Back in the sixties when I was a kid (somehow I knew I’d
have to use that phrase one day) we watched television when it aired and only
when it aired. We didn’t have video recorders, DVRs or even DVDs to watch. You watched
when a show was on and if you missed it hoped you could catch it during reruns.
On Friday nights as the street lights began to glow you knew it was time to
rush home before the opening credits to one of the most popular shows on at
that time: THE WILD, WILD WEST.
Fortunately things have changed when it comes to favorite
shows. Between recordings and streaming channels you pretty much have the
chance to watch what you want, when you want. Along with those options many
studios have made it possible for classic series from the past to be offered in
DVD format at a reasonable price. Such is the case with WEST.
If you’ve never seen the series (forget the Will Smith movie
which was okay but doesn’t compare) it’s a combination of the two biggest
genres at that time, westerns and spies. The show covered the adventures of
James West (Robert Conrad) and Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin), two undercover
agents working for President Ulysses S. Grant. Each week the duo rode their
specially rigged train across the Wild West in search of threats to the
government or to various towns. While it might sound boring the series was
anything but.
On the western end of the spectrum there was plenty of horse
riding and numerous brawls that took place in any location from the barroom to
the well-manicured mansion of that week’s megalomaniac. On the spy end this
team had tons of gadgets that would do James Bond proud as well as Artemus’
ability to change his appearance with makeup and acting ability, never enough
so that the young viewers couldn’t recognize him. The blending of these two
genres made the show interesting and fun. It also had enough action to keep the
most jaded viewer watching each week while employing a ton of stunt men.
Along their trips the pair also ended up with a nefarious
arch nemesis in the form of Dr. Miguelito Loveless, a dwarf of a man with the
mind of a genius well played by Michael Dunn. The evil doctor appeared in over
10 episodes of the series. Perhaps that didn’t make him a regular since the
show ran for 4 years but it would be close enough to make him the main bad guy
from start to finish. His henchmen were always the biggest bad guys around and
a challenge for James West.
The good looking Conrad was a man’s man in that old
fashioned television, someone who could handle himself in a fight, draw faster
than the local gunslinger and able to woo the most jaded female villainess. On
top of that Conrad insisted on doing most of his own stunts which led to
difficulties at times. In so doing he gained the respect and friendship of the
various stunt men who worked the show and would follow him into other series he
starred in later.
Ross Martin offered a different look, a more mature look to
be sure and not quite as handsome but always able to find dates to accompany
West. His various disguises helped make him a great sidekick to his partner
allowing him to save the day on occasion. The character of Artemus also had the
knack for creating various weapons they could use down the road like an
exploding cue ball for the billiard table found on their train. I told you the
train was impressive.
Fans of the series were sad to see it go off the air. Even
so it has remained a talked about and well-loved series that fans can’t forget
to this day. Ask someone who grew up during that time to hum the theme song and
chances are they know it. Ask them about the animated opening segment and
they’ll describe it. And for those fans the new release of the complete series
is a joy to add to their collection.
The complete series has been offered before in a collectible
box set but the new release features the series in a more shelf friendly
version. The only thing missing are the two made for TV movies that followed
when the series was gone which were included in the special set. But if what
you’re looking for is the original series this is the way to go. Twenty six
discs (!) bring you each and every episode of the series from start to finish,
all four years.
I’m guessing that with one look at a picture from the show
or if you happen to see this set sitting on the shelf at the store you’ll find
yourself remembering that famous opening. You’ll remember that the boxes in
that animated sequence changed with each commercial break. And you’ll suddenly
find yourself remembering that theme song, perhaps going so far as to sing it.
Admit it, you’re humming it now.
Click here to order.
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