COWBOY G-MEN (1952-1953)

The Frontierado holiday is celebrated the first Friday of August every year and is a celebration of the myth of the Wild West, not the grinding reality.

COWBOY G-MEN (1952-1953) – A reader recently mentioned the old Robert Conrad series The Wild Wild West, and that reminded me of The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. AND the much earlier television western titled Cowboy G-Men. That last series featured fictional exploits of U.S. Secret Service Agents in the old west.

The stories in Cowboy G-Men were a bit more realistic and low-key than the ones for Jim West and Brisco County Jr. but the half-hour series – in COLOR – had some interesting episodes. Russell Hayden starred as Agent Pat Gallagher and Jackie Coogan starred as Agent Stoney Crockett. Author Louis L’Amour was one of the show’s writers. 

No, the term G-Men was not around back in the 1870s but it was just a television show.

Some memorable episodes:

OZARK GOLD (September 13th, 1952) – The Secret Service sends Pat Gallagher and Stoney Crockett into the Ozarks to recover a fortune in gold that was stolen from the government. Phil Arnold makes his first appearance as the supporting character Zerbo the Peddler, who is really a master of disguise and other arts. 

CHINAMAN’S CHANCE (September 20th, 1952) – Gallagher and Crockett are sent to California to protect Chinese workers. The Asians are being subjected to outrageous, illegal “taxes” by the corrupt locals AND suffer violent terror attacks from a racist organization. Our heroes save the day.

The intentions are good, but Jackie Coogan’s “undercover” performance as a Chinese man makes this episode a mixed bag on the front of race relations. 

CHIPPEWA INDIANS (October 11th, 1952) – In Wisconsin, Pat and Stoney come to the aid of Chippewa Indians being driven off their land by corporate lumber barons through ruthless means. Needless to say, the villains want access to the trees on the Chippewa land.

There is sympathetic treatment of the Native Americans, who distrust our heroes at first because of the horrible treatment they’ve received from the government. Like the Chinese workers episode, the noble sentiment is undercut by the vaudeville-level characterization of the Native American players. Lyle Talbot guest stars.

RUNNING IRON (November 15th, 1952) – Future Jock Ewing actor Jim Davis guest stars in this tale of Pat and Stoney’s efforts to clear a government cattle buyer who has been framed for dealing in rustled livestock. Robot Monster‘s Claudia “Now tilt the camera down a little” Barrett is in a supporting role. 

BOUNTY JUMPERS (November 22nd, 1952) – In this episode Agents Gallagher and Crockett are assigned to recover a stolen U.S. Army payroll from the gang of deserters who have robbed it. Viewers who prefer more basic Wild West action should enjoy this one.

KONIACKERS (December 6th, 1952) – Though usually a slang expression in Canada, “koniackers” are counterfeiters. Pat and Stoney investigate how counterfeit money keeps showing up in bank vaults in lieu of the real money that was secured there.

SALTED MINES (December 20th, 1952) – Western icons Denver Pyle and Tom Tyler guest star in this episode. Our Cowboy G-Men are sent in to determine the guilt or innocence of a mine broker accused of selling mines that were “salted,” or had a few token bits of precious metals placed in them to con buyers.

MYSTERIOUS DECOY (January 3rd, 1953) – A more fanciful episode that was like a proto-Wild Wild West story. Gallagher and Crockett have to do some trouble-shooting when an armed conflict breaks out over a border dispute between Utah and Arizona. Psychotronic mainstays Morris Ankrum, Tris Coffin and Rick Vallin guest star. 

SILVER SHOTGUN (January 24th, 1953) – Jim Davis and Claudia Barrett guest star in different roles. The Cowboy G-Men try to shut down a rogue sheriff who secretly runs a vigilante group that enforces his own personal “laws.”

SAFE CRACKERS (March 7th, 1953) – The latest assignment for Agents Gallagher and Crockett? Nabbing a traveling gang of Colorado safe crackers who are led by a female mastermind posing as a typewriter saleswoman.

HANGFIRE (March 21st, 1953) – The Cowboy G-Men face death at every turn when they are sent in to tame a town run by outlaws who have driven off any and all attempts at law enforcement. The situation put me in mind of the real-life Canyon Diablo.

STOLEN DYNAMITE (May 16th, 1953) – A very interesting case for Pat and Stoney. The pair are assigned to take down a gang that is trying to steal an experimental explosive designated for underwater use. Jim Davis guest stars again in a new role.

DOUBLE CROSSED (May 30th, 1953) – Agents Gallagher and Crockett’s mission this time around is to bust a ring that has stuck Texas with millions of dollars in counterfeit gold bonds. If you guessed that Jim Davis would once again guest star as an entirely different character you’d be right.