BORDER PATROL (1959) – Based on actual case files of the United States Border Patrol, this half-hour series ran for 39 episodes and starred Richard Webb of Captain Midnight fame. Webb played Don Jagger, Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol, yet oddly he took part in individual cases. Why not just make him an agent or officer? I guess the creative team felt Deputy Chief sounded cooler.
Don Jagger’s law enforcement activities provided a degree of novelty compared to traditional cop or spy shows of the time period. Episodes ranged from Dragnet style procedural tales to Darren McGavin’s more colorful Mike Hammer investigations.
STANDOUT EPISODES:
AN EVERGLADES STORY – Don Jagger goes undercover to infiltrate a gang of illegal immigrants who are part of a network of gun smugglers and kidnappers. Ben Johnson and William Smith guest star.
PASSPORT TO THE DEEP SIX – U.S. gangsters exploit and abuse people entering America illegally. Don Jagger takes them down.
A BUNDLE OF DOPE – Our main character busts up a drug smuggling ring operating along the U.S.-Mexico border. Susan Whitney guest stars. Continue reading
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