The Big Valley

The Big Valley
Title card
Genre	Western
Created by	A.I. Bezzerides Louis F. Edelman
Starring	Barbara Stanwyck Richard Long Lee Majors Linda Evans Peter Breck
Composer	George Duning
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	4
No. of episodes	112 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time	50 minutes
Production companies	Levy-Gardner-Laven Productions Four Star Television Margate
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	September 15, 1965 (1965-09-15) – May 19, 1969 (1969-05-19)

Sierra Railway Engine #3 at the old Jamestown, California Depot, for the filming of the pilot episode of The Big Valley, 1965.

The Big Valley is an American Western drama television series which ran on the American Broadcasting Company Network (ABC) from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969 — 4 seasons. The series is set in the mid-late 1800s on the fictional Barkley Ranch in Stockton, California. The one-hour episodes follow the lives of the Barkley family, one of the wealthiest and largest ranch owning families in Stockton, led by the matriarch Victoria Barkley (Barbara Stanwyck) and her sons Jarrod (Richard Long), Heath (Lee Majors), Nick (Peter Breck), and daughter Audra (Linda Evans). The series begins approximately 6 years after the death of the family patriarch, Thomas Barkley. Although he is never shown in the series (other than a painting), the character of Thomas Barkley is referred to as a major plot point many times. The character of Heath Barkley is introduced in episode one as the illegitimate son of Tom Barkley. His presence and claim to the Barkley name is the focus of much of the dramatic plots in season one. While the successful and rich are often portrayed, in present day, as the unscrupulous villains, the Barkley family are portrayed as the upstanding citizens of Stockton, modeling justice, fairness, and oftentimes, going against popular sentiment to uphold the underdog's rights. The series was created by A.I. Bezzerides and Louis F. Edelman and produced by Levy-Gardner-Laven for Four Star Television.

Historical setting

The TV series was based loosely on the Hill Ranch, which was located at the western edge of Calaveras County, not far from Stockton. The Hill Ranch existed from 1855 until 1931, included almost 30,000 acres, and the Mokelumne River ran through it. The source is from an episode in which Heath is on trial in a ghost town with another man (played by Leslie Nielsen) and tells the judge how much land they have. Lawson Hill ran the ranch until he was murdered in 1861. His wife Euphemia (aka "Auntie Hill") then became the matriarch. During their marriage, they had four children, one daughter and three sons. Today, the location of the ranch is covered by the waters of Camanche Reservoir. A California state historical marker standing at Camanche South Shore Park mentions the historic ranch.

In the first episode, titled "Palms of Glory", the grave of Thomas Barkley (1813–1870) is shown after it is commented that he fought the railroad six years ago. Later, in the same episode, Frank Braun reminds Nicholas, Jarrod, and Eugene Barkley about how "Six years ago, your daddy and mine fought and died for this" indicating the year is 1876.

The episode "The Odyssey of Jubal Tanner" gives conflicting information. Audra states that her father died six years ago which would—per "Palms of Glory"—point to 1876, but Jubal seems to imply that he has been gone 30 years since his wife Margaret Tanner's death, her grave marker showing that she had died in 1854 which would put the year around 1884.

In the second-season episode "Hide the Children", Nick Barkley makes reference that President Ulysses Simpson Grant is in the White House. Grant's term of office was from March 4, 1869, to March 4, 1877.

In the fourth and final season episode "They Called Her Delilah", the telegram Jarrod received from Julia dated April 27, 1878, can be seen on screen. The later "The Long Ride" a season four episode, in which a friend of Audra Barkley was killed, a newly dug grave has a marker with the year 1878. Also in the fourth season episode "The Prize", Heath buries the wife of an outlaw, adding a grave marker dated May 5, 1878.

So while the majority of episodes that give dates point to the late 1870s there are irregularities preventing that being stated definitively.

In the episode "The Jonah" aired in 1968, the band at a town dance can be heard playing Johann Strauss II's "Emperor Waltz" or "Kaiser-Walzer". The waltz was first performed in Berlin on October 21, 1889, which, by the time it would have reached the American West, would indicate a time period of 1890 or later. However, since that seems to be much later than other historical references in the show, it may well have been a simple production mistake.

Characters

Main

The Big Valley main cast.
Left to right: Long, Majors, Evans, Stanwyck and Breck

L-R: Linda Evans, Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Long, Peter Breck, Lee Majors and Charles Briles (1965)

• Victoria Barkley, portrayed by Barbara Stanwyck, was the widow of Thomas Barkley. She was the head of the wealthy, influential Barkley family who lived in 19th century Stockton in California's Central Valley. She was the main character of the series. Victoria Barkley was the owner and head of the Barkley ranch. In fact, Stanwyck's refusal to portray Barkley as fragile was controversial at the time. Barkley's husband Tom had been killed six years before the beginning of the series. Victoria Barkley loved and was proud of all her children, including her late husband's illegitimate son Heath, whom she would refer to as "my son". Stanwyck, who went from the refined, elegant lady of the manor to a jean-clad cowgirl as tough as any cowboy, appeared in the most episodes for a total of 103 of the 112 episodes. Her episodes were often surprisingly hard hitting, seeing her character either locked away in a lunatic asylum to prevent her testifying as eyewitness at a murder trial ("Down Shadow Street"), taken prisoner in a prison wagon to replace a dead female convict ("Four Days to Furnace Hill"), impersonating a thief in order to go undercover at a women's prison to report on conditions there ("Alias Nellie Handley"), or trapped underground following a cave-in ("Earthquake").
• Jarrod Thomas Barkley, the eldest son, was a respected attorney at law. Richard Long played the role of the educated, refined and calmer of the Barkley sons who handled all of the family's legal and business affairs. While Jarrod, a skilled lawyer, preferred the law to settle disputes, he was known to resort to frontier justice and violence when necessary. He was briefly married in one episode ("Days of Wrath") only to see his new wife murdered with a bullet intended for him. An enraged Jarrod lost his calm and genteel mannerisms, then relentlessly tracked down the killer. He was in the midst of killing him with his bare hands before he was stopped by Nick and Heath. Jarrod was a veteran of the American Civil War. He served as a Cavalry officer in the Union Army. He commanded a cavalry troop of black soldiers as referenced in the episode "The Buffalo Man." Long appeared in 96 of the 112 episodes.
• Nicholas "Nick" Jonathan Barkley, the hot-tempered younger son, was portrayed by Peter Breck. Nick managed the family ranch. He wore a black leather vest, large black hat and black leather gloves, and was distinguished by his brawling ways and loud demeanor. Nick had served as a soldier in combat in the Union Army during the Civil War as referenced in the episode "Forty Rifles." He was always ready for a fight, and at times would fight with his brothers as well. Underneath his gruff exterior, he was fun-loving, had a great sense of humor, was warm, caring and loved his family deeply. Breck appeared in 101 of the 112 episodes.(Several years prior to starring in The Big Valley, Peter Breck starred in his own series for Four Star Television, Black Saddle, which aired on NBC).
• Audra Barkley, played by Linda Evans, was Victoria's only daughter. Audra was somewhat self-absorbed, bold and forward. Far from demure, she performed daring stunts and rode astride, like her brothers. Like Nick and Eugene, Audra was initially leery of Heath's story that he was her father's son. Early, she attempted to seduce Heath so as to expose him as a fraud, but was unsuccessful. As the series progressed, Audra and Heath formed a very close brother-and-sister bond. Audra also had a caring side as seen by her tending to children at the local orphanage. A few episodes dealt with her romances, and one notable episode was "My Son, My Son" in which Robert Walker Jr. guests as a suitor who proves to be mentally unstable. During the series' final two seasons, Evans' appearances were reduced because she wanted to spend more time with her husband John Derek. Evans appears in 82 of the 112 episodes.
• Heath Barkley was the illegitimate son of Victoria's late husband, and he had to literally fight his way into the Barkley home. Lee Majors portrayed even-tempered but rough and tumble Heath, who was often angry and aggressive throughout the early episodes due to his belief that Tom Barkley had abandoned his real mother after she became pregnant as well as the resistance he initially received from some of his new siblings. In truth, Tom Barkley never knew about Heath as Heath's mother had never told him, and never told Heath until she was on her deathbed (as revealed in the third episode of Season One, "Boots with My Father's Name".) Heath gradually gained acceptance from the rest of the Barkley clan as the first season progressed until he became as much a "Barkley" as the rest of the family, and his love for them became equal. Heath came to call Victoria "Mother" when speaking to her directly and about her with his siblings. In the episode "Boots with My Father's Name", Heath told Victoria, "you know that there isn't anything that I wouldn't do for you," indicating how deeply he cared for Victoria. Although Nick was initially leery of Heath and felt he had to test Heath's mettle, Heath proved himself worthy of Nick's acceptance, and eventually Nick seemed to grow even closer to Heath than he was to Jarrod, perhaps in a sense due to Heath having more in common with him than did Jarrod. In "The Lost Treasure", the series' season-two premiere, one of a few episodes taken out of the show's initial syndication runs, Heath met Charlie Sawyer (comic Buddy Hackett in a rare dramatic turn), a con man who claimed to be his actual father (the final moments show him admitting he did romance Heath's mother, but left her years before she gave birth). In the same episode, Beah Richards returns as Hannah, the black quasi-nanny who helped raise Heath with his mother. Heath was a veteran of the Civil War as referenced in the episode "The Guilt of Matt Bentell." He served as a soldier in the Union Army in combat operations in New Mexico and was held as a prisoner of war for seven months by Confederate forces. Heath was also established in the episode "The Death Merchant" as having been involved in the Lincoln County War (1878), where he came to know the hired killer "Handy", who had tracked down and killed Tom Barkley's murderer, but who is known by Heath as a merciless killer who changed sides - or played both sides - whenever the money was good. Majors appeared in 95 of the 112 episodes.

In addition to the Barkley family members, the episode plots typically revolved around morally conflicted protagonists and antagonists, a common theme in the mythology of the American West in the 19th century.

Minor

• The youngest Barkley son was Eugene, a medical student studying at Berkeley, played by Charles Briles. Like his older brothers, he was known to have a temper as seen in the Season 1 episode "Boots with My Father's Name". He was seen sporadically in eight first-season episodes and then episode 21 on a return from college. Then he was drafted into the Army. Only once was his name ever mentioned again. Briles died June 12, 2016 at age 70 of congestive heart failure.
• More Barkley family lore: In one episode, when Victoria is absent, it is explained that she is visiting her unnamed sister in Denver. In the episode "Image of Yesterday", it is revealed she almost married a dreamer named David Wincup (Dan O'Herlihy) before settling with her husband.
• Douglas Kennedy, formerly of Steve Donovan, Western Marshal appeared 23 times as Sheriff Fred Madden.
• The regular cast was rounded out by Napoleon Whiting as Silas, the Barkleys' majordomo. In several episodes, his character showed the trauma of slavery ("Joshua Watson"), life for blacks post-Civil War ("The Buffalo Man"), and meaning in his own work for the family ("Miranda").

Episodes

Barbara Stanwyck, Michael Burns and Colleen Dewhurst in episode "A Day of Terror" (1966)

Episode "In Silent Battle", Barbara Stanwyck and Adam West (1968)

Season 1: 1965–66 No. overall No. in season Title Directed by Written by Peter Packer Original air date 1 1 "Palms of Glory" William Graham Christopher Knopf September 15, 1965 (1965-09-15) As the railroad brings in gunmen to force the ranchers and farmers off their land, the Barkley family leads the fight against the railroad, while a mysterious and angry young man arrives, claiming to be the son of the late Tom Barkley. 2 2 "Forty Rifles" Bernard McEveety Christopher Knopf September 22, 1965 (1965-09-22) While adjusting to his new life with the Barkley family, Heath has a difficult time being accepted by the ranch hands. Upon being forced to lead them on a long cattle drive alone after Nick is shot, the man behind the shooting, Nick's old friend and now delusional former commanding officer who is now looking to relive past glories, attempts to relieve Heath of his men with promises of a better and richer life. 3 3 "Boots with My Father's Name" Joseph H. Lewis Teleplay by: Mel Goldberg Story by: Mel Goldberg & Les Pine & Tina Rome September 29, 1965 (1965-09-29) As a pair of boots belonging to the late Tom Barkley that only fit Heath, proves awkward for him and stokes yet more resentment prior to an occasion to honor the late Barkley patriarch in Stockton, Victoria decides to investigate the relationship between Heath's birth mother and her late husband, despite what she discovers, and no matter the cost. 4 4 "Young Marauders" Paul Wendkos Peter Packer October 6, 1965 (1965-10-06) While out riding, Audra's life is saved by a young man who appears to be a knight in shining armor. She begins seeing the young man further, but he begins to arouse suspicion as a series of attacks and extortion attempts on neighboring ranchers begin taking place, just after he and his clan arrived in the Valley. 5 5 "The Odyssey of Jubal Tanner" Arnold Laven Paul Savage October 13, 1965 (1965-10-13) An old and close friend of Victoria and the late Tom Barkley arrives in the Valley to claim land promised to him by them years prior, just as highly anticipated plans are being made by Jarrod, Nick, and the people of Stockton to construct a dam on the very same land. 6 6 "Heritage" Paul Wendkos Carey Wilber October 20, 1965 (1965-10-20) Heath investigates a series of violent acts in a mining town where the residents, living in poverty, have a deep-seated grudge against the owners of the mines, including the Barkleys. 7 7 "Winner Lose All" Richard C. Sarafian Harry Kronman October 27, 1965 (1965-10-27) Heath falls for a beautiful young Spanish woman whose father disapproves of him on the basis of family purity of bloodlines and heritage, and threatens to destroy the neighboring ranchers if Heath continues seeing her. 8 8 "My Son, My Son" Paul Henreid Paul Schneider November 3, 1965 (1965-11-03) As the family celebrates Audra's birthday, she encounters an unexpected guest - a childhood friend and son of friends of the Barkleys, now a young man who proves to be mentally unstable and attempts to sexually assault her. 9 9 "Earthquake!" Paul Henreid Oliver Crawford November 10, 1965 (1965-11-10) As the Barkley family frantically searches for her following a large earthquake, Victoria is trapped underground with a pregnant Indian woman, and a man who Nick has recently fired, and who hates the Barkleys. 10 10 "The Murdered Party" Virgil W. Vogel Jack Curtis November 17, 1965 (1965-11-17) Heath Barkley is witness in a murder trial to a man who Jarrod Barkley is compelled to defend no matter the cost. 11 11 "The Way to Kill a Killer" Unknown Unknown November 24, 1965 (1965-11-24) Cattle begins to perish due to a strange disease belonging to a friend of the Barkleys. Would they find a cure? 12 12 "Night of the Wolf" Unknown Unknown December 1, 1965 (1965-12-01) Bitten by a rabid wolf, Nick decides to go away and wait out the incubation period alone, to spare his family the grief. 13 13 "The Guilt of Matt Bentell" Unknown Unknown December 8, 1965 (1965-12-08) Heath becomes hostile to the Barkley's new ranch foreman, who he claims was once the commander of a prison camp. 14 14 "The Brawlers" Unknown Unknown December 15, 1965 (1965-12-15) Nick clashes with the head of Irish immigrants who settled illegally on Barkley land, thinking they purchased it. 15 15 "Judgement in Heaven" Unknown Unknown December 22, 1965 (1965-12-22) Hoping to reform an outlaw's girlfriend, Jarrod has her spend Christmas with the Barkleys. 16 16 "The Invaders" Unknown Unknown December 29, 1965 (1965-12-29) While out on the range investigating some dead cattle, Heath is ambushed by a gang of ruthless raw-hiders, who first decide to bring him back to the Barkley ranch in anticipation of a large reward, but upon finding that the men of the ranch are all gone on a cattle drive, they decide there is much more to be plundered. 17 17 "By Fires Unseen" Unknown Unknown January 5, 1966 (1966-01-05) Nick returns home from a trip with a big surprise for the Barkley family - a fiancée. His bliss is short-lived however, as he soon learns his wife to be isn't yet ready to settle down with one man. 18 18 "A Time to Kill" Bernard McEveety Peter Packer January 19, 1966 (1966-01-19) William Shatner guest stars as Jarrod's old college buddy who comes for a visit, trailed by a Secret Service agent who's convinced that he's a counterfeiter. 19 19 "Teacher of Outlaws" Unknown Unknown February 2, 1966 (1966-02-02) 20 20 "Under a Dark Star" Michael Ritchie Ken Trevey February 9, 1966 (1966-02-09) 21 21 "Barbary Red" Michael Ritchie Judith Barrows February 16, 1966 (1966-02-16) 22 22 "The Death Merchant" Unknown Unknown February 23, 1966 (1966-02-23) When the man who killed the killer of the late Tom Barkley arrives at the Barkley ranch, the Barkleys are elated to see him - except for Heath, who knows the man for being far different than what the rest of the Barkleys think he is. 23 23 "The Fallen Hawk" Unknown Unknown March 2, 1966 (1966-03-02) 24 24 "Hazard" Arnold Laven Harry Kronman March 9, 1966 (1966-03-09) 25 25 "Into the Widow's Web" Virgil W. Vogel Teleplay by: Ken Trevey & Gerry Day Story by: Ken Trevey March 23, 1966 (1966-03-23) 26 26 "By Force and Violence" Unknown Unknown March 30, 1966 (1966-03-30) When Victoria and Heath take a wagon full of supplies up to the Barkley lodge to prepare for the arrival of the rest of family, their pleasant ride soon turns into a nightmare 27 27 "The River Monarch" Sutton Roley Teleplay by: Carey Wilber & Mel Goldberg Story by: Carey Wilbur April 6, 1966 (1966-04-06) 28 28 "The Midas Man" Arnold Laven Margaret Armen April 13, 1966 (1966-04-13) 29 29 "Tunnel of Gold" Virgil W. Vogel Arthur Browne Jr. April 20, 1966 (1966-04-20) 30 30 "Last Train to the Fair" Virgil W. Vogel Paul Savage April 27, 1966 (1966-04-27) The Barkleys are on their way by train to the fair in Sacramento when Audra is stricken with a severe case of appendicitis. Fortunately there is a doctor on board, but unfortunately he is being chased by men who wish to see him hang. Season 2: 1966–67 No. overall No. in season Title Directed by Written by Original air date 31 1 "Lost Treasure" Arthur H. Nadel Jack Curtis September 12, 1966 (1966-09-12) A man arrives at the Barkley Ranch claims that he is Heath's father. In the meanwhile Heath questions his parentage. 32 2 "Legend of a General: Part 1" Virgil W. Vogel Ken Pettus September 19, 1966 (1966-09-19) A ruthless dictator hunts for a General in Mexico whom the Barkleys help escape his clutches. 33 3 "Legend of a General: Part 2" Virgil W. Vogel Ken Pettus September 26, 1966 (1966-09-26) Heath Barkley is held prisoner in Mexico for his part in the General's escape in exchange for the General who is conflicted whether to return to Mexico or not as Heath's life is in the balance. 34 4 "Caesar's Wife" Virgil W. Vogel Harry Kronman October 3, 1966 (1966-10-03) A young man's stepmom vies for his affections whereas Audra Barkley is accused of having feelings for him. 35 5 "Pursuit" Virgil W. Vogel Margaret Armen October 10, 1966 (1966-10-10) Victoria Barkley goes after an Indian sick with a fatal disease much to the man who is of a questionable character.Would they succeed in preventing him from spreading the disease to his tribe or risk disease themselves? 36 6 "The Martyr" Virgil W. Vogel Mel Goldberg October 17, 1966 (1966-10-17) Jarrod Barkley defends a Basque sheparder accused of murder in a town of prejudice and hate. 37 7 "Target" Arthur H. Nadel Mel Goldberg October 31, 1966 (1966-10-31) Joshua Hawks in company with a high minded manager sets out to cause misery and destroy the Barkleys no matter what it takes the family of the accused Tom Barkley of crimes committed. 38 8 "The Velvet Trap" Arthur H. Nadel Don Ingalls November 7, 1966 (1966-11-07) A mysterious woman seduces Nick Barkley into a strange situation to rid her of her jealous husband who stalks her on numerous times. 39 9 "The Man from Nowhere" Joseph H. Lewis Ken Pettus November 14, 1966 (1966-11-14) Whilst on his way as a middle man in a land dispute to a female resident Jarrod Barkley becomes amnesiastic. 40 10 "The Great Safe Robbery" Virgil W. Vogel William Norton November 21, 1966 (1966-11-21) Three bumbling robbers hold up a Railway Station whilst Victoria and Audra Barkley about to embark on a trip. Their target a tough safe. 41 11 "The Iron Box" Bernard McEveety Steven W. Carabatsos November 28, 1966 (1966-11-28) Nick and Heath Barkley are swindled in a business transaction, accused of stealing a corrupt Sheriff sentences them to a prison where the prisoners are never released under the command of a tyrannical Commandant. 42 12 "Last Stage to Salt Flats" Bernard McEveety Arthur Browne Jr. December 5, 1966 (1966-12-05) Victoria, Jarrod and Heath Barkley and their travelling companions are left stranded in the desert by three stagecoach robbers without water. A journey of survival ensues. 43 13 "A Day of Terror" Virgil W. Vogel Peter Packer December 12, 1966 (1966-12-12) 44 14 "Hide the Children" Arthur H. Nadel Jack Curtis December 19, 1966 (1966-12-19) 45 15 "Day of the Comet" Virgil W. Vogel Gilbert Ralston December 26, 1966 (1966-12-26) Audra Barkley takes a liking to a mysterious young man who is a dreamer on the run due to reasons unknown. 46 16 "Wagonload of Dreams" Virgil W. Vogel A.I. Bezzerides January 2, 1967 (1967-01-02) The Barkleys assist a man in his business along with his brother who hopes for a bright future once he finally settles only to be met by persons filled with malice and prejudice out to cause trouble for him. 47 17 "Image of Yesterday" Virgil W. Vogel Margaret Armen January 9, 1967 (1967-01-09) Victoria meets an old beau. 48 18 "Boy Into Man" Paul Henreid A.I. Bezzerides January 16, 1967 (1967-01-16) Heath Barkley seeks to help a troubled young man as well the rest of the Barkley family and his young siblings whose mother is absent. 49 19 "Down Shadow Street" Virgil W. Vogel Ken Trevey January 23, 1967 (1967-01-23) Victoria is taken to an asylum to prevent her from testifying to a recent murder. 50 20 "The Stallion" Paul Henreid Gabrielle Upton January 30, 1967 (1967-01-30) An elderly ranch hand on the Barkley ranch obsesses over the capture of a rare black stallion who thinks he is still youthful from his past much to impress his daughter that he is capable of such feats. 51 21 "The Haunted Gun" Bernard McEveety Mel Goldberg February 6, 1967 (1967-02-06) The Barkleys meet a mysterious man who has a strange case of paranoia and is mentally disturbed by things from his past. 52 22 "Price of Victory" Bernard McEveety William Norton February 13, 1967 (1967-02-13) A struggling boxer takes a rest from the profession at Nick's request. 53 23 "Brother Love" Virgil W. Vogel Jay Simms February 20, 1967 (1967-02-20) A fake faith healer comes to Stockton. He makes friends with Audra but Heath has suspicions of him as to what his intentions are. 54 24 "Court Martial" Virgil W. Vogel Steven W. Carabatsos March 6, 1967 (1967-03-06) 55 25 "Plunder!" Richard Long William Blinn March 13, 1967 (1967-03-13) 56 26 "Turn of a Card" Virgil W. Vogel Teleplay by: Gilbert Ralston Story by: Lou Morheim March 20, 1967 (1967-03-20) 57 27 "Showdown in Limbo" Bernard McEveety Teleplay by: Ken Pettus Story by: Ken Pettus & Philip Mishkin March 27, 1967 (1967-03-27) Heath stops in to visit an old friend and lawman, and upon learning his friend plans on transporting a notorious wanted outlaw to Stockton, with the outlaw's gang in hot pursuit and only his young and inexperienced son to help him, Heath decides he'll accompany them. 58 28 "The Lady from Mesa" Joseph Mazzuca Harry Kronman April 3, 1967 (1967-04-03) A young woman comes to the Barkley Ranch to visit her sick father, a ranch hand who is of a mysterious character. 59 29 "Days of Grace" Virgil W. Vogel William Fay April 17, 1967 (1967-04-17) Heath is arrested and accused of rape of a rancher's daughter. 60 30 "Cage of Eagles" Virgil W. Vogel Herb Meadow April 24, 1967 (1967-04-24) Season 3: 1967–68 No. overall No. in season Title Directed by Written by Original air date 61 1 "Joaquin" Virgil W. Vogel Ken Pettus September 11, 1967 (1967-09-11) 62 2 "Ambush" Virgil W. Vogel Margaret Armen September 18, 1967 (1967-09-18) 63 3 "A Flock of Trouble" Virgil W. Vogel Michael Gleason September 25, 1967 (1967-09-25) Nick is tricked into accepting a flock of sheep for payment of a poker debt, and while he doesn't like it any more than the rest of the neighboring cattlemen, when the cattlemen begin insulting, taunting and threatening him, Nick decides he'll get rid of the sheep when he's good and ready to. 64 4 "Time After Midnight" Charles S. Dubin Steven W. Carabatsos October 2, 1967 (1967-10-02) 65 5 "Night in a Small Town" Virgil W. Vogel Don Ingalls October 9, 1967 (1967-10-09) Traveling on a stage, Heath, Victoria, Audra, and a wayward saloon girl, stop in a small town for the night, where the town Marshal turns out to be an old friend of Heath's. But the man is clearly not the man Heath remembers. 66 6 "Ladykiller" Norman S. Powell Jay Simms October 16, 1967 (1967-10-16) One their way home from a cattle buying trip, Nick and Heath stop at a family-run inn for the night, where Nick immediately falls for the attractive young woman serving them - completely unaware that she and the rest of her family plan on adding him to the long list of guests they have robbed and murdered. 67 7 "Guilty" Paul Henreid Harry Kronman October 30, 1967 (1967-10-30) 68 8 "The Disappearance" Virgil W. Vogel Teleplay by: Michael Gleason Story by: Lou Morheim November 6, 1967 (1967-11-06) A frantic Victoria searches for an ill Audra, who disappeared from a hotel and who no one claims to have seen. 69 9 "A Noose is Waiting" Joseph Mazzuca Arthur Browne Jr. November 13, 1967 (1967-11-13) The Barkleys become acquainted with the new town doctor, unaware that he is a psychotic killer out to avenge his father's suicide by hanging those he holds responsible, and Victoria is one of his targets. 70 10 "Explosion!: Part 1" Virgil W. Vogel John O'Dea & Arthur Rowe November 20, 1967 (1967-11-20) 71 11 "Explosion!: Part 2" Virgil W. Vogel John O'Dea & Arthur Rowe November 27, 1967 (1967-11-27) 72 12 "Four Days to Furnace Hill" Virgil W. Vogel Ken Pettus December 4, 1967 (1967-12-04) Victoria is captured by crooked prison guards, who plan to substitute her for a convict they murdered. 73 13 "Night of the Executioner" Virgil W. Vogel Mel Goldberg December 11, 1967 (1967-12-11) 74 14 "Journey into Violence" Arnold Laven Arthur Browne Jr. December 18, 1967 (1967-12-18) A community of mountain dwellers, who live by their own laws, capture Heath and force him into slavery for killing one of their own in self defense. 75 15 "The Buffalo Man" Joseph Mazzuca Margaret Armen December 25, 1967 (1967-12-25) The Barkleys hire convicts to help with their crops as part of a parole system, but a sadistic guard is determined to make his charges miserable. 76 16 "The Good Thieves" Joseph Mazzuca Dan Ullman January 1, 1968 (1968-01-01) On the trail of the two thieving brothers who shot Jarrod during a robbery, Nick and Heath find them in a town where they are not only considered the leading citizens, but practically saints. 77 17 "Days of Wrath" Virgil W. Vogel Ken Pettus January 8, 1968 (1968-01-08) Wracked with grief when his new bride is murdered, an enraged Jarrod relentlessly hunts down her killer. 78 18 "Miranda" Paul Henreid Ken Pettus January 15, 1968 (1968-01-15) 79 19 "Shadow of a Giant" Norman S. Powell Sasha Gilien & Mel Goldberg January 29, 1968 (1968-01-29) 80 20 "Fall of a Hero" Virgil W. Vogel David Moessinger February 5, 1968 (1968-02-05) 81 21 "The Emperor of Rice" Virgil W. Vogel Mel Goldberg February 12, 1968 (1968-02-12) 82 22 "Rimfire" Charles S. Dubin Margaret Armen February 19, 1968 (1968-02-19) 83 23 "Bounty on a Barkley" Arnold Laven John O'Dea & Jay Simms February 26, 1968 (1968-02-26) 84 24 "The Devil's Masquerade" Paul Henreid Sasha Gilien & Mel Goldberg March 4, 1968 (1968-03-04) 85 25 "Run of the Savage" Virgil W. Vogel Don Ingalls March 11, 1968 (1968-03-11) 86 26 "The Challenge" Virgil W. Vogel Margaret Armen March 18, 1968 (1968-03-18) A Senator comes to Stockton to campaign for re-election, but findsomething himself the target of a smear campaign that pulls Victoria in as well. Season 4: 1968–69 No. overall No. in season Title Directed by Written by Original air date 87 1 "In Silent Battle" Charles S. Dubin Lee Erwin September 23, 1968 (1968-09-23) Victoria and Audra Barkley unexpectedly meets a Commanding Officer in the Union army who rescued them from a freak accident on the road. He takes an immediate liking to Audra, but unknown to them he is a physcologically disturbed and is obsessed with purity. 88 2 "They Called Her Delilah" Virgil W. Vogel Teleplay by: Ken Pettus Story by: Lou Morheim September 30, 1968 (1968-09-30) A mysterious woman arrives at Stockton only to be the centre of hate, predjudice and ill-will in the town. Jarrod Barkley is conflicted as he had met her in the past questioning her actions in the war. 89 3 "Presumed Dead" Virgil W. Vogel Margaret Armen October 7, 1968 (1968-10-07) on a stagecoach ride to Stockton, Victoria Barkley takes a rough unexpected turn where she becomes amnesiastic. She meets a widower a man who believes that she is his wife of a questionable character. 90 4 "Run of the Cat" Bernard McEveety Edward J. Lakso October 21, 1968 (1968-10-21) Nick Barkley encounters a wild puma who has a near death experience. He joins a man hired by the Barkleys to hunt the cat much to his protests against him, fearing his safety and survival. Nick's life is in the balance. 91 5 "Deathtown" Don Taylor Edward J. Lasko October 28, 1968 (1968-10-28) Jarrod Barkley travels to a strange town intent on meeting three brothers on a business deal. Upon arrival he hears that they have all been lynched, reasons unknown. 92 6 "The Jonah" Virgil W. Vogel Ed Adamson November 11, 1968 (1968-11-11) The Barkleys meet a short timid man who is believed to be a jinx as whatever he sets his hands to becomes a disaster. 93 7 "Hell Hath No Fury" Virgil W. Vogel Sasha Gilien & Mel Goldberg November 18, 1968 (1968-11-18) Heath has an interesting encounter with a young woman who is obsessed with and plans to marry him much to the objections of her brothers. Things may not be what they seem to be. 94 8 "The Long Ride" Virgil W. Vogel Fred Freiberger November 25, 1968 (1968-11-25) Audra witnesses the brutal murder of a close friend and her family. Victoria takes her home to Stockton by stagecoach, when the stage and its passengers are pursued but mysterious riders, who tries to distrupt their journey by overturning wells and burning shelters. Audra is in shock and has been rendered mute. Victoria protects and fights for her daughter amidst the negativity from the outside and the inside. 95 9 "The Profit and the Lost" Bernard McEveety Richard Wendley December 2, 1968 (1968-12-02) Heath saves the life of a man who turns out to be a hired killer, on his way to Stockton to accept a job - killing Heath. 96 10 "A Stranger Everywhere" Paul Henreid Lee Erwin December 9, 1968 (1968-12-09) A woman who is a seamstress is believed by Nick and his friends to be a legendary outlaw. 97 11 "The Prize" Virgil W. Vogel D. C. Fontana December 16, 1968 (1968-12-16) Heath takes in his care and protection a baby entrusted to him by an outlaw's dying wife, who is on his way home. 98 12 "Hunter's Moon" Bernard McEveety Don Ingalls December 30, 1968 (1968-12-30) A jealous rancher has Nick Barkley and two men captive believing one of them to be his wife's outside lover. Nick attempt to escape but has a shocking discovery. 99 13 "Top of the Stairs" Virgil W. Vogel Ken Pettus January 6, 1969 (1969-01-06) Victoria is kept away from her brother-in-law who is told he has become insane by mysterious persons. 100 14 "Joshua Watson" Virgil W. Vogel Robert L. Goodwin January 20, 1969 (1969-01-20) An African- American cowboy is believed to be a legendary and special man with the ability to tame horses with ease on the ranch. Silas the Barkley's householder questions his intentions and his existence. 101 15 "The Secret" Joseph Mazzuca Sasha Gilien & Mel Goldberg January 27, 1969 (1969-01-27) A man seeks to make the life of Jarrod Barley difficult who believes that he and his wife are having an affair whilst he is absent on business. 102 16 "The 25 Graves of Midas" Richard Long Ken Pettus February 3, 1969 (1969-02-03) Heath Barkley on his way to a mining town called Midas is injured by a man who befriends him who turned out to be a robber. Heath is believed by the residents of the town to be a payroll robber where the residents has a grudge against the Barleys and their partner Dutton in the town's mining company. 103 17 "Lightfoot" Lawrence Dobkin Teleplay by: Ken Pettus & John O'Dea & Jay Simms Story by: John O'Dea & Jay Simms February 17, 1969 (1969-02-17) 104 18 "Alias Nellie Handly" Virgil W. Vogel Margaret Armen February 24, 1969 (1969-02-24) Victoria Barley goes undercover at a women's prison to investigate the conditions there. 105 19 "Royal Road" Virgil W. Vogel Ken Pettus March 3, 1969 (1969-03-03) A young woman has a strange friendship with a young man believed to be an Indian prince who has for his mentor a man of a questionable character. Jarrod tries to warn her but then things became late much to her discovery with a scandal amidst. 106 20 "A Passage of Saints" Nicholas Webster John Dunkel March 10, 1969 (1969-03-10) 107 21 "The Battle of Mineral Springs" Virgil W. Vogel Douglas Moore March 24, 1969 (1969-03-24) 108 22 "The Other Face of Justice" Virgil W. Vogel Don Ingalls March 31, 1969 (1969-03-31) 109 23 "Town of No Exit" Norman S. Powell William Norton April 7, 1969 (1969-04-07) 110 24 "Danger Road" Virgil W. Vogel D. C. Fontana April 21, 1969 (1969-04-21) 111 25 "Flight from San Miguel" Lawrence Dobkin Edward J. Lasko April 28, 1969 (1969-04-28) 112 26 "Point and Counterpoint" James F. Lichtman Arthur Browne Jr. May 19, 1969 (1969-05-19)

Guest stars

The Big Valley was well known for its many guest stars. Among others:

• Julie Adams
• Jack Albertson
• Claude Akins
• Marty Allen
• Chris Alcaide
• John Anderson
• Richard Anderson (who would later co-star on The Six Million Dollar Man with Lee Majors)
• Tige Andrews
• R. G. Armstrong
• Lew Ayres
• Diane Baker
• Joe Don Baker
• Rayford Barnes
• Anne Baxter
• Alan Bergmann
• Milton Berle
• Karen Black
• Antoinette Bower
• Charles Bronson
• Brooke Bundy
• Michael Burns
• Ellen Burstyn
• Joseph Campanella
• John Carradine
• Judy Carne
• Conlan Carter
• Jeanne Cooper
• Kelly Corcoran
• Noreen Corcoran
• Walter Coy
• Yvonne Craig
• Johnny Crawford
• Dennis Cross
• Royal Dano
• Quentin Dean
• Yvonne DeCarlo
• John Dehner
• Bruce Dern
• Colleen Dewhurst
• Bradford Dillman
• Richard Dreyfuss
• Don Dubbins
• Maurice Evans
• Richard Farnsworth
• Paul Fix
• Robert Fuller
• Vincent Gardenia
• Sean Garrison
• Arlene Golonka
• Harold Gould
• Robert Goulet
• Lee Grant
• Dabbs Greer
• James Gregory
• Charles Grodin
• Buddy Hackett
• Kevin Hagen
• Julie Harris
• Ron Howard
• Dennis Hopper
• Steve Ihnat
• Anthony James
• Russell Johnson
• I. Stanford Jolley
• L. Q. Jones
• Robert Karnes
• Dan Kemp
• George Kennedy
• Sajid Khan
• Yaphet Kotto
• Martin Landau
• Cloris Leachman
• Robert Loggia
• Julie London
• Lynn Loring
• Carol Lynley
• Mako
• Flip Mark
• Nora Marlowe
• Frank Marth
• Strother Martin
• Gavin MacLeod
• Frank McGrath
• John Milford
• Read Morgan
• Leslie Nielsen
• Kathleen Nolan
• Dan O'Herlihy
• Simon Oakland
• Warren Oates
• Susan Oliver
• Gregg Palmer
• Leslie Parrish
• Regis Philbin
• John M. Pickard
• Eve Plumb
• Chips Rafferty
• Ford Rainey
• Lou Rawls
• Beah Richards
• Pernell Roberts
• Wayne Rogers
• Katharine Ross
• Bing Russell
• Jill St. John
• Albert Salmi
• William Shatner
• Olan Soule
• Harry Dean Stanton
• Warren Stevens
• Susan Strasberg
• Dub Taylor
• Malachi Throne
• Harry Townes
• Fritz Weaver
• Adam West
• Robert Walker Jr.
• James Whitmore
• Van Williams
• Morgan Woodward
• Anthony Zerbe

Popularity

Despite the series' popularity, the series' ratings never made the top 30 in the yearly ratings charts. The Big Valley was canceled in 1969 as the TV western craze began to fade and to make room for more modern series. In Ella Smith's 1973 biography, Starring Miss Barbara Stanwyck, Smith noted that The Big Valley had been cancelled by ABC mainly due to a poor time slot. In better times, the series had been enough of a hit to outlive various time slot rivals during its run (mainly on Mondays at 10 p.m.), including The Jean Arthur Show, Run for Your Life and I Spy. According to Broadcasting magazine (September 27, 1965), its debut episode (actually Wednesday at 9 p.m., where the series aired for half-a-season) placed 39th in the Nielsen ratings for the week of September 13–19, 1965.

The Big Valley also was ranked as one of the top five favorite new shows in viewer TVQ polling (the others were Get Smart, I Dream of Jeannie, Lost in Space and F Troop). Early into its second season, The Big Valley was still a mid-range performer, placing 47th out of just 88 series during the week of October 28, 1966, which was higher than such shows as That Girl, Daniel Boone, Petticoat Junction and The Wild Wild West. Even so, The Big Valley was popular enough to warrant at least three TV Guide covers. It also acted as a launching pad for two projected spin-offs from special episodes. A 1968 episode guest starring Van Williams was meant to lead to a Rifleman-like series titled Rimfire. A March 1969 episode, "The Royal Road", guest-starring heartthrob Sajid Khan as a young rogue, was also hoped to lead to a series. But by that year the rising popularity of CBS's The Carol Burnett Show — and vocal complaints by Joey Bishop, ABC's late-night talk show host, that the show's faltering ratings were not helping to provide his program with a proper lead-in — ultimately led to the drama's demise. In syndication, The Big Valley would prove exceptionally popular in the United States, Europe and Latin America.

In the comedy film Airplane! (1980), the wacky air traffic controller Johnny, played by Stephen Stucker, paid homage to Big Valley's penchant for big drama in one of his many asides. After Lloyd Bridges' character frets about a pilot who cracked under pressure, Johnny says: "It happened to Barbara Stanwyck!" and "Nick, Heath, Jarrod – there's a fire in the barn!" The Big Valley also has seeped into the darker cinematic subconscious. In Bug, an acclaimed 2006 thriller starring Ashley Judd and Michael Shannon as drug addicts, their characters spiral into a hallucination that leads them to imagine tiny bugs have invaded their dwelling, with one referring to the little critters as "matriarchal aphids" that act "like Barbara Stanwyck in Big Valley."

Awards and nominations

In 1966, for her first season as Victoria Barkley, Barbara Stanwyck won the Emmy for lead actress in a drama series. She was nominated two more times (1967 and 1968) for her work in The Big Valley and earned three Golden Globe nominations as Best TV Star for the part as well (1966, 1967, 1968). And, on March 15, 1967, Stanwyck was named favorite TV actress at the Photoplay magazine awards, which aired as a special episode of The Merv Griffin Show (David Janssen of The Fugitive was named favorite TV actor). Richard Long helped present Stanwyck her Gold Medal at the event.

The Big Valley was also recognized during its run for its polished production. In 1966 and 1968, the American Cinema Editors (ACE) named Valley the year's Best Edited Television Program (for the episodes "40 Rifles" and "Disappearance", respectively).

Music

The series’ main title theme and primary incidental music was composed by George Duning and features sweeping musical elements highly reminiscent of classic American cinematic Westerns. For at least the first pilot episode, the theme song starts with a more relaxed woodwinds intro leading into the title refrain at a moderate tempo. For the remainder of season one, the tempo is increased and the intro is shortened, with much more aggressive phrase. For seasons three and four, the main theme was reworked again with a much more brass-heavy orchestration. The final refrain (when Miss Barbara Stanwick's credits are shown), includes an underlying Spanish rhythm outlined with tambourine that is similar to that of The Magnificent Seven main title. Therefore, at least 3 versions of the theme song were recorded for the series.

In 1966, a soundtrack album was released in both mono and stereo versions, featuring suites of various music cues from the series, re-recorded for the LP release (ABC-Paramount; ABC 527). The album featured the iconic main theme song, but at slower tempos, giving them a more cinematic mood. To date, the album has not been re-released on compact disc or streaming. In 1980, the LP was reissued on vinyl on MCA Records for the Japanese market.

Re-recordings of the main theme song to The Big Valley have appeared on several Western movie music compilation compact discs and can currently be found on most music streaming services.

Production notes

While The Big Valley is set primarily in and near the city of Stockton, the filming of the series took place in Southern California. It was partially filmed in Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, California.

A bit of Hollywood history: Nick's girlfriend in "The River Monarch" wears an open weave/knit gray coat with red trim that was worn by Olivia deHavilland as Melanie Wilkes in the Atlanta train station Christmas scene in Gone with the Wind.

Stanwyck and Evans in character in one of the later seasons.

Crew

The theme music was composed by George Duning, who also scored the pilot and four episodes; Lalo Schifrin, Elmer Bernstein and Joseph Mullendore also scored episodes. Paul Henreid, of Casablanca fame, directed a number of episodes.

Wilfred M. Cline, A.S.C., Technicolor Associate Cinematographer on Gone with the Wind (1939), was director of photography of several Big Valley episodes, together with Chas E. Burke, A.S.C.

Adaptations

Comic book

Dell Comics published a short-lived comic book for six issues in 1966-69. (The last issue reprinted the first, and came out two years after issue #5). All issues had photo covers.

Film

Film columnist Patrick Goldstein reported in the Los Angeles Times in July 2009 that filmmakers Daniel Adams and Kate Edelman Johnson were producing a feature film version of The Big Valley with production to begin in April 2010 in New Mexico and Michigan. In 2012, the aforementioned film version of The Big Valley, which was to have first starred Susan Sarandon and then Jessica Lange in the role of Victoria Barkley, was put on hold indefinitely after the film's would-be director, Daniel Adams, was indicted for fraud pertaining to two previous films and sued by investors in "Valley" who claimed foul as well.

Several episodes of the original TV series have been combined into concurrent running feature-length TV movies, while the notable two part episodes: "Legend of a General" and "Explosion!" have also been made into feature-length TV movies. These have been issued as TV movies on DVD as a box set, along with seasons one and two.

Home media

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released the first season on DVD in Region 1 on May 16, 2006. Season 2, Volume 1 was released on January 30, 2007.

On January 8, 2014, it was announced that Timeless Media Group (TMG) had acquired the rights to the series. They have subsequently released seasons 2 & 3 on DVD. The fourth and final season was released on October 28, 2014.

In Germany, all four seasons have been released as individual season sets, plus a complete four season box set in region 2 PAL format.

Syndication

The series is currently being aired on #Talking Pictures TV. in UK (2018)

In the United States, the series was formerly seen in syndication on the Starz! Westerns Channel. It is now currently airing on MeTV and INSP: The Inspiration Network (2018)

External links

• The Big Valley at IMDb
• Template:Tv.com show
• The Big Valley at epguides.com