Thursday Television Review: Maverick
- The Daily Sentiment
- Jul 23, 2020
- 4 min read
Maverick (1957-1962)
Starring: James Garner, Jack Kelly, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Diane Brewster, Roger Moore, Robert Colbert, Richard Long, Arlene Howell, and Leo Gordon
Review
This is a very interesting old-time television series, because it sets you up for something and then gives you quite another thing. This was the era of westerns, heroes on horses, near perfection. Following the Maverick brothers around, however, you find that they aren’t particularly brave (at least they don’t confess to be so…actually, they say they aren’t), can’t shoot fast, don’t like to work, and really, their only attribute is that they can’t stand injustice. More of an anti-hero in some ways, the brothers find themselves being taken in repeatedly, but then always making sure it gets righted.
It is interesting to see how both James Garner and Jack Kelly differentiate their characters. Originally, the part of Bart (Jack Kelly) was meant to relieve the difficult filming schedule for James Garner. Therefore, the writers created each episode for James Garner’s Bret and then would decide later whether to use Jack Kelly or not. This makes the brothers almost identical, but each actor is still able to bring out a different characteristic. Whether it’s James Garner’s ability at facial comedy or Jack Kelly’s amazing ability to turn on the snark. They make for some great characters.
Of course, as the show went on, they added friends. Ironically, each of their friends follow the similar path of anti-hero that the brothers have. Their friends Dandy Jim, Samantha Crawford, and Gentlemen Jack are all more than conniving and would take the shirt of your back. But then, that’s how the Maverick brothers met them, now they’re friends. Nevertheless, just because they’re friends, doesn’t mean they won’t take advantage of each other…but they can only do it to each other. An interesting thing about this series, between the brothers and friends, they won’t let anyone outside their circle take advantage of them, especially if it involves money.
One paradox in the series is that, although they love money and will do anything to get it (following hair-brained schemes, trying this and that), they also don’t seem to care for money. You see, their philosophy is not to acquire more and more money, but enough that they can live, play poker, and get to the next destination on. At the beginning of each episode, the brothers generally have plenty of money to begin their poker games (including a $1,000 bill pinned to their suit coat), they lose it at some point (or are cheated…most often), and by the end of the episode they’ve got it back.
When James Garner left after three seasons, they tried to add on to the story. They didn’t have as much success with another brother and a cousin as they may have hoped, and after one season of that, they went back to just Jack Kelly.
For those who don’t want their children to know what an inside straight is or whether or not to hold a kicker, perhaps watch with caution. Overall, it was a fun series, rather light-hearted, and fun to watch.
Summary
Bret (James Garner) and Bart (Jack Kelly) Maverick are brothers with one main passion: poker. They live their lives by traveling from town to town, wherever they wish, playing poker and meeting new people. They are likable fellas and are always willing to quote their dear ol’ pappy. Their younger brother Brent (Robert Colbert) comes along sometimes, but not as often, and sometimes they’re joined by their cousin Beauregard “Beau” Maverick (Roger Moore) – a man with style and sophistication, but ever the same as the brothers. Bret and Bart are former Confederate soldiers, who can’t stay in Texas for an “odd reason”. So, they spend their time adrift.
Excellent at poker, due to their pappy’s fine training, the gentlemen fear nothing. In fact, losing isn’t their biggest concern, they just don’t want to be cheated. If someone takes advantage of them, they will be hunted down and the situation corrected by the Mavericks.
Yes, they take chances. After all, they are gamblers. Willing to try something bold and adventurous for the sake of gaining a new source of income. They have many partners that were once enemies, then friends, and still…suspicious.
Dandy Jim Buckley (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) will do anything (and I mean anything) to gain another penny…usually thousands and thousands of pennies. Always looking the gentleman’s part, he doesn’t like hard work and crafty enough to get someone else involved instead. Partnering up with Bret, most often, he usually ends of taking advantage of Bret, only to be set right again. Of course, Dandy Jim would do most anything to help Bret too…sometimes.
Gentleman Jack Darby (Richard Long) is exactly that, a gentleman. Of course, this doesn’t mean he won’t stand up for himself. He partners with Bart, most often, and is quick on his feet. Teaming these two up means you will not know which way is up by the end of it all. Gentleman Jack is willing to help the brothers out, for a price, you know.
Not only are the men not always to be trusted, but the ladies too. Samantha Crawford (Diane Brewster) is slipperier than anything you’ll lay eyes on. She is determined to come out on top and is one of the best pick-pockets, thieves, and all around conniving woman of all time. Leave to her to get the Maverick brothers completely confused and left with nothing.
Good, and loyal, friend Big Mike McComb (Leo Gordon) is a business man with a sense of duty. A strong Irishman, he is devoted to helping the brothers, without taking advantage of them, either. You see, there are some decent folks around!
Although they don’t work, as a general rule, the brothers do have professions. Bart used to be a trail boss on a ranch and Bret…well, he does something! The two are instilled with an obligation that wrong must be righted and they usually can’t say no to a lady. They also know that there is more than one way to skin a cat and will often go about exacting justice in an unorthodox manner.
Follow along, as the brothers make new friends, and some enemies, and always makes sure that justice is done.
Ellen Nolan
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