Q&A with Bill Levy, the author of the BearManor book, Lawman: A Companion To The Classic Western Series.

Q&A with Bill Levy, the author of the BearManor book, Lawman: A Companion To The Classic Western Series.

Out of all the TV westerns of the 1950s and 1960s, why write a book about LAWMAN?

When I was a teenager growing up on Long Island, New York in the late 1950s and early 1960s, I loved television westerns.  My favorite series was Warner Bros. ABC-TV’s Lawman (1958-1962) starring John Russell as Laramie’s Marshal Dan Troop and Peter Brown as Deputy Johnny McKay.

I identified with Peter Brown’s loyal deputy, open to learning the ropes so he could become a successful peace officer.  I admired John Russell’s laconic marshal who had little patience for outlaws or hypocrites, but would stand up for underdogs and outsiders.  Tough Marshal Troop also displayed a warmer side for his young deputy and, beginning in the second season, in his relationship with Peggie Castle’s beautiful Lily Merrill.

It's been five years since the Lawman book was published.  Why discuss it now?

I have been genuinely surprised with the interest in the book and – more importantly - in the show.  Many older viewers who experienced the series during its original run and many younger audiences who have recently been introduced to the show on cable and on DVD have contacted me and all of them have raved about the show.  There’s just something about Lawman that touches people.

Why do you think this is so?

My book discusses numerous reasons why Lawman has such “Legs” and is so appealing sixty years after it first came out.  The contributions of the three leads were crucial in the creation of a special viewing experience as were the tight scripts, superior photography, and addictive background music.   Actress Jan Shepard, who was in the show and who I interviewed for the book, recalled the positive and supportive comradery of the cast, the expertise of the wardrobe and make-up crews, and the professionalism of the music and photography departments. 

One might say that Lawman was Gunsmoke, The Lone Ranger, and Father Knows Best all rolled into one.  Or as John Russell surmised, “Lawman was a pure western that employed standard weapons rather than gold-headed canes or tricked-up rifles.  Its stories began with ‘A,’ proceeded straight to ‘B,’ and stopped neatly at ‘C’ without any fussy complications.”