Created by: Roy Huggins
Starring: James Garner, Jack Kelly
Distributed by Warner Archive
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
DVD Release Date: October 15, 2013
Running Time: 1300 minutes
Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
“Maverick” is a rare thing in television, especially today, since it was a western comedy. It ran for five seasons dating from 1957 to 1962. The third season aired in 1959 and was James Garner’s last season before being replaced by Roger Moore as cousin Beau Maverick. The role of Bret Maverick made Garner very popular as it was such a great character. This season also featured a slew of amazing guest stars, including screen veterans Buddy Ebsen, Edgar Buchanan Henry Daniell, Troy Donahue, Adam West, Joel Grey and even Robert Redford. So there is no shortage of talent. I am not a huge fan of Westerns but it was great to visit this classic show. Still funny and still quite sharp!
Official Premise: James Garner and Jack Kelly ante up for more high-stakes cons and games of chance in Season Three of this smart and witty Emmy-winning series (Best Western, 1959). Luck is still the lady they love best, as footloose gamblers Bret (Garner) and Bart (Kelly) Maverick tangle with Indian war parties, killer cattlemen, feuding families, a stubborn marquesa, their conniving old Pappy (Garner in a dual role) and more, in 26 offbeat adventures packed with quips and twists.
Warner Archive has been behind this series since last year and has been pumping out each season since then through its made to open release structure. If you are a fan of this series, then you probably will not have to wait long until to complete it since I am sure that by the end of 2014, they will have released seasons four and five as well. This DVD does not show to be newly restored but for a show dating back to the late 1950’s it looks quite decent. The episodes are presented in their original aspect ratio of 1.37:1. The audio included is the basic DVD Dolby Digital track. No other special features are included.
