James West

They say time can play tricks, but I would bet that if some cable channel started to show "The Wild Wild West" again it would work its magic on me the same way it did when I watched it as a youngster in Barbados in the 1980s. Just the animated opening titles were spellbinding; this may sound weird, but I always thought it was a plus when the last panel to be filled in was one of the lower two (especially the one with the lady on the ground). It had action, it had mystery, it had everything.

It also had a theme tune that was a helluva lot better than anything in that dispiriting 1999 movie (if Warner Bros thought no one would remember it, they were wrong). Robert Conrad, Ross Martin (RIP), and creator Michael Garrison, we salute you.

In 1965 someone had the bright idea to mix the two most popular genres at that time, spy shows and westerns, and came up with this classic series. The western elements were obviously the horses, Indians and a strong hero and the espionage elements were the gadgets and megalomaniacal villains. Robert Conrad was excellent as Jim West and Ross Martin was just as great as the master of disguise Artemis Gordon. This chemistry between the two leads helped to make this show a classic. However, Michael Dunn pretty much stole the show as Miguelito Loveless, or as Artie would often call him, "The Little Wizard". This show will always be one of the wildest things about the decade of the 60's.

This was the coolest series of its time. Yes, you can argue that the Man from UNCLE, Mission Impossible, and the Avengers were also good, but this show was so unique. Take a western, mix with the spy genre, add a dash of steampunk (i.e. Jules Verne, H.G. Wells), a teaspoon of comedy, and 1 3/4 cups of stunts and you have a show unlike any other.

Robert Conrad and Ross Martin were unparalleled as Secret Service agents Jim West and Artemis Gordon, operating from their gadget-laden private train. They had tremendous chemistry and handled all aspects (comedy, drama, action) with equal skill. Michael Dunn was inspired as the diabolical genius Dr. Miguelito Loveless, whose genius far outreaches his stature. Dunn was a fantastic performer who could both sing and act beautifully.

The stories were inventive; mixing madmen, crooks, and murderers with science-fiction elements and cool gadgets. Who can forget the sleeve gun, the boot knife, the pool cue swords, etc. We had ironclads, submarines, super cannons, flying saucers and other futuristic devices.

The various elements that make up a tv show all had a unique spin here. We had the animated title sequence which gave way to the chapter breaks, as the story progressed. There was the wonderful theme song, the costumes, the make up, and the great stunt work. Everything about this show was quality.

I greatly miss this show and if there was ever a show deserving a dvd release, this is the one. The less said about that abomination of a film, the better.

I have loved this show since I was a child and I still do. The chemistry between the two partners & friends is impeccable (not like the movie in which they were always at odds). And as a young girl, I was totally swept away with the James West character as played by Robert Conrad. There will never be another TV character or series to compare.

I've just read the comments posted here and agree with almost everything positive said. I don't think Ross Martin received enough praise at the time for the work he did. Nor do I think the show receive the respect it deserved.

It was riveting when it first aired, and had the feel of a really good mystery show, with many excellent twists and turns of plot.

But, I can't believe no one mentioned that this show had the greatest theme song of all time! If you can find it do hear it. It has both a "western" sound to it, as well as a really great theme and arrangement. Warning: there were two versions produced. The original is better, but both are excellent.