Bret Maverick (1981–1982)

Set in Sweetwater, Arizona in the 1880s with solid citizen Bret owning a ranch and part of the Red Ox Saloon. Stable cast with varying stories, often centered on conflict between the ambitious sheriff and everyone else.

Stars:

James Garner, Ed Bruce, David Knell

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
James Garner	...	Bret Maverick (18 episodes, 1981-1982)
Ed Bruce	...	Tom Guthrie (17 episodes, 1981-1982)
David Knell	...	Rodney Catlow (17 episodes, 1981-1982)
Jack Garner	...	Jack the Bartender (17 episodes, 1981-1982)
Luis Delgado	...	Shifty Delgrado (17 episodes, 1981-1982)
John Shearin	...	Sheriff Mitchel Dowd (17 episodes, 1981-1982)
Richard Hamilton	...	Cy Whittaker (17 episodes, 1981-1982)
Ramon Bieri	...	Elijah Crow (17 episodes, 1981-1982)
Darleen Carr	...	Mary Lou 'M.L.' Springer (16 episodes, 1981-1982)
Tommy Bush	...	Deputy Sturgess (13 episodes, 1981-1982)

Storyline

Set in Sweetwater, Arizona in the 1880s with solid citizen Bret owning a ranch and part of the Red Ox Saloon. Stable cast with varying stories, often centered on conflict between the ambitious sheriff and everyone else.

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Plot Keywords:

1880s | saloon | gambler | arizona | retirement | 

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1981 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Laramie Street, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (18 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to James Garner, had the series been renewed for a second season, Jack Kelly (as Bart Maverick), would have been added as a regular cast member.

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Goofs

James Garner's production company Cherokee Productions is mistakenly called Comanche Productions in the end credits.

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Connections

Follows The New Maverick (1978)

User Reviews

Bret Rockford

James Garner created two unforgettable television characters. As Bret Maverick, Garner portrayed a flawed, but essentially lovable winner. As Jim Rockford, Garner played a flawed, but essentially lovable loser. However, the "Bret Maverick" portrayed in the 1981 series was nothing more than "Jim Rockford" in western garb. On "Bret Maverick," nobody respects Jim Garner's character, and that's the biggest problem. Other problems include a not particularly likable supporting cast (Ed Bruce, excepted), and plodding scripts. No wonder "Bret Maverick" lasted but one season, as I'm sure many other "Maverick" fans were as disappointed as I. Still, I watched, hoping the series would improve. At least we got a glimpse of an aging Jack Kelly, as "Bart Maverick," in the last episode.