Of all of the hugely popular Western series that saturated the TV networks during the 1950s and 1960s, I can't recall any of them doing a Christmas episode except my favorite, CIMARRON CITY. It was the NBC programmers who had the promising idea of creating an intelligent adult Western, produced on a generous budget, and peopled with class-A guest stars to support its outstanding trio of vastly underrated regulars: George Montgomery, whose appealing presence alone elevated the quality of the 'B' theatrical genre movies of which he was already a veteran; 27-year-old John Smith, whose extraordinary good looks and versatility seemed to guarantee his achieving top movie stardom (which, sadly, never happened), and lovely Audrey Totter who, now at 40, was freed of being typecast as a slut and, as a cultured, strong-willed citizen of Cimarron City, added feminine allure. In the Christmas episode (mercifully free of anything maudlin, mushy or even remotely heartwarming, but in no way mean-spirited either), it's Ms. Totter who decides to direct a play celebrating Cimarron's festivities. She comes across something called "A Christmas Carol" written by someone named Charles Dickens, and casts it with local citizens (Mr. Montgomery is a riot as Scrooge, and Mr. Smith has a lot of sly fun with Bob Crachit--who would have known these two actors were such expert comedians?). In a nod to "42nd Street", a distinctly uncharming, snot-nosed little boy (Tim Hovey, one of the finest child actors of the '50s in his next-to-last role)arranges for the sweet little boy cast as Tiny Tim to break his leg so Hovey can replace him (for reasons I won't reveal here). What a shame that NBC scheduled "Cimarron City" for Saturday night opposite "Gunsmoke"! The show, of course, got bottom-of-the-barrel ratings and, instead of moving it to a more suitable time period, NBC canceled it after only 26 episodes. But all 26 episodes are highly original, and the relaxed camaraderie among the three leads is a high-spirited delight. With the proper handling by NBC, there's no reason why "Cimarron City" wouldn't have caught on with viewers and lasted for several seasons (unlike "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza" which today are practically unwatchable).
"Cimarron City" is currently being revived by the terrific GetTV cable channel (every Saturday afternoon at 2PM). Give it a try, and I think you'll be more than pleasantly surprised.
"Cimarron City" is currently being revived by the terrific GetTV cable channel (every Saturday afternoon at 2PM). Give it a try, and I think you'll be more than pleasantly surprised.
