Watch Cimarron Strip

Cimarron Strip was a western drama television series that aired on CBS from 1967 to 1968. It starred Stuart Whitman as US Marshal Jim Crown, who was responsible for keeping law and order in the expansive Cimarron Territory. The show was produced by the renowned production company, MGM Television.

The series was set in the late 19th century, in the Cimarron Territory of Oklahoma, which was a wide area of land that was not yet fully organized into a state. The show followed Marshal Crown as he dealt with the various challenges of law enforcement in this rugged and untamed land. He was assisted by a young deputy named Francis Wilde, played by TV actor Percy Herbert.

The show's premise was unique for the time. Unlike other western dramas of the era, Cimarron Strip was not centered around a single town or set of characters. Instead, it was more of an anthology series, with each episode focusing on a different story and set of characters.

The show explored themes of justice, morality, and the conflict between law and order and the rough terrain of the Cimarron Territory. Each episode brought new challenges for Marshal Crown, ranging from protecting the mail to dealing with outlaw gangs and tracking down elusive fugitives.

One of the standout features of the show was its use of expansive outdoor locations. The Cimarron Territory was a vast and rugged landscape, full of rocky canyons, expansive prairies, and dense forests. The show's producers took advantage of this, filming many scenes on location in New Mexico and Arizona.

Stuart Whitman's portrayal of Marshal Crown was well-received by critics and audiences alike. He brought a tough, no-nonsense attitude to the role, while also showing a sense of compassion for the people he was sworn to protect. His character was also portrayed as a flawed and imperfect man, struggling with the moral dilemmas of his job and the harsh realities of life in the frontier.

In addition to Whitman, the show featured a talented supporting cast of recurring characters. These included Jill Townsend as Crown's love interest, Dulcey; Randy Boone as Francis Wilde; and Percy Herbert as the loyal deputy, MacGregor. Other notable guest stars included Martin Landau, Angie Dickinson, and Robert Duvall, among others.

Despite its strengths, Cimarron Strip struggled to find a large audience during its initial run. The show was up against stiff competition, including the popular ABC series The Avengers and the popular NBC series, The Dean Martin Show. It was also expensive to produce, with its use of location filming and large casts of extras.

The show was canceled after just one season, but it has continued to be remembered fondly by fans of the western genre. Critics have praised its gritty realism and nuanced portrayal of law enforcement in the frontier. Its exploration of complex themes and morally ambiguous characters also helped pave the way for later western dramas like Deadwood and Justified.

In conclusion, Cimarron Strip was a groundbreaking western drama television series that aired on CBS from 1967 to 1968. It followed US Marshal Jim Crown as he struggled to uphold law and order in the rugged and untamed Cimarron Territory of Oklahoma. The show's standout features included its use of expansive outdoor locations, its talented cast of recurring characters, and its exploration of complex themes and moral dilemmas. While it struggled to find a large audience during its initial run, Cimarron Strip has continued to be remembered fondly by fans of the western genre.