January 7, 1989 (1989-01-07) – March 17, 1991 (1991-03-17)
Bordertown is a westerndrama television series that aired 78 half-hour episodes from 1989 to 1991. It is set during the 1880s in a small town that straddles the United States and Canadian border, and law enforcement duties are shared between a U.S. Marshal and a North-West Mounted Police corporal.[1]
The series was a co-production between Canada's Alliance Corporation and France's Tele-Image.[2] It first aired on the American cable network The Family Channel on January 7, 1989,[1] and was seen on Canada's CTV beginning in 1990.[3] A 1989 newspaper article stated that contracts were being prepared for the series to air in France, Italy, and several other European countries.[2]
Premise
A small town on the United States - Canadian border had been named Pemmican[2] (the name of a traditional indigenous food)[4] but when the area was surveyed it was discovered that the 49th parallel, which divides the two countries, went through the middle of the community, and bisected the law enforcement office.[2] NWMP Corporal Clive Bennett and U. S. Marshal Jack Craddock shared the same office (divided by a painted line on the floor) and patrolled the town that is half in Alberta and half in Montana. The officers also shared an interest in Marie Dumont, the town's doctor, and owner of the general store.[5]
In an interview series star Richard Comar stated that the "whole premise of the show is based on the border." How lawmen from two countries reacted to events showed the differences between the Canadian and American legal systems.[6]
Production information
The series was a co-produced by Alliance Entertainment Corporation of Canada and Tele-Images of France. French directors were often used,[3] and Sophie Barjac was hired to play a main character who come from Paris in order to broaden the series' appeal to French investors.[7]
The town was built on a ranch east of Vancouver, Canada. Sixty-five carpenters worked for six weeks to build the half-million-dollar complex. All buildings were complete inside and out.[8] No soundstage work was done during the filming of the series; everything was shot inside or outside of the buildings that had been constructed for Bordertown.[2]
Effort was made to have the series look as authentic as possible. A 1989 article stated that the general store held "an array of merchandise worthy of the finest western museum."[2] The saloon was stocked with antique bottles, and the livery stable had hundred-year-old saddles.[8]
Cast
Richard Comar - Marshal Jack Craddock (United States lawman)
John H. Brennan - Corporal Clive Bennett (Canadian lawman)
Sophie Barjac - Marie Dumont (French-born doctor and store owner)
Beverley Elliot - Sally Duffield (owns boarding house, works in Marie's store)
Fritz Bergold - Otto Danzinger (original livery stable owner)
Bat Masterson tracks men into Canada and breaks the law trying to capture them.
28
2
"The Pony Riders"
Unknown
Unknown
January 12, 1990 (1990-01-12)
Bruno takes a job with an express company and travels a route that crosses a Blackfeet burial ground.
29
3
"Hand to Hand"
Unknown
Unknown
January 19, 1990 (1990-01-19)
Clive transports the outlaw who shot his mountie friend.
30
4
"The Last Shot"
Unknown
Unknown
January 26, 1990 (1990-01-26)
Jack gives up his badge after accidentally killing a woman.
31
5
"The Convoy"
Unknown
Unknown
February 2, 1990 (1990-02-02)
Outlaws disguised as mounties shoot Clive and try to steal a wagon load of firearms.
32
6
"The Last Fenian Raid"
Unknown
Unknown
February 9, 1990 (1990-02-09)
Liam’s niece is involved with a group trying to steal money.
33
7
"Letter of the Law"
Unknown
Unknown
February 16, 1990 (1990-02-16)
A man is shot in the U.S. by a man standing in Canada. Which country’s laws should be followed?
34
8
"White Feather"
Unknown
Unknown
February 23, 1990 (1990-02-23)
A member of the Blackfeet tribe saves Marie’s life, then kidnaps her for his bride.
35
9
"Four Eyes"
Allan King
Paul Ledoux
March 2, 1990 (1990-03-02)
Game hunter Teddy Roosevelt goes after the gunmen who tried to rob him.
36
10
"Skirmishes"
Unknown
Unknown
March 9, 1990 (1990-03-09)
Rancher Jordan will kill to keep men from his water; Marie may be forced to give up her medical practice since she has no license.
37
11
"Buffalo Girl"
Unknown
Unknown
March 16, 1990 (1990-03-16)
Couteau guides a buffalo hunt; Jack tries to arrest a woman attempting to save the buffalo.
38
12
"Ancient Claims"
Unknown
Unknown
March 23, 1990 (1990-03-23)
Mr. Jordan’s ranch is on Cree hunting land.
39
13
"Killer with a Smile"
René Bonnière
Anthony Robertson
March 30, 1990 (1990-03-30)
When President Garfield comes to town he is nearly assassinated.
40
14
"Straight from the Heart"
Unknown
Unknown
April 6, 1990 (1990-04-06)
Clive’s minister father wants him to take over his church.
41
15
"Compadres"
Unknown
Unknown
April 13, 1990 (1990-04-13)
Zach Denny and Mr. MacWherter are on a stage that is robbed.
42
16
"When Gold Turns Black"
Unknown
Unknown
April 20, 1990 (1990-04-20)
MacWherter buys an unsafe gold mine, and his partner hires Chinese workers.
43
17
"Gun Down"
Unknown
Unknown
April 27, 1990 (1990-04-27)
Jack kills a man and many shun him; orphaned Lucy comes to stay with an aunt who has died, so Marie offers to care for her.
44
18
"Two Moons"
Brad Turner
Colin Thibert
May 4, 1990 (1990-05-04)
Couteau helps capture a Native accused of killing a mountie.
45
19
"The Last of the James Gang"
Unknown
Unknown
May 11, 1990 (1990-05-11)
Pinkerton agents arrest Jack for being a member of the James gang.
46
20
"Snap Shot"
Unknown
Unknown
May 18, 1990 (1990-05-18)
A photographer is murdered, and Willie and Lucy help the youth accused of the crime.
47
21
"The Fourth Estate"
Unknown
Unknown
May 25, 1990 (1990-05-25)
A lady newspaper owner opposes the man running for mayor.
48
22
"The Heart of Adventure"
Unknown
Unknown
June 1, 1990 (1990-06-01)
A writer joins an outlaw gang that robs a bank and kidnaps Sally.
49
23
"A Brand of Justice"
Brad Turner
Julie Lacey
June 8, 1990 (1990-06-08)
The Rancher’s Association want Jordan to join. When he refuses they hire men to steal his horses, then shoot the men.
50
24
"Devil's Right Hand"
Unknown
Unknown
June 15, 1990 (1990-06-15)
A trader comes to town with a gun holster that belonged to Jack’s father.
51
25
"Fool's Gold"
Pierre Magny
Jana Veverka & Peter Mitchell
June 22, 1990 (1990-06-22)
A man is shot and refuses to say why. Marie goes camping and ends up hunting gold with the man.
52
26
"All for One"
Unknown
Unknown
June 29, 1990 (1990-06-29)
Clive is offered a promotion that requires reassignment; he and Jack fight over Marie.
Season 3 (1990–91)
No.
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original air date
53
"Second Chance (Part 1)"
Unknown
Unknown
14 September 1990 (1990-09-14)
Clive’s former sweetheart comes to see where her husband is buried, and she accepts Clive’s marriage proposal.
54
"Vengeance Is Mine (Part 2)"
Unknown
Unknown
21 September 1990 (1990-09-21)
When Clive’s bride is killed at the altar he sets out to avenge her death.
55
"Nebraska Lightning"
Unknown
Unknown
28 September 1990 (1990-09-28)
Bat Masterson comes to town in search of an outlaw.
56
"Let There Be Light"
Unknown
Unknown
5 October 1990 (1990-10-05)
MacWherter brings electric lights to town; a thief attempts to rob the bank.
57
"Sons of Thunder"
Unknown
Unknown
12 October 1990 (1990-10-12)
A Metis horse thief tries to win Jack’s sympathy.
58
"Wild Horses"
Unknown
Unknown
19 October 1990 (1990-10-19)
A man agrees to sell his horses in Bordertown, but another man claims ownership.
59
"Blood"
Unknown
Unknown
26 October 1990 (1990-10-26)
Couteau tracks down an outlaw and discovers its his long lost brother.
60
"Sweet Revenge"
Unknown
Unknown
2 November 1990 (1990-11-02)
When Jack kills a stage robber the man’s children vow revenge.
61
"Sight Unseen"
Unknown
Unknown
9 November 1990 (1990-11-09)
Clive is temporarily blinded and must rely on a woman with a hidden past.
62
"The Preacher"
Unknown
Unknown
16 November 1990 (1990-11-16)
A preacher demands that he being given charge of a Native child he claims is ill.
63
"Honour Thy Father"
Unknown
Unknown
25 November 1990 (1990-11-25)
Couteau is wounded and accused of killing the man he was working for.
64
"In Cold Blood"
Unknown
Unknown
2 December 1990 (1990-12-02)
The man who killed Jack’s family comes to Bordertown.
65
"A Question of Negligence"
Unknown
Unknown
9 December 1990 (1990-12-09)
Marie is charged with medical malpractice; Louis Gilbert now owns a share of her store.
66
"Conduct Becoming"
Unknown
Unknown
16 December 1990 (1990-12-16)
A Cree lawyer claims that Bordertown is to be returned to his people.
67
"The Bostonian"
Unknown
Unknown
23 December 1990 (1990-12-23)
When a rancher dies his Boston nephew inherits his ranch; the newcomer tries to convince Jack his uncle was murdered.
68
"Field of Honour"
Unknown
Unknown
30 December 1990 (1990-12-30)
A French peddler challenges Louis Gilbert to a duel.
69
"The New Recruit"
Unknown
Unknown
6 January 1991 (1991-01-06)
An outlaw disguise himself as a mountie.
70
"Marshal Law"
Unknown
Unknown
13 January 1991 (1991-01-13)
Willie and Lucy run away from their chores and find a murdered man.
71
"Roaring Days"
Unknown
Unknown
20 January 1991 (1991-01-20)
Archie Stanton comes to Bordertown with a secret about Clive’s past.
72
"The Road Chosen"
Unknown
Unknown
27 January 1991 (1991-01-27)
Marie treats an outlaw, and the man’s partners keep Marie and Lucy hostage in their home.
73
"Hired Hand"
Unknown
Unknown
3 February 1991 (1991-02-03)
Joanna Radway wants to buy more land and sends men to convince the owners to sell.
74
"Demon Rum"
Unknown
Unknown
10 February 1991 (1991-02-10)
When a ranch hand dies of bad whisky Joanna Radway tries to close the saloon.
75
"Tall in the Saddle"
Unknown
Unknown
22 February 1991 (1991-02-22)
Willie’s father comes to take him to Paris; someone wants to kill Jack.
76
"A Small Kindness"
Unknown
Unknown
3 March 1991 (1991-03-03)
When Sally’s boarding house is about to be foreclosed she plans to leave town.
77
"Frontier Passage"
Unknown
Unknown
10 March 1991 (1991-03-10)
Marie and her in-laws find danger at a stage coach stop.
78
"Under Western Skies"
Unknown
Unknown
17 March 1991 (1991-03-17)
Jack is shot and Clive risks his life to escape outlaws in order to save the marshal.
DVD releases
Platinum Disc Corporation released 4-volume collections of Bordertown on DVD in Region 1 between 2003-2005. These releases have been discontinued and are now out of print.
On February 1, 2011, Echo Bridge Home Entertainment released 2 volume collections on DVD in Region 1 (US only). These releases contain the same 28 episodes as the previous Platinum Disc releases.
On July 26, 2011, Alliance Home Entertainment released The Best of Bordertown on DVD in Canada only.[9] The set is exactly the same as the 4-disc set released in the US in 2005 and February 2011, even right down to the Platinum Disc Corporation logo appearing as soon as the disc boots up.
