The Californians (TV series)

The series was set in San Francisco, with episodes focusing on "honest men trying to clean up a wild city overrun by criminals and con men".^[1] When episodes began, Sam Brennan owned a newspaper for which Dion Patrick worked as a reporter. Patrick also sought to maintain law and order as a member of a group of vigilantes headed by storekeeper Jack McGivern.^[1]

Because the program's sponsors "were uneasy about glorifying vigilantes", the producers changed the characters and cast. In March 1958 Matthew Wayne came to San Francisco. He bought a saloon^[2] and soon was elected as the city's sheriff. Wayne became the main character, with McGivern and Patrick being phased out.^[1]

The second season began with Wayne as the city marshal, whose efforts were supported by a police department of 50 people. New characters in that season were Wilma Fansler, a widowed young operator of a gambling establishment, and Jeremy Pitt, an attorney who was "friend and foil to the marshal".^[1]

• Dion Patrick - Adam Kennedy^[1]
• Jack McGivern - Sean McClory^[1]
• Martha McGivern - Nan Leslie^[1]
• Sam Brennan - Herbert Rudley^[1]
• Matthew Wayne - Richard Coogan^[1]
• Schaab - Howard Caine^[1]
• Wilma Fansler - Carole Mathews^[1]
• Jeremy Pitt - Art Fleming^[1]

Producer Louis F. Edelman initially offered The Californians to ABC-TV. After that network was unable to obtain sponsors, Edelman offered it to NBC.^[3] Robert Bassler was the show's first producer. Felix Feist replaced him in January 1958.^[2] The Californians initially was broadcast on Tuesdays from 10 to 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. In April 1959 it was moved to 9 - 9:30 p.m. E. T. on Tuesdays, and in July 1959 it was moved to Thursdays from 7:30 to 8 p.m. E. T.^[1]

The Californians theme song, "I've Come to California", was sung by the Ken Darby Singers.^[4] Darby also scored the program.^[5]

The Californians had competition from The West Point Story, which was broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company, and The $64,000 Question by CBS. In its second season, the western competed with The Garry Moore Show on CBS and the crime/police reality show Confession, hosted by Jack Wyatt, on ABC.^[6]