to 1921. The NBC series offered a fictionalized take on his adventures in the Wild West, drawing on his colorful reputation as both a frontier marshal and a sharp-dressed dandy.

Where can you stream Bat Masterson today?

Bat Masterson is available on several platforms, including Tubi TV, Plex, The Roku Channel, and Mometu for free with ads, as well as Pure Flix, ScreenPix (Apple TV Channel and Amazon Channel) via subscription. Visit JustWatch to compare all current viewing options in your region.

Who played Bat Masterson in the NBC series?

Gene Barry portrayed Bat Masterson throughout the entire run of the series. Barry brought a suave, gentlemanly quality to the role, depicting Masterson as a cane-carrying, derby-hatted dandy who was equally at home at a poker table or in a gunfight.

How many seasons and episodes does Bat Masterson have?

Bat Masterson ran for three seasons on NBC, comprising 108 half-hour episodes in total. Season 1 and Season 2 each contained 37 episodes, while Season 3 wrapped up the series with 34 episodes, concluding in 1961.

What is Bat Masterson the TV series about?

The series follows a fictionalized version of frontier legend Bat Masterson, portrayed as a stylish gambler and former lawman navigating the dangers of the Wild West. Each half-hour episode blends action, wit, and Western adventure, presenting Masterson as a clever and dapper hero rather than a conventional gunslinger.

When did Bat Masterson first air on television?

Bat Masterson premiered on NBC on October 8, 1958. The black-and-white series ran until 1961, spanning three seasons and becoming one of the more distinctive Westerns of the late 1950s television landscape.

What is the content rating for Bat Masterson?

Bat Masterson carries a TV-14 content rating in the United States, indicating that some material may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series features Western action, gunfights, and frontier conflict typical of the genre during its era.

Who produced the Bat Masterson TV series?

Bat Masterson was produced by Ziv Television Productions, a prolific independent studio known for syndicated hits such as Sea Hunt and Highway Patrol. Ziv's production model helped bring the series to a wide national audience throughout its three-season run on NBC.

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