James Garner Clint Eastwood

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: John Dehner stars in “Shady Deal at Sunny Acres,” James Garner’s favorite episode and arguably the most famous Maverick of all, airing Nov. 23, 1958. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

SHADY DEAL AT SUNNY ACRES
Original Airdate: November 23, 1958

Synopsis. Bret wins $15,000 playing poker in Sunny Acres, Colorado. He deposits the money with the town’s banker, John Bates, but when he tries to withdraw some of his money the following morning, Bates denies the entire transaction. (Unbeknownst to Maverick, Bates has been lifting funds from the bank in order to buy out his partner, Ben Granville.) Bret vows to recover his money within two weeks, but Bates is unfazed—he knows he has an impeccable reputation in town, and that the sheriff will be watching Maverick closely. Bret plays helpless, but actually orchestrates an elaborate investment scheme built around Bates’ inherent greed. Playing key roles in the sting: Samantha Crawford, Dandy Jim Buckley, Gentleman Jack Darby, Cindy Lou Brown, Big Mike McComb, and brother Bart.

“Shady Deal at Sunny Acres” marked the final appearances of Dandy Jim Buckley and Samantha Crawford. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. was busy starring in 77 Sunset Strip, while Diane Brewster was about to launch her own series (The Islanders, produced by Richard Bare). In fact, except for Gentleman Jack Darby, none of the supporting characters created by Roy Huggins and company returned to Maverick following Huggins’ departure after the second season.

In his memoir, The Garner Files, James Garner singled out “Shady Deal at Sunny Acres” as his favorite episode of the series “because it’s Bret at his coolest.”

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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Adam West and Diane McBain star in “A Fellow’s Brother,” airing Nov. 22, 1959. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

A FELLOW’S BROTHER
Original Airdate: November 22, 1959

Synopsis. Needing a stake to get into a big poker game in Abilene, Bret decides to collect on some old gambling debts. One of the persons he visits is Ellsworth Haynes, a Wells Fargo agent in Red Rock Junction. Things become complicated when Haynes is murdered and the bank is robbed of $50,000. Because Haynes was last seen speaking to a man named “Maverick,” Bret becomes wanted for murder and robbery.

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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Bethel Leslie stars in “The Thirty-Ninth Star,” airing Nov. 16, 1958. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

THE THIRTY-NINTH STAR
Original Airdate: November 16, 1958

Synopsis. Bart celebrates the Fourth of July in a western territory that hopes to qualify for statehood.

More often than not, any script during the Roy Huggins era that featured just one Maverick was doled out to whichever actor was available, be that James Garner or Jack Kelly (although, as a rule, Huggins had always his scripts written with Garner in mind). According to series writer Marion Hargrove, however, “The Thirty-Ninth Star” was one of the few Huggins shows that was specifically written as a vehicle for Jack Kelly.

The episode also features one of the most famous Pappyisms of all: “Work is fine for killing time, but it’s a shaky way to make a living.”

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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Edgar Buchanan, Nita Talbot and Pippa Scott star in “Easy Mark,” airing on Nov. 15, 1959. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

EASY MARK
Original Airdate: November 15, 1959

Synopsis. Outside the desert of Santa Fe, Bart encounters Cornelius Van Rensselear Jr., a Harvard graduate and the son of a railroad magnate. Corny takes Bart for more than $1,000 in poker, but offers him double his money back if Bart agrees to impersonate him for a few days. Corny is traveling to his father’s company in St. Louis for an important shareholders meeting (his father faces the danger of being bought out by a rival named Hardiman), but he also needs to complete a paper on cacti that he must deliver to a horticultural society. Maverick takes the job—and immediately finds himself the target of henchmen dispatched by Hardiman to derail Corny.

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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Wayde Preston stars in “The Witch of Hound Dog,” airing Nov. 6, 1960. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

THE WITCH OF HOUND DOG
Original Airdate: November 6, 1960

Synopsis. In Hound Dog, Tennessee, Bart enlists the help of town doctor Luke Baxter (played by Wayde Preston) in his efforts to collect a $10,000 gambling debt from “Hound Dog” Harris.

Wayde Preston previously starred as the titular character in “The Saga of Waco Williams,” one of the most famous episodes of of the entire series.

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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Fredd Wayne and Sheb Wooley star in “Relic of Fort Tejon,” airing Nov. 3, 1957. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

RELIC OF FORT TEJON
Original Airdate: November 3, 1957

Synopsis. Bret wins an old Army camel named Fatima as partial payment in a poker game. After several unsuccessful attempts to sell Fatima, Bret travels to Silver Springs, where he hopes to trip up Carl Jimson, a notorious card shark who has snowed the entire town into believing his reputation for an “honest deal.” Among those whom Jimson has fooled is Donna Seely, his fiancée—and a former girlfriend of Bret’s. After Bret exposes him as a fraud, Jimson tries to kill Maverick.

Guest stars include Fredd Wayne, the actor known for his portrayals of American statesman Benjamin Franklin, and singer/actor Sheb Wooley (Rawhide, High Noon, The Outlaw Josey Wales, “Purple People Eater”).

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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: “The Judas Mask” airs on Nov. 2, 1958. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

THE JUDAS MASK
Original Airdate: November 2, 1958

Synopsis. After winning more than $20,000 playing poker in Silver City, New Mexico, Bart plans to buy half-ownership of the Bella Union with the current owner Walter Delourne. Karen Gustavsen, a showgirl at the hotel, steals Bart’s money and flees to Mexico. Bart and Elliot Larkin (Karen’s protective lover) follow her south of the border. Karen doesn’t have the money (it’s at a bank in Silver City), but she explains why she stole it: Delourne is a ruthless man who drove her sister, also a showgirl, to suicide. Karen convinces Bart not to purchase the hotel. But a jealous Elliot, afraid of losing Karen to Bart, summons Delourne to Mexico.

This episode features one of the most remembered Pappyisms of the entire series: “He who plays and runs away, lives to run another day.”

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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Carole Wells and Joanna Moore star in “The Lass with the Poisonous Air,” airing Nov. 1, 1959. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

THE LASS WITH THE POISONOUS AIR
Original Airdate: November 1, 1959

Synopsis. While riding a mare he won in a poker game in Denver, Bart meets, and immediately becomes attracted to, Linda Burke (played by Joanna Moore)—a woman of great beauty, few words, and many secrets. Unbeknownst to Bart, Linda’s husband is a mining tycoon with gubernatorial aspirations. Maverick secretly meets Linda every day at a secluded spot in a nearby meadow, much to the suspicion of Linda’s love, Phil Dana, the son of Burke’s former partner. Bart and Phil soon become rivals in cards and in love. When Phil is found shot to death, Maverick becomes the prime suspect.

The title for this episode was derived from “The Lass with the Delicate Air,” the classic eighteenth-century British song written by Michael Arne.

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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Kathleen Crowley and Arch Johnson star in “A Bullet for the Teacher,” airing Oct. 30, 1960. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

A BULLET FOR THE TEACHER
Original Airdate: October 30, 1960

Synopsis. Beau wins half-ownership of the Golden Wheel Casino in St. Joseph, Missouri. But the business venture is short-lived when his partner Rand Storm, a notorious ladies’ man, is shot to death by Flo Baker, a female entertainer who was resisting his advances. Just before he dies, Rand tells his younger brother Luke that the shooting was an accident. But Luke, who has long wanted to own the casino, has Beau framed for Rand’s murder so that he can take over the business.

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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever

This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Edd Byrnes, Michael Dante, and Peter Brown star in “Stage West,” airing Oct. 27, 1957. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

STAGE WEST
Original Airdate: October 27, 1957

Michael Dante posing with the movie poster for Kid Galahad. Photo courtesy Michael and Mary Jane Dante

Synopsis. Bret and the widow Linda Harris are held hostage by rancher Mart Fallon and his two sons. Fallon murdered Linda’s husband, a miner who has found gold near Indian territory. Unfortunately for Fallon, only Bret knows where the mine is located. Maverick takes advantage of the situation—and of Fallon’s greedy nature—by selling a map indicating the mine’s location. What Bret doesn’t tell Fallon is that the mine is worthless.

Based on a short story by Louis L’Amour, this episode features Edd Byrnes (a few months away from his breakout role as Kookie on 77 Sunset Strip) and Michael Dante (Winterhawk, Kid Galahad, The Legend of Custer, Michael Dante: From Hollywood to Michael Dante Way). Michael Dante was one of the actors considered for the role of Bart Maverick on 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, 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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.

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