TALES OF WELLS FARGO (NBC 1957-62) Dale Robertson, Jack Ging, William Demarest, Virginia Christine, Mary Jane Saunders, Lory Patrick

Tales of Wells Fargo is an American western television series starring Dale Robertson that ran for 201 episodes from 1957 to 1962 on NBC. Produced by Revue Productions, the series aired in a half-hour format until its final season when it expanded to an hour and switched from black and white to color.

Robertson starred as Jim Hardie, a strong but silent troubleshooter for transport company Wells Fargo in the 1860s. His assignments ranged from helping employees out of personal jams to functioning as an unofficial lawman by fighting criminals who preyed on Wells Fargo shipments and passengers.

Jim had a young assistant Beau McCloud (Jack Ging) and a ranch foreman named Jeb Gaine (William Demarest, better known later for playing Uncle Charlie on My Three Sons).

The ranch next door to his was owned by Widow Ovie (Virginia Christine), who lived with her two attractive daughters, Mary Gee (Mary Jane Saunders) and Tina (Lory Patrick). Despite his lack of interest, Ovie had her eye on Jeb as a possible second husband.

The guest star list is long and impressive: Jack Nicholson, Rita Moreno, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Leonard Nimoy, Beverly Garland, Chuck Connors, Michael Landon, James Coburn…to name only a few.