The Texan

I never knew about this show growing up in the 1950s and 60s. I started watching all the episodes on YouTube and am very impressed. Rory Calhoun looks, acts, and talks just like Alan Ladd... except Calhoun was very tall, while Ladd was pint sized. This western is about a drifter who doesn't look for trouble, but t trouble always finds him, as he keeps getting in weekly brawls and shootouts on his many small town stopovers. The acting and dialogue seems to set this show apart, as there are very high standards. The plots are more adult themed than most westerns. All in all, it has high production standards and avoids the jovial cliche ridden excess found in most tv westerns. Calhoun was a very great, underrated actor, who co produced this series. Too bad he decided to pull the plug on it after two seasons.

I used to watch this series when I was a small child.The show starred Rory Calhoun as Bill Longley, The Texan. Although it only stayed on for two years, I loved this show because I thought Calhoun was really cool! I remember that he was always level-headed and that he never looked for trouble, although sometimes it found him.Also,the show had really good theme music.At the end of the show,they would show a picture of Texas while running the credits.Another thing was that Longley was really fast with a gun; nobody could outdraw him. Maybe you can catch this show on cable,it is really good!

The Texan was, like most of the 1950s Westerns, made up of morality plays in which good always prevailed. It also follows the plot of many Westerns - man wanders around getting in and out of trouble, but winds up helping everyone he comes across - except the bad guys. The Texan was well written and well constructed for a half hour Western series. It is not a classic, however. The reason for this was Rory Calhoun. It isn't that he was a poor actor, he was actually quite good. Yet, for some reason, Calhoun's screen persona didn't set well with some viewers. His lack of charisma forever chained him to B-movies and television guest shots. If you like Calhoun, you will like The Texan, if not, you won't.

Could the Texan be classified as a "Christian " program? Not exclusively! But the application of Christian precepts are apparent in many episodes. Many of the segments revolve around taking stands against fear, a recovering of courage,victory over enslavement to alcohol,forgiveness of various debts, and most important taking a stand against entrenched evil, no matter the cost. There are episodes, where with the help of Bill Longley, people ruthlessly shattered by tragedy and circumstance, find that there is a second chance for them to find both happiness and purpose in their lives. Bill Longley personifies an awakened conscience where the emotionally and physically downtrodden finally become the people they were always meant to be. A very fine program that can both encourage and inspire.

Australia first got television in 1957 so a lot of these series were a few years old by the time we saw them. The Texan was compulsory viewing in our house. I remember it being in prime time viewing [7.30pm] and for an 8 or 9 year old it was really exciting viewing.The Pinto horse & the way he dismounted was relived many times with friends in the back yard. Everyone wanted to play the part of the good guy. He never got the girl in the end , but at nine years old who cares. Very innocent & simple times. I remember when Rory Calhoun visited Australia in the early sixties, he was exactly the same as we thought he would be. Is the series available on DVD ?? Other favourites were The Lawman , Rifleman , Laramie , Wanted Dead Or Alive . You could never get enough