Barbary Coast (1975–1976) User Reviews

They should have never tweaked it!

[thealy1701 · 6/10 · 22 August 2010]

I watched this show when I was about 14 or 15 and still loved William Shatner from the original Star Trek. The premise was good and the chemistry between Shatner (Jeff Cable) and original partner Dennis Cole (Cash Conover) in the pilot was great. When the show went to series, it was heavily slashed in terms of support characters. Doug McClure was now Conover, with little or no explanation, and the show lost the chemistry of the pilot. It seems they were trying too hard to be "The Wild Wild West" and lost their voice in the process. Looking back at some episodes now (some 35 years later) I still like the show, but they gave too much away to get it on the air.

Brings back Childhood memories

[wolfhell88 · 8/10 · 13 September 2016]

I loved this show when I was a kid. Now thanks to the German label Koch Media all 13 episodes are remastered on DVD including the pilot that was never shown here.

If you liked "The Sting" with Paul Newman and Robert Redford than "Barbary Coast" is something you must see. William "Kirk" Shatner as Jeff Cable in various costumes including fake mustaches and wigs and Doug "Trampas" McClure as casino owner Cash Conover are fighting against crime at Barbary Coast. Both enjoy their parts and never take themselves much too serious. Richard "Jaws" Kiel as bouncer Moose has also some really funny scenes.

It was also enjoyable to see guest stars like Neville Brand, Henry Gibson or Eric Braeden showing up and having a good time.

"Barbary Coast" is a funny TV series from the 70ies and a must-see for fans of William Shatner. Unfortunately the show was canceled after its first season. The show brings back great childhood memories.

Fair Imitation of Wild Wild West

[Dvd Avins · 9 May 2002]

The plots had a similar complexity to the wonderful Robert Conrad/Ross Martin series Wild Wild West, and the characters are rather similar, though their attributes were combined and scrambled into the two new characters. Here Shatner is the disguise master, but is also the nominal lead, while disguse-master Martin played second fiddle to Conrad 10 years earlier.

Unfortunately, the intelligence (or rather, attention) of the audience had so deteriorated over the previous decade that this show was promptly canceled because the plots were deemed too complex.

If you've never seen Wild Wild West, see that instead. If you've seen that already and you're willing to put up with Shatner, then this can scratch your itch.

Barbary Coast

[Mehenwv · 12 February 2005]

I saw the film only once. I missed the first part of it. I remember seeing this burly, scruffy, rough looking guy come into a pub and walk into a back room. As the man started to peal off various items, I noticed his eyes. After a few moments, I realized that it was, William Shatner. WOW! I loved it. For the rest of the movie, I couldn't wait to see what sort of disguise he would appear as. The China man in the end was choice.

I have always thought that it must be an actors dream-come-true to be able to play all of those wild and fascinating characters all in one movie.

I only wish that I could see it again, however, if I understood Mr. Shatner during an interview on Regis, there were no video version made for distribution. I respect that, but will never forget that movie.