The Virginian

Season 1

TV-G

The Shiloh Ranch in Wyoming Territory of the 1890s is owned in sequence by Judge Henry Garth (Lee J. Cobb), the Grainger brothers, and Colonel Alan MacKenzie (Stewart Granger). It is the setting for a variety of stories, many more based on character and relationships than the usual western.

Where to Watch Season 1

30 Episodes

The Executioners
E1
The ExecutionersNe'er-do-well Tom Newcombe is publicly hanged for murdering a woman because the local school teacher, Celia Ames (Colleen Dewhurst), refuses to alibi him. A mysterious man, Paul Taylor (Hugh O'Brien), comes to town, signs on to work as a Shiloh Ranch hand and begins romancing Celia. However, his odd behaviour begins to raise the suspicions of Judge Garth and the local Sheriff who wonder about the motives of the stranger.
Woman from White Wing
E2
Woman from White WingThree men, who are prison escapees, come to Shiloh looking for Judge Garth. One of those men (Barry Sullivan) turns out to be Betsy Garth's real father, a fact unknown to Betsy. The man aims to reclaim his daughter and receive compensation, believing the Judge abandoned him purposefully in the wasteland some years before.
Throw a Long Rope
E3
Throw a Long RopeThe ranchers, who are losing cattle and hold homesteaders as the prime suspects, nearly hang an innocent man. The Judge's decision to apply the law of the range to the suspected cattle thieves drives a wedge into the loyalty of his foreman.
The Big Deal
E4
The Big DealJudge Garth has a visitor from South America who inherited a critical piece of property in the middle of Shiloh used to move cattle. When he learns Garth has held back information on it, he decides to put crippling pressure on Garth.
The Brazen Bell
E5
The Brazen BellA timid easterner and his wife arrive in Medicine Bow looking for a job as a teacher. Two escaped convicts come through Medicine Bow taking the new teacher, his wife, and students hostage while The Virginian is the temporary sheriff.
Big Day, Great Day
E6
Big Day, Great DayThe Judge, Steve Hill and Trampas travel to Casper on the 4th of July in order to pick up a fancy bed the Judge had ordered. In Casper they have several adventures revolving around a wrestling match involving an old acquaintance of the judge (Aldo Ray) who is fighting for the championship and Steve's romantic interest in one of the saloon girls who reminds him of a past lost love.
Riff-Raff
E7
Riff-RaffTrampas and Steve decide to join up with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders. Comedy ensues with the boys wanting to do it their way. The Virginian shows up and among other things shows the easterners how to "play" polo western style.
Impasse
E8
ImpasseThe Virginian, Trampas, and Steve are capturing wild horses in the mountains for sale to the Army. The Kroeger clan claims all horses as theirs. When Kroeger can't scare the Virginian out, he resorts other tactics.
It Tolls for Thee
E9
It Tolls for TheeMartin Kalek (Lee Marvin) and his gang kidnap Judge Garth for ransom. The Virginian pays the ransom but the kidnappers refuse to release the Judge until they are able to escape into Idaho. The Kidnappers head off pursued not only by the Shiloh hands but also separately by a former crony of Kalek's called Sharkey (Warren Kemmerling) who is out for revenge on the criminal.
West
E10
WestSeeking some excitement in his life, Trampas joins a groups of older cowboys (Steve Cochran, James Brown, Claude Akins) who set off to find adventure in what they still believe is the wild, lawless West. However, their outdated attitudes lead them into trouble and eventually, tragedy.
The Devil's Children
E11
The Devil's ChildrenTabby McCallum, beautiful but cruel teenage daughter of Tucker McCallum, is banned by the Virginian from Shiloh after she kills a steer by "mistake". With the unwitting help of her fiancé, Dan Flood, Tabby sets off a tragic set of events.
Fifty Days to Moose Jaw
E12
Fifty Days to Moose JawAn old cowhand and a "greenhorn" join the Shiloh hands for a cattle drive to Moose Jaw, Canada. The old and young cowhand plan a future of running cattle together. The story culminates with a sheriff looking for one of the 2 new friends.
The Accomplice
E13
The AccompliceAn old maid bank teller who decides it is time to provide for herself identifies Trampas as a bank robber and murderer in order to extort $10,000 from the actual thief. The Virginian is the only thing between Trampas and the hangman's noose.
Man from the Sea
E14
Man from the SeaA seaman moving to Wyoming meets twin sisters traveling there with Trampas. When he takes an interest in one of them, she makes a tragic request of him that reveals not only to him but Judge Garth the true nature of the twins relationship.
Duel at Shiloh
E15
Duel at ShilohAt a friend's grave, Steve recalls how the man helped him survive his arrival at Medicine Bow and train him as a cowboy and proficient with guns. Sadly, the man's unwillingness to adapt with the times pushed Steve to his life at Shiloh.
The Exiles
E16
The ExilesWhile trying to find a man to clear the Judge of a murder charge, The Virginian travels to Montana where he becomes involved with a singer who finds herself with her own problems. They are able to help each other solve their problems.
The Judgement
E17
The JudgementThis episode reveals why Henry Garth is no longer a practicing Judge. In flashback it recounts how he had to sentence, and deservedly, a man to death for murder. However, the man's relatives, led by Jake Carewe (Clu Gulager), intimidated the townsfolk to the extent that they tried to get the Judge to set the man free. When the Judge stood up to the family, he had to do so without support from the town.
Say Goodbye to All That
E18
Say Goodbye to All ThatAn American black bear named Moses brings to the surface the lack of respect a father has for his son. When the father is paralyzed in a fight with Trampas, he goads the son into fighting a duel with Trampas for revenge. Trampas refuses it, but cannot ignore it.
The Man Who Couldn't Die
E19
The Man Who Couldn't DieGarth trails a woman to San Francisco who he believes is part of a con game involving a railroad deal. Garth kills a man who he believes to be a part of it. However, when no body can be found, he and others start to question his sanity.
If You Have Tears
E20
If You Have TearsIn Mount Gorpus, Montana, Kyle Lawson (Britt Lomond) is framed for the murder of Lawrence Kelland. Kyle had been having an affair with Kelland's wife, Leona (Dana Wynter). The Virginian and Trampas, friends of Kyle, go to Mount Gorpus to investigate the crime. Posing as a cattle buyer, the Virginian begins romancing Leona. Leona eventually confesses to the murder but the Virginian is not so sure she is guilty.
The Small Parade
E21
The Small ParadeThe Virginian, Trampas. and Steve help a vegetarian with a chimp who is framed for murder and a single woman with a group of orphans. Although they start trying to adopt out the kids, they soon become match makers for the couple and kids.
Vengeance is the Spur
E22
Vengeance is the SpurA mysterious woman, Mrs. Francis (Nina Foch), comes to Medicine Bow and asks the Virginian to take her to meet his friend, Michael O'Rorke (Michael Rennie), the former foreman of Shiloh, who now lives as an outlaw in the badlands. She believes her husband, who had been wrongly accussed of murder, is hiding out with O'Rorke's gang. However, Mrs. Francis is not whom she claims and trouble follows.
The Money Cage
E23
The Money CageA con man, William Martin (Steve Forrest), and his gang come to Medicine Bow and Martin begins wooing bank teller Lydia Turner (Bethel Leslie) the daughter of the bank's owner. He plans to use the woman to get her father and Judge Garth to invest in a fake oil drilling scheme. However, complications ensue when there is a run on the bank and Martin discovers he likes Lydia.
The Golden Door
E24
The Golden DoorTrampas and Betsy Garth discover the body of a murdered neighbour, Mr. Keel. Trampas encounters a Latvian immigrant, Karl Rilke (Karl Boehm) and his pregnant wife Maria (Ilze Taurins), and discovers they have Keel's rifle although Karl claims he bought the gun from a man on the road. Judge Garth believes Karl innocent and that Keel's son Johnny (Robert Duvall) is the murderer, so he defends Karl at the trial.
A Distant Fury
E25
A Distant FuryEd Frazer returns to Medicine Bow after serving three years for burglary. Steve fears for his life because his testimony was crucial in convicting him. Frazer's main interest isn't revenge but renewing his acquaintance with Helen Blaine.
Echo of Another Day
E26
Echo of Another DayTrampas helps a friend just out of prison who has multiple people after him for the location of $50,000 in gold he helped steal. He wants to give the money back but he must deal with a ruthless partner in the robbery who will kill him.
Strangers at Sundown
E27
Strangers at SundownA outlaw gang traps Garth and Betsy and several stagecoach passengers at a way station. The gang wants one of the passengers who betrayed the gang. The people discuss their lives as time expires on whether to turn over the man.
The Mountain of the Sun
E28
The Mountain of the SunThe Virginian helps three women he meets in the southwest make their way to the Yaqui Indians where they want to be missionaries after the Yaqui killed their husbands. Along the way, he and the youngest woman become romantically involved.
Run Away Home
E29
Run Away HomeThe Virginian and Steve are forced to carry $40,000 back to Medicine Bow after a bank run closes all banks. The Virginian must fend off a family who think part of the money is theirs while contending with a dreaming runaway girl.
The Final Hour
E30
The Final HourGarth allows a controversial coal mine to be opened with Polish miners. Among them is a beautiful woman. She has eyes for Trampas but one of the miners and a friend of Trampas have eyes for her with tragic results as Trampas falls for her.