Earlier this year (May 9th) The Daily Express Sunday Magazine (London) featured an interview with James Drury. Jim goes over familiar ground with journalist Tony Padman calling Doug McClure “the greatest friend I ever had.”
Jim states “I knew I wanted to be an actor after I put on robes and a beard as King Herod for a Biblical play at a children’s theatre.”
The Virginian Weblog 
I’m glad that Jim always acknowledges Doug’s part in the success of The Virginian, and I think is one of the reasons he regards Doug as his best friend, without Doug , the show would not have lasted as long as it did. Doug’s easy going, laid back nature meant that he could tolerate Jim’s occassional difficult moments and he probably understood Jim better than most.
My favorite on “The Virginian” was definitely James Drury. In fact, I thought he should have been in more episodes than he was.
I liked Doug McClure – but not all the time, i.e., when he was always ready to accept gunfights rather than back off.
I loved Charles Bickford, his wife, Sara Lane and her “brother” and thought there should have been more continuity when characters disappeared without explanation, etc.
I hope I live long enough to purchase episodes which begin with Bickford and end with “Men from Shiloh” but I’m not holding my breath (I’m 67 now and my husband 72). When we were young, we didn’t have televisions and were busy working, etc. rather than watching television.
When will the entire series be out for purchase?????? Does anyone know?
Marylin
Sorry – I didn’t mean Bickford’s wife, I meant his grandchildren.
I also loved the McIntyres’ episodes.
Thanks for your thoughts Marilyn. I agree the continuity was often lacking when characters left the show.
I have no idea when the 1967-1971 episodes will eventually be available on DVD. I wish I knew.
Marylin…You’ll find all the episodes and seasons on DVD at http://www.amazon.com…here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D2649513011&field-keywords=The+Virginian