This NBC series stars James Garner as the titular Nichols, a violence-weary drifter who wanders back into Nichols, Arizona (his family founded the town) in 1914, only to discover that it has been taken over by the powerful Ketcham family, dominated by matriarchal Ma Ketcham (Neva Patterson).
He is promptly blackmailed by Ma into serving as sheriff, a powerless but hazardous position where she can keep an eye on him.
Although Nichols spent 18 years in the army, he hates violence and doesn’t even carry a gun as he takes on bank robbers, Apaches, con artists, banditos and more, armed with only his wits and his charm. He also rides an Indian motorcycle instead of a horse.
His primary concern is money, not the law, and he doesn’t like to fight. His main aim in life is to get rich, and he concocts all manner of schemes toward that end.
The cast is great. In addition to Garner, there is Stuart “Angel” Margolin (as Mitch, the town bully), John Beck, Alice Ghostley and a pre-Lois Lane Margot Kidder as the local barmaid, Ruth.
In the final episode, Nichols is killed while trying to stop a barroom brawl and his identical twin brother, Jim (also Garner obvs) – a less sleazy good guy – arrives to take his place.
Unfortunately, Nichols only lasted a year and only 24 episodes were filmed.
Nichols/Jim Nichols
James Garner
Ketcham
John Beck Bertha (saloon keeper)
Alice Ghostley
Ruth
Margot Kidder
Deputy Mitch Mitchell
Stuart Margolin
Ma Sara Ketcham
Neva Patterson Salter (bar owner) John Harding Gabe McCutcheon (general store owner)
M. Emmet Walsh Scully One
John Quade Scully Two
Jesse Wayne
Although Nichols spent 18 years in the army, he hates violence and doesn’t even carry a gun as he takes on bank robbers, Apaches, con artists, banditos and more, armed with only his wits and his charm. He also rides an Indian motorcycle instead of a horse.
