“Lashing out of the pages of American history come the exciting tales of the early western frontier. A primitive land torn by primitive conflicts and boiling with the feuds and lawless strife of frontier days. Here, on the rugged edge of civilisation, some of the most desperate outlaws the world has ever known swarmed like a black plague, looting and robbing. But here, too, determined to bring peace and justice to this turbulent region of six guns and sudden death, was another breed of men. The courageous officers appointed to wear the proudest badge of all, the badge of the western marshal.”
This syndicated series starred veteran western B movie actor Douglas Kennedy as Steve Donovan, a United States Marshal in Wyoming in the latter half of the 19th century.
He was assisted by his deputy, Rusty Lee (Eddy Waller), and stories followed their efforts to uphold the peace in towns – and on the range – where no law (or lawmen) existed.
The series – produced by Western TV veteran Jack Chertok – was filmed at the Iverson Movie Ranch in the Simi Hills on Santa Susana Pass outside Los Angeles.
The fondly remembered opening scene had Donovan drawing two six guns, firing three shots, flipping his ‘45s from one hand to the other and firing three more shots in rapid succession before twirling both guns and holstering them neatly.
Douglas Kennedy died of cancer in August 1973 in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he was shooting for Hawaii Five-O. He was just 57.
Eddy Waller died of a stroke in Los Angeles, California, in 1977, aged 88.
Marshal Steve Donovan
Douglas Kennedy Deputy Marshal Rusty Lee
Eddy Waller
This syndicated series starred veteran western B movie actor Douglas Kennedy as Steve Donovan, a United States Marshal in Wyoming in the latter half of the 19th century.
