Trackdown (1957)

A classic CBS Western following Texas Ranger Hoby Gilman across the post-Civil War frontier, starring Robert Culp.

Trackdown - Series Information

  • Original Title: Trackdown
  • First Air Year: 1957
  • Last Air Year: 1959
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Western, Action, Adventure
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 30 minutes
  • Number of Seasons: 2
  • Number of Episodes: 71
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Networks: CBS
  • Production Companies: Four Stars Productions, CBS

Trackdown - Plot

Trackdown is an American Western television series starring Robert Culp that aired on CBS between 1957 and 1959. More than seventy episodes of this series were produced by Dick Powell's Four Star Television and filmed at the Desilu-Culver Studio. The series was itself a spin-off of Powell's anthology series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater.

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Trackdown - Cast & Crew

Main Cast

  • Robert Culp
  • Norman Leavitt
  • Ellen Corby
  • Peter Leeds
  • Frank Mills
  • James Griffith
  • Rusty Wescoatt
  • Addison Richards
  • Warren Oates
  • Rudy Doucette

Writers

  • John Robinson
  • Robert Culp

Trackdown - FAQs

Who plays the lead role in Trackdown?

Robert Culp stars as Hoby Gilman, a Texas Ranger, in Trackdown. The series also features Norman Leavitt as Ralph, Ellen Corby as Henrietta Porter, and a rotating roster of guest actors including a young Warren Oates and DeForest Kelley in memorable supporting roles.

What is Trackdown about?

Trackdown follows Hoby Gilman, a Texas Ranger patrolling the post-Civil War frontier. Each episode presents a self-contained story of law, justice, and survival in the wild West. The show blends action-driven plots with moral dilemmas typical of the classic television Western genre.

Did DeForest Kelley appear in Trackdown?

Yes, DeForest Kelley — best known as Dr. McCoy in Star Trek — appeared in Trackdown as Perry Grimes. His guest role is one of the most notable in the series, and it stands as an early example of his work in Western television before his iconic sci-fi career.

Is Trackdown a spin-off of another series?

Yes, Trackdown is a spin-off of Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater, an anthology Western series produced by Dick Powell's Four Star Television. The character of Hoby Gilman originated in that anthology before earning his own standalone series on CBS in 1957.

How many seasons and episodes does Trackdown have?

Trackdown ran for two seasons and a total of 71 episodes. Season 1 comprised 32 episodes and Season 2 expanded to 39 episodes. The series aired on CBS from 1957 to 1959 and was filmed at the Desilu-Culver Studio in California.

When did Trackdown first air on CBS?

Trackdown first aired on CBS in 1957. The series ran until 1959, spanning two seasons. It was part of the golden era of television Westerns, airing alongside other popular genre staples that dominated American primetime programming during the late 1950s.

What are shows similar to Trackdown?

Fans of Trackdown may enjoy other frontier and lawman dramas such as Deadwood, Hell on Wheels, and Kung Fu, which share themes of justice and the wild West. For classic adventure series with a similar episodic structure, Hornblower and Sharpe also offer compelling period action.

Who wrote episodes of Trackdown?

Trackdown episodes were written by John Robinson and Robert Culp, among others. Notably, lead actor Robert Culp contributed as a writer, demonstrating his creative involvement beyond his on-screen role as Texas Ranger Hoby Gilman throughout the series' two-season run.

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