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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| name = Colt .45
| image = Colt .45 Wayde Preston 1959.jpg
| image = File:Colt .45 Wayde Preston 1959.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| caption = [[Wayde Preston]] as Christopher Colt, 1959
| caption = [[Wayde Preston]] as Christopher Colt, 1959
| alt_name = '''''The Colt Cousins'''''
| alt_name = '''''The Colt Cousins'''''
| genre = [[Western (genre)|Western]]
| genre = [[Western (genre)|Western]]
| creator = ''Based on the film by''<br>[[Thomas W. Blackburn]]
| creator = {{Plainlist|
* ''Based on the film by''
* [[Thomas W. Blackburn]]
}}
| director =
| director =
| developer = [[Roy Huggins]]
| developer = [[Roy Huggins]]
| starring = [[Wayde Preston]]<br>[[Donald May]]<br>[[Kenneth MacDonald (American actor)|Kenneth MacDonald]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Wayde Preston]]
* [[Donald May]]
* [[Kenneth MacDonald (American actor)|Kenneth MacDonald]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[Mack David]]<br>[[Jerry Livingston]]
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist|
| opentheme = Performed by [[Hal Hopper]]
* [[Mack David]]
| endtheme =
* [[Jerry Livingston]]
| company = [[Warner Bros. Television]]
}}
| composer = [[Paul Sawtell]]<br>[[Bert Shefter]]
| open_theme = Performed by [[Hal Hopper]]
| endtheme =
| company = [[Warner Bros. Television]]
| composer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Paul Sawtell]]
* [[Bert Shefter]]
}}
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| num_seasons = 3
| num_seasons = 3
| num_episodes = 67
| num_episodes = 67
| list_episodes =
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = [[William T. Orr]]
| executive_producer = [[William T. Orr]]
| producer = [[Roy Huggins]]<br>[[Harry Tatelman]]<br>[[Cedric Francis]]<br>[[Mack David]]<br>[[Joseph Hoffman]]<br>[[Oren W. Haglund]] ([[Filmmaking|production manager]])<br>
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Roy Huggins]]
* Harry Tatelman
* Cedric Francis
* [[Mack David]]
* [[Joseph Hoffman]]
* Oren W. Haglund ([[Filmmaking|production manager]])
*
[[Gordon Bau]] (make-up)
}}
Gordon Bau (make-up)
| editor = James Moore
| editor = James Moore
| camera =
| camera =
| runtime = 24 mins
| runtime = 23-25 minutes
| network = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| network = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1957|10|18}}
| picture_format = [[Black-and-white]]
| audio_format = [[Monaural]]
| last_aired = {{End date|1960|09|27}}
| first_aired = {{start date|1957|10|18}}
| related = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Colt .45 (1950 film)|Colt .45]]''
| last_aired = {{end date|1960|09|27}}
| preceded_by = ''[[Colt .45 (film)|Colt .45]]''
* ''[[Maverick (TV series)|Maverick]]''
* ''[[Shotgun Slade]]''
| followed_by =
* ''[[Sugarfoot]]''
| related = ''[[Maverick (TV series)|Maverick]]''<br>''[[Shotgun Slade]]''<br>''[[Sugarfoot]]''
}}
}}
}}


'''''Colt .45''''' (also known as '''''The Colt Cousins''''') is an American [[Western (genre)|Western]] series originally starring [[Wayde Preston]] which aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] between October 1957 and September 1960.<ref name=brooks>{{cite book|last=Brooks|first=Tim |author2=Marsh, Earle F.|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present |publisher=Ballantine Books|date=2007-10-17|edition=9|pages=273|isbn=0-345-49773-2}}</ref>
'''''Colt .45''''' (also known as '''''The Colt Cousins''''') is an American [[Westerns on television|Western television series]], originally starring [[Wayde Preston]], which aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] between October 1957 and September 1960.<ref name=brooks>{{cite book|last=Brooks|first=Tim |author2=Marsh, Earle F.|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present |publisher=Ballantine Books|date=2007-10-17|edition=9|pages=273|isbn=978-0-345-49773-4}}</ref>


The half-hour program is loosely based on the 1950 [[Warner Bros.]] [[Colt .45 (film)|film of the same name]], starring [[Randolph Scott]]. ''Colt .45'' was part of the [[William T. Orr]]-produced array of westerns which Warner produced for ABC in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
The half-hour program is loosely based on the 1950 [[Warner Bros.]] [[Colt .45 (1950 film)|film of the same name]], starring [[Randolph Scott]]. ''Colt .45'' was part of the [[William T. Orr]]-produced array of Westerns which Warner produced for ABC in the late 1950s and early 1960s.


==Overview==
==Overview==
[[Roy Huggins]] developed the series with Wayde Preston in the part of undercover government agent Christopher Colt, who takes the cover of a traveling [[Old West]] pistol salesman, hence the title of the series. ''Colt .45'' also featured fictionalizations of actual historical characters including [[Edwin Booth]] (brother of [[John Wilkes Booth]], the assassin of [[U.S. President]] [[Abraham Lincoln]]), [[Sam Bass (outlaw)|Sam Bass]], [[Billy the Kid]], [[Lew Wallace]], [[Judge Roy Bean]], [[Buffalo Bill Cody]], [[Ned Buntline]], and [[Calamity Jane]].
[[Roy Huggins]] developed the series with Wayde Preston in the part of undercover government agent Christopher Colt, who takes the cover of a traveling [[Old West]] pistol salesman, hence the title of the series. ''Colt .45'' also featured fictionalizations of actual historical characters, including [[Edwin Booth]] (brother of [[John Wilkes Booth]], the assassin of [[U.S. President]] [[Abraham Lincoln]]), [[Sam Bass (outlaw)|Sam Bass]], [[Billy the Kid]], [[Lew Wallace]], [[Judge Roy Bean]], [[Buffalo Bill Cody]], [[Ned Buntline]], and [[Calamity Jane]].
[[File:Donald May Colt 45 1960.jpg|left|thumb|250px|[[Donald May]] as Sam Colt, Jr. in 1959]]
[[File:Donald May Colt 45 1960.jpg|left|thumb|250px|[[Donald May]] as Sam Colt, Jr., in 1959]]
During this period of time, ''Colt .45'' was one of several ABC/WB western productions, along with ''[[Cheyenne (TV series)|Cheyenne]]'', ''[[Sugarfoot]]'', ''[[Lawman (TV series)|Lawman]]'', ''[[Maverick (TV series)|Maverick]]'' and ''[[Bronco (TV series)|Bronco]]''. Various series leads occasionally did [[fictional crossover|crossover]] episodes on some of the other WB programs. One of the most imaginative was the [[List of Maverick episodes|"Hadley's Hunters"]] episode of ''Maverick'', in which Bart Maverick ([[Jack Kelly (actor)|Jack Kelly]]) comes upon Christopher Colt's sales satchel, abandoned in a room and covered with dust since the series had been cancelled the previous season.
During this period, ''Colt .45'' was one of several ABC/WB Western productions, along with ''[[Cheyenne (TV series)|Cheyenne]]'', ''[[Sugarfoot]]'', ''[[Lawman (TV series)|Lawman]]'', ''[[Maverick (TV series)|Maverick]]'', and ''[[Bronco (TV series)|Bronco]]''. Various series leads occasionally did [[fictional crossover|crossover]] episodes on some of the other WB programs. One of the most imaginative was the [[List of Maverick episodes|"Hadley's Hunters"]] episode of ''Maverick'', in which Bart Maverick ([[Jack Kelly (actor)|Jack Kelly]]) comes upon Christopher Colt's sales satchel, abandoned in a room and covered with dust, as the series had been cancelled the previous season.


In 1958, series star Wayde Preston left the series because he claimed he was made to do stunts that required a [[stunt man]]. Preston was also reportedly unhappy with the show's low budget which caused other problems. Because of Preston's departure, producers were forced to air repeats of the series along with a few new episodes to complete the 1958-1959 season.<ref name=brooks />
In 1958, series star Wayde Preston left the series because he claimed he was made to do stunts that required a [[stunt man]]. Preston was also reportedly unhappy with the show's low budget, which caused other problems. Because of Preston's departure, producers were forced to air repeats of the series along with a few new episodes to complete the 1958–1959 season.<ref name=brooks />


In 1959, [[Donald May]] assumed the lead role as Sam Colt, Jr., the cousin of Christopher Colt.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Abbott|first1=Doug |last2=Jackson|first2=Ronald |title=50 Years of the Television Western: A Pictorial History|year=2009|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=1-434-35925-5|page=80}}</ref> After leaving the series, Warner Bros. prevented Preston from obtaining other acting jobs. He eventually returned briefly to the series but was demoted to a co-starring role with May.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Moore|first1=Barbara A.|last2=Bensman|first2=Marvin R. |last3=Van Dyke|first3=Jim |title=Prime-Time Television: A Concise History|year=2006|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=0-275-98142-8|page=146}}</ref> Due to the casting changes, the series was eventually marketed in the [[United Kingdom]] as ''The Colt Cousins''.
In 1959, [[Donald May]] assumed the lead role as Sam Colt, Jr., the cousin of Christopher Colt.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Abbott|first1=Doug |last2=Jackson|first2=Ronald |title=50 Years of the Television Western: A Pictorial History|year=2009|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=978-1-434-35925-4|page=80}}</ref> After leaving the series, Warner Bros. prevented Preston from obtaining other acting jobs. He eventually returned briefly to the series, but was demoted to a co-starring role with May.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Moore|first1=Barbara A.|last2=Bensman|first2=Marvin R. |last3=Van Dyke|first3=Jim |title=Prime-Time Television: A Concise History|year=2006|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=0-275-98142-8|page=146}}</ref> Due to the casting changes, the series was eventually marketed in the [[United Kingdom]] as ''The Colt Cousins''.


==Guest stars==
==Guest stars==
{{col-begin|width=60%}}
{{col-begin|width=60%}}
{{Col-2}}
{{Col-2}}
*[[Chris Alcaide]]
*[[Rayford Barnes]]
*[[Russ Bender]]
*[[Dan Blocker]]
*[[Dan Blocker]]
*[[Nesdon Booth]]
*[[Lane Bradford]]
*[[Lane Bradford]]
*[[Charles Bronson]]
*[[Charles Bronson]]
*[[Peter Brown (actor)|Peter Brown]]
*[[Peter Brown (actor)|Peter Brown]]
*[[Stephen Chase (actor)|Stephen Chase]]
*[[Don Chastain]]
*[[Don Chastain]]
*[[John Cliff (actor)|John Cliff]]
*[[Fred Coby]]
*[[Robert Conrad]]
*[[Robert Conrad]]
*[[Kathleen Crowley]]
*[[Kathleen Crowley]]
*[[Alan Dexter]]
*[[Angie Dickinson]]
*[[Angie Dickinson]]
*[[Troy Donahue]]
*[[Troy Donahue]]
*[[John Doucette]]
*[[John Doucette]]
*[[Richard Garland]]
*[[Sean Garrison]]
*[[Sean Garrison]]
*[[Bing Russell]]
*[[Jock Gaynor]]
*[[Robert Griffin (actor)|Robert Griffin]]
{{Col-2}}
{{Col-2}}
*[[Alan Hale, Jr.]]
*[[Alan Hale Jr.]]
*[[Rodolfo Hoyos, Jr.]]
*[[Tom Hennesy]]
*[[Stacy Keach, Sr.]]
*[[Robert 'Buzz' Henry]]
*[[Bern Hoffman]]
*[[Rodolfo Hoyos Jr.]]
*[[I. Stanford Jolley]]
*[[Stacy Keach Sr.]]
*[[Sandy Koufax]]
*[[Sandy Koufax]]
*[[Britt Lomond]]
*[[Britt Lomond]]
*[[Jimmy Lydon]]
*[[Jimmy Lydon]]
*[[Herbert Lytton]]
*[[Lee Van Cleef]]
*[[Walter Maslow]]
*[[Walter Maslow]]
*[[Leonard Nimoy]]
*[[Leonard Nimoy]]
*[[James Nolan (actor)|James Nolan]]
*[[Gilman Rankin]]
*[[Lyle Talbot]]
*[[Lyle Talbot]]
*[[Guy Teague]]
*[[Kelly Thordsen]]
*[[John Vivyan]]
*[[Max Wagner]]
*[[Adam West]]
*[[Adam West]]
*[[Margaret Whiting]]
*[[Margaret Whiting]]
{{Col-end}}
{{Col-end}}


==Episode list==
==Series overview==
<onlyinclude>{{Series overview
===Season 1: 1957–58===
| color1 = #B0171F
{| class=wikitable style="background:#FFFFFF"
| link1 = <includeonly>Colt .45 (TV series)</includeonly>#Season 1: 1957–58
|- style="color:#FFFFFF"
| episodes1 = 26
! style="background:#B0171F; width:20px"| {{abbr|No|Overall episode number}}
| start1 = {{Start date|1957|10|18}}
! style="background:#B0171F; width:20px"| {{abbr|Ep|Episode number by season}}
| end1 = {{End date|1958|04|11}}
! style="background:#B0171F"| Title

! style="background:#B0171F"| Directed by:
| color2 = #CDAD00
! style="background:#B0171F"| Written by:
| link2 = <includeonly>Colt .45 (TV series)</includeonly>#Season 2: 1959
! style="background:#B0171F; width:135px"| Air date
| episodes2 = 13
| start2 = {{Start date|1959|04|05}}
| end2 = {{End date|1959|06|28}}

| color3 = #000000
| link3 = <includeonly>Colt .45 (TV series)</includeonly>#Season 3: 1959–60
| episodes3 = 28
| start3 = {{Start date|1959|10|04}}
| end3 = {{End date|1960|06|21}}
}}</onlyinclude>

==Episodes==
===Season 1: 1957–1958===
{{Episode table|background=#B0171F|overall=|season=|title=|director=|writer=|airdate=|episodes=
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| EpisodeNumber = 1
Line 119: Line 178:
| Title = The Three Thousand Dollar Bullet
| Title = The Three Thousand Dollar Bullet
| DirectedBy = [[Franklin Adreon]]
| DirectedBy = [[Franklin Adreon]]
| WrittenBy = [[Eric Freiwald]],<br> Robert Schaefer
| WrittenBy = [[Eric Freiwald]],<br /> Robert Schaefer
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1957|11|1}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1957|11|01}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 135: Line 194:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1957|11|8}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1957|11|08}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 180: Line 239:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1957|12|6}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1957|12|06}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 191: Line 250:
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| t = [[Daniel B. Ullman]];
| t = [[Daniel B. Ullman]];
| ex1 = William Driskill,<br> [[Joel Rapp]]
| ex1 = William Driskill,<br /> [[Joel Rapp]]
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| ex1label = {{abbr|S/T|Story and teleplay by}}
| ex1label = {{abbr|S/T|Story and teleplay by}}
Line 235: Line 294:
| DirectedBy = Alan Crosland Jr.
| DirectedBy = Alan Crosland Jr.
| WrittenBy = Frederick Brady
| WrittenBy = Frederick Brady
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|1|3}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|01|03}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 245: Line 304:
| DirectedBy = [[Montgomery Pittman]]
| DirectedBy = [[Montgomery Pittman]]
| WrittenBy = Montgomery Pittman
| WrittenBy = Montgomery Pittman
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|1|10}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|01|10}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 255: Line 314:
| DirectedBy = [[Abner Biberman]]
| DirectedBy = [[Abner Biberman]]
| WrittenBy = David Lang
| WrittenBy = David Lang
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|1|17}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|01|17}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 265: Line 324:
| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman
| DirectedBy = Abner Biberman
| WrittenBy = Jack Harvey
| WrittenBy = Jack Harvey
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|1|24}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|01|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 275: Line 334:
| DirectedBy = [[Leslie H. Martinson]]
| DirectedBy = [[Leslie H. Martinson]]
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = Albert Aley,<br> [[William MacLeod Raine]];
| s = [[Albert Aley]],<br /> [[William MacLeod Raine]];
| t = James Edmiston
| t = James Edmiston
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|1|31}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|01|31}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 289: Line 348:
| Title = Rare Specimen
| Title = Rare Specimen
| DirectedBy = Leslie H. Martinson
| DirectedBy = Leslie H. Martinson
| WrittenBy = [[Gene Levitt]],<br> [[Eugene Manlove Rhodes]]
| WrittenBy = [[Gene Levitt]],<br /> [[Eugene Manlove Rhodes]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|2|7}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|02|07}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 300: Line 359:
| DirectedBy =
| DirectedBy =
| WrittenBy = Montgomery Pittman
| WrittenBy = Montgomery Pittman
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|2|14}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|02|14}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 315: Line 374:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|2|21}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|02|21}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 325: Line 384:
| DirectedBy = [[Richard L. Bare]]
| DirectedBy = [[Richard L. Bare]]
| WrittenBy = Frederick Brady
| WrittenBy = Frederick Brady
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|2|28}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|02|28}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 340: Line 399:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|3|7}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|03|07}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 355: Line 414:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|3|14}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|03|14}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 366: Line 425:
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| WrittenBy = [[Steve Fisher (writer)|Steve Fisher]]
| WrittenBy = [[Steve Fisher (writer)|Steve Fisher]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|3|21}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|03|21}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 377: Line 436:
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = [[Norman A. Daniels|Norman Daniels]];
| s = [[Norman A. Daniels|Norman Daniels]];
| t = Tony Barrett,<br> Frederick Brady
| t = Tony Barrett,<br /> Frederick Brady
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|3|28}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|03|28}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 396: Line 455:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|4|4}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|04|04}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
Line 411: Line 470:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|4|11}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1958|04|11}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = B0171F
| LineColor = B0171F
}}
}}
|}
}}


===Season 2: 1959===
===Season 2: 1959===
{{Episode table|background=#CDAD00|overall=|season=|title=|director=|writer=|airdate=|episodes=
{| class=wikitable style="background:#FFFFFF"
! style="background:#CDAD00; width:20px"| {{abbr|No|Overall episode number}}
! style="background:#CDAD00; width:20px"| {{abbr|Ep|Episode number by season}}
! style="background:#CDAD00"| Title
! style="background:#CDAD00"| Directed by:
! style="background:#CDAD00"| Written by:
! style="background:#CDAD00; width:100px"| Air date
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 27
| EpisodeNumber = 27
Line 431: Line 484:
| DirectedBy = Lee Sholem
| DirectedBy = Lee Sholem
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| t = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| t = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|4|5}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|04|05}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 449: Line 502:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|4|12}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|04|12}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 458: Line 511:
| Title = The Magic Box
| Title = The Magic Box
| DirectedBy = [[George Waggner]]
| DirectedBy = [[George Waggner]]
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|4|19}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|04|19}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 469: Line 522:
| DirectedBy = Harold Daniels
| DirectedBy = Harold Daniels
| WrittenBy = Dwight V. Babcock
| WrittenBy = Dwight V. Babcock
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|4|26}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|04|26}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 479: Line 532:
| DirectedBy = [[Arthur Ripley]]
| DirectedBy = [[Arthur Ripley]]
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = James Barnett,<br> [[Jack Emanuel]];
| s = James Barnett,<br /> [[Jack Emanuel]];
| t = Leonard Lee
| t = Leonard Lee
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|5|3}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|05|03}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 495: Line 548:
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = Jack Emanuel;
| s = Jack Emanuel;
| t = [[Frank Gruber]],<br> [[Dean Riesner]]
| t = [[Frank Gruber]],<br /> [[Dean Riesner]]
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|5|10}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|05|10}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 509: Line 562:
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| t = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| t = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|5|17}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|05|17}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 522: Line 575:
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = James Barnett,<br> Jack Emanuel;
| s = James Barnett,<br /> Jack Emanuel;
| t = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| t = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|5|24}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|05|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 542: Line 595:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|5|31}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|05|31}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 551: Line 604:
| Title = Law West of the Pecos
| Title = Law West of the Pecos
| DirectedBy = Alan Crosland Jr.
| DirectedBy = Alan Crosland Jr.
| WrittenBy = John Tucker Battle
| WrittenBy = [[John Tucker Battle]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|6|7}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|06|07}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 567: Line 620:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|6|14}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|06|14}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 577: Line 630:
| DirectedBy = Lee Sholem
| DirectedBy = Lee Sholem
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| t = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| t = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|6|21}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|06|21}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
Line 589: Line 642:
| Title = Night of Decision
| Title = Night of Decision
| DirectedBy = Leslie H. Martinson
| DirectedBy = Leslie H. Martinson
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|6|28}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|06|28}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = CDAD00
| LineColor = CDAD00
}}
}}
|}
}}


===Season 3: 1959–60===
===Season 3: 1959–1960===
{{Episode table|background=#000000|overall=|season=|title=|director=|writer=|airdate=|episodes=
{| class=wikitable style="background:#FFFFFF"
|- style="color:#FFFFFF"
! style="background:#000000; width:20px"| {{abbr|No|Overall episode number}}
! style="background:#000000; width:20px"| {{abbr|Ep|Episode number by season}}
! style="background:#000000"| Title
! style="background:#000000"| Directed by:
! style="background:#000000"| Written by:
! style="background:#000000; width:135px"| Air date
{{Episode list
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 40
| EpisodeNumber = 40
Line 610: Line 656:
| Title = Queen of Dixie
| Title = Queen of Dixie
| DirectedBy = [[Herbert L. Strock]]
| DirectedBy = [[Herbert L. Strock]]
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|10|4}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|10|04}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 631: Line 677:
| DirectedBy = Herbert L. Strock
| DirectedBy = Herbert L. Strock
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = James Barnett,<br> Jack Emanuel;
| s = James Barnett,<br /> Jack Emanuel;
| t = [[Malcolm Stuart Boylan]]
| t = [[Malcolm Stuart Boylan]]
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
Line 662: Line 708:
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = Mack David;
| s = Mack David;
| t = Milton Raison,<br> Dean Riesner
| t = Milton Raison,<br /> Dean Riesner
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|11|1}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|11|01}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 676: Line 722:
| DirectedBy = Emory Horger
| DirectedBy = Emory Horger
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = James Barnett,<br> Jack Emanuel;
| s = James Barnett,<br /> Jack Emanuel;
| t = William Driskill
| t = William Driskill
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|11|8}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|11|08}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 690: Line 736:
| Title = Yellow Terror
| Title = Yellow Terror
| DirectedBy = Herbert L. Strock
| DirectedBy = Herbert L. Strock
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|11|15}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|11|15}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
Line 700: Line 746:
| Title = Tar and Feathers
| Title = Tar and Feathers
| DirectedBy = Emory Horger
| DirectedBy = Emory Horger
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|11|22}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|11|22}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
Line 714: Line 760:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|12|6}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1959|12|06}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 739: Line 785:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|1|10}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|01|10}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 748: Line 794:
| Title = Impasse
| Title = Impasse
| DirectedBy = [[Paul Landres]]
| DirectedBy = [[Paul Landres]]
| WrittenBy = Lee Loeb,<br> Rudy Makoul
| WrittenBy = [[Lee Loeb]],<br /> Rudy Makoul
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|1|31}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|01|31}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 758: Line 804:
| Title = Arizona Anderson
| Title = Arizona Anderson
| DirectedBy = George Waggner
| DirectedBy = George Waggner
| WrittenBy = Mack David,<br> Lee Loeb
| WrittenBy = Mack David,<br /> Lee Loeb
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|2|14}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|02|14}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 768: Line 814:
| Title = The Cause
| Title = The Cause
| DirectedBy = [[H. Bruce Humberstone]]
| DirectedBy = [[H. Bruce Humberstone]]
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br> A. Sanford Wolfe
| WrittenBy = Irwin Winehouse,<br /> A. Sanford Wolfe
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|2|28}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|02|28}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 779: Line 825:
| DirectedBy = [[Lew Landers]]
| DirectedBy = [[Lew Landers]]
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = James Barnett,<br> Mack David;
| s = James Barnett,<br /> Mack David;
| t = Nat Tanchuck
| t = Nat Tanchuck
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|3|13}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|03|13}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 794: Line 840:
| DirectedBy =
| DirectedBy =
| WrittenBy = Kenneth Gamet
| WrittenBy = Kenneth Gamet
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|3|27}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|03|27}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 805: Line 851:
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = Roy Huggins;
| s = Roy Huggins;
| t = Howard Browne,<br> Dean Riesner
| t = Howard Browne,<br /> Dean Riesner
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|4|5}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|04|05}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 824: Line 870:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|4|12}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|04|12}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 839: Line 885:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|4|19}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|04|19}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 850: Line 896:
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = Irving Rubine;
| s = Irving Rubine;
| t = W. Hermanos,<br> William F. Leicester
| t = W. Hermanos,<br /> William F. Leicester
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|4|26}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|04|26}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 863: Line 909:
| Title = Trial by Rope
| Title = Trial by Rope
| DirectedBy = Herbert L. Strock
| DirectedBy = Herbert L. Strock
| WrittenBy = W. Hermanos,<br> William F. Leicester
| WrittenBy = W. Hermanos,<br /> William F. Leicester
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|5|3}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|05|03}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 874: Line 920:
| DirectedBy =
| DirectedBy =
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| t = David Lang,<br> Edmund Morris
| t = David Lang,<br /> Edmund Morris
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|5|10}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|05|10}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 887: Line 933:
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| t = W. Hermanos,<br> [[Clair Huffaker]]
| t = W. Hermanos,<br /> [[Clair Huffaker]]
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|5|17}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|05|17}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 900: Line 946:
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| DirectedBy = William J. Hole Jr.
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| t = W. Hermanos,<br> Dean Riesner
| t = W. Hermanos,<br /> Dean Riesner
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|5|24}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|05|24}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 913: Line 959:
| DirectedBy = Lee Sholem
| DirectedBy = Lee Sholem
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| t = W. Hermanos,<br> Finlay McDermid
| t = W. Hermanos,<br /> Finlay McDermid
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|5|31}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|05|31}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 926: Line 972:
| DirectedBy = Lee Sholem
| DirectedBy = Lee Sholem
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| t = W. Hermanos,<br> Edmund Morris;
| t = W. Hermanos,<br /> Edmund Morris;
| ex1 = William F. Leicester
| ex1 = William F. Leicester
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| ex1label = {{abbr|S/T|Story and teleplay by}}
| ex1label = {{abbr|S/T|Story and teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|6|7}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|06|07}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 942: Line 988:
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay
| s = Kenneth Perkins;
| s = Kenneth Perkins;
| t = W. Hermanos,<br> William F. Leicester
| t = W. Hermanos,<br /> William F. Leicester
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|6|14}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|06|14}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
Line 959: Line 1,005:
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
| tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
}}
}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|6|21}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1960|06|21}}
| ShortSummary =
| ShortSummary =
| LineColor = 000000
| LineColor = 000000
}}
}}
|}
}}


==Reception and cancellation==
==Reception and cancellation==
[[File:Warner Brothers television westerns stars 1959.JPG|right|thumb|Publicity still with 1959 [[Warner Bros.]] series leads [[Will Hutchins]] (''[[Sugarfoot]]''), [[Peter Brown (actor)|Peter Brown]] (''[[Lawman (TV series)|Lawman]]''), [[Jack Kelly (actor)|Jack Kelly]] (''[[Maverick (TV series)|Maverick]]''), [[Ty Hardin]] (''[[Bronco (TV series)|Bronco]]''), [[James Garner]] (''[[Maverick (TV series)|Maverick]]''), [[Wayde Preston]] (''Colt .45''), and [[John Russell (actor)|John Russell]] (''[[Lawman (TV series)|Lawman]]'').]]
Upon its debut in October 1957, ''Colt .45'' was a respectable ratings draw for ABC. It helped ABC win its timeslot against [[NBC]] and [[CBS]].<ref>{{cite journal|date=October 28, 1957|title=Sunset Trailblazer in All-Out Race to Grab Adult Western Pull|journal=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|page=2|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ICkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=colt+.45+western+canceled&hl=en&sa=X&ei=H8fXUNXaJKmq2gWO3ICgDQ&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=colt%20.45%20western%20canceled&f=false}}</ref>


Upon its debut in October 1957, ''Colt .45'' was a respectable ratings draw for ABC. It helped ABC win its timeslot against [[NBC]] and [[CBS]].<ref>{{cite magazine|date=28 October 1957|title=Sunset Trailblazer in All-Out Race to Grab Adult Western Pull|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|page=2|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ICkEAAAAMBAJ&q=colt+.45+western+canceled&pg=PA2}}</ref>
By season two, however, behind the scenes problems caused a dip in viewership. After series star Wayde Preston left the series due his dissatisfaction with working conditions, producers were forced to repeat episodes to fill out the second season. There were also problems with the show's sponsorship which changed repeatedly. According to author Alvin H. Marill, the choice to cast Donald May in the lead role after Preston's departure was not explained in the storyline.<ref>{{cite book|last=Marill|first=Alvin H. |title=Television Westerns: Six Decades of Sagebrush Sheriffs, Scalawags, and Sidewinders|year=2011|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=0-810-88132-2|page=46}}</ref> Wayde Preston eventually returned to the series but by then, ratings had dropped off and ABC canceled the series in 1960. The final episode aired on September 27, 1960.

By season two, however, behind the scenes problems caused a dip in viewership. After series star Wayde Preston left the series due to his dissatisfaction with working conditions, producers were forced to repeat episodes to fill out the second season. There were also problems with the show's sponsorship which changed repeatedly. According to author Alvin H. Marill, the choice to cast Donald May in the lead role after Preston's departure was not explained in the storyline.<ref>{{cite book|last=Marill|first=Alvin H. |title=Television Westerns: Six Decades of Sagebrush Sheriffs, Scalawags, and Sidewinders|year=2011|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-810-88132-7|page=46}}</ref> Wayde Preston eventually returned to the series but by then, ratings had dropped off and ABC canceled the series in 1960. The final episode aired on 27 September 1960.


==Production notes==
==Production notes==
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===Merchandising===
===Merchandising===


The TV show was adapted into a comic strip by [[Dan Spiegle]], distributed by [[Dell Comics]].<ref>https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/spiegle_d.htm</ref>
The TV show was adapted into a comic strip by [[Dan Spiegle]], distributed by [[Dell Comics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/spiegle_d.htm|title = Dan Spiegle}}</ref>

==Release notes==

In January 2024, the [[Warner Archive Collection|Warner Archive]] announced that the complete series would be released in a Blu-ray set on March 12, 2024. It was released on March 12, 2024.{{Citation needed |date=March 2024}}


==References==
==References==
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* {{epguides|Colt45|Colt .45}}
* {{epguides|Colt45|Colt .45}}
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120504075613/http://ctva.biz/US/Western/Colt45.htm Colt .45]'' at The Classic TV Archive
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20120504075613/http://ctva.biz/US/Western/Colt45.htm Colt .45]'' at The Classic TV Archive
* {{tv.com show|colt-45|Colt .45}}


{{William T. Orr shows}}
{{William T. Orr shows}}
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[[Category:1957 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1957 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1960 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1960 American television series endings]]

[[Category:1950s American television series]]
[[Category:1960s American television series]]
[[Category:1950s Western (genre) television series]]
[[Category:1950s Western (genre) television series]]
[[Category:1960s Western (genre) television series]]
[[Category:1960s Western (genre) television series]]
Line 1,001: Line 1,051:
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Buffalo Bill]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Buffalo Bill]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Calamity Jane]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Calamity Jane]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Period television series]]
[[Category:Period television series]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Live action television programs based on films]]
[[Category:Live action television shows based on films]]
[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television]]
[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios]]
[[Category:Television series created by Roy Huggins]]

Latest revision as of 13:54, 23 April 2024

Colt .45
Wayde Preston as Christopher Colt, 1959
Also known asThe Colt Cousins
GenreWestern
Created by
Developed byRoy Huggins
Starring
Theme music composer
Opening themePerformed by Hal Hopper
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes67
Production
Executive producerWilliam T. Orr
Producers
Gordon Bau (make-up)
EditorJames Moore
Running time23-25 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. Television
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseOctober 18, 1957 (1957-10-18) –
September 27, 1960 (1960-09-27)
Related

Colt .45 (also known as The Colt Cousins) is an American Western television series, originally starring Wayde Preston, which aired on ABC between October 1957 and September 1960.[1]

The half-hour program is loosely based on the 1950 Warner Bros. film of the same name, starring Randolph Scott. Colt .45 was part of the William T. Orr-produced array of Westerns which Warner produced for ABC in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Overview

[edit]

Roy Huggins developed the series with Wayde Preston in the part of undercover government agent Christopher Colt, who takes the cover of a traveling Old West pistol salesman, hence the title of the series. Colt .45 also featured fictionalizations of actual historical characters, including Edwin Booth (brother of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln), Sam Bass, Billy the Kid, Lew Wallace, Judge Roy Bean, Buffalo Bill Cody, Ned Buntline, and Calamity Jane.

Donald May as Sam Colt, Jr., in 1959

During this period, Colt .45 was one of several ABC/WB Western productions, along with Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Lawman, Maverick, and Bronco. Various series leads occasionally did crossover episodes on some of the other WB programs. One of the most imaginative was the "Hadley's Hunters" episode of Maverick, in which Bart Maverick (Jack Kelly) comes upon Christopher Colt's sales satchel, abandoned in a room and covered with dust, as the series had been cancelled the previous season.

In 1958, series star Wayde Preston left the series because he claimed he was made to do stunts that required a stunt man. Preston was also reportedly unhappy with the show's low budget, which caused other problems. Because of Preston's departure, producers were forced to air repeats of the series along with a few new episodes to complete the 1958–1959 season.[1]

In 1959, Donald May assumed the lead role as Sam Colt, Jr., the cousin of Christopher Colt.[2] After leaving the series, Warner Bros. prevented Preston from obtaining other acting jobs. He eventually returned briefly to the series, but was demoted to a co-starring role with May.[3] Due to the casting changes, the series was eventually marketed in the United Kingdom as The Colt Cousins.

Guest stars

[edit]

Series overview

[edit]
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
126October 18, 1957 (1957-10-18)April 11, 1958 (1958-04-11)
213April 5, 1959 (1959-04-05)June 28, 1959 (1959-06-28)
328October 4, 1959 (1959-10-04)June 21, 1960 (1960-06-21)

Episodes

[edit]

Season 1: 1957–1958

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"Judgment Day"
"The Peacemaker"		Douglas HeyesS : Roy Huggins;
T : Marion Hargrove		October 18, 1957 (1957-10-18)
22"A Time to Die"Douglas HeyesLeo GordonOctober 25, 1957 (1957-10-25)
33"The Three Thousand Dollar Bullet"Franklin AdreonEric Freiwald,
Robert Schaefer		November 1, 1957 (1957-11-01)
44"Gallows at Granite Gap"Franklin AdreonS : Joseph Chadwick;
T : William F. Leicester		November 8, 1957 (1957-11-08)
55"Small Man"Edward BerndsFrederick BradyNovember 15, 1957 (1957-11-15)
66"Final Payment"Franklin AdreonWells RootNovember 22, 1957 (1957-11-22)
77"One Good Turn"Edward BerndsJohn McGreeveyNovember 29, 1957 (1957-11-29)
88"Last Chance"Edward BerndsS : Harold Shumate;
T : Gil Doud		December 6, 1957 (1957-12-06)
99"Young Gun"Walter GraumanT : Daniel B. Ullman;
S/T : William Driskill,
Joel Rapp		December 13, 1957 (1957-12-13)
1010"Rebellion"Walter GraumanS : Anthony Coldeway;
T : James Gunn		December 20, 1957 (1957-12-20)
1111"The Gypsies"Alan Crosland Jr.S : Wesley Haynes;
T : Frederick Brady		December 27, 1957 (1957-12-27)
1212"Sign in the Sand"Alan Crosland Jr.Frederick BradyJanuary 3, 1958 (1958-01-03)
1313"The Mirage"Montgomery PittmanMontgomery PittmanJanuary 10, 1958 (1958-01-10)
1414"Blood Money"Abner BibermanDavid LangJanuary 17, 1958 (1958-01-17)
1515"Dead Reckoning"Abner BibermanJack HarveyJanuary 24, 1958 (1958-01-24)
1616"Decoy"Leslie H. MartinsonS : Albert Aley,
William MacLeod Raine;
T : James Edmiston		January 31, 1958 (1958-01-31)
1717"Rare Specimen"Leslie H. MartinsonGene Levitt,
Eugene Manlove Rhodes		February 7, 1958 (1958-02-07)
1818"Mantrap"UnknownMontgomery PittmanFebruary 14, 1958 (1958-02-14)
1919"Ghost Town"Lee SholemS : Nelson Nye;
T : James Gunn		February 21, 1958 (1958-02-21)
2020"The Golden Gun"Richard L. BareFrederick BradyFebruary 28, 1958 (1958-02-28)
2121"Circle of Fear"Leslie H. MartinsonS : Ben Markson;
T : Howard Browne		March 7, 1958 (1958-03-07)
2222"Split Second"Leslie H. MartinsonS : Orville H. Hampton;
T : William F. Leicester		March 14, 1958 (1958-03-14)
2323"Point of Honor"
"Woman on the Stagecoach"		William J. Hole Jr.Steve FisherMarch 21, 1958 (1958-03-21)
2424"The Deserters"Leslie H. MartinsonS : Norman Daniels;
T : Tony Barrett,
Frederick Brady		March 28, 1958 (1958-03-28)
2525"The Manbuster"Oliver DrakeS : Richard Wormser;
T : Oliver Drake		April 4, 1958 (1958-04-04)
2626"Long Odds"Franklin AdreonS : Joseph Hoffman;
T : David Lang		April 11, 1958 (1958-04-11)

Season 2: 1959

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
271"The Escape"Lee SholemT : Irwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		April 5, 1959 (1959-04-05)
282"Dead Aim"Lee SholemS : Sid Harris;
T : Wells Root		April 12, 1959 (1959-04-12)
293"The Magic Box"George WaggnerIrwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		April 19, 1959 (1959-04-19)
304"The Confession"Harold DanielsDwight V. BabcockApril 26, 1959 (1959-04-26)
315"The Man Who Loved Lincoln"Arthur RipleyS : James Barnett,
Jack Emanuel;
T : Leonard Lee		May 3, 1959 (1959-05-03)
326"The Sanctuary"Jodie CopelanS : Jack Emanuel;
T : Frank Gruber,
Dean Riesner		May 10, 1959 (1959-05-10)
337"The Saga of Sam Bass"William J. Hole Jr.T : Irwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		May 17, 1959 (1959-05-17)
348"Amnesty"William J. Hole Jr.S : James Barnett,
Jack Emanuel;
T : Irwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		May 24, 1959 (1959-05-24)
359"The Pirate"Montgomery PittmanS : Day Keene;
T : Finlay McDermid		May 31, 1959 (1959-05-31)
3610"Law West of the Pecos"Alan Crosland Jr.John Tucker BattleJune 7, 1959 (1959-06-07)
3711"Don't Tell Joe"UnknownS : Peter Dixon;
T : Maurice Zimm		June 14, 1959 (1959-06-14)
3812"Return to El Paso"Lee SholemT : Irwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		June 21, 1959 (1959-06-21)
3913"Night of Decision"Leslie H. MartinsonIrwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		June 28, 1959 (1959-06-28)

Season 3: 1959–1960

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
401"Queen of Dixie"Herbert L. StrockIrwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		October 4, 1959 (1959-10-04)
412"The Reckoning"UnknownCarl OnspaughOctober 11, 1959 (1959-10-11)
423"The Devil's Godson"Herbert L. StrockS : James Barnett,
Jack Emanuel;
T : Malcolm Stuart Boylan		October 18, 1959 (1959-10-18)
434"The Rival Gun"UnknownS : Mack David;
T : Malcolm Stuart Boylan		October 25, 1959 (1959-10-25)
445"The Hothead"Paul GuilfoyleS : Mack David;
T : Milton Raison,
Dean Riesner		November 1, 1959 (1959-11-01)
456"A Legend of Buffalo Bill"Emory HorgerS : James Barnett,
Jack Emanuel;
T : William Driskill		November 8, 1959 (1959-11-08)
467"Yellow Terror"Herbert L. StrockIrwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		November 15, 1959 (1959-11-15)
478"Tar and Feathers"Emory HorgerIrwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		November 22, 1959 (1959-11-22)
489"Alias Mr. Howard"Herbert L. StrockT : A. Sanford WolfeDecember 6, 1959 (1959-12-06)
4910"Calamity"Paul GuilfoyleDwight NewtonDecember 13, 1959 (1959-12-13)
5011"Under False Pretenses"UnknownS : Elmer Kelton;
T : Dwight Newton		January 10, 1960 (1960-01-10)
5112"Impasse"Paul LandresLee Loeb,
Rudy Makoul		January 31, 1960 (1960-01-31)
5213"Arizona Anderson"George WaggnerMack David,
Lee Loeb		February 14, 1960 (1960-02-14)
5314"The Cause"H. Bruce HumberstoneIrwin Winehouse,
A. Sanford Wolfe		February 28, 1960 (1960-02-28)
5415"Phantom Trail"Lew LandersS : James Barnett,
Mack David;
T : Nat Tanchuck		March 13, 1960 (1960-03-13)
5516"Breakthrough"UnknownKenneth GametMarch 27, 1960 (1960-03-27)
5617"Chain of Command"Lew LandersS : Roy Huggins;
T : Howard Browne,
Dean Riesner		April 5, 1960 (1960-04-05)
5718"Alibi"Lew LandersS : Edmund Morris;
T : W. Hermanos		April 12, 1960 (1960-04-12)
5819"Absent Without Leave"UnknownS : Hugh Benson;
T : William F. Leicester		April 19, 1960 (1960-04-19)
5920"Strange Encounter"Herbert L. StrockS : Irving Rubine;
T : W. Hermanos,
William F. Leicester		April 26, 1960 (1960-04-26)
6021"Trial by Rope"Herbert L. StrockW. Hermanos,
William F. Leicester		May 3, 1960 (1960-05-03)
6122"The Gandy Dancers"UnknownT : David Lang,
Edmund Morris		May 10, 1960 (1960-05-10)
6223"Martial Law"William J. Hole Jr.T : W. Hermanos,
Clair Huffaker		May 17, 1960 (1960-05-17)
6324"Attack"William J. Hole Jr.T : W. Hermanos,
Dean Riesner		May 24, 1960 (1960-05-24)
6425"Bounty List"Lee SholemT : W. Hermanos,
Finlay McDermid		May 31, 1960 (1960-05-31)
6526"Appointment in Agoura"Lee SholemT : W. Hermanos,
Edmund Morris;
S/T : William F. Leicester		June 7, 1960 (1960-06-07)
6627"Showdown at Goldtown"Lee SholemS : Kenneth Perkins;
T : W. Hermanos,
William F. Leicester		June 14, 1960 (1960-06-14)
6728"The Trespasser"Lee SholemT : Clair HuffakerJune 21, 1960 (1960-06-21)

Reception and cancellation

[edit]
Publicity still with 1959 Warner Bros. series leads Will Hutchins (Sugarfoot), Peter Brown (Lawman), Jack Kelly (Maverick), Ty Hardin (Bronco), James Garner (Maverick), Wayde Preston (Colt .45), and John Russell (Lawman).

Upon its debut in October 1957, Colt .45 was a respectable ratings draw for ABC. It helped ABC win its timeslot against NBC and CBS.[4]

By season two, however, behind the scenes problems caused a dip in viewership. After series star Wayde Preston left the series due to his dissatisfaction with working conditions, producers were forced to repeat episodes to fill out the second season. There were also problems with the show's sponsorship which changed repeatedly. According to author Alvin H. Marill, the choice to cast Donald May in the lead role after Preston's departure was not explained in the storyline.[5] Wayde Preston eventually returned to the series but by then, ratings had dropped off and ABC canceled the series in 1960. The final episode aired on 27 September 1960.

Production notes

[edit]

Theme song

[edit]

The Colt .45 opening theme music was composed by Hal Hopper with lyrics by Douglas Heyes.

Merchandising

[edit]

The TV show was adapted into a comic strip by Dan Spiegle, distributed by Dell Comics.[6]

Release notes

[edit]

In January 2024, the Warner Archive announced that the complete series would be released in a Blu-ray set on March 12, 2024. It was released on March 12, 2024.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (17 October 2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present (9 ed.). Ballantine Books. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4.
  2. ^ Abbott, Doug; Jackson, Ronald (2009). 50 Years of the Television Western: A Pictorial History. AuthorHouse. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-434-35925-4.
  3. ^ Moore, Barbara A.; Bensman, Marvin R.; Van Dyke, Jim (2006). Prime-Time Television: A Concise History. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 146. ISBN 0-275-98142-8.
  4. ^ "Sunset Trailblazer in All-Out Race to Grab Adult Western Pull". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 28 October 1957. p. 2. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. ^ Marill, Alvin H. (2011). Television Westerns: Six Decades of Sagebrush Sheriffs, Scalawags, and Sidewinders. Scarecrow Press. p. 46. ISBN 978-0-810-88132-7.
  6. ^ "Dan Spiegle".
[edit]
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