Branded

Starring: Chuck Connors, Anna Morrell
First Aired: January 24, 1965
Number of Seasons: 2
Estimated Production Cost: $100,000 per episode*
Branded was a Western show sponsored by Procter & Gamble. It took hold of a Sunday night slot airing at prime time 8.30 PM EST. It was set in the Wild West post-civil war, a time of actual cowboy presence. Connors starred as US Army Captain Jim McCord. This character was court-martialed and ejected from the army because of unfair accusations of cowardice. The show followed McCord in his exploits and ran for two seasons, forty-eight episodes.

Branded

Destry

Starring: John Gavin, Med Flory, Ron Hayes, Roger Mobley
First Aired: February 14, 1964
Number of Seasons: 1
Estimated Production Cost: $50,000 per episode*

Destry is an example of another Western show that we just have to revisit. The show was actually rushed into production to accommodate star John Gavin, who wasn’t so available. It was actually based on a Western film called Destry Rides Again from 1939. The show features a cop who is somewhat of a marksman with guns but harbors anti-violence beliefs.

Destry