Set in 1914, somewhat later historically than a traditional Western, the stories center on the heroes' use of a 1914 Stutz Bearcat automobile. Although automobiles were common in the United States in 1914, a $2,000 sports car would have been very rare in the more remote areas of the Western United States. How the heroes paid for this expensive ride was rather unusual, as well. They undertook work which could be considered "private security" for a prosperous clientele, and rather than charging a traditional fee, they extracted from the client a blank check, with the amount charged to be determined by just how difficult or dangerous the job proved to be once it was completed. "If you can put a price on it, you don't need them badly enough." Typical adventures included learning who was setting fire to oil wells, unraveling a plot where German Imperial Army soldiers dressed as American troops raided Mexican border towns hoping to force Mexico into a war with the United States, and stopping mercenaries from sabotaging medical supplies being sent overseas to the Allies of World War I.
Its time period also allowed the use of props not usually seen in typical westerns, including airplanes, a World War I-era tank, machine guns, M1911 pistols, and a number of period automobiles.
The series was created by veteran TV writer/producer Douglas Heyes who also served as executive producer. He wrote and directed the TV movie Powderkeg that served as the pilot film for the series. Episodes were shot on location in near Tucson, Arizona, and also in and around Santa Fe, New Mexico.[1]Powderkeg was syndicated in the 1970s and frequently aired by local U.S. TV stations, and was the only episode of the series to be released as a VHS videotape.
The Bearcat replica used most often in the series, the first built and restored to its TV colors, in 2008.
For filming, the series used two full-scale metal replicas of first generation (1912–1916) Stutz Bearcats made by Hollywood car customizer and film car builder George Barris. While externally very close to the original cars, in fact they were built on custom chassis powered by Ford drivetrains and had modern four wheel brake systems for safety. The two replicas were very similar to one another, however the first built (and the one used for most filming) had a manual 4-speed transmission while the second had an automatic. Additionally, there was a slight variation in the location of the horn bulb and the pinstripes on the sides of the hood of the second car, so the cars can be differentiated while closely viewing the episodes. In addition to the two cars used in the series, Barris built and retained a third car for use at car shows which differed in many details and color from the TV cars. All three cars survive today, though Barris' display car has been extensively modified.[2] The original Stutz Bearcat automobiles had been manufactured in Indianapolis, Indiana; the Stutz factory building still exists but is currently used as an arts and office complex.
The episode "Groundloop at Spanish Wells" features a 1918 Standard J-1 airplane (though it's called a Curtiss Jenny in the script) that had recently been restored in Tucson (where the episode was filmed) by Charles Klessig of Fargo, North Dakota. A later episode featuring the same pilot character, "The Return of Esteban", featured a 1929 British de Havilland DH.60 Moth biplane. According to Klessig, the episode was filmed in New Mexico where the higher altitudes precluded the use of the older aircraft.[3]
The World War I tank shown in the episode "The Devil Wears Armor" is an M1917 (aka Six Ton) tank, an American-built version of the Renault FT. Its gun is not authentic. The M1917 was first ordered in 1917, and the first example was produced in late 1918, four years later than the series' 1914 setting.
The MPC (Model Products Corporation) model company released a 1/25th scale model kit of a Stutz Bearcat as a tie-in with the series. Its box art featured Taylor and Cole in costume with the genuine 1914 Bearcat used in Powderkeg. A photo on the side of the box showed the first Barris replica in a scene from the episode "The Devil Wears Armor".
Cancellation
Bearcats!, despite a large promotional campaign prior to its premiere and having a loyal fan base, lost in the Nielsen ratings to both The Flip Wilson Show on NBC and a more traditional Western, Alias Smith and Jones, on ABC, and was cancelled midseason.
Episodes
No.
Title
Original air date
Pilot
"Powderkeg"
April 16, 1971 (1971-04-16)
Backdoor pilot: A pair of soldiers of fortune (Hank and Johnny) are hired to get a hijacked train and its 73 passengers freed from a gang of Mexican bandits. Takes place in 1914 along the U.S./Mexico border.
When villains use a WWI tank to rob a bank, Hank and Johnny disguise as monks to infiltrate the enemy camp, and end up in a Stutz vs. Tank battle.
John Vernon guest stars. Co-stars are Kathleen Lloyd (listed as Kathy Lloyd) as Sister Catalina and Paul Koslo as Billy Ray Joiner. Also appearing are Sherry Bain, Julio Medina, Michael Masters, Evans Thornton, James Nite (billed as Jim Nite), Bonnie Clausing, Bob Hardy, Doug Dudley, & Ron Manning.
2
"Ground Loop at Spanish Wells"
September 23, 1971 (1971-09-23)
Hank and Johnny are hired to discover the motives behind a group of bandits (masquerading as US military troops) raiding small Mexican villages.
Henry Darrow is the guest star in his first appearance as Mexican Army flyer, Raoul Esteban. Also appearing are Lenore Stevens, Tom Simcox, Allen Pinson, Sandy Rosenthal, Peter O'Crotty, Frank Kennedy, Pat Tanno, & Kathleen O'Haco (billed as Kathy O'Haco).
3
"Dos Gringos"
September 30, 1971 (1971-09-30)
Hank is forcibly re-commissioned a US Army Captain to provide aid to a Mexican revolutionary (played by Robert Tafur). He and Johnny must contend with a government-sanctioned assassin (played by Eric Braeden) with orders to capture the revolutionary.
Catherine Ferrar co-stars. Featured actors and actresses are: William Wintersole, Elisabeth Chauvet, Pattie Walczuk, Jack Owens, Charlie Picerni (billed as Charles Picerni), Frank Orsatti, David Cadiente (billed as Dave Cadiente), Hank Calia (billed as Hank Callia), William H. Burton, Sr. (billed as Bill Burton), Phillip Avenetti (billed as Phil Avenetti), & David Herrera.
4
"The Feathered Serpent"
October 7, 1971 (1971-10-07)
Hank and Johnny are hired to stop a group of militants who plan to invade Central America claiming to be Native American liberators but, instead wish to pillage and plunder the area.
An outlaw (played by David Canary) is out for revenge against a town for trying and hanging his father who killed one of the town's citizens. A young girl from the town (played by Erin Moran) hires Hank and Johnny to stop the ex-con and his gang.
A gang of thieves led by Carter Gladstone (played by Kevin McCarthy) want to loot an archaeological site of gold discovered there by a native Mexican priest (played by Tom Nardini. The gang captures the priest and the group of 50 that is helping him excavate the ruins. A newspaper reporter (played by Jane Merrow) covering the dig escapes as the thieves enter the ruins. The reporter gets her newspaper to hire Hank and Johnny to stop the thieves and rescue the archaeological group.
Co-stars are Rod Cameron and Pepper Martin. Also appearing are Victor Eberg, Gregory Enton, Gary Cassell, Sue Ann Carpenter, Hersha Parady (billed as Hershey Parody), and Fred M. Waugh (billed as Fred Waugh).
7
"Blood Knot"
November 4, 1971 (1971-11-04)
Racial tension runs high in a small town between the white and Native American residents after oil drilling rigs are destroyed, and people are injured and killed by arrows. Hank and Johnny are hired to bring the perpetrators to justice and defuse the tension.
Guest stars are H.M. Wynant and Leslie Parrish. Featured stars are C. Lindsay Workman (billed as Lindsay Workman), X Brands, Robert Hoy (billed as Bob Hoy), Jose Russler, and Laura A. Campbell (billed as Laura Campbell).
8
"Assault on San Saba"
November 11, 1971 (1971-11-11)
A group of German spies captures a prison in an attempt to get prisoners to perform acts of sabotage and murder against targets in the United States. Hank and Johnny must break into the prison to stop the plan from being carried out.
A wealthy rancher (played by Keenan Wynn) is mining Tungsten, and sending it over the border to Mexico. Two U.S. soldiers infiltrate the ranch as drovers to investigate. One soldier is killed after discovering the operation, and the other is captured. The parents of the captured soldier get Hank and Johnny to rescue their son, and bring the rancher to justice.
Katherine Cannon (billed as Kathy Cannon) also guest stars with Wynn. Rockne Tarkington and Charles Dierkop (billed as Charlie Dierkop) are co-stars. Jim Boles, Doreen Lang, & Jason Ledger are the featured actors and actress. Also appearing are Craig R. Baxley (billed as Craig Baxley), Joanna Serpe (billed as Joana Serpe), Katherine Darc, Don Rizzan, Grady T. Hill, Jr., Don Kayne, & John Gill.
10
"Tiger, Tiger"
November 25, 1971 (1971-11-25)
A group of saboteurs led by Walker "Tiger" Thompson (played by Morgan Woodward) have destroyed 8 shipments of medical supplies that were destined for America's allies during WWI. Hank and Johnny are hired to stop the saboteurs.
Walter Brooke, Betty Anne Rees, Judith Brown (billed as Judy Brown), & Lawrence Montaigne are co-stars. Houston Savage (billed as Gene De Blasio), Byron Morrow, Victor Mohica (billed as Vic Mohica), Kathy Silva, Bob Herron, & Ted Grossman are the featured actors and actress.
11
"The Big Guns"
December 2, 1971 (1971-12-02)
A group of U.S. Army deserters led by Colonel Ted Donovan (played by Leslie Nielsen) aim to gain revenge against the Army by destroying a convoy using 2 stolen artillery guns. Hank and Johnny are hired by the U.S. Government to stop them.
An ex-con (played by William Smith) who spent 20 years in prison for killing his brother is out for revenge against the town where he was tried and convicted. Hank and Johnny are hired to stop him and his band of men. But, they need help from their friend Raoul Estaban (Henry Darrow). Curiously, the spelling of Darrow's character's last name is now spelled "Estaban" instead of "Esteban" as it was in the episode, "Ground Loop at Spanish Wells."
Guest starring along with Darrow is Kathryn Hays. Co-stars are Xenia Gratsos (billed under her stage name of Brioni Farrell) and Richard Anders. Louis Elias is uncredited as boxer James J. Jeffries.
13
"Man in a Cage"
December 30, 1971 (1971-12-30)
An outlaw (played by Jeremy Slate) and his gang kidnaps a judge (played by John Anderson), who is also a gubernatorial candidate, and holds him hostage for the ransom of U.S. Army guns and ammunition. Hank and Johnny are hired by the judge's wife (played by Doris Dowling) and the U.S. Government to free the judge. However, Hank and Johnny must rely on an imprisoned member (played by Luke Askew) of the outlaw's gang to help them.
The series was shown extensively overseas, including Germany, Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Its pilot film, Powderkeg, was released as a theatrical feature overseas.
Home media
On May 14, 2013, Timeless Media Group released Bearcats! – The Complete Series in a three-DVD set in Region 1.[6] The 90-minute pilot episode "Powderkeg" is not included, but was released as a standalone DVD or as part of the "20 Great Westerns: Heroes and Bandits" DVD box set produced by TGG Direct.
Original novel based on the series
When the series was announced, paperback publisher Award Books licensed book rights to Bearcats! and commissioned an original novel by veteran Western novelist W.T. Ballard, to be published in 1971, under his tie-in pseudonym "Brian Fox" (a by-line he had employed often when working for Award). But when the TV series was canceled before the book could be made ready for distribution, the book was canceled in turn. Ballard, apparently unwilling to let the novel go unpublished, retitled it, slapped on another of his pseudonyms, and, without so much as changing the names of its heroes, sold the book again to unsuspecting publisher Ballantine Books—who released it in December, 1972 under the title Hell Hole as by "John Hunter." The connection was not discovered during Ballard's lifetime.
References
^Stephen Vagg, Rod Taylor: An Aussie in Hollywood (Bear Manor Media, 2010) p168-170
^Boyle, John E. "Barris TV Car Restored". Old Cars Weekly, January 24, 2002.
^Klessig, Charles. My Highway in the Sky. Privately published.
