IMDb > "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (1958)

"Wanted: Dead or Alive" (1958) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1958-1961

Photos (see all 10 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
8.2/10   201 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Contact:
View company contact information for Wanted: Dead or Alive on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
Release Date:
6 September 1958 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
A young man with a sawed off rifle as a holstered weapon makes a living
NewsDesk:
TV Director Harris Dead At 86
 (From WENN. 24 March 2009, 12:10 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Trend setting for its era. more (8 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 1 of 115)

Steve McQueen ... Josh Randall (94 episodes, 1958-1961)
more

Additional Details

Runtime:
30 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Certification:
Finland:K-18 (self applied) (DVD) (2007) | Argentina:Atp | USA:Approved

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Initially, the creators of the series had a hard time selling the show because bounty hunters were thought to be unsavory characters and have been portrayed as such in numerous western shows and movies. The creators overcame this obstacle by having Josh Randall give most, sometimes ALL, of his earnings to help people such as the families of people murdered by the men Randall brings in, thus making Randall a sympathetic and likable character. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Sex and Buttered Popcorn (1989) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
21 out of 23 people found the following comment useful.
Trend setting for its era., 15 August 2003
Author: eaglejet98

Many viewers have panned this series. It was hockey and implausible at times. However, I recently watched the series again on the Westerns Channel and offer these observations:

When "Wanted" first came out in 1958, network TV was flooded with formulaic Warner Brothers westerns. With few exceptions they were all mostly repetitive and forgettable. My picks for exceptions are, obviously, Gunsmoke, which stood above the others, Have Gun Will Travel, Maverick and Josh Randall's Wanted Dead or Alive.

For the mid 1950s McQueen's character was ground breaking. He was the first anti-hero in a horse opera. Even when grouped with the line up of special gimmicks westerns (the rapid fire Winchester of The Rifleman; the weird Colt of The Rebel; Wyatt Earp's Buntline Special), Randall and his hog leg stood out. Never mind that he didn't reload and the mechanics of the weapon were implausible, the series worked. It was unique. McQueen was unique.

I was 11 years old when the series started and it hooked me. Sure, it is difficult to watch it today without a laugh or question about its relation to reality. But back then it was cool and so was McQueen. And as someone else commented, only McQueen could have played the character of Josh Randall. For that matter, look at all his motion pictures. I don't believe any other actor could have made those films what they were.

Even 25 years after his death, McQueen is as popular as he ever was. As far as I can see, only John Wayne still has that kind of appeal.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (8 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (1958)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Complete Series DVD Box Set is to be available August 25, 2009 johnston-andrew-c
Questions about 'ROPE LAW' Episode. *SPOILERS* gppressingon
94 or 117 ??? mercenary
Pilot Episode reelsmalloy
alternate opening --in same ep. as Mary T. Moore and dir. Richard Donner karmacoupe
'Best of' DVD coming on June 17th night_is_silent
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
"The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." Ghost of Zorro "Have Gun - Will Travel" Per un pugno di dollari The Outlaw Josey Wales
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Episode guide Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb TV section IMDb Western section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.

You may add a new episode for this TV series by clicking the 'add episode' button