Mike Connors

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.”

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: “Family Pride” aired on Jan. 8, 1961

FAMILY PRIDE
Original Airdate: January 8, 1961

Synopsis. In New Mexico, Beau finds himself rivals with a trio of con artists who keep getting the best of him.

“Family Pride” was the first of four episodes helmed by John Ainsworth, the British director who was also a classmate of series star Roger Moore at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Ainsworth subsequently directed his “old chum” on The Saint.

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: Rudolph Acosta and Nancy Hsueh star in “Poker Face,” airing Jan. 7, 1962

POKER FACE
Original Airdate: January 7, 1962

Synopsis. Near Yuma, Arizona, notorious bandit Sebastian Bolanos challenges Bart to a high-stakes poker game in which $70,000—and the lives of five people—hang in the balance.

Guest stars include Nancy Hsueh, who became one of the first Asian-American actresses to star in a U.S. television series when she landed the role of Mia Elliott, the original lead character on Love is a Many Splendored Thing (CBS, 1967-1973), the popular daytime drama developed for television by Irma Phillips.

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 Third Rider,” the second of three episodes featuring Michael Dante (Winterhawk), aired on Jan. 5, 1958

THE THIRD RIDER
Original Airdate: January 5, 1958

Synopsis. Bart Maverick finds himself pursued by unsavory characters who think he’s a member of the gang that robbed the Elm City Bank of $80,000.

“The Third Rider” is the second of three episodes featuring Michael Dante, the future star of Winterhawk, Kid Galahad, and Westbound who was also one of several actors originally considered to play the role of Bart Maverick that eventually went to Jack Kelly.

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: “Game of Chance” aired on Jan. 4, 1959

GAME OF CHANCE
Original Airdate: January 4, 1959

Synopsis. In Denver, Bret and Bart try to outwit a wily French grifter and his charming niece.

“Game of Chance” introduced viewers to the following Pappyism: “Never cry over spilled milk… it could’ve been whiskey.” Guest stars include Roxane Berard.

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: Adele Mara stars as “The Marquesa,” airing on Jan. 3, 1960

THE MARQUESA
Original Airdate: January 3, 1960

Synopsis. In New Mexico, Bart wins ownership of the Lucky Lady cantina, only to learn that the property may have been built by a wealthy family of Portuguese descent that is laying claim to the land.

“The Marquesa” is the third of three episodes featuring Adele Mara (the wife of Maverick creator Roy Huggins), the second of two shows featuring character actor Morris Ankrum (Perry Mason), and the first of two shows featuring Edward Ashley as Nobby Ned Wyngate.

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: “Dead Man’s Hand,” the conclusion of a two-part episode of the short-lived series YOUNG MAVERICK, aired on Jan. 2, 1980. Guest stars included James Woods and a pre-KNOTS LANDING Donna Mills

4./5. DEAD MAN’S HAND (Two-parter) Original Airdates: December 26, 1979 and January 2, 1980
Synopsis. Trouble ensues for Ben Maverick when he inherits a pat hand from a gambler who died during a high-stakes poker game.

Young Maverick (CBS, 1979-1980) was an ill-fated attempt to update the Maverick formula of the late 1950s to TV audiences of the late 1970s. Starring Charles Frank as Ben Maverick, the Harvard-educated son of Cousin Beauregard Maverick, the series faced an uphill fight during its brief network run and was canceled after just six broadcasts. The two-part episode “Dead Man’s Hand” featured Howard Duff, future Emmy Award winner James Woods, and future Knots Landing star Donna Mills.

LEARN MORE about Young Maverick 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: “A State of Siege,” with guest stars Ray Danton and Lisa Gaye, aired on Jan. 1, 1961

A STATE OF SIEGE
Original Airdate: January 1, 1961

Adapted from the Story “Pavillion on the Links” by Robert Louis Stevenson
Synopsis. In New Mexico, Bart Maverick finds himself in the middle of a bitter family feud that is linked to a plot to overthrow the U.S. government.

An adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson short story “Pavillion on the Links,” “A State of Siege” was directed by Robert Sinclair, an old friend of producer Coles Trapnell who had also directed series star Jack Kelly on the New York stage when Kelly was a child star. Guest stars include Ray Danton (The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond, The Alaskans) and Lisa Gaye.

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: Donna Mills, James Woods, and Howard Duff star in “Dead Man’s Hand,” the first of a two-part episode of YOUNG MAVERICK, airing Dec. 26, 1979. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

4./5. DEAD MAN’S HAND (Two-parter) Original Airdates: December 26, 1979 and January 2, 1980
Synopsis. Trouble ensues for Ben Maverick when he inherits a pat hand from a gambler who died during a high-stakes poker game.

ACCORDING TO HOYLE
Original Airdate: October 6, 1957

Synopsis. Bret loses more than $17,000 playing poker with Samantha Crawford, a con artist employed by George Cross—who once lost $50,000 to Maverick and is determined to get it back. Samantha claims that Cross is her father and that he needs to recover the money in order to get out of jail. Bret also needs money (two riverboat owners staked him to $5,000, which he promptly lost to Samantha), so he forms a partnership with Samantha. Maverick purchases gambling equipment (with money loaned by Samantha) as part of a scheme to put a crooked game room owner named Joe Riggs out of business. But Samantha and Cross decide to double-cross Maverick by selling the equipment to Riggs.

Besides marking the first appearance of Diana Brewster (Leave It to Beaver, The Fugitive) as con artist Samantha Crawford, “According to Hoyle” features these two famous Pappyisms: “Faint heart never filled a flush” and “Man is the only animal you can skin more than once.”

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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Ed Robertson