The Richard Boone Show

1963-64 featured two unique bits of prime-time series programming: George C. Scott's social work series on CBS, EAST SIDE WEST SIDE, with its vivid bi-racial stories (several strong enough they were never shown in Georgia, where I watched), and Richard Boone's one-hour series of original dramas, each one acted by the show's in-house cast of players. Boone, John McIntyre (WAGON TRAIN) and Henry Morgan (DRAGNET)were well known, Robert Blake was about to be-- the rest of the company were just as often featured (Bethel Leslie and Jeanette Nolan were particularly strong). They took the repertory ideal very seriously-- Clifford Odets wrote the premiere script, and their most noticed hour was written by Horton Foote ("All the Comforts of Home"). The quality of these shows was less remarkable than Scott's show, which I am convinced would still look good today. But Boone's experiment made a strong case for the idea that this was what actors should be doing, to enlarge their skills. Wherever Laura Devon, Lloyd Bochner, and Warren Stevens are today, they should be satisfied to have been part of this project.

Too good. That's why it only lasted a season. My God, look at the players. Not a weak spot in the bunch. And, the writing! Fantastic. But, no trick guns, no canned laughter and no asinine sit skits. It was just too good. I believe I saw dang near every episode and loved each one. The players would change roles, Bobby Benson would be a drugged out drummer looking for a fix one week and then a Mexican fisherman who finds a big pearl. Even when the cast would shift into another completely different genre, they would shift around and support one another. One week Warren Stevens did a bit part as a night watchman and the next, he was a hired killer, then a soldier of fortune...as so on. This was undoubtedly some of the best theater ever presented on TV. Sadly, that's why is didn't go past one season...but, what a season!

I can add little to the well-made comments of the ex-Georgian (now safely in Mass.) regarding THE RICHARD BOONE SHOW. It was indeed unique on television in the 1960s and beyond.

The producers probably thought the name would attract viewers, but obviously not enough. I would like to think this rotating cast of characters and situations was "ahead of its time," but perhaps there was no such time. Series, a.k.a. "prime time" television watchers apparently did not like the insecurity of no characters or settings to which they could become attached. Always there was something new, even unique, c.f. the afore-mentioned episode by Odets. THE RICHARD BOONE SHOW was not in keeping with Ray Bradbury's notion of "television family" -- which the host's expositions from the Green Room could not replace. To be best of my recollection, Richard Boone disappeared from television with this noble experiment.

I was five, yes,five, when this show first ran. Until recently, I judged on a single, wonderful episode, "Vote No on Eleven" which I somehow managed to see. Jeannete Nolan was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of a bag lady. Recently, I have been able to catch some episodes on You Tube, and what I have seen is truly excellent.It is very sad that this show failed to be a hit, as Richard Boone and Buck Houghton put a lot into it. The cast of the show was uniformly excellent.The shows music was by Henry Mancini, except for the first episode, "Statement of Fact' which featured music by Bernard Hermann.

We watched "The Richard Boone Show" regularly during its all-too-brief run. Everyone else in the country appeared to be watching "The Fugitive", which--to our way of thinking--couldn't't't't compare in quality to Richard Boone. This was a repertory company, and all the regulars played many different types of characters. Many of them went on to star in better-known productions, while their excellence in this show went largely unnoticed. I'm glad to see that it did receive some nominations and one Golden Globe award, but it should have had a much longer run and received many more awards. I agree with a comment on the message board, that there should be copies available for purchase. I would greatly enjoy seeing these episodes once more on one of the cable or dish channels that feature "oldies but goodies".