Black Saddle (1959)
A classic ABC Western following reformed gunfighter Clay Culhane as he trades his pistol for a law book on the frontier.
Black Saddle - Series Information
- Original Title: Black Saddle
- First Air Year: 1959
- Last Air Year: 1960
- Created by: Hal Hudson, John McGreevey
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Western, Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (27 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 44
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Von Cowboys, Sheriffs und Banditen (DE), The Westerners (US)
Black Saddle - Plot
Black Saddle is an American Western television series starring Peter Breck that aired 44 episodes on ABC from January 10, 1959 to May 6, 1960. The half-hour program was produced by Dick Powell's Four Star Television, and the original pilot was an episode of CBS's Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater, with Chris Alcaide portraying the principal character, Clay Culhane.
For syndicated reruns, Black Saddle was combined with three other Western series from the same company, Law of the Plainsman starring Michael Ansara, Johnny Ringo starring Don Durant and Mark Goddard, and the critically acclaimed creation of Sam Peckinpah, The Westerner with Brian Keith, under the umbrella title, The Westerners, with new hosting sequences by Keenan Wynn.
Black Saddle - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Hal Hudson
- John McGreevey
Main Cast
- Peter Breck
- Russell Johnson
- Anna-Lisa
- Hampton Fancher
- J. Pat O'Malley
- Harry Tyler
- Ben Wright
- Raymond Bailey
- John Newton
- Kenneth Patterson
Writers
- John McGreevey
- Antony Ellis
- Frederick Louis Fox
- Joseph Stone
- Paul King
Black Saddle - FAQs
Who plays Clay Culhane in Black Saddle?
Clay Culhane is portrayed by Peter Breck in Black Saddle. Breck played the reformed gunfighter-turned-lawyer throughout the series' entire run of 44 episodes on ABC. Notably, the original pilot featured Chris Alcaide in the role before Breck took over for the full series.
What is Black Saddle about?
Black Saddle follows Clay Culhane, a former gunfighter who reinvents himself as a frontier lawyer in the American West. Navigating justice and morality in a lawless land, Culhane uses his wits and legal knowledge rather than his gun to resolve conflicts, offering a thoughtful twist on the classic Western formula.
When did Black Saddle first air on television?
Black Saddle premiered on ABC on January 10, 1959. The series ran for two seasons, concluding on May 6, 1960, with a total of 44 half-hour episodes. It was one of several Westerns produced by Dick Powell's Four Star Television during the genre's golden era on American network television.
Who created Black Saddle?
Black Saddle was created by Hal Hudson and John McGreevey. The series was produced by Dick Powell's Four Star Television. Its original pilot episode aired as part of CBS's Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater before the full series launched on ABC in January 1959.
How many seasons and episodes does Black Saddle have?
Black Saddle ran for two seasons on ABC, comprising 44 episodes in total. Season 1 contained 20 episodes, while Season 2 expanded to 24 episodes. Each installment ran approximately 27 minutes, fitting the half-hour format standard for television Westerns of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
What is The Westerners umbrella series connection?
For syndicated reruns, Black Saddle was grouped with three other Four Star Television Westerns — Law of the Plainsman, Johnny Ringo, and Sam Peckinpah's The Westerner — under the collective title The Westerners. New hosting segments featuring Keenan Wynn were produced to tie the four series together for broadcast.
Who are the main cast members of Black Saddle?
The main cast of Black Saddle includes Peter Breck as Clay Culhane, Russell Johnson as Marshal Gib Scott, and Anna-Lisa as Nora Travers. Supporting players include Hampton Fancher, J. Pat O'Malley, Harry Tyler, Ben Wright, Raymond Bailey, John Newton, and Kenneth Patterson.
What network originally broadcast Black Saddle?
Black Saddle originally aired on ABC (American Broadcasting Company) from January 1959 to May 1960. The series was part of ABC's strong Western programming lineup during the late 1950s, a period when the genre dominated prime-time American television with dozens of competing shows across all major networks.
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