Maverick: A Different Kind of Western

by Guy Belleranti

In September 1957 a different style of western series came to television. That series was Maverick.

What made Maverick different? Well, unlike other TV westerns (and there were a lot of them) Maverick was an adult oriented western with a decided comic element. Yes, there were a few other westerns with occasional comedy, but none used comedy with such sophistication. Sometimes dark, sometimes subtle, this program spoofed some of the eras greatest westerns including Gunsmoke and Bonanza.

The genius behind the program was its creator, Roy Huggins. This is the same Huggins who later created the television hits 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitive and The Rockford Files.

Maverick ran for five seasons. The first three years featured the extremely likable James Garner as Bret Maverick, a footloose poker-playing gambler who traveled the old west in search of money and the good life. After several episodes Garner was joined on the series by Jack Kelly. Kelly played Bret’s brother Bart.

Like Bret, Bart was also a skilled gambler. Both characters were likable anti-heroes, something unusual for television in the 50’s. While Bret and Bart often flimflammed their adversaries, their actions always seemed justified with the adversary usually being a bad guy who deserved what he got. Neither Bret nor Bart was the typical quick draw western hero, but each still always managed to triumph in the end. Some episodes featured both together, while many others only featured one of the two.

After three seasons Garner left the program. Kelly, however, remained, and Roger Moore then joined the series playing Beau Maverick, a cousin to the brothers. Moore appeared in 15 episodes. Like Garner and Kelly, Moore also had great comic timing, so he was a natural fit. Still it is the Garner/Kelly seasons that are most remembered, perhaps because these were when the program’s scripts were the best.

Near the end of the 1961 season Moore left the show and Robert Colbert joined up, playing Brent Maverick, another brother, in two episodes.

1962 was the program’s final season. Colbert was dropped from the program. The series then featured either Kelly in new episodes or Garner in reruns.

In addition to the various Maverick characters, a number of other actors and actresses brought quality to the series. Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. was con artist Dandy Jim Buckley in a number of episodes. Richard Long followed Zimbalist, Jr., playing a similar con man, Gentleman Jack Darby. Diane Brewster also had a recurring role for a while, as did several others.

Some well known names also guest starred. Among these were Joel Grey, Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Louise Fletcher and John Carradine.

Although the original Maverick ended its run in 1962 the characters have been brought back several times since.

In 1978, in a TV movie called The New Maverick, both Garner and Kelly reprised their roles. And for one season, 1981-1982, Garner starred in the series Bret Maverick. Kelly appeared in one episode.

Finally, in 1994 there was the theatrical movie Maverick starring Mel Gibson as Bret. Jodie Foster also starred, and Garner had a very important supporting role.

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