Law of the Plainsman is a Western television series starring Michael Ansara that aired on the NBC television network from October 1, 1959, until May 5, 1960. The character of Native American U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart was introduced in two episodes of the popular ABC Western television series The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain. Law of the Plainsman is distinctive and unique in that it was one of the few television programs that featured a Native American as the lead character, a bold move for U.S.network television at that time. Ansara had earlier appeared in the series Broken Arrow, having portrayed the Apache chief, Cochise. Ansara, however, was not Native American but of Syrian descent. Ansara played Sam Buckhart, an Apache Indian who saved the life of a U.S. Cavalry officer after an Indian ambush. When the officer died, he left Sam money that was used for an education at private schools and Harvard University. After school, he returned to New Mexico where he became a Deputy Marshal working for Marshal Andy Morrison. He lived in a boarding house run by Martha Commager. The only other continuing character was 8-year old Tess Logan, an orphan who had been rescued by Buckhart. Robert Harland, later of Target: The Corruptors! starred in seven episodes as Deputy Billy Lordan. Wayne Rogers, who went on to star in another Four Star western, Stagecoach West, and later, M*A*S*H, also played deputy Lordan in several episodes.
Law of the Plainsman (Season 1)
Prairie Incident (Episode 1)
Writer: Harry Kronman
Air date: 1959-10-01
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Patrolling the plains, Marshal Sam Buckhart discovers a wagon containing a murdered man and his eight-year-old daughter. The girl is able to give Buckhart a description of the killer.
Full Circle (Episode 2)
Writer: David Lang
Air date: 1959-10-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: For years Sam Buckhart has been looking for a bank robber. He is stunned to discover that the thief is Sheriff Max Chafee, who Sam believed to be honest and straightforward.
A Matter Of Life And Death (Episode 3)
Writer: Cyril Hume
Air date: 1959-10-15
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Marshal Sam Buckhart, who has been searching for outlaw Charlie Slade for many years, finally locates his hideout. Before Buckhart can take the outlaw prisoner, Slade's henchmen overpower him.
The Hostiles (Episode 4)
Writer: Calvin Clements Sr.
Air date: 1959-10-22
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: A man who lives in the mountains kills a young girl; Sam Buckhart is assigned to find the murderer.
Passenger To Mescalero (Episode 5)
Writer: Palmer Thompson
Air date: 1959-10-29
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Deputy Marshal Sam Buckhart is assigned to bring a dangerous outlaw to the prison at Mescalero. During the journey a band of outlaws ambush the stagecoach.
Blood Trails (Episode 6)
Writer: Arthur Browne Jr.
Air date: 1959-11-05
Runtime: 30 min
Desperate Decision (Episode 7)
Writer: David Lang
Air date: 1959-11-12
Runtime: 30 min
Appointment In Santa Fe (Episode 8)
Writer: Arthur Browne Jr.
Air date: 1959-11-19
Runtime: 30 min
The Gibbet (Episode 9)
Writer: Pat Fielder
Air date: 1959-11-26
Runtime: 30 min
The Dude (Episode 10)
Writer: Cyril Hume
Air date: 1959-12-03
Runtime: 30 min
The Innocents (Episode 11)
Writer: Bob Barbash
Air date: 1959-12-10
Runtime: 30 min
Clear Title (Episode 12)
Writer: David P. Harmon
Air date: 1959-12-17
Runtime: 30 min
Toll Road (Episode 13)
Writer: Calvin Clements Sr.
Air date: 1959-12-24
Runtime: 30 min
Calculated Risk (Episode 14)
Writer: Howard Dimsdale
Air date: 1959-12-31
Runtime: 30 min
Fear (Episode 15)
Writer: Arthur Browne Jr.
Air date: 1960-01-07
Runtime: 30 min
Endurance (Episode 16)
Writer: Arthur Browne Jr.
Air date: 1960-01-14
Runtime: 30 min
The Comet (Episode 17)
Writer: Cyril Hume
Air date: 1960-01-21
Runtime: 30 min
The Rawhiders (Episode 18)
Writer: Jay Simms
Air date: 1960-01-28
Runtime: 30 min
The Imposter (Episode 19)
Writer: David Lang
Air date: 1960-02-04
Runtime: 30 min
Common Ground (Episode 20)
Writer: Calvin Clements Sr.
Air date: 1960-02-11
Runtime: 30 min
The Matriarch (Episode 21)
Writer: Teddi Sherman
Air date: 1960-02-18
Runtime: 30 min
A Question Of Courage (Episode 22)
Writer: Donn Mullally
Air date: 1960-02-25
Runtime: 30 min
Dangerous Barriers (Episode 23)
Writer: Harry Kronman
Air date: 1960-03-10
Runtime: 30 min
The Show-Off (Episode 24)
Writer: John Dunkel
Air date: 1960-03-17
Runtime: 30 min
Rabbit's Fang (Episode 25)
Writer: Jay Simms
Air date: 1960-03-24
Runtime: 30 min
Stella (Episode 26)
Writer: James Edwards
Air date: 1960-03-31
Runtime: 30 min
Amnesty (Episode 27)
Writer: Lee Berg
Air date: 1960-04-07
Runtime: 30 min
Jeb's Daughter (Episode 28)
Writer: Arthur Browne Jr.
Air date: 1960-04-14
Runtime: 30 min
Cavern Of The Wind (Episode 29)
Writer: Richard Fielder
Air date: 1960-04-21
Runtime: 30 min
Trojan Horse (Episode 30)
Writer: Bob Barbash
Air date: 1960-05-05
Runtime: 30 min
