The Wild Wild West is an American television series. Developed at a time when the television western was losing ground to the spy genre, this show was conceived by its creator, Michael Garrison, as "James Bond on horseback." Set during the administration of President Ulysses Grant, the series followed Secret Service agents James West and Artemus Gordon as they solved crimes, protected the President, and foiled the plans of megalomaniacal villains to take over all or part of the United States. The show also featured a number of fantasy elements, such as the technologically advanced devices used by the agents and their adversaries. The combination of the Victorian era time-frame and the use of Verne-esque style technology have inspired some to give the show credit for the origins of the steam punk subculture.
The Wild Wild West is an American television series. Developed at a time when the television western was losing ground to the spy genre, this show was conceived by its creator, Michael Garrison, as "James Bond on horseback." Set during the administration of President Ulysses Grant, the series followed Secret Service agents James West and Artemus Gordon as they solved crimes, protected the President, and foiled the plans of megalomaniacal villains to take over all or part of the United States. The show also featured a number of fantasy elements, such as the technologically advanced devices used by the agents and their adversaries. The combination of the Victorian era time-frame and the use of Verne-esque style technology have inspired some to give the show credit for the origins of the steam punk subculture.
Cast, crew and production details
About The Wild Wild West
Cast
Robert ConradJames T. West
Ross MartinArtemus Gordon
Martin Kosleck
Tol AveryAsa Dempster
Robert Loggia
Beverly GarlandCelia Rydell
Lisa GayeLana Benson
Kathie Browne
Credits
Created by
Michael Garrison
Written by
Edward J. Lakso, Leigh Chapman, Robert C. Dennis
Production details
Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
104
Original language
English
Networks & production
CBSUnited States
Michael Garrison Productions
Bruce Lansbury Productions
CBSUnited States
Themes
classic westernsecret agentwild west
Season 4 episodes
Watch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.
While President Grant attends an event at the German Consulate, Baron Hinterestoisser invites him to a special reception, explaining he has something interesting for the president to see. Suspicious, agent James West retrieves the mysterious box the Baron refers to and finds a kinetoscope of a fake depiction of President Grant signing a secret agreement with the unscrupulous government of another nation. If the film is shown for the heads of other countries, Grant will suffer terrible indignation and upset international relations. If the film is not replaced, however, the Baron will accuse the U.S. of stealing on consulate soil, a far greater crime. Agent Artemus Gordon decides that the only alternative is to make a duplicate kintetoscope-with some changes-and return it to the consulate before it is discovered missing. West and Gordon finish just as the president arrives. The Baron announces that he has proof of President Grant's connection with the corrupt foreigh officials. But as th
Directed by Irving J. MooreWritten by David MoessingerGuest stars Martin Kosleck, Wilhelm von Homburg, Harvey Korman, Alice Nunn, Ronald Rich
Dr.Crane,inventor of a new explosive,is missing along with his daughter. If his ""doomsday formula"" falls into the wrong hands,especially foreign ones,it could mean the end of the United States. West and Gordon must rescue the professor,his daughter and the formula before it's too late.
Directed by Irving J. MooreGuest stars Kevin McCarthy, Melinda Casey
Someone is trying to run settlers off their land,buying some of them out,scaring other away,and even murdering those who refuse to leave. The government sends Jim and Arte in to investigate the situation and to stop whoever is behind this.
Directed by Irving J. MooreGuest stars Floyd Patterson
Investigating the disappeance of a correspondent of James West's, the agents come upon a bizarre family scheme. West's associate had a rare disorder that caused rapid aging, similar to that of the Sedgewick family. In an attempt to cure the disorder, the family physician has been kidnapping people with the similar disorder and using them to test a serum he has prepared. It is up to West and Gordon to stop his tests and bring him to justice.
Directed by Marvin J. ChomskyWritten by Paul PlaydonGuest stars Sharon Acker, Jay Robinson, Lee Weaver, Frank Campanella, William Challee, Almira Sessions, Maria Lennard, Richard Hale
While on the trail of a scientist who has stolen a vial of deadly germs, the agents are pulled into a night of deadly parlor games. West and Gordon must recover the vial before it bursts and releases a veritable plague while managing to live though the games of their host.
Directed by Marvin J. ChomskyWritten by Jackson GillisGuest stars William Schallert, Sherry Jackson, Robert Ellenstein, Helen Page Camp, Ken Drake, Lee Kolima, Jacquelyn Hyde, Reggie Nalder
While investigating why fishing had been prohibited on local waters, agents James West and Artemus Gordon are attacked by a rough bunch of sailors. After the melee, Lt. Bartlett, who was apparently the victim of some sort sea creature. West joins a resolute fisherman on his boat and are attacked by a giant squid. But things are not what they appear as an even more insidious threat is revealed.
Directed by Michael CaffeyWritten by Stephen KandelGuest stars Marj Dusay, Anthony Caruso, Ted Knight, Jason Evers, Ford Rainey, Gregg Martell, Brent Davis, Claudio Miranda
In the town of Epitaph, owned by Epitaph Mines, agents James West and Artemus Gordon arrest Norbert Plank, chief bookkeeper for the powerful syndicate that owns the mining company. Through Plank, the agents hope to get their hands on records that could build a case against the organization. The whole town turns out to free Plank, whom West has hidden in a church bell tower, while Gordon masquerades as lay-preacher Hallelujah Harry. Gordon hopes to get to the head of the syndicate, Diamond Dave Desmond, and walk off with the ledgers. But Diamond Dave's girlfriend, Rhoda, has the same idea and blackmail on her mind.
Directed by Mike ModerGuest stars Mickey Hargitay, Charles McGraw, Douglas Henderson, Simon Oakland, Fred Stromsoe
Agent Artemus Gordon and the curator of the San Francisco Museum are set upon in the Egyptian exhibit by three men wearing gas masks. When agents West and Mr. Heisel, the Egyptian government's representative, enter the room, they are also attacked. After regaining consciousness, the men discover that a priceless ruby has been stolen from the eye of the statue of Sun God, Ra. Commissioned by Miasmin, an Egyptian Princess, to recover the gem, West and Gordon trace a ransom note to a waterfront bar where Gordon poses as a sea captain. At the bar, West recognizes one of his assailants at the museum. The man identifies himself as Jason and indicates that Rosie, a beaufiful young dancer at the bar, is wearing the ruby on her toe. Unfortunately, Rosie vanishes before West can make a move.
Directed by Marvin J. ChomskyWritten by Paul Playdon
West and Gordon are called to the deserted mining town of Brimstone by a Professor Colecrest who has made a discovery of great importance. However, before they get to Brimstone, the Professor is captured by a gang of men also seeking his discovery. The professor, seriously injured in a fall, holds the key to the mystery, and Jim and Artie struggle to keep him alive until they can uncover the true root of the mystery.
Directed by Bernard McEveetyWritten by Milton "Butterball" SmithGuest stars Leslie Charleson, Charles Macaulay, Dabbs Greer, John Crawford, Bill Quinn
Agent West raids a local warehouse in an attempt to apprehend a suspected opium gang member. As he struggles with the suspect, a new secret agent named Bosley Cranston rushes in and attempts to help. Unfortunately, he only makes matters worse, accidentally toppling a piano crate on the suspect and killing him. Cranston, however, is not the meek incompetent he appears and later surprises his colleagues with his karate skills and his popularity with beautiful women.
Directed by Marvin J. ChomskyGuest stars Pat Paulsen, Victor Sen Yung, Walter Soo Hoo, Marya Thomas, Julio Medina, Kenny Endoso, Gary Epper, Fred Stromsoe
Agents West and Gordon have been investigating a series of explosions that have demolished several palatial homes. While they are guests of the wealthy Mr. Taney, they hear a high, whining sound. Suddenly the house begins to crumble and the agents escape in the nick of time to see a giant tuning fork radiating powerful sound waves. As they delve deeper into the case, they discover a letter to Mr. Taney from the Cyclops Insurance Company, urging him to take out a policy against further destruction of his property.
Directed by Irving J. MooreWritten by Henry SharpGuest stars Tol Avery, Harold Gould, Emily Banks, Lou Krugman, Bob Herron, Ross Elliott, Jenny Maxwell, Steve Gravers
Agent West is summoned by a note from agent Gordon to the local barbershop. While waiting for Gordon, West decides to have a shave and is promptly anesthetised by a hot towel from one of Dr. Loveless's assistants, working in disguise. When he wakes up, he finds himself in a carnival funhouse where he encounters dazed-looking Justice Alonzo Fairlie. Before he can get any information from the judge, he is attacked by a quartet of gunmen. He quickly dispatches his adversaries but Justice Fairlie disappears in the confusion, leaving behined a strange clue.
Directed by James B. ClarkGuest stars Byron Morrow, Michael Dunn, Arthur Batanides, Douglas Henderson, Susan Seaforth Hayes, Percy Helton, Walter Coy, Johnny Silver
West and Pike receive a note to meet a woman at a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco with a promise of information about the militant Din Chang who has recently stolen a supply of fulminate of mercury from a military arsenal. Unfortunately, the woman is killed before they can talk to her and the only word she utters is "Pelican". To further complicate matters, the only person they manage to capture is supposedly still serving time at Alcatraz. Since it seems that Alcatraz and the woman are the two pieces they have of the puzzle, the two split up to track down Chang before he can use the volatile mercury.
Directed by Alex NicolWritten by Richard H. LandauGuest stars Francine York, Khigh Dhiegh, Vincent Beck, Lou Cutell, Andre Philippe, Debbie Wong, Ellaraino, Linda Lin Di Ho
West and Gordon are called into Mexico to investigate a group of bandits who are attacking and terrorizing border towns. They track the bandits to a Mexican Village where the theives are hiding under the guise of an old Mexican legend about Cortez. Jim and Arte,not believing in the return of the god Cortez,are determined to find their way into the dorment volcano where the thugs are hiding.
Directed by Paul StanleyGuest stars Pepe Callahan, Thayer David, Ted de Corsia, Fred Stromsoe, Jorge Moreno
After a series of disturbing incidents involving a raven that seems to hynoptize high-ranking officials into committing dastardly deeds,Agents West and Harper decide to find out what's going on. The incidents lead the new partners to a group calling themselves The Raven,led by Thaddeus Toombs and a man called Tycho (who has an enormous head and is very smart).
Directed by Marvin J. ChomskyGuest stars Bernard Fox, Christopher Cary, Roy Engel, William Schallert, Jackie Coogan, Norman Leavitt, Chuck Courtney, Dorothy Neumann
The plans of The Raven seem to be successful as they have hypnotized Jim West and had him assassinate the Mexican Ambassador. Unfortunately for the group,Frank Harper had been impersonating the ambassador to test whether Jim had been conditioned. West and Harper work together to infiltrate and undermine the group and capture everyone except for the huge-headed Tycho.
Directed by Marvin J. ChomskyGuest stars Christopher Cary, William Schallert, Jackie Coogan, Roy Engel, Julio Medina, James McEachin, Don Ross, Arthur Tovey
Jim meets with crime czar Sabatini, who asks him to travel to Calliope, MO to protect a lady and give a man called Swanson a key. Accompanied by government chemist Ned Brown, Jim travels to Calliope (where an Army finance officer died after stealing half a mil). Swanson is killed and the lady turns out to be Sabatini's ward blind Sylvia. It turns out Sabatini was the officer and Sylvia was the daughter of Boorman, Sabatini's partner in the robbery. Dodging Boorman, Jim and Ned find Sabatini's deed leaving all of his property to Sylvia.
Directed by Charles R. RondeauGuest stars Jim Backus, Bethel Leslie, Ben Wright, Jill Townsend, Alan Hale Jr., Ted de Corsia, Don 'Red' Barry, Douglas Henderson
Gordon and West head to a lonely outpost to battle a terrorist gang.
Directed by Bernard McEveetyWritten by Robert C. DennisGuest stars Edward Binns, Robert Pine, Henry Wilcoxon, Eugene Iglesias, William O'Connell, John Pickard
West meets up with Gordon, who has just arrived in New Orleans with a famous Italian diva and niece of the ambassador on his arm, an escort urged by President Grant. West agrees to substitute as the lady's guardian for her appearance that evening at the opera, but the performance is interrupted when Montebello's would-be kidnappers bring down the curtain and West jumps into the fray. Discovering that sereral divas had recently disappeared in New Orleans, the agents must rush to unravel a plot involving the secret Order of Lucia and reveal who among their new acquaintances is playing a role on and off the stage.
Directed by Herb WallersteinGuest stars Martin Kosleck, Patricia Dunn, Beverly Todd, Patrice Munsel, Douglas Henderson, Fred Stromsoe
West visits an eerie island to get a diamond for the National Museum.
Directed by Marvin J. ChomskyWritten by Robert E. KentGuest stars Beverly Garland, John Williams, Pat O'Hara, Robert H. Harris, Richard Erdman, James Westerfield, Jana Taylor, Gene Tyburn
West and Gordon are mixed up in the affairs of the royal family of Karovnia when they come to the US fleeing from assassins in their home country. The agents find that the evil Count Balkovitch is pursuing them, looking for an icon he needs to possess to hold power in Karovnia. Of course, the Count is not acting alone and the agents must discover who is assisting him before his dastardly plans are accomplished.
Directed by Mike ModerWritten by Oliver CrawfordGuest stars Guy Stockwell, Aliza Gur, Nina Foch, John van Dreelen, Oscar Beregi Jr., Donnelly Rhodes, Mary Frann, Norman Leavitt
West deals with the kidnapping of the Governor's daughter while Gordon rushes to find Jim to inoculate him from the disease one of the criminals was carrying. The disease proves to be the turning point in the fight between the feds and the criminals as Gordon convinces the gang to turn themselves in exchange for the cure to the disease.
Directed by Irving J. MooreGuest stars Tyler McVey, Eddie Firestone, Douglas Henderson, Lana Wood, Cliff Norton, Steve Raines, Bill Zuckert, David S. Cass Sr.
West becomes involved with the Jupiter Corporation after the director of the board and two others are killed. West exposes a deep plot by the late director's sister,Amelia,to dump stock,cause a panic,then make tons of money off of the cheap stock. West's investigation leads him to an odd bar with a cirus theme and animals who like to throw bombs. West uncovers Amelia's plan to kill off the rest of the board and is able to save the rest of the members.
Directed by Mike ModerGuest stars Tol Avery, Jo Van Fleet, Joanie Sommers, Milton Parsons, Buff Brady, Jerry Mann
