- GUATEMELA CITY
Original Airdate: January 31, 1960
Synopsis. In San Francisco, Bret sets out to apprehend two jewel thieves and collect the $25,000 reward for their capture.
Ed Robertson
Author ● Journalist ● Radio Host ● Collaborative Writer
James Garner Maverick
This date in MAVERICK TV History: “Diamond in the Rough,” the second of two episodes featuring Fredd Wayne, aired on Jan. 26, 1958
- DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Original Airdate: January 26, 1958
Synopsis. In San Francisco, Bart sets to even the score against Van Buren Kingsley, a ruthless New Orleans aristocrat who cons people into buying stock in a worthless diamond company. Kingsley not only pilfered $17,000 from Bart, but had our hero shanghaied.
Best known for his portrayals of American patriot and founding father Benjamin Franklin, Fredd Wayne previously appeared as card shark Honest Carl Jimson in “Relic of Fort Tejon.”
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, shelters, individual, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in MAVERICK TV history: “The Rivals,” the famous adaptation of the Richard Sheridan play that also featured Roger Moore and Patricia Crowley, aired on Jan. 25, 1959
- THE RIVALS
Original Airdate: January 25, 1959
Synopsis. Wealthy John Vandergelt III hires Bret to switch identities with him as part of an elaborate attempt to woo the lovely Lydia Linley.
“The Rivals” is the only episode of Maverick to feature the three “principal” Mavericks: James Garner, Jack Kelly, and Roger Moore. Although Moore plays another character (millionaire and incurable romantic John Vandergelt III), the storyline has Van switching identities with Bret. In that respect, Moore “plays” Maverick, which he eventually did in real life during the fourth season.
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, shelters, individual, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in MAVERICK TV history: William Reynolds stars in “Rope of Cards,” the episode that introduced viewers to Maverick Solitaire, airing on Jan. 19, 1958
- ROPE OF CARDS
Original Airdate: January 19, 1958
Synopsis. Maverick meets Twelve Angry Men as Bret finds himself the only juror who votes to acquit a man who stands accused of murder.
The first of four episodes featuring William Reynolds (The F.B.I., The Islanders, “The Purple Testament” episode of The Twilight Zone), “Rope of Cards” also introduced viewers to “Maverick Solitaire,” where you can take any deck of cards, shuffle it, deal yourself twenty-five cards, and come up with five pat hands practically every time. According to legend, sales of playing cards spiked the day after this episode first aired.
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, shelters, individual, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in MAVERICK TV history: “Two Beggars on Horseback” aired on Jan. 18, 1959
- TWO BEGGARS ON HORSEBACK
Original Airdate: January 18, 1959
Synopsis. Bret and Bart each carry a $10,000 draft from the Gannet Express Company, only to discover that the company is about to go bankrupt. But Jessamy Longacre (guest star Patricia Barry) has inside information: the Gannet office in Deadwood hasn’t closed yet, and will remain open until a messenger brings the news by stagecoach. For a $1,000 commission, Jessamy will lead the Mavericks to Deadwood—but since the Deadwood office only has enough money to cover only one draft, Bret and Bart race the clock and each other to see who can beat the messenger to Deadwood and cash in on their draft.
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, shelters, individual, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in MAVERICK TV history: “Maverick and Juliet,” the second of two episodes featuring Carole Wells, aired on Jan. 17, 1960
- MAVERICK AND JULIET
Original Airdate: January 17, 1960
Synopsis. Maverick meets The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn meets Romeo and Juliet as Bret and Bart finds themselves embroiled in a bitter feud between two families.
Guest star Carole Wells (Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats) makes the second of her two appearances this season in “Maverick and Juliet.” She shares memories of both her episodes in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West.
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, shelters, individual, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in MAVERICK TV history: “Dateline: Sweetwater,” an episode of BRET MAVERICK featuring Ed Nelson and Joshua Bryant, aired on Jan. 12, 1982. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- DATELINE: SWEETWATER
Original Airdate: January 12, 1982
Synopsis. A con artist with a trick neck plays a pivotal role in Maverick’s scheme to thwart a ruthless financial corporation from taking over Sweetwater.
The third of three attempts to revive Maverick in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Bret Maverick (NBC, 1981-1982) saw the Legend of the West settle down in Sweetwater, Arizona after years on the road and “too many dusty trail towns, too few and far between.” James Garner not only reprised the role that originally made him a star, but produced the series for Warner Bros. Television. Guest stars in “Dateline: Sweetwater” include Ed Nelson, who had appeared in the original Maverick, and Joshua Bryant, who played Dennis Becker’s boss in the pilot for The Rockford Files.
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Bret falls in love in “A Rage for Vengeance,” airing Jan. 12, 1958
- A RAGE FOR VENGEANCE
Original Airdate: January 12, 1958
Synopsis. A mysterious woman named Margaret Ross hires Bret to accompany her as she transports $200,000 from Denver, Colorado to North Span, Montana. Maverick’s curiosity becomes unbridled when he learns that the money is counterfeit.
“A Rage for Vengeance” is one of those rare instances in the series in which Maverick allows himself to fall in love.
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, shelters, individual, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in MAVERICK TV history: “Gun-Shy,” the famous episode of MAVERICK that parodied GUNSMOKE, aired for the first time on Jan. 11, 1959
- GUN-SHY
Original Airdate: January 11, 1959
Synopsis. In Elwood, Kansas, Bret’s efforts to track down $500,000 in hidden gold run afoul of the town’s stalwart but dimwitted marshal, Mort Dooley.
The most famous episode of the original Maverick, “Gun-Shy” scored a whopping 49 share in the Nielsen ratings on the night it originally aired. Meaning, of all the TV sets that were in use between 7:30pm and 8:30pm on Sunday, January 11, 1959, one out of every two were tuned in to Maverick.
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, shelters, individual, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in MAVERICK TV history: “The Cruise of The Cynthia B” aired on Jan. 10, 1960
- THE CRUISE OF THE CYNTHIA B Original Airdate: January 10, 1960
Synopsis. Bret finds himself in a battle over ownership of The Cynthia B, a legendary old schooner known as “the death ship” because each of its six previous owners died under mysterious circumstances.
“The Cruise of The Cynthia B” is one of several episodes of Maverick inspired by Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Guest stars include Mona Freeman as Modesty Blaine, the charming grifter who got the best of Bret in “The Cats of Paradise.”