Of all the TV genres of the '40s, '50s, and early '60s, none was more popular than the western. Whether some Americans referred to them as shoot 'em ups" or cowboy movies, they dominated the airwaves.

The number of westerns that appeared on TV during the early years was about 120. They were all led by Hopalong Cassidy which first made its appearance on June 24, 1949.

The typical western took place in the years following the Civil War (1860 - 1864). As a matter of fact, Johnny Yuma (played by Nick Adams) was an ex-confederate soldier.

According to Wikipedia, the year 1959 was when television westerns peaked; there were 26 that aired in prime time.

Such was the popularity of westerns, ABC broadcast a western comedy called F Troop (1965 - 1967).

I remember in the early days of my youth watching a lot of TV. If I recall correctly, my father purchased our family's first television in the very early '60s. I remember watching Howdy Doody which ran from 1947 through 1960.

My viewing included comedies such as My Favorite Martian and My Three Sons, dramas such as Perry Mason and Combat, spy series like The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Secret Agent Man, sci fi like The Outer Limits and The Invaders, and westerns.

A few of the westerns that I watched on a weekly basis were Bat Masterson, Bonanza, Sugarfoot, Wagon Train, and The Rifleman (The photos in the top panel are the TV Bat Masterson (Gene Barry) and the real Bat Masterson).

I didn't of course watch all of the Hollywood TV westerns. Series like The Cisco Kid and Hopalog Cassidy ended their runs before we got our first TV.

In addition to watching the action in these TV westerns, I loved some of the theme music. One theme that has stuck in my mind all these years is that from Bat Masterson. I remember some of the lyrics too.

Because it is my favorite, I have reprinted the lyrics:

Back when the west was very young,
There lived a man named Masterson.
He wore a cane and derby hat,
They called him Bat, Bat Masterson.

A man of steel the stories say,
But women's eyes all glanced his way,
A gamblers' game he always won,
His name was Bat, Bat Masterson.

The trail that he blazed is still there.
No one has come since, to replace his name.
And those with too ready a trigger,
Forgot to figure on his lightning cane.

Now in the legend of the west,
One name stands out of all the rest.
The man who had the fastest gun,
His name was Bat, Bat Masterson.

(Courtesy: Crazy About TV).

A couple of other TV westerns whose lyrics I partially remember are those from The Rebel sung by Johnny Cash, and Sugarfoot. I don't think I ever watched an episode of Rawhide, but I love its theme and lyrics too.