History of Television's the Virginian 1962-1971 [Library Binding]

Paul Green (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786426136 | ISBN-13: 978-0786426133 | Publication Date: August 23, 2006

On September 19, 1962, The Virginian made its primetime broadcast premiere. Based on the 1902 novel by Owen Wister, The Virginian had already been through four movie adaptations when Frank Price mentioned the story s series potential to NBC. In need of a western to compete for the genre's huge audience share, the network gambled money and resources on Price s recommendation. Filmed exclusively in color, The Virginian became TV s first 90-minute western series. By 1967, the show had broken into the Nielsen rating s top ten, and NBC's gamble had paid off. Immensely successful (in spite of a rough fourth season which almost spelled the end for the series), The Virginian ran for nine seasons, becoming television's third longest running western. This work documents the creative history of The Virginian. It investigates the original inspirations for the main character and follows the story through various motion picture adaptations. The primary focus, however, is The Virginian's transformation into television. Personal interviews with executive producer Frank Price and actors, James Drury, Gary Clarke, Roberta Shore, Randy Boone, Sara Lane and Pippa Scott provide insider details. The book also looks at the ways in which the show changed over time. An extensive episode guide includes title, air date, guest star(s), writers, producers, director and a brief synopsis of each of The Virginian's 249 episodes along with a detailed list of cast and production staff. An appendix provides a cross-section of collectibles available from internet auction sites and memorabilia dealers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A magnificent must" --Western Clipping

"Essential" --Free Rein Magazine

"Wonderfully detailed and nostalgic book...congratulations on this remarkable effort!" --The Virginian. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Writer and artist Paul Green is also the author of Pete Duel: A Biography (2006). He lives in Rustburg, Virginia.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 300 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers (August 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786426136
• ISBN-13: 978-0786426133
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,510,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Questions Finally Answered, February 3, 2008

By 

Hagar the Horrible - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of Television's the Virginian 1962-1971 (Library Binding)

This book answered many lingering questions for me. Whatever happened to Gary Clarke? Why did he leave the show? Why did Charles Marquis Warren leave after half a season? I loved Paul Green's interviews with James Drury, Gary Clarke, Roberta Shore, Randy Boone and Sara Lane. Nobody had heard from Lane since the show ended so that was especially interesting for me.
Background information from executive producer Frank Price and "Virginian" writer and producer Joel Rogosin was also of great interest and actor John Saxon's accounts of working with Charles Bickford and Stewart Granger gave insight into their characters.
A must read for anyone remotely interested in "The Virginian."

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hedwig/Belgium, July 31, 2008

By 

Hedwig Kaspereit "Hedwig" (Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: History of Television's the Virginian 1962-1971 (Library Binding)

This book is a must for anybody who loves all the series from 'The Virginian' and 'The men from Shiloh'. It is well written, easy and pleasant to read and you just step back in a world of filming that, to my opinion, doesn't exist anymore. Mr. Green starts the book by telling how the idea started and gives chapter by chapter an overview of the seasons. He then brings up Production and Location and goes again chapterwise over to interviews with the most principal characters, which brings the series really back to life again.
I loved all the main actors, but as for many people, I loved Mr.Doug McClure as Trampas. It was very touching to read the interviews about him, told by the actors and especially also by his close familymembers.
I truly must say that Mr. Green has done a marvellous job. He has written in a very human way, with a big touch of respect to everyone who has worked on the series. AND he has written down the list of all the seasons, including all the titles and synopsisses. Just try to find that somewhere else! To me, it is a book which I can read over and over again and I can only advice to buy it. Thank you Mr. Green!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all Virginian and other tv western series!, June 14, 2008

By 

Vickie Harvey (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: History of Television's the Virginian 1962-1971 (Library Binding)

I came across author Paul Green by reading his book about the sad, short life of Pete Duel, who starred in the western Alias Smith and Jones. That is where I discovered he had written a book about The Virginian. I immediately purchased that book and I was not disappointed. It is very organized and answered many of the questions I always wondered about after viewing the series. It covers very throughly all aspects of the series, the cast, crew, locations and much more. This book is a must read for all Virginian fans and is a great read if you are a fan of any TV western series. This book is "worth the price of admission!"

Vickie Harvey
San Diego, CA