Dale Robertson Tales of Wells Fargo 1957

Dale Robertson Jim Hardie Tales of Wells Fargo 1959

Suzanne Lloyd Jack Ging Howard Keel Tales of Wells Fargo 1961

Dale Robertson Tales of Wells Fargo 1963

''Tales of Wells Fargo'' is an American Western television series starring Dale Robertson that ran from 1957 to 1962 on NBC. Produced by

Revue Productions Universal Television LLC (abbreviated as UTV) is an American television production company that is a subsidiary of Universal Studio Group, a division of Comcast's NBCUniversal. It serves as the network television production arm of NBC; a prede ...

, the series aired in a half-hour format until its final season, when it expanded to an hour and switched from

black-and-white Black-and-white (B&W or B/W) images combine black and white in a continuous spectrum, producing a range of shades of grey. Media The history of various visual media began with black and white, and as technology improved, altered to color. ...

color Color (American English) or colour (British English) is the visual perceptual property deriving from the spectrum of light interacting with the photoreceptor cells of the eyes. Color categories and physical specifications of color are associ ...

Synopsis

Set in the 1870s and 1880s, the series starred

Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a state in the South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the north, Missouri on the northeast, Arkansas on the east, New ...

native Dale Robertson as

Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational financial services company with corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California; operational headquarters in Manhattan; and managerial offices throughout the United States and intern ...

special agent Jim Hardie, noted at the time as "the left-handed gun". The character was fictional, but the series' development was influenced by the biography of Wells Fargo detective Fred J. Dodge. Agent Hardie was shown working cases in many areas of the Old West, occasionally interacting with legendary outlaws such as

Jesse James Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the " Little Dixie" area of Western Missouri, James and his family maintained st ...

and Belle Starr, as well as with other American historical figures. Hardie's own history was rarely discussed, but one episode gave a detailed backstory, portraying him as a Louisiana-born drifter who almost became an outlaw before finding his true mission in life. In the final season, when episodes were longer, Hardie was given a base of operations, in a town called Gloribee, and four regular supporting characters were added. Hardie usually rode a chestnut gelding with a white blaze on his face and four white stockings. The horse actually belonged to Dale Robertson, and was named "Jubilee". In at least one episode, Jubilee came when Hardie whistled and called his name.

Cast

Lead

* Dale Robertson as Jim Hardie,

agent

Recurring

* Jack Ging as Beau McCloud * William Demarest as Jeb Gaine (1961–1962) * Virginia Christine as Ovie (1961–1962) * Lory Patrick as Tina (1961–1962) * Mary Jayne Saunders as Mary G. (1961-1962)

Notable guest stars

* Nick Adams * Stanley Adams *

Claude Akins Claude Aubrey Akins (May 25, 1926 – January 27, 1994) was an American character actor with a long career on stage, screen, and television. He was best known as Sheriff Lobo on the 1979–1981 television series '' B.J. and the Bear'', and ...

, five times, once as

John L. Sullivan John Lawrence Sullivan (October 15, 1858 – February 2, 1918), known simply as John L. among his admirers, and dubbed the "Boston Strong Boy" by the press, was an American boxer recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing, ...

Rico Alaniz Americo Zorilla "Rico" Alaniz (October 25, 1919 – March 9, 2015) was a Mexican-American actor. Early years Alaniz was born in Juárez, Mexico, and began riding when he was a child. Selected filmography * '' The Capture'' (1950) - Policema ...

* Eddie Albert * Chris Alcaide * Fred Aldrich * Morris Ankrum * Roscoe Ates * Roy Barcroft *

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* Rayford Barnes * Baynes Barron * Hugh Beaumont as

* John Beradino, three times * Lyle Bettger as

John Wesley Hardin John Wesley Hardin (May 26, 1853 – August 19, 1895) was an American Old West outlaw, gunfighter, and controversial folk icon. Hardin often got into trouble with the law from an early age. He killed his first man at the age of 15, claiming he ...

* Dan Blocker *

Nesdon Booth Nesdon Foye Booth (September 1, 1918 – March 25, 1964) was an American film and television actor. He appeared in over 100 films and television programs, and was known for his recurring role as Frank the bartender in the American western televi ...

* Lane Bradford *

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* Steve Brodie *

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Butch Cassidy Robert LeRoy Parker (April 13, 1866 – November 7, 1908), better known as Butch Cassidy, was an American train and bank robber and the leader of a gang of criminal outlaws known as the " Wild Bunch" in the Old West. Parker engaged in crimin ...

* Johnny Mack Brown * Edgar Buchanan * Walter Burke * Terry Burnham *

King Calder Albert King Calder (April 21, 1898 – June 28, 1964) was an American film, television and theatre actor. Early life Calder was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He began his acting career in 1929 in the Broadway play ''The Humbug'', playing D ...

Harry Carey Jr. Henry George Carey Jr. (May 16, 1921 – December 27, 2012) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 90 films, including several John Ford Westerns, as well as numerous television series. Early life Carey was born on a ranch near ...

* Robert Carricart * Stephen Chase *

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* Fred Coby * Chuck Connors twice, once as Sam Bass *

Bill Coontz Willard B. Koontz (August 28, 1917 – April 7, 1978), also known as Bill Foster, was an American actor and stuntman. Coontz was born in Iowa. His film career started in 1949, when he worked as a stuntman on the film '' Apache Chief'', and he s ...

* Ben Cooper * Jeanne Cooper as Belle Starr *

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* Walter Coy * Royal Dano as Cole Younger * Cesare Danova as

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* Jim Davis * John Dehner * Francis De Sales * Richard Devon *

Brad Dexter Brad Dexter (born Boris Michel Soso; April 9, 1917 – December 12, 2002) was an American actor and film producer. He is known for tough-guy and western roles, including the 1960 film '' The Magnificent Seven'' (1960), and producing several fi ...

* John Doucette * Buddy Ebsen * Bill Erwin * Frank Ferguson *

Paul Fix Peter Paul Fix (March 13, 1901 – October 14, 1983) was an American film and television character actor who was best known for his work in Westerns. Fix appeared in more than 100 movies and dozens of television shows over a 56-year career b ...

three times, once as

Philip Sheridan General of the Army Philip Henry Sheridan (March 6, 1831 – August 5, 1888) was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. His career was noted for his rapid rise to major general and his close a ...

* Ron Foster * Byron Foulger * Beverly Garland as

Pearl Hart Pearl Hart (born Pearl Taylor; 1871–1955) was a Canadian-born outlaw of the American Old West. She committed one of the last recorded stagecoach robberies in the United States, and her crime gained notoriety primarily because of her gender. M ...

* Anthony George * Sam Gilman * Bruce Gordon *

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* Tom Greenway * Dabbs Greer *

Herman Hack Herman H. Hackenjos (June 15, 1899 – October 19, 1967) was an American film and television actor who appeared in over 500 films. Hack was born in Panola, Illinois. His screen debut was in the 1925 film '' The Big Parade'', which starred Jo ...

Chick Hannan Chester William Hannan (May 24, 1901 – August 14, 1980) was an American actor and rodeo performer. He was known for starring as Yucca Bill Thompson in the 1937 film '' Stars Over Arizona''. Hannah was born in Iron River, Michigan. In 1924 h ...

* Ron Hayes * Myron Healey * Anne Helm as

Nellie Bly Elizabeth Cochran Seaman (born Elizabeth Jane Cochran; May 5, 1864 – January 27, 1922), better known by her pen name Nellie Bly, was an American journalist, industrialist, inventor, and charity worker who was widely known for her record-breaki ...

Kelo Henderson Paul Lars Henderson, Jr. (August 8, 1923 – December 10, 2019) was an American film and television actor. He was known for playing Clint Travis in the American western television series ''26 Men''. Henderson was born and raised on a ranch in P ...

Ike Clanton Joseph Isaac Clanton (1847 – June 1, 1887) was a member of a loose association of outlaws known as The Cowboys who clashed with lawmen Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp as well as Doc Holliday. On October 26, 1881, Clanton was present at the ...

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Robert 'Buzz' Henry Robert Dee Henry (September 4, 1931 – September 30, 1971) was an American actor and stuntman. He starred in the 1946 serial film ''Hop Harrigan'', in which he played Jackie Nolan. Life and career Henry was born in Colorado, where his mothe ...

* Ed Hinton * Harry Holcombe * Rex Holman * Rodolfo Hoyos Jr. *

Clegg Hoyt Clegg Hoyt (December 10, 1910 – October 6, 1967) was an American film and television actor. He appeared in over 100 films and television programs, and was perhaps best known for his silent role as the Sportscaster's sidekick, George, in the 19 ...

* Richard Jaeckel * Brad Johnson * I. Stanford Jolley * Dean Jones *

Bobby Jordan Robert G. Jordan (April 1, 1923 – September 10, 1965) was an American actor, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids, and The Bowery Boys. Early life and career Jordan was born in Harrison, New York, ...

as Bob Ford * Robert Karnes *

DeForest Kelley Jackson DeForest Kelley (January 20, 1920 – June 11, 1999), known to colleagues as "Dee", was an American actor, screenwriter, poet, and singer. He was known for his roles in Westerns and as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy of the in the televisi ...

* Ray Kellogg * Don Kennedy * Douglas Kennedy *

George Keymas George Keymas (November 18, 1925 – January 17, 2008) was an American film and television actor.Martin p.68 Keymas graduated from Springfield (Ohio) High School. Keymas began his Hollywood career in 1950, mainly in Westerns. His first screen ...

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* Jess Kirkpatrick *

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* Jack Lambert *

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, three times, twice as a Wells Fargo rider * John Lasell * Wesley Lau *

Tom Laughlin Thomas Robert Laughlin Jr. (August 10, 1931 – December 12, 2013) was an American actor, director, screenwriter, author, educator, and activist. Laughlin was best known for his series of ''Billy Jack'' films. He was married to actress D ...

* Norman Leavitt *

Tina Louise Tina Louise ( Blacker; born February 11, 1934) is an American actress widely known for her role as movie star Ginger Grant in the CBS television situation comedy ''Gilligan's Island''. With the death of Dawn Wells in 2020, Louise became the last ...

* Barbara Luna *

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* Barton MacLane * Donna Martell *

Carole Mathews Carole Mathews (born Jean Deifel, also credited as Jeanne Francis; September 13, 1920 – November 6, 2014) was an American film and television actress. Early years Born in Montgomery, Illinois, near Chicago, Mathews lived with her grandmoth ...

* Ken Mayer * Ann McCrea *

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* Frank McGrath *

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as Bill Longley * Tyler McVey * Joyce Meadows * Don Megowan as Ben Thompson *

Jan Merlin Jan Merlin (born Jan Wasylewski, April 3, 1925 – September 20, 2019) was an American character actor, television writer, and author. Early years Born Jan Wasylewski and reared in New York City, Merlin was of Polish ancestry. He attended the ...

* Robert Middleton, four times *

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* James Millhollin * Ewing Mitchell * George Mitchell * Gerald Mohr *

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* Anna Navarro * Ed Nelson * Jack Nicholson *

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* Jimmy Noel * Simon Oakland * Warren Oates * J. Pat O'Malley * Gregg Palmer * Dennis Patrick * Wynn Pearce * John M. Picard * Phillip Pine as Kid Curry * Edward Platt as Tom Bell *

Joe Ploski Joseph Henry Ploski (April 16, 1904 – May 17, 1993) was a Polish-American film and television actor. He was known for his appearance in the 1953 film ''Stalag 17'', which starred William Holden, Don Taylor and Otto Preminger. Ploski Was born ...

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as Lew Wallace * Paul Richards as Johnny Ringo * Jason Robards Sr. *

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* Robert Sampson *

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* Frank J. Scannell * Vito Scotti *

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* Richard Shannon *

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* Dan Sheridan * Warren Stevens as Clay Allison * Boyd Stockman *

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* Grant Sullivan * William Tannen * Vaughn Taylor * Guy Teague * Ray Teal *

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* Lee Van Cleef * Robert Vaughn as Billy the Kid *

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* Adam West * Peter Whitney *

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* Guinn Williams * Dan Duryea

Episodes

Release

Broadcast

The pilot for ''Tales of Wells Fargo'' originally premiered as an episode of the anthology series '' Schlitz Playhouse of Stars''. In the 1960–61 season, ''Wells Fargo'' was scheduled opposite ABC's detective series '' Surfside 6'' and CBS's new

sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ...

'' Bringing Up Buddy'', starring

Frank Aletter Frank George Aletter (January 14, 1926 – May 13, 2009) was an American theatre, film, and television actor. Early years Born in College Point, Queens, New York, Aletter studied acting at the Dramatic Workshop in Manhattan. He served in the ...

. ''Wells Fargo'' and ''Surfside 6'' survived another year, but ''Bringing Up Buddy'' was cancelled. ''Wells Fargo'' was the lead-in that year to a new NBC Western, '' Klondike'' starring

Ralph Taeger Ralph Taeger (July 30, 1936 – March 11, 2015) was an American actor who starred in three short-lived television series during the 1960s: '' Klondike'' (1960–61), ''Acapulco'' (1961) and ''Hondo'' (1967–68). Biography Ralph Taeger was born ...

and

, but that series, set in the Klondike Gold Rush town of Skagway, Alaska, survived only 17 episodes.

Home media

Timeless Media Group released the first two seasons on DVD in Region 1.

Ratings

For its first two years, the series was in the top 10 of the Nielsen Ratings. During the 1957–58 season, it was ranked number three, and during the 1958–59 season, it was ranked number seven.

Merchandise

The television series also spawned a number of publications for young readers, including the hardcover book ''Danger at Dry Creek'' (Golden Press, 1959), and a series of

Dell Comics Dell Comics was the comic book publishing arm of Dell Publishing, which got its start in pulp magazines. It published comics from 1929 to 1974. At its peak, it was the most prominent and successful American company in the medium.Evanier, Mark" ...

and

Little Golden Books Little Golden Books is a series of children's books, published since 1942. ''The Poky Little Puppy'', the eighth release in the series, is the top-selling children's book of all time in the United States.. Many other Little Golden Books have b ...

. One of the artists who created this comic-book adaptation was Russ Heath.

References

External links

* * {{Authority control 1950s Western (genre) television series 1957 American television series debuts 1960s Western (genre) television series 1962 American television series endings Television series set in the 1870s Television series set in the 1880s Black-and-white American television shows NBC original programming Television series by Universal Television Television shows adapted into comics Wells Fargo