The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp - From Ellsworth to Tombstone (1955)

The most celebrated lawman of the Old West rides again in this first-ever collection of thrilling episodes from the popular TV series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp. Hugh O'Brian stars as the famed marshal whose exploits with Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, and the Clanton Gang are boldly brought to life in episodes based on actual events. With his signature "Buntline Special" in hand, Wyatt Earp held posts in a series of increasingly lawless towns and battled dangerous men in his efforts to keep the peace. Through Ellsworth, Wichita, Dodge City, and Tombstone, Earp's reputation as a just and formidable marshal grew, culminating in a storied gunfight that would seal his legend.

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

I have purchased many movies and tv shows.Many of these purchases are a disappointment .One exception is the Wyatt Earp,4-disc set.Rhino did a fantastic job of restoring the picture and sound quality on all of these discs.Hugh O'Brian is really good and so are the other actors.The picture and sound are better than I rememeber them when I was growing up.I was born and grew up in Muscatine,Iowa,which is not too far from Monmouth,Illinois where the Earps were born.I have really have found much pleasure in seeing these Hugh O'Brian Wyatt Earp shows. By the way,I sent students of mine to a workshop called HOBY,founded by Hugh O'Brian.My son just said recently that HOBY had a very positive affect on his life. Check out Hugh's,HOBY and see what this man has done for our youth. September 10, 2008

Excellent

The 226 half-hour episodes of the western series "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" were originally broadcast on ABC from 1955-1961. This DVD set contains a selection of 26 episodes from throughout the run of the series. Thus the secondary title "From Ellsworth to Tombstone".

The series is somewhat obscure relative to that era's lineup of adult westerns although it was the most realistic of the group and even managed a surprising degree of historical accuracy. It is loosely based on the career of the real-life Wyatt Earp (played by Hugh O'Brian) and sequentially follows the assorted career moves and location changes of this lawman/saloonkeeper. It also featured arguably the most memorable theme song lyrics (see below).

As in his real life, the series starts with Wyatt's entry into law enforcement as he becomes the marshal of Ellsworth, Kansas. The third episode on the DVD finds him with a similar position in Wichita. A few episodes later he moves to Dodge City (shades of "Gunsmoke's" Marshall Dillon). The last two seasons take place in Tombstone, Arizona and feature the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral (which is included in this DVD set).

O'Brian's acting in the series is a vast improvement over his performance in "Rocketship X-M" a few years earlier. He plays Earp as a strong and rugged character but with a nice touch of humanness and wry charm. Many sidekicks come and go over the course of the series but none rise to the level of a Chester or Festus from "Gunsmoke" or even a Pat Brady from "Roy Rogers". Two actors play Doc Holliday (Douglas Fowley and Myron Healey) and Mason Alan Dinehart plays Bat Masterson. Interviews with O'Brien and Dinehart are included on one of the DVD's.

Because the episodes were only a half-hour and because no cast member other than O'Brian really caught on the reputation of the series has suffered in comparison to other examples of the genre. But it features some quality western action without the fluff and philosophy of the longer shows. And it is fair to say that it had considerable influence on development of the adult western series.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.


"I'll tell you a story a real true life story. A tale of the Western frontier.
The West, it was lawless, but one man was flawless, And his is the story you'll hear.

Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp, brave courageous and bold.
Long live his fame and long live his glory, and long may his story be told.

Well he cleaned up the country, the old wild west country.
He made law and order prevail. and none can deny it
The legend of Wyatt forever will live on the trail.

Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp, brave courageous and bold.
Long live his fame and long life his glory and long may his story be told." March 18, 2008

Wyatt Earp - the TV series

Wonderful nostalgia for anyone in the 50s and over. Good stories and great quality pictures considering the episodes were made in the 1950s. Highly recommended (and I wish they would make more the 267 episodes available on DVD). December 25, 2007

Great - For a beginning

This is great for a beginning, but now Rhino needs to come up with each complete season. I know I saw every episode of this great western when it first came on, now I want to have it for my very own. December 1, 2007

Hugh O' Brien and Wyatt

This is a great dvd set. The best part is the recent interview with Hugh O'Brien. Except for some sun damage from probably spending too much time outdoors, Hugh looks absolutely terrific. For a recently married man of 82, he looks at least 20 years younger. Hugh discusses his career, his intense preparation for the role, his experience as the youngest drill instructor in the history of the marine corp, and other bits of information. The clarity of each episode is terrific. I only hope that other golden western dvd and detective shows are also soon released while the stars of these shows are still alive. Having them appear to introduce the dvd is a great touch. April 2, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...