The Americans

Darryl Hickman has been one of my favorite actors of all time. Both my sister and I memorized the opening credits which are: One hundred years ago, Americans, both North and South, gripped by opposing yet sincere beliefs fought the war between the states. From this struggle emerged a new character, a new America. To the brave and gallant soldiers of the union and confederacy, we dedicate this program. Through the eyes of two young brothers, Ben and Jeff Canfield we will relive once more the tumultuous days of the blue and the gray the story of the Americans.

We loved this show and unfortunately have not been able to see it for over forty years. I was hoping we could get a DVD of it so if anyone knows where, please let us know. His picture with Dick Davalos and Gigi Perreau in their roles on the Americans appeared on the cover of a TV Guide issue in 1961. Darryl Hickman was also on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business around 1964. We loved him as Davey on Dobie Gillis. I have seen the majority of his movies. I would love to be able to write to him and let him know how much he is appreciated or at least to be able to get a picture of him.

I teach history both in high school and at a university. I am especially interested in the American Civil War, the War Between the States, or, as a North Carolina teacher put it to me, "Down here, we call it 'the War of Northern Aggression,'" But, to tell you the truth, one of the reasons I was an avid fan of "The Americans" when it played on television in 1961 was that it was "sexy." I was in 8th grade at the time and therefore of a budding, going on boiling over interest in exotic women. I particularly remember an episode when Dick Davalos goes into a back hills village to recruit some of their sharpshooting men into the Confederate army. Before he finds any men, he encounters a bevy of very shapely Daisy Mays who are very interested in him. What a test of his loyalty to the Southern cause! Should he go back to the battlefield or stay here with the Dogpatch harem?

Am I the only one who remembers the show this way?

1961 was the much-promoted Centennial of the Civil War. There were all sorts of specials, and docu-series, and articles in LIFE magazine, etc. This TV drama was excellent with a brother against brother theme. The fact that it lasted one year says a lot about the audience rather than the show. This was quality TV - and cross-reference "Arrest and Trial" (the precursor of "Law and Order") to see how long some quality shows last. I even remember in grade school trying to get classmates to watch "The Americans" with no luck. Their loss. And in this age of gutter, juvenile, and vicious humor a thoughtful drama like this won't ever be rerun or even on video. Too bad. With the right marketing there are enough Civil War enthusiasts to make video sales feasible. It was a memorable series showing how the war tore America apart.

I loved this show when I was a kid, and I remember being very disappointed when it was taken off the air. I remember that it was a gripping drama, and that it held my attention even though I was very young at the time and not too interested in anything other than comedies and cartoons. I also remember my mother complaining once that it was too violent, so maybe this had something to do with its appeal. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem to have made much of an impression on anyone else, because I've never met anyone else who even remembers it, so I'm glad to see so many positive reviews of the show here. I would love to see this show again. It must have been a good show, because I haven't forgotten it in 44 years, and I was only 6 or 7 years old when it aired.

I really liked this show, The Americans. I can't believe it was only on for a year! Civil War action, what more did a kid want back then? (Except maybe the Alamo.) Thanks to IMDB for having some info about it. And thanks to Candace for steering me here because apparently nobody else has bothered to deal with this excellent show. At least I remember it as excellent. If I saw it today, it might not live up to my rosy memory, but I'd like to give it a try. Some old TV shows weren't preserved, and it would be a shame if this old show became 'history', literally. We can only hope for the best. I'd like to share it with my kids. It beats much of what is on TV today for youngsters. What will our kids be reminiscing about in their later years? Don't get me started. One more thing --- I've enjoyed reading all the comments by everybody and I have to say, I don't recall the 'Daisy May' episode. But I was only about 8 years old at the time and probably considered that one boring. Also, it would be great to find a web site with some photos from the show. Let's keep searching.