One of Warner Archives’ best releases to date, Cheyenne has arrived on Blu-ray. Initially released on DVD in seven single season sets, Cheyenne is presented here in full, all 107 episodes, across thirty discs, packaged by season. Debuting in 1955, Cheyenne was the first series produced by a major film studio that wasn’t derived from existing properties or characters.
Initially, Cheyenne was one of three rotating series under the Warner Bros. Presents umbrella, a common practice during the 1950’s, allowing the studio and networks to fill an entire broadcast season without committing to an entire season of episodes of any one show. Paired with Kings Row and Casablanca, Cheyenne was the only series to return for a second season, this time as a standalone show.
Making a star out of lead Clint Walker, the series premise is a simple one. Walker plays Cheyenne Bodie, a post Civil War cowboy roaming the American West in search of his brand of justice. Gentle by nature, when provoked, he’s not afraid to use his imposing frame (Walker was 6’ 6”) and strength to take on a bad guy.
Moving from place to place, Cheyeinne, a white man raised by Native Americans, is the only constant presence. While his background doesn’t play a direct part in his adventures, it does serve to make him more sensitive to different cultures and backgrounds. Whether working for hire or dealing with a baddie, Cheyenne always seeks to do the right thing.
While Cheyenne takes place in various locations, there’s little, if any, on location footage to be found. Shot on the Warner Brothers backlot, it’s amazing how many places are created there, with occasional help from stock footage. It’s the quality of the writing and the acting that makes Cheyenne worth watching more than seventy years after its debut.
Like many series of the time, Cheyenne has many noteworthy guest actors, including: James Garner (who had been considered for the lead role), Ellen Burstyn, Stacy Keach Sr., Diane Brewster, Adam West, Leo Gordon, Ronny Howard, Peggie Castle, Mala Powers, Peter Breck, Joanna Barnes, Pat Crowley, Lorne Greene, Lee Van Cleef, Rod Taylor, Audrey Totter, James Coburn, Michael Landon, James Hong and many more.
Presented in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Cheyenne looks like it was shot recently. The black and white photography looks crisp throughout. Details are stunning, even the stock footage shines, Blacks are inky and whites are free of any bloom. The print is clean, with no artifacts to speak of. Warner Archive keeps hitting it out of the park with their releases; Cheyenne is one of the best yet.
The series mono audio is presented in lossless DTS-HD MA. The result is a pleasing listening experience. The theme song and score sound strong. Dialogue is clean, clear and concise throughout.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
- The Lonely Gunfighter: The Legacy of Cheyenne (SD,13:44) An interview with star Clint Walker, done circa 2006.