The Big Valley (1965–1969)

Victoria Barkley heads her adult brood on the Barkley Ranch in California's San Joaquin Valley, near Stockton, in the 1870s. Heath is the illegitimate son of Victoria's husband, Tom (who is... See full summary »

Creators:

A.I. Bezzerides, Louis F. Edelman

Stars:

Peter Breck, Barbara Stanwyck, Linda Evans

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Peter Breck	...	Nick Barkley (112 episodes, 1965-1969)
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Victoria Barkley (112 episodes, 1965-1969)
Linda Evans	...	Audra Barkley (111 episodes, 1965-1969)
Richard Long	...	Jarrod Barkley (109 episodes, 1965-1969)
Lee Majors	...	Heath Barkley (109 episodes, 1965-1969)

Storyline

Victoria Barkley heads her adult brood on the Barkley Ranch in California's San Joaquin Valley, near Stockton, in the 1870s. Heath is the illegitimate son of Victoria's husband, Tom (who is dead at the time of the series). Bank robbers, horse thieves, revolutionaries, and land grabbers keep the Barkleys hopping.

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Plot Keywords:

california | ranch | social justice | sibling relationship | san joaquin valley | 

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Genres:

Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Big Valley

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Levee-Gardner-Laven Productions, Four Star Productions, Levy-Gardner-Laven

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (112 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In every episode where Nick is a spectator in a court-case, he interrupts the court to speak his peace, which always gets him into trouble with the judge who is presiding. In later episodes throughout the series, this took on a comedic tone, as the viewer knew that it was only a matter of time before Nick would voice his displeasure.

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Quotes

Jarrod Barkley: Nick, I promise never to call you a bull in a china shop again.
Nick Barkley: We get back in one piece, you can call me anything you like.

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Connections

Referenced in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)

User Reviews

Why The Big Valley means so much to me.

I began watching The Big Valley back when I was seven years old. That was thirty years ago. Little did I know then that the show would become something that would help me. I went through years of abuse through two different family members. If it weren't for the show The Big Valley I probably would have committed suicide at an early age. Instead of turning to drug or alcohol abuse, or other forms of hurting myself, I focused instead on the cast of this amazing show. The affection and love they had for each other made a big impression on me. I longed to be part of a family that cared for each other like the Barkley's did. They became so real to me at times that it blocked out how bad I was feeling about what I was going through and it gave me something positive to focus on instead of the pain and shame of living with what was happening to me. I am grateful to the entire cast of the show for giving me a way out of a bad situation and focusing on something good, something that wouldn't hurt me or anyone else. They mean a great deal to me and always will. I hope that sometime I will get to see one of them with my own eyes. I don't have to meet them personally. Just to see them will be enough. The show gave me a feeling of peace just to watch. It always made me laugh at times when I really needed it, and thrilled me at other times. The men on the show were the best looking men I have seen on any show (then or since) and I've yet to see a television show that shows a family that cares the way that they did on The Big Valley. It gave me such joy to be able to come home and watch the show. Certain episodes stayed with me from the time I first started watching it. One in particular showed what a caring man Nick was. In the episode "The Prize" where Heath brings home little Joey. The scene where Nick is trying to get to sleep but can't because Joey is teething and very fussy I still remember to this day, even though I haven't seen the episode in over twenty-five years. When he referred to himself as "Uncle Nick" and Audra was watching from the doorway I thought was one of the best scenes in that series. Another episode was "The Iron Box" where Nick and Heath were arrested for cattle theft and put in a chain gang I thought was incredible acting by Peter and Lee. I have hoped for years that someday a Big Valley reunion will be filmed. I know that Barbara and Richard are gone, but I think it would be great to see Peter, Lee and Linda reunited in a Big Valley reunion. This series will always hold a special place to me. It's been a part of me for as long as I can remember and will always remain a big part of me.