- 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
Robert Colbert
This date in MAVERICK TV History: “The Ice Man,” featuring Andrew Duggan and Shirley Knight, aired on Jan. 29, 1961
- THE ICE MAN
Original Airdate: January 29, 1961
Synopsis. In Temple City, California, Bart becomes embroiled in the gubernatorial election between town boss Rath Lawson and Reform Party candidate Calvin Powers.
“The Ice Man” is the only episode in which Bart, or any other Maverick, dispels some wisdom from his dear old mother.
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: “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: Julie Adams stars as “The White Widow,” airing Jan. 24, 1960
- THE WHITE WIDOW
Original Airdate: January 24, 1960
Synopsis. Bart wins $5,000 playing poker in Fairview and stores the money in a hotel safe. The next day, he discovers that the money has been stolen, and the hotel clerk killed. Needing money, he applies for a loan at the bank, where he discovers that the bank president, a widow named Wilma White (guest star Julie Adams), is being threatened. Wilma hires Maverick to protect her.
Julie Adams, whom we also saw as the queen of King City in “Brasada Spur,” had previously co-starred with Jack Kelly in a live presentation of “Just Across the Street” that aired on Lux Video Theatre in January 1957.
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: “Dutchman’s Gold,” inspired by the Top 40 song of the same name, aired on Jan. 22, 1961
- DUTCHMAN’S GOLD
Original Airdate: January 22, 1961
Synopsis. After winning half-ownership of a saloon, but needing money to keep the business afloat, Beau becomes partners with a mysterious gold prospector known only as The Dutchman.
Mala Powers (Outrage) guest stars in an episode based on “Dutchman’s Gold,” a spoken-word recording that became a Top 40 hit for Walter Brennan in April 1960.
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: “Makin’ Tracks,” the last broadcast episode of YOUNG MAVERICK, aired on Jan. 16, 1980. Guest stars include Morgan Fairchild and John Hillerman
6. MAKIN’ TRACKS
Original Airdate: January 16, 1980
Synopsis. An eighty-year-old Indian cardsharp will grant railroad officials right-of-way through his land―provided they can beat him in poker. 
An ill-fated attempt to update the Maverick formula of the late 1950s to TV audiences of the late 1970s, Young Maverick ran for just six weeks during the winter of 1979-1980. By the time “Makin’ Tracks” aired on this date in 1980, CBS had already canceled the series. Guest stars in this episode include Morgan Fairchild, John Hillerman, Victor Jory, and Andrew Robinson.