If you like the westerns we’re currently discussing, you may have liked other western TV shows. So why don’t we discuss them here! Post about western conventions (non Bonanza), the shows, the actors and anything you want to discuss.
“The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters” was an American western television series based on Robert Lewis Taylor's 1958 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series aired on ABC for one season, 1963-64, and was produced by MGM Television.
The focus of the show was twelve-year-old Jamie McPheeters, his ne'er-do-well father, and a ragtag group of pioneers as they traveled west from Paducah, Kentucky to the California gold fields in 1849.
Twelve-year-old Kurt Russell, son of Bonanza's own Bing Russell (Clem), starred as Jaimie McPheeters.
Kurt.jpg (50.97 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Dan O'Herlihy played Jaimie’s father, Sardius “Doc” McPheeters, who drank and gambled his way into trouble in the episodes.
His character proved unpopular, and by the end of the series, his role was that of a bit player.
Dan O'Herlihy.jpg (35.26 KiB) Viewed 825 times
Donna Anderson played Jenny, a young pioneer woman who befriended Jaimie during his perilous journey westward.
Shown below with Michael Whitney
Michael Whitney and Donna Anderson.jpg (19.41 KiB) Viewed 825 times
The Kissel Family, part of the wagon train:
Mark Allen was cast in nineteen episodes as Matt Kissel.
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Meg Wyllie starred in eighteen episodes as Mrs. Kissel.
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And in nine episodes, real-life, child-barbershop quartet, The Osmond Brothers, portrayed the singing sons of the Kissel family:
Alan Osmond as Micah Kissel, Merrill Osmond as Deuteronomy Kissel, Jay Osmond as Lamentations Kissel, and Wayne Osmond as Leviticus Kissel.
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Michael Whitney starred in fourteen episodes, portraying the McPheeter’s and Kissel’s first wagon master, Buck Coulter.
Shown below with Donna Anderson.
Michael Whitney and Donna Anderson.jpg (19.41 KiB) Viewed 825 times
In January of 1964, Charles Bronson arrived as the second wagon master, Linc Murdock (in the last thirteen episodes of the show).
Shown below with Kurt Russell.
charles Bronson and Kurt.png (59.26 KiB) Viewed 825 times
TRIVIA:
Guthrie Thomas, the now veteran singer-songwriter, was also included in the cast as a "double" for Kurt Russell when horses were involved.
Thomas and Russell were only months apart in age and the T.V. producers did not want Russell harmed.
Guthrie Thomas, even at a young age, was an experienced horseman.
After the series was canceled, Kurt Russell and Charles Bronson reprised their roles of Jaimie McPheeters and Linc Murdock in the 1964 theatrical movie called “Guns of Diablo”.
When I first saw this I thought it was something I never saw but then I looked at the pictures. I definitely remember a young Kurt Russell and I remember seeing the 'young boys' who were later on the Andy Williams Show as the Osmond Brothers with Kurt Russell. I only saw this a few times but it did tickle my memory a bit!
I never saw this, probably because at the time , the ABC station was an independent and may not have been picked up. What time and day of the week did it air?
I never saw this, probably because at the time , the ABC station was an independent and may not have been picked up. What time and day of the week did it air?
I never saw this, probably because at the time , the ABC station was an independent and may not have been picked up. What time and day of the week did it air?
7:30pm Eastern on Sundays
At the time, I lived in Central time zone, and this would have been in competition with Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, a staple at our house. My dad would have had to change the antenna to get the ABC station.
My family watched this occasionally and it was from this show that from then on, I always recognized Dan O'Herlihy. And I adored Jaimie as he and I were close in age.
We never really grow up; we just learn how to act in public--anonymous
