MAVERICK WAS HIS NAME: A CLASSIC TELEVISION REVIEW

I am a fan of the classic western television shows and the entertainment values surrounding them. I can tell you most of the shows viewed throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s carried much of the same themes and ideas. There is one that stands to differ from the rest. This brain storm idea created by Roy Huggins changed the western theme viewing by directing its focus on one topic that had nothing to do with open range, cattle drives or horses. Most cowboys spend their free time in saloons drinking, dancing, and playing poker for relaxation. But few make a living at any of these entertaining past times until 1957 when Maverick is introduced by ABC bringing to light the game of poker as a comfortable living to a couple of card shark brothers, Bart (Jack Kelly) and Bret (James Garner)Maverick. Two witty fun loving characters not only won and lost poker games traveling throughout the west, but also fought villains attempting to swindle them as well. The duo could outwit the smartest of crooks by schemes dreamed up out of thin air. Maverick is one of Warner Brothers finest one hour comedy, drama, adventure packed television series to hit the screen. Decades after decades later the audience is still there.

When Maverick was new Bret introduced the show for the first few episodes or so bringing his brother Bart in later. Bart (Jack Kelly) stayed throughout the five season run of the show. Bret (James Garner) left after season three. After Garner left to pursue a movie career another Maverick was brought in. Beau (Roger Moore) Maverick was given a role as Bart’s cousin. Beau only lasted through one season and this led to the introduction of yet another Maverick. Brent (Robert Colbert) Maverick a younger brother to Bart and Bret was another star performer to season four. Season five was left to only Bart (Jack Kelly) who managed to uphold another round of excellent performances of cleverness without his family’s help unless it was quotes so well remembered by his dear father Beauregard Maverick referred to as Pappy. Such quotes as: A man does what he has to do - if he can't get out of it. And never cry over spilt milk. It could've been whiskey. Pappy always told his sons to carry a thousand dollar bill pinned inside their coat in case an emergency came up. Emergencies often came up for these guys.

Maverick ended its final season with season five in 1962, but over the years since, the story has been replayed in movies as well as series such as Bret Maverick. All these later stories developed from the original old classic centered around a poker table somewhere either in a saloon or on a riverboat.

Jack Kelly and James Garner teamed up for an unforgettable viewing experience. They both have displayed many other skills on a variety of television shows and the movie screens. But the Maverick title of both these fine talents will always be their remembrance title for most of us.

Books on both actors have been written. Here’s a place to find Jack Kelly’s story. http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=445

And here’s a memoir of James Garner http://www.amazon.com/Garner-Files-Memoir-James/dp/1451642601