The Californians was an attempt by NBC to get in on the Western craze, albeit with a slightly more nuanced approach than the average oater. Set amidst the chaotic boomtown of San Francisco during the Gold Rush, the show initially centered on the efforts of crusading reporter Dion Patrick (Adam Kennedy) and his vigilante pal Jack McGivern (Sean McClory) as they attempted to impose some semblance of order on a city overrun with criminals and con men. While this initial premise felt intriguing, the show quickly shifted gears, dropping Patrick and McGivern in favor of a more traditional lawman in the form of Marshal Matthew Wayne (Richard Coogan). This focus on a more by-the-books law enforcer feels like a step backwards for the show, and its shift in direction somewhat damages its overall impact.
While the show did present a somewhat sanitised view of the Wild West, it also wasn’t afraid to tackle some of the less-palatable truths of the era, often exploring themes of greed, corruption, and the day to day struggles faced by honest citizens who were trying to make a new life. Coogan’s performance as the stoic Marshal Wayne was solid, if somewhat unremarkable, and the show’s strength was more in its attempt to tackle some of the more complex moral and ethical issues of the period.
Despite its aspirations to be something more than a standard Western, The Californians ultimately can’t help but feel like a fairly formulaic take on the genre, and its shifting narrative focus make it feel slightly disjointed, and as a result it is easy to see why the show is not as well remembered as many of its contemporaries.
The Californians aired on NBC.
Years ran: 1957-1959
Number of Episodes: 69
Creators: Felix Jackson, John Robinson
Cast: Richard Coogan, Sean McClory, Adam Kennedy, Nan Leslie
