The series follows the 1953 film in its general premise, even in the lead character's buckskin shirt and concho gun belt,[1] but departs from it in several important aspects:
The Shane, Marian, and Joey characters are much younger; Marian is a widow who lives with her father-in-law Tom, and Shane has lived with them for a while already when the story starts. That is the basis for a romance subplot that constitutes the arc of the whole series; nearly every person who meets them supposes Shane and Marian are a couple. Her father-in-law approves it, and the boy Joey idolizes Shane. However, as she doesn't dare to give the first step (even less when Shane is a man who gives no hint of any romantic interest), and he sees himself as the least desirable suitor Marian could ever have, their mutual feelings aren't expressed.
Despite his wish to leave that part of his life behind, Shane resorts to his gun often, which prompts Tom Starett's comment that he is as addicted to it as Tom himself is addicted to alcohol. That also means that the homesteaders tend to see him as a defender as much as a danger.
The action happens around a settlement called Crossroads, which has no law officer, judge, or physician. For that reason Sam Grafton is a more important character, functioning as everybody's counselor, and even as an emergency surgeon. His helper Ben is also a more defined and comical character than in the movie.
Rufe Ryker, the open-range cattleman, alive here until the end of the series, has his own dramatic arc: he starts as an absolute enemy of the “sodbusters”, as evil and ruthless as in the movie. Later, he becomes the occasional ally of Shane or the homesteaders when his interests are affected or a common danger approaches; also, given the strength he has by his team of cowhands, he functions as a law enforcer. The character evolves to the point that at the end he is an acceptable suitor for Marian's hand.[2][3][4] Bert Freed as Ryker started the season clean-shaven and let his beard grow from week to week, never shaving throughout the rest of the series, adding a rather unique element of verisimilitude.
The series was shot at the Paramount Studios and the Paramount Ranch, California, unlike the 1953 movie, whose exteriors were shot in Wyoming. That makes the characters be seen carrying slickers on their saddles while riding in a rather dry landscape.
In 1966, after Paramount sold the rights to ABC, the TV company got Herbert Brodkin and his Titus Productions, Inc. Brodkin offered the producer job to Denne Bart Petitclerc, with David Shaw as executive producer; William Blinn was offered the job of story editor (credited as story consultant).
According to Blinn, as Brodkin came from the experience of shows shot in interiors like The Defenders, The Nurses and Coronet Blue, Shane rarely went on location and was a minimalist western of sorts because the Brodkin organization would not permit any deficit spending. Still, Brodkin gave the series his characteristic quality of production, strong characterizations, and stories that asked the audience to think.
The biggest problem Shane faced was the inevitable comparison to the 1953 movie; the greatest asset they had to overcome that obstacle was the casting of David Carradine: “David was kind of that character. He’s got his own rhythms, he’s got his own stance and attitude and point of view, and that’s a good and creative thing to do,” stated Blinn. Also, the quality of the show rested on team effort, with the inclusion of the cast in story conferences, the hiring of talented directors like Robert Butler or David Greene, and writers as Ernest Kinoy.
Toward the cancellation of the series, the Brodkin organization cut back the budget drastically; according to Blinn, what doomed the series was ABC asking for more action, and Brodkin refusing, arguing the need to stay within the assigned budget, and doing the show in his own way.[5][6] Also, the low ratings were decisive: Shane had been put in the time slot of the Saturday nights, opposite The Jackie Gleason Show, one of the most popular TV programs of the time.[7]
A sad old man whose son was killed by Shane four years ago during his days as a gunfighter, comes to make him an unexpected offer. The fact that he had forgotten the incident, makes Shane physically ill.
When Ryker's cattle trample the Staretts' crops, Shane contemplates returning to his old profession as a gunfighter as a means of earning money needed for the farm's survival.
Story by : Peter Nasco Teleplay by : Robert Hardin
October 1, 1966 (1966-10-01)
Four men who insist, despite Shane's denial, that he fatally shot a member of their family, arrive to kill him. Tom Starett and Ryker line by his side.
A cowboy, angry because "sodbusters" are moving into the land, takes a job with the Staretts out of necessity, and then with Ryker. His ways could be too wild even for him.
In the countryside, Shane and Marian come upon a sick couple. When Marian comes down with the disease, Shane does everything possible to get the medicine she needs, while an unscrupulous seller only looks for profit.
A minister attempts to prevent a battle after a pair of Ryker's cowhands caused the death of a farmer's wife. When his efforts result in another death, the minister turns to Shane for help.
Marian receives the visit of Warren Eliot, an old boyfriend. Then, Marian finds herself having to decide rather she and Joey should stay or go back East with Warren, leaving behind Shane and her father-in-law.
When two of Tom Gary's animals die from drinking poison water, he believes Ryker is behind it. Before long, Tom's anger and frustration drive him mad. He begins shooting at people. Shane and Ryker set out to stop him before he kills someone.
Shane does everything he can to make sure Marian gets to a special dance. He convinces Ryker to leave the family's homestead alone while they are gone, drives the family three days to the city where the dance is to be held, and fights Indians after they steal Marian's dress.
With Anne Morrell as the Young Indian Woman, and X. Brands as the Young Brave.
A gang of outlaws rides into town causing so much trouble that Grafton sends for Ryker, but Shane asks him to let the men have their fun, pay for the damages, and ride out. Shane and the head outlaw know each other, and their mentor told them they would kill each other some day.
Shane agrees to work for Ryker for a month in exchange for a colt for Joey. However, the foreman isn't too fond of the new hired hand and makes life hard for Shane.
A woman arrives in town, claiming to be an old acquaintance of Tom's. She is a secret from his past, the reason he isn't a judge anymore. The woman is out for revenge, and Shane may be unable to stop her.
After one of Ryker's hands is shot, Shane is blamed. They find him guilty in a mock jury trial. Ben sneaks away to warn Tom and Marian about what's going on, and the whole family fights to save Shane's life.
Major Hackett, his hired guns and his Gatling gun are coming against any rancher or homesteader who is not a member of a certain cattlemen association. Shane, concerned for the homesteaders and even for Ryker, tries to warn them to join together to fight Hackett.
Shane is unable to convince the homesteaders and Ryker of the need to fight Major Hackett and his army, even after they attacked a cattlewoman. So, Shane joins his troop, trying to learn which ranchers they plan to attack next so he can warn them before someone else is killed.
Ryker's attempt to woo Marian into becoming his ranch's cook becomes another kind of wooing. Will that prompt Shane to leave, or to finally take action?
Home media
On March 10, 2015, Timeless Media Group released Shane: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.[8]
^"TV's Shane: E1-3". J. B. Spins. March 20, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
^"Shane". Western Clippings. 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
^Jonathan Etter (2009). Gangway, Lord! (The) Here Come the Brides Book. BearManor Media. pp. [Chapter 3: Written by William Blinn]. ISBN978-1593935061.
