Bat Masterson (1958–1961)

Dressed-up dandy (derby and cane), gambler and lawman roams the West charming women and defending the unjustly accused. His primary weapon was his wit (and cane) rather than his gun.

Stars:

Gene Barry, Allison Hayes, Ken Drake

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Gene Barry	...	William Barclay 'Bat' Masterson (108 episodes, 1958-1961)

Storyline

Dressed-up dandy (derby and cane), gambler and lawman roams the West charming women and defending the unjustly accused. His primary weapon was his wit (and cane) rather than his gun.

---

Plot Keywords:

character name in title

---

Genres:

Western

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

ZIV Television Programs

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (108 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bat rode Stardust

---

Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Master Ninja II (1992)

---

Soundtracks

"Bat Masterson"
(theme song)
Words and music by Bart Corwin and Havens Wray
Sung by Mike Stewart

User Reviews

Different but with some historical accuracy

I remember this series fondly but even as a kid wondered why Gene Barry did not sport the moustache that Masterson wore almost all of his adult life and did (if I remember correctly) as portrayed in at least one episode of The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. As an adult I have read almost everything written about Masterson, seen as many motion pictures as possible, and find the gambler, sportsman, writer and sometime lawman fascinating. Masterson did carry a walking stick, wore a bowler in at least one famous photograph, was a townsman and loyal friend, was involved in boxing and by all accounts was a cheerful and well-liked man - a lot like Gene Barry. Was this TV series always historically accurate? Not in the slightest! But it did capture something of the real man, a certain insouciance and worldliness lacking in the run-of-the-mill TV cowboy or lawman. 'Tis rather too bad that they never had an episode set later when Masterson was an apparently happily married man and sports writer for a New York newspaper. And yes, I frequently carry a walking stick today and fondly recall "Back when the West was very young/There lived a man named Masterson/ He wore a cane and derby hat/ They called him Bat, Bat Masterson...."