Law of the Plainsman (1959)

Law of the Plainsman is a Western television series starring Michael Ansara that aired on the NBC television network from October 1, 1959, until May 5, 1960. The character of Native American U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart was introduced in two episodes of the popular ABC Western television series The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain. Law of the Plainsman is distinctive and unique in that it was one of the few television programs that featured a Native American as the lead character, a bold move for U.S.network television at that time. Ansara had earlier appeared in the series Broken Arrow, having portrayed the Apache chief, Cochise. Ansara, however, was not Native American but of Syrian descent. Ansara played Sam Buckhart, an Apache Indian who saved the life of a U.S. Cavalry officer after an Indian ambush. When the officer died, he left Sam money that was used for an education at private schools and Harvard University. After school, he returned to New Mexico where he became a Deputy Marshal working for Marshal Andy Morrison. He lived in a boarding house run by Martha Commager. The only other continuing character was 8-year old Tess Logan, an orphan who had been rescued by Buckhart. Robert Harland, later of Target: The Corruptors! starred in seven episodes as Deputy Billy Lordan. Wayne Rogers, who went on to star in another Four Star western, Stagecoach West, and later, M*A*S*H, also played deputy Lordan in several episodes.

2 seasons
30 episodes
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Seasons

Specials
2 episodes
Season 1
30 episodes

Cast and crew

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Michael Ansara Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart 30 episodes
Gina Gillespie Tess Wilkins 15 episodes
Dayton Lummis Marshal Andy Morrison 9 episodes
Nora Marlowe Martha Commager 7 episodes
Robert Harland Deputy Billy Lordan / Deputy Forbes / Deputy Nick Forbes / Deputy Billy Forbes 4 episodes
Wayne Rogers Deputy Billy Lordan / Frank Anderson 4 episodes
Peter Whitney Trigger Strelling / Knappe / John Wesley 3 episodes
Joseph V. Perry Egan / Ben 3 episodes
Chris Alcaide Wolf / Dan / Conroy 3 episodes
John Anderson Clyde Santee / Jeb Wicken / Matthew Bannock 3 episodes
John Milford Jason / Elijah Wesley 3 episodes
Wayne Tucker Bunsing / Dort / French 3 episodes
Full cast