Search - Stories of the Century - 36 TV western episodes on DVD

The Old West: A bit of fact and a lot of fiction

Robert Huggins | Suburban Philadelphia, PA United States | 06/23/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"St. Clair Vision's 3-DVD set of "Stories of the Century" is a quick, inexpensive way to obtain almost the entire run of this 1954-55 Emmy award winning Western series. St. Clair has included 36 of the 39 half hour episodes that were produced for this series. The basic premise of "Stories of the Century" was to place Matt Clark, railroad detective, and one of his female partners in mostly fictional stories that are intertwined with actual historical figures and events. Clark is portrayed by Jim Davis, a veteran television actor who is perhaps best known by modern audiences for his portrayal of Jock Ewing, the family patriarch on "Dallas." Davis is a solid, likeable actor who's well suited to the Western genre and he's excellent throughout the series, as are his two female partners, played by Mary Castle and Kristine Miller. Look for guest stars like Slim Pickens, Fess Parker, and Lee Van Cleef in a few of the episodes.

"Stories of the Century" has previously been released by Platinum Disc Corporation on four DVDs under the title "Legends of the Old West." If you are looking to obtain the entire series, Platinum has released all 39 episodes (along with a few bonus episodes of "Judge Roy Bean"), and Amazon carries the Platinum releases as well. "Stories of the Century" cleverly mixes fact with fiction and is sure to satisfy fans of television Westerns.
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Nearly-forgotten TV western series

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 08/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"STORIES OF THE CENTURY was a syndicated half-hour TV western that aired 39 times during the 1954 and '55 seasons. Jim Davis portrayed Matt Clark, a railroad detective. He was assisted in his investigations by first Mary Castle, and later Kristine Miller. Each episode focused on a famous Old West personage. Note that many "up-and-coming" actors guested on this program, including: Lee Van Cleef, Slim Pickens, Fess Parker, Jack Elam, et. al.

ULTIMATE TV WESTERNS - 150 Episodes is a remarkable sampling of 50s and 60s cowboy shows-- almost 70 hours worth at one great low price!

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The following program list includes episode numbers, plus titles, season, original airdates and guest actors for all episodes.

REGULARS-- Jim Davis: Matt Clark, Mary Castle: Frankie Adams, Kristine Miller: Margaret "Jonesy" Jones

DISC #1 -- The Wild West

(.#2) Billy the Kid (S.1, 1/30/54) - Richard Jaeckel/Richard Travis/John L. Cason
(.#9) The Dalton Gang (S.1, 3/18/54) - Fess Parker/Robert Bray/Myron Healey
(#22) Little Britches (S.1, 6/17/54) - Gloria Winters/James Best/Bruce Payne
(.#6) Cattle Kate (S.1, 2/28/54) - Jean Parker/Herbert Hayes/Frank McDonald
(.#8) Johnny Ringo (S.1, 3/11/54) - Donald Curtis/Lee Roberts/Donald Shahan
(#13) Joaquin Murietta (S.1, 4/16/54) - Rick Jason/William Fawcett/John Gifford
(#15) Chief Crazy Horse (S.1, 4/30/54) - George Keymas/Chubby Johnson/John Holland
(#17) Henry Plummer (S.1, 5/13/54) - John Dehner/Kristine Miller/Holly Bane
(#26) Clay Allison (S.1, 7/15/54) - Jack Kelly/Paul Farber/Frank Fenton
(#25) Ben Thompson (S.1, 7/8/54) - Dick Simmons/Claire Carleton/Douglas Evans
(#24) Tom Horn (S.1, 7/1/54) - Louis Jean Heydt/Stanley Andrews/Walter Coy
(#36) Jim Courtright (S.2, 2/22/55) - Robert Knapp/Wally Cassell/Rory Mallinson

BONUS: History of the Stagecoach


DISC #2 -- Illustrious Bandits

(.#3) Frank and Jesse James (S.1, 2/7/54) - Lee Van Cleef/Richard Travis/Tyler MacDuff
(#10) Doc Holliday (S.1, 3/25/54) - Kim Spalding/James Craven/Frank Richards
(#23) Black Jack Ketchum (S.1, 6/24/54) - Jack Elam/Otis Garth/Michael Hall
(.#1) Belle Starr (S.1, 1/23/54) - Marie Windsor/Ric Roman/Stuart Randall
(#16) Black Bart (S.1, 5/16/54) - Arthur Space/I. Stanford Jolley/Frank Jacquet
(#20) Wild Bunch of Wyoming (S.1, 6/3/54) - Slim Pickens/Joe Sawyer/Lane Chandler
(.#5) Quantrill and His Raiders (S.1, 2/21/54) - Bruce Bennett/Lyle Talbot/Al Bridge
(.#7) Sam Bass (S.1, 3/4/54) - Denver Pyle/Don Haggarty/Dennis Moore
(#11) The Younger Brothers (S.1, 4/2/54) - Sheb Wooley/George D. Wallace/Gregory Walcott
(#12) John Wesley Hardin (S.1, 4/9/54) - Richard Webb/John Pickard/John Eldredge
(#18) Bill Longley (S.1, 5/20/54) - Douglas Kennedy/John Halloran/Marlo Dwyer
(#35) Rube Burrows (S.2, 2/15/55) - Paul Picerni/Ralph Sanford/Jean Willes

BONUS: Bank Robbers of the Old West
Jesse James
The Daltons
Belle Starr
Sam Bass
Facts & Trivia


DISC #3 -- Famous Criminals

(.#4) Geronimo (S.1, 2/14/54) - Chief Yowlachie/Brett King/Pat Hogan
(#21) The Doolin Gang (S.1, 6/10/54) - Leo Gordon/Don Kennedy/Kenneth R. MacDonald
(#38) Jack Slade (S.2, 3/4/55) - Gregg Palmer/Elaine Riley/Paul Newlan
(#28) The Apache Kid (S.2, 1/9/55) - Kenneth Alton/Kenneth R. MacDonald/Pilar Del Rey
(#32) Cherokee Bill (S.2, 2/1/55) - Pat Hogan/Robert Burton/Lisa Fusaro
(#39) L.H. Musgrove (S.2, 3/11/55) - John Archer/Jack Shea/James Craven
(#30) Kate Bender (S.2, 1/23/55) - Veda Ann Borg/Corey Allen/Slim Pickens
(#14) Tiburchio Vasquez (S.1, 4/23/54) - Anthony Caruso/Glenn Strange/Eddie Parker
(#19) Harry Tracy (S.1, 5/27/54) - Steve Brodie/Richard Avonde/Edward Clark
(#29) Tom Bell (S.2, 1/16/55) - Glen Gordon/Jean Dean/Robert Malcolm
(#33) Nate Champion (S.2, 2/6/55) - Henry Brandon/Lisa Daniels/Damian O'Flynn
(#34) Sontag and Evans (S.2, 2/8/55) - Jimmie Dodd/John Smith/Morris Ankrum

BONUS: History of the Winchester Rifle"

Excellent Old Western

TV Sam | Seattle | 12/24/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an old western TV show I'd never heard of, but when I gave it a chance I was very impressed. Smart writing, good acting, and plenty of action make this a terrific show for anyone who likes old westerns. Jim Davis and Mary Castle were a very good choice to play their roles and they have a strong and likable screen presence. The picture quality is a little rough and weathered, but if you've purchased bargain DVD's of old TV shows you'll know what to expect. All in all, a good solid western and at a great price to boot."