The Classic TV Archive - TV Western series
"Radisson/Tomahawk" (1957-58) "Hudson's Bay" (1959-60)
"Hawkeye" (1957-58) "Northwest Passage" (1958-59)
Buddy Ebsen Series
Northwest Passage (1958-59) - The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-71) - Barnaby Jones (1973-80)
Northwest Passage (1958-59)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive [Updated July 2015]*
with contributions by:
Sal Crisanti, Tom Dischley, Rina Fox
references:
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://imdb.com)
Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Television
for
NBC
Sundays 7:30 EST Sept58-Jan59 (vs Maverick)
Fridays 7:30 EST Jan 59-July59 (vs Rin Tin Tin)
Tuesdays 7:30 EST July59-Sept59 (vs Cheyenne/Sugarfoot)
Executive Producer Samuel Marx
Produced by Adrian Samish
US Western series 1958-59 26 episodes x 30 min color
starring
Keith Larsen as Major Robert Rogers
Buddy Ebsen as Sgt Hunk Marriner
Don Burnett as Ensign Langdon Towne
Recurring Cast: Philip Tonge as General Amherst
Premise:
Adventures of Roger's Rangers during the French/British/Indian Wars in Canada during the late 1780's.
Inspired by the 1940 MGM film "Northwest Passage" starring
Spencer Tracy, Robert Young, Ruth Hussey and Walter Brennan.
and the novel by Kenneth Roberts.
"This is a story of Early America. During the Century of conflict between the British and their American Colonies
against the French and Indians. When men and women, unknown to history became giants in daring and endurance in
their fight for a new country"
Directors include:
Jacques Tourneur, George Waggner, Alan Crosland, Jr., Otto Lang
Writers Include:
Gerald Drayson Adams, Sloan Nibley, George Waggner
Photography: Harkness Smith, Harold E. Wellman
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: ROBERT H. JUSTMAN
MUSICAL CONSULTANT: RAOUL KRAUSHAAR
EDITOR:FRANK SANTILLO
STUNTS:
GEORGE ROBOTHAM, PAUL STADER, CHARLES HORVATH, CHUCK COUCH,
DALE VAN SICKLE,KEN TERRELL.
LOCATION FILMING: MGM STUDIOS AND BACK LOT.
############# Northwest Passage ##############
############### season 1958-59 ###############
##############################################
NBC
Sundays 7:30 EST Sept58-Jan59 (vs Maverick)
Fridays 7:30 EST Jan 59-July59 (vs Rin Tin Tin)
Tuesdays 7:30 EST July59-Sept59 (vs Cheyenne/Sugarfoot)
[01] Northwest Passage: FIGHT AT THE RIVER (verified -SC)
14Sep58 NBC
TELEPLAY BY SLOAN NIBLEY AND GEORGE WAGGNER.
DIRECTED BY GEORGE WAGGNER.
STORY BY SLOAN NIBLEY FROM THE NOVEL BY KENNETH ROBERTS.
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers) Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner)
GUEST CAST:
Rayford Barnes ................ Fesslet
Stuart Wade ................... Phillips
Harry Lauter .................. Mason
Denny Miller .................. Cooper
Hal Riddle .................... Rafferty
SYNOPSIS:
ONE OF ROGERS RANGERS ESCAPES FROM A FRENCH PRISON CAMP AND MAKE'S IT BACK TO FORT CROWN POINT TO INFORM MAJOR ROGERS THAT THE FRENCH
ARMY IS PLANNING A MAJOR ATTACK ON THE BRITISH. MAJOR ROGERS AND HIS MEN LEAVE TO INTERCEPT THE FRENCH SOLDIERS AND BRING WITH THEM A CANNON. [SC]
[02] Northwest Passage: THE RED COAT (1958.09.21)
Patrick Macnee ................ Col. Trent
Roger Til ..................... Gen. Calgrenne
Alan Hale, Jr. ................ Sam Beal
William Boyett ................ Deke
Norman DuPont
[03] Northwest Passage: THE GUNSMITH (1958.09.28)
Lisa Davis .................... Elizabeth Browne
Larry Chance .................. Chief Black Wolf
Lisa Gaye ..................... Natula
Pat Hogan ..................... Rivas
Jim Hayward ................... Jonas
[04] Northwest Passage: SURPRISE ATTACK [verified on film]
05-Oct-1958 NBC Sun
Written by Gerald Dayson Adams / Based on the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
Director of Photography: Harold E. Welman, A.S.C.
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers), Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner), Don Burnett (as Ensign Langdon Towne)
Guest Cast:
Lisa Gaye ............... Natula
Larry Chance ............ Chief Black Wolf
Madge Meredith .......... Mary Broom
Philip Tonge ............ General Amherst (recurring)
[05] Northwest Passage: THE BOUND WOMAN (verified -SC)
12Oct58 NBC
Written by Gerald Dayson Adams / Based on the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers) Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner)
GUEST CAST:
Angie Dickinson ............... Rose Carver
Claude Akins .............. Calib Brandt
Emile Meyer ................... Ben Klagg
Irene Tedrow .................. Cora Klagg
Rebecca Welles ................ Maureen Carver
CHARLES HORVATH, DALE VAN SICKLE.
SYNOPSIS:
THE OWNERS OF THE 'BLACK HORSE TAVERN' ARE ILLEGALY SELLING WOMAN
TO PATRENTS OF THEIR INN AS PROSPECTIVE WIFES. MAJOR ROGER'S USES
HUNK MARRINER AS A PLOY TO COLLECT EVIDENCE AN ARREST THE INN'S OWNER'S. [SC]
[06] Northwest Passage: BREAKOUT (verified -SC)
19-Oct-1958 NBC Sun
Written by Gerald Dayson Adams / Based on the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers) Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner)
Guest Cast::
Adam Williams ........... Corporal Quill
Sandy Kenyon ............ Nathan Hill
Bing Russell ............ Ben Smith
House Peters, Jr. ....... Zach Miller
Bruce Gordon ............ Captain Hugo Marten
SYNOPSIS:
MAJOR ROGERS,SGT MARRINER AND ENSIGN TOWNE ARE CAPTURED BY FRENCH SOLDIERS AND ARE SENT TO A FRENCH PRISON CAMP WHERE OTHER
MEMBERS OF 'ROGERS RANGERS'ARE BEING HELD. THE CAMP'S COMMANDER IS UNAWARE THAT ONE OF HIS PRISONERS IS MAJOR ROBERT ROGERS. [SC]
[07] Northwest Passage: COURT MARTIAL (1958.10.26)
Richard Ney ................... Lt. Chambers
Louis Jean Heydt .............. Adam Pierce
[08] Northwest Passage: THE HOSTAGE [verified on film -SC]
02-Nov-58 NBC Sun
Written by George Waggner / Based on the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
director of photography: Harkness Smith
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers), Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner), Don Burnett (as Ensign Langdon Towne)
Guest Cast:
Bobby Clark ............. Jean Louis
Kelly Thordsen .......... Lt. Gordon
Larraine Gillespie ...... La Petite
Ivan Triesault .......... Father Richard
Synopsis:
Major Rogers is held captive by French insurgents. His only escape is help from a priest and a group of young children. [SC]
[09] Northwest Passage: SORROW SONG (1958.11.09)
[10] Northwest Passage: THE ASSASSIN (verified on film -SC)
16-Nov-1958 NBC Sun
Written by Gerald Drayson Adams/ From the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
director of photography: Harkness Smith
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers), Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner), Don Burnett (as Ensign Langdon Towne)
Guest Cast:
Jacques Aubuchon ........ Lieutenant Joseph Sarat
Pernell Roberts ......... Captain Jacques Chavez
Carol Ohmart ............ Nora Clayton
Philip Tonge ............ General Amherst (recurring)
Paul Cavanagh ........... Col. George Clayton
Alex Sharp (uncredited), Ken Terrell (uncredited)
Synopsis:
The Commander of the French Headquarters, Montreal in 1759 has one of his men, Lt. Joseph Sarat, disguise himself as a priest and to
meet with Major Rogers at Fort Crown Point and have him come to Quebec so an assassin named Captain Jacques Chavez could kill him. [SC]
[11] Northwest Passage: THE LONG RIFLE [verified on film]
23-Nov-1958 NBC Sun
Written by Sloan Nibley / From the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
Directed by Alan Crosland, Jr.
director of photography: Harkness Smith
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers), Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner), Don Burnett (as Ensign Langdon Towne)
Guest Cast:
Dean Harens ............. Judd Ramsey
Jeanne Baird ............ Martha Ramsey
Douglas Kennedy ......... Eli Dillon
Philip Tonge ............ General Amherst (recurring)
Gavin Muir .............. Colonel Benson
Hugh Sanders ............ Albert Sharp
[12] Northwest Passage: WAR SIGN [verified on film]
30-Nov-1958 NBC Sun
Written And Directed By George Waggner / Based on the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
director of photography: Harkness Smith
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers), Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner), Don Burnett (as Ensign Langdon Towne)
Guest Cast:
Joe Maross .............. Will Martin
Peter Votrian ........... Johnny Martin
Mary Lawrence ........... Ruth Martin
Synopsis:
Major Rogers and his rangers must cope with a deadly band of Huron warriors and a man who considers himself a coward. [SC]
[13] Northwest Passage: THE TRAITOR (1958.12.07)
Lewis Martin .................. Capt. Morgan
[14] Northwest Passage: VENGEANCE TRAIL
21-Dec-1958 NBC Sun (rebroadcast 14Jul59)
Directed by Alan Crosland Jr.
Written by Gerald Drayson Adams
Based on the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
Director of Photography Harkness Smith
Guest cast:
Paul Fix ............. Joe Waters
Rod Dana ............. Kisheewa
Joseph Vitale ........ Chief Akacita
Synopsis:
Major Rogers hears a report from bounty hunter Joe Waters that an
Indian attack is in preparation. Alkthough Rogers doesn't believe
Waters' story, he investigates the report. [RF]
[15] Northwest Passage: THE VULTURE (verified -SC)
28Dec58 NBC
WRITTEN BY GERALD DRAYSON ADAMS FROM THE NOVEL BY KENNETH ROBERTS.
DIRECTED BY JACQUES TOURNEUR
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers) Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner)
Guest Cast:
Bruce Cowling ................. Sir Martin Stanley
Marya Stevens ................. Lady Kate Stanley
Jay Novello ................... Link
Patricia Donahue .............. Gwen
Ned Wever ..................... Walter Van Horn
Uncredited Cast:
CHARLES HORVATH, CHUCK COUCH, BILLY VINCENT.
SYNOPSIS:
IN THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE, HUNK MARRINER IS SPENDING
HIS TIME AT A LOCAL TAVERN WAITING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF MAJOR ROGERS.
SIR MARTIN STANLEY, AN ADVERSARY OF ROGERS, LEARNS OF HIS VISIT,
AND PLANS TO HAVE HIM DETAINED AND PLACED ON A CARGO SHIP
'THE VULTURE',WAITING TO SAIL FROM PORTSMOUTH ON THE NEXT MORNING TIDE. [SC] :
[16] Northwest Passage: THE COUNTERFEITERS (verified on film -SC)
Location: Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 1760
02-Jan-1959 NBC Sun
Written By Antony Ellis / Based On The Novel By Kenneth Roberts
Directed By George Waggner
Director of Photography, Harkness Smith
Starring:
Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers) Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner), Don Burnett (as Langdon Towne)
Guest Cast:
Chester Stratton ........ Weeks
John Day ................ Solomon Backett
Edwin Jerome ............ Giles Kingby
*
Jon Lormer .............. Jonathan Henderson (uncredited)
Maurice Manson .......... Counselman Goss (uncredited)
Ken Terrell ............. The Printing Shop Aid (uncredited)
Fred Sherman ............ The Drunk (uncredited)
Synopsis:
After a meet at a tavern, Major Rogers,Hunk Marinner and Langdon Towne are shocked to find that the money they use to pay the
tab is worthless. The Rangers and the militia had been paid in bogus bills, an investigation to find the counterfeiting
operation soon reveals even more criminal activity. [SC]
[17] Northwest Passage: THE SECRET OF THE CLIFF [verified on film]
09-Jan-1959 NBC
Written by ?
Directed by ?
Starring:
Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers) Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner) Don Burnett (as Langdon Towne), Taina Elg (as Audrey Bonay)
Guest Cast:
Maurice Marsac .......... Colonel Giroux
Albert Carrier .......... Gen. Marquis de Montcalm
[18] Northwest Passage: DEAD RECKONING (1959.01.16)
John Carlyle
Ben Wright
Morris Ankrum
[19] Northwest Passage: DEATH RIDES THE WIND (verified on film -SC)
23-Jan-1959 NBC
Written by Slaon Nibley / Based on the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
Directed by George Waggner
director of photography: Harkness Smith
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers) Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner) Don Burnett (as Langdon Towne)
Guest Cast:
Murvyn Vye .................... Matt Stacey
DeForest Kelley ............... David Cooper
Uncredited Cast:
Brett King, Forrest Lewis, Dan White, Yvette Vickers
Synopsis:
Major Rogers, Sgt. Marriner and Ensign Towne are on the trail of two escaped prisoners from the fort
Crown Point stockcade, unaware that they have contracted small pox. [SC]
[20] Northwest Passage: THE FOURTH BROTHER (verified on film -SC)
30-Jan-1959 NBC Sun
Written by Gerald Drayson Adams / Based on the Novel by Kenneth Roberts.
Directed by Alan Crosland, Jr.
director of photography: Harkness Smith
Starring: Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers) Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner)
Guest Cast:
Gene Nelson ............. Dane Wade
Marcia Henderson ........ Joan Paget
Grant Withers ........... Fred Paget
Lee Van Cleef ........... Frank Wade
Bill Catching (uncredited)
Buzz Henry (uncredited)
Synopsis:
The three Wade Brothers have been stealing furs. Fred Paget, a trading post owner, asks Major Rogers to investigate.
The fourth Wade brother, Dan is innocent of any wrong doing and must prove he's inNocent to Major Rogers. [SC]
[21] Northwest Passage: THE AMBUSH (1959.02.06)
Jean Moorehead ................ Elizabeth Browne
Anne Gwynne ................... Sheila Stark
George N. Neise ............... Vance Stark
John Cliff .................... Thomas Harper
Robert Foulk
[22] Northwest Passage: THE WITCH [verified on film]
13-Feb-1959 NBC Sun
Written by Slaon Nibley / Based on the Novel by Kenneth Roberts
Directed by Thomas Carr
Starring:
Keith Larsen (as Major Rogers) Buddy Ebsen (as Hunk Marriner) Don Burnett (as Langdon Towne)
Guest Cast:
Philip Tonge ............ General Amherst (recurring)
Edith Barrett ........... Reba Morris
Robert E. Griffin ....... Jacob Browning
Martha Wentworth ........ Mrs. Wilcox
Wendy Stuart ............ Mercy Gant
Kay Stewart ............. Ruth Gant