The Virginian Weblog

‘Golden West’ and ‘Tomorrow’ Themes

PGreen — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:37:45 +0000

I’ve received quite a few requests regarding the incidental music from The Virginian – specifically two favorite tunes used regularly throughout the series. ‘Golden West’ and ‘Tomorrow’ were originally composed for Wagon Train by the Academy Award winning composer John Williams. Frederick Herbert added the lyrics. The song ‘Golden West’ was originally sung by Ann Blyth on the Wagon Train episode “The Jenny Tannen Story” (2:38). You can view the footage on You Tube.

The Virginian adopted ’Golden West’ primarily as piano music in saloon scenes and ‘Tomorrow’ as background dance music. Recently I was informed by Elisabeth from my comments board that these themes are available on a new MP3 album of Wagon Train music. The arrangements are different to those used on The Virginian but this is the only album I’m aware of that features them. You can listen to short excerpts from ‘Golden West’ and ‘Tomorrow’ on the Amazon site.

2011 The Virginian Weblog Stats Review

PGreen — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:16:59 +0000

The WordPress.com stats annual report for this blog. Thanks to everyone for supporting my Virginian blog in 2011. May you all have a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Here’s an excerpt:

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 72,000 times in 2011. If it were an exhibit at the Louvre Museum, it would take about 3 days for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Chuckwagon Dinner with “The Virginian” cast : Autry National Center

PGreen — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:04:31 +0000

Maxine Hansen has informed me that a chuckwagon dinner with the cast of The Virginian has been added to the Autry National Center events next year on September 22 at 5 PM. Cost is $50.00 per person. Reservations and payment must be made in advance before August 1, 2012. Please contact Maxine Hansen with any questions at mhansen@autry.com

The Autry National Center : The Virginian TV Series 50th Anniversary 2012

PGreen — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:46:04 +0000

The Virginian Television Series 50th Anniversary
Celebration at the Autry National Center

The Autry National Center in Los Angeles, California and Gene Autry Entertainment will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ground-breaking western television program The Virginian on Saturday, September 22, 2012. The day’s events include a panel discussion with cast members, episode screenings, autograph session, and more.

The Virginian cast members scheduled to appear are James Drury, Randy Boone, Gary Clarke, Sara Lane, Diane Roter, Roberta Shore and Don Quine.

Owen Wister’s 1902 western novel The Virginian was one of the first great novels of the American West. Set in the semi-mythical town of Medicine Bow, Wyoming in the 1890′s, it chronicled the lives and relationships of the people who came west and settled the wild land. Starring James Drury in the title role, The Virginian was the first 90 minute television western, airing in prime time on NBC from 1962-1971.

Event Details

Saturday, September 22, 2012
10:00AM to 4:00PM

The Autry National Center
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027
www.theautry.org

Autry Museum Members: FREE
Adults: $10
Students with current ID & Seniors (60+): $6
Children (3-12): $4
Children under 3: Free

Free with current ID for active military personnel and veterans, peace officers, and park rangers

Parking: Free

Contact: Maxine Hansen
mhansen@autry.com

The Virginian (2000) starring Bill Pullman

PGreen — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:12:55 +0000

I’ve just watched the TNT production of The Virginian (2000) on the GMC cable network. This is the first time I’ve watched it for many years. I still find it a melancholy, gloomy and slightly depressing film totally lacking in humor or any sense of camaraderie. For those about to watch this film for the first time place everything you love about The Virginian TV series to one side. As we all know the TV show took liberties with Owen Wister’s original novel. Trampas was transformed from being the villain and the Virginian’s love interest Molly sidelined midway through the first season.

The TNT TV Movie is more faithful to Wister’s novel but is deficient in many areas. Bill Pullman is a pleasing Virginian but lacks any sense of being a Southerner. He comes across as an educated northerner despite telling us he’s from Virginia and had little education. James Drury makes a brief token appearance late into the film as “Rider” but is wasted. John Savage has little to do but is effective as the tragic figure of Steve. Trampas isn’t explored in depth and Colm Feore never comes to grips with the character. Diane Lane as Molly Stark gives the standout performance and is one of the few characters who displays warmth and kindness in the hostile environment she reluctantly finds herself a part of.

Filmed in Canada, the overcast leaden skies and Pacific Northwest landscape doubling for Wyoming fails to convince as an authentic Western setting. I know this film has many fans but I’m not one of them. Mainly because of the inauthentic location work, choppy editing and slow-paced direction by Pullman. Medicine Bow is not the kind of place you’d ever want to visit in Pullman’s vision.

Universal Studios : The Virginian Backlot 1967

PGreen — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:40:19 +0000

This aerial photograph shows the Universal Studios backlot in 1967. Shiloh Ranch is visible in the lower left. The Virginian Medicine Bow sets were centered around New Denver Street and Laramie Street. Other locations are Six Points Texas, Mexican Street, Fort Laramie and Waterfall & Caves.

Photo originally posted by universalstonecutter

The Virginian Director Charles S. Dubin (1919-2011)

PGreen — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:43:52 +0000

Archive of American Television by Gary Rutkowski on September 9, 2003

Director Charles S. Dubin passed away September 5 of natural causes at his Brentwood, California home. He directed seven episodes of The Virginian from season 4 through season 7 but is perhaps best known for directing over 40 episodes of M*A*S*H. Brooklyn born Dubin also directed many popular TV shows including Hawaii Five-O, The Defenders, The Big Valley, The Rockford Files and Murder, She Wrote.

Sara Lane in “The Trial Of Billy Jack” (1974)

PGreen — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 22:50:16 +0000

A post-Virginian Sara Lane (as Russell Lane) in The Trial Of Billy Jack (1974). Notice her short hair style as she talks on the radio from her jeep approx. 15 seconds into the clip. She can also be seen later into the clip so keep watching. This film was the sequel to Billy Jack (1971). Sara (Russell) Lane also appeared in Billy Jack Goes To Washington in 1977. Her final film appearance to date.

The Virginian composer Jack Hayes (1919-2011)

PGreen — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 19:48:45 +0000

Composer Jack Hayes died recently at the age of 92. In partnership with Leo Shuken he was responsible for many TV Western scores on Gunsmoke, Wagon Train and Riverboat among others. When Shuken died in 1976 Hayes continued to compose solo for shows such as Quincy M.E. and to orchestrate numerous film scores including The Color Purple (1985) for which he received an Academy Award nomination. In 2009, Hayes was awarded honors from the Society of Composers & Lyricists and the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC), for his long career in films and television.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 3 at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, 7390 West Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles. Donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Here is Shuken and Hayes’ theme for the opening title credits to “Legacy of Hate” (5:01)

Sara Lane # 4

PGreen — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:18:53 +0000

Sara Lane consistently heads the list for the greatest number of searches on my site. She is obviously one of the most popular cast members of The Virginian. There is no doubt the caring sensitivity of her character makes a pleasant change from so many aggressive females on television today. Elizabeth Grainger has grown better with age and the charm of Sara Lane has gained her many new fans.