Review for Rawhide: Series 1 Box Set

You wouldn't expect a series enjoying its 50th anniversary to look this good. Actually, you wouldn't expect a TV series of this vintage to be this good, especially when it was one of a hundred Western TV shows at the time, most of which are pretty dire when you watch them through modern eyes. 'Rawhide' is gritty drama at its best, thoroughly entertaining and frequently nudging you towards the edge of your seat. It ran for a further seven seasons, with Clint Eastwood soon taking a more leading role, though I can't vouch for how the series fared across more than 200 'hour-slot' episodes.


'Rawhide' is essentially an endless road-movie, based around a cattle-drive across the western plains. Even those who have never seen an episode will have heard the rousing theme song by Frankie Laine. (" Get Rollin' Rollin' Rollin '") It feels like an old friend when you hear it here in its original setting.


The stories are simple and formulaic, but no less compelling for that. In truth, they have as much in common with melodramatic soap as they do with action drama, often featuring some troubled 'outsider' bringing tension and conflict to the camp. This is a great excuse for a veritable parade of guest stars.


Tough-minded trail boss, Gil Favor (Eric Fleming) is the star here, though Eastwood edged his way onward in future series. In fact, the relationship between the two is almost 'father/son' and therefore I guess it's inevitable that Eastwood's 'Rowdy' takes over the helm. Eastwood is a decent sort here as Rowdy, always doin' the right thing.


They are ably abetted with the rest of the 'Rawhide' gang. There's Paul Brinegar as the wily old camp cook "Wishbone", Sheb Wooley as scout Pete Nolan, Steve Raines as Drover, big man Jim Quince as Rocky Shahan and Joe Scarlett and Robert Cabal as wranglers, and James Murdoch as the "slow-minded" assistant to Brinegar's cook, Mushy.

The picture quality is absolutely stunning (I'm guessing off 35mm negatives) and probably in far better shape than anyone old enough to watch it air originally will remember it. Audio is mono only but perfectly adequate.


Though light on extras, it's nice to get a bonus episode from Series 2 (featuring a remarkably able child actor). Other than that, merely some text based episode synopses.


All in all, a fabulous release. Let's hope they start rollin' rollin' rollin' out the remaining seasons!


Here are episode titles and original air-dates for fellow anoraks.

01- Incident of the Tumbleweed Wagon - Aired 1/9/1959
02- Incident at Alabaster Plain - Aired 1/16/1959
03- Incident with an Excutioner - Aired 1/23/1959
04- Incident of the Widowed Dove - Aired 1/30/1959
05- Incident on the Edge of Madness - Aired 2/6/1959
06- Incident of the Power and the Plow - Aired 2/13/1959
07- Incident at Barker Springs - Aired 2/20/1959
08- Incident West of Lano - Aired 2/27/1959
09- Incident of the Town in Terror - Aired 3/4/1959
10- Incident of the Golden Calf - Aired 3/13/1959
11- Incident of the Coyote Weed - Aired 3/20/1959
12- Incident of the Cubasco - Aired 4/3/1959
13- Incident of the Curious Street - Aired 4/10/1959
14- Incident of the Dog Days - Aired 4/17/1959
15- Incident of the Calico Gun - Aired 4/24/1959
16- Incident of the Misplaced Indians - Aired 5/1/1959
17- Incident of Fear in the Streets - Aired 5/8/1959
18- Incident Below the Brazos - Aired 5/15/1959
19- Incident of the Dry Drive - Aired 5/22/1959
20- Incident of the Judas Trap - Aired 6/5/1959
21- Incident in No Man's Land - Aired 6/12/1959
22- Incident of a Burst of Evil - Aired 6/26/1959
23- Incident of the Roman Candles - Aired 7/10/1959