1 9 6 6 – 1 9 6 8 (USA)
47 x 52 minute episodes
Under the fighting leadership of rugged gentleman cowboy Ben Calhoun (Dale Robertson from Tales of Wells Fargo) the half-constructed near-bankrupt Buffalo Pass, Scalplock & Defiance Railroad – which Ben won in a poker game – is driven through the untamed West of the 1870s.
Calhoun struggles to make the line a success by sweet-talking creditors and potential customers and using his fists, guns and ingenuity.
He is aided by construction engineer Dave Tarrant (Gary Collins), clerk Barnabas Rogers (Bob Random), brawny crewman Nils Torvald (Roger Torrey), a horse named Hannibal and a racoon called Ulysses.
The character of Jule Parsons was introduced later on as proprietor of the Scalplock General Store. Actress Ellen McRae found greater success after changing her name to Burstyn (she picked up an Oscar for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore in 1975).
The series was developed from a telemovie called Scalplock in which gambler Calhoun won the near-bankrupt BPS&D railroad in a poker game.
Ben Calhoun
Dale Robertson
Dave Tarrant
Gary Collins
Nils Torvald
Roger Torrey
Barnabas Rogers
Bob Random
Julie Parsons
Ellen McRae (Burstyn)
