The Wild Wild West (1965)
Synopsis
The Wild Wild West is an American television series. Developed at a time when the television western was losing ground to the spy genre, this show was conceived by its creator, Michael Garrison, as "James Bond on horseback." Set during the administration of President Ulysses Grant, the series followed Secret Service agents James West and Artemus Gordon as they solved crimes, protected the President, and foiled the plans of megalomaniacal villains to take over all or part of the United States. The show also featured a number of fantasy elements, such as the technologically advanced devices used by the agents and their adversaries. The combination of the Victorian era time-frame and the use of Verne-esque style technology have inspired some to give the show credit for the origins of the steam punk subculture.
Network
CBS
Episodes
The Night of the Inferno
Jim is set up as a renegade as a cover for him and Artie to sneak into Texas and track down General Juan Manolo, who is trying to take over the region.
The Night of the Deadly Bed
Facing execution at the hands of a madman, West learns the crazed assassin plans to reclaim Mexico---as the new Napoleon.
The Night the Wizard Shook the Earth
West tries to protect Prof. Nielsen, a demolitions expert. But he fails: Nielson is blown up by the evil Dr. Miguelito Loveless.
The Night of Sudden Death
Jim West suspects his search for counterfeiters is getting warm when he's shot at with arrows---and thrown to the crocodiles.
The Night of the Casual Killer
Jim and Artie set out to penetrate the stronghold of a corrupt political boss and return him to Washington for trial.
The Night of a Thousand Eyes
Ships along the Mississippi are being attacked by a gang of pirates known as the "Thousand Eyes". After Jim ducks an assassin, an attractive woman, he finds the leader of the Eyes: Captain Ansel Coffin, who was blinded and now seeks revenge. His gang use false lights to lead ships astray and crash them, and then plunder them. Jim is captured by Coffin and manages to escape a cage rigged to a lightning rod. He is blinded by a powder flash, and for a time he is at a decided edge against Coffin (who has long adapted to his blindness). Coffin manages to accidentally kill his wife. Enraged, Jim is saved by his recovering eyesight: he ducks, and Coffin falls into a pit to his death.
The Night of the Glowing Corpse
Jim and Artemus try to recover stolen radioactive materials nad have only one clue - a set of fingerprints found on the ankle of a pretty secretary.
The Night of the Dancing Death
To rescue a kidnapped princess, Jim runs into a booby-trapped doorknob and a fully armored man wielding a mace.
The Night of the Double-Edged Knife
An Indian demand for gold must be met: they've threatened to kill five railroad workers a day until it is paid.
The Night That Terror Stalked the Town
West is lured to a ghost town peopled with lifelike dummies as part of an elaborate trap set for him by his nemesis Dr. Loveless.
The Night of the Red-Eyed Madmen
West is sent to infiltrate an army of fanatics dedicated to overthrowing the U.S. Government. Getting in is no problem...but if he tries to leave he'll be shot.
The Night of the Human Trigger
A demented geologist can set off earthquakes where he chooses as part of an elaborate extortioin scheme. So West and Gordon head for Ellenville--the next town on the mad genius's list.
The Night of the Torture Chamber
Jim and Artie take on an obsessed museum curator who has private designs on the state treasury.
The Night of the Howling Light
West is captured by a doctor who uses Pavlovian training to condition the Secret Service agent into becoming an assassin.
The Night of the Fatal Trap
Jim goes to arrest a Mexican bandit disguised as a notorious outlaw...but the villain's girlfriend recognizes him.
The Night of the Steel Assassin
A series of mysterious deaths of military personnel bring Jim face to face with the indestructible Col. "Iron Man" Torres. Crippled in an explosion that he blames on the other men of his company, Torres rebuilt himself as a 19th century "cyborg", and is seeking revenge on those he thinks wronged him...and President Grant was one of the men he served with.
The Night the Dragon Screamed
Jim and Artie have only one clue to track down the smugglers of opium and Chinese aliens: a fortune cookie.
The Night of the Flaming Ghost
Jim is assigned to stop abolitionist John Brown. The only problem - he was pronounced dead 20 years ago.
The Night of the Grand Emir
West must protect a visiting despot from the fatal charms of Ecstasy La Joie, who brandishes such baubles as an explosive garter and a deadly ring.
The Night of the Whirring Death
Intent on making California a kingdom for children, evil Dr. Loveless makes his play for the state with a series of toys---which explode.
The Night of the Puppeteer
A Supreme Court justice will not believe his life is in danger---until a puppet-show marionette fires a gun at him.
The Night of the Bars of Hell
West, posing as a prison inspector, hunts for clues to a pillaging outlaw band.
The Night of the Two-Legged Buffalo
West tries to protect a pleasure-loving prince who insists on visiting a plush spa---where assassins eagerly await his arrival.
The Night of the Druid's Blood
West is furious: his superiors have refused him permission to investigate the murder of a close friend who was burned to death before his eyes.
The Night of the Freebooters
West poses as an ex-con to gain admittance to renegade Army leader Thorald Wolfe.
The Night of the Burning Diamond
West tries to convince a Serbian official to hide the Kara Diamond. Then the gem disappears---and West is blamed.
The Night of the Murderous Spring
West helps a powerfully built girl carry her trunk, not knowing it contains his shrewd enemy---diminutive, giggling Dr. Loveless.
The Night of the Sudden Plague
West finds Willow Springs looted and its citizens completely immobile---victims of a mysterious paralysis.
Cast
Details
Original Title
The Wild Wild West
Status
Ended
Seasons
4
Episodes
104
Production
Michael Garrison Productions, Bruce Lansbury Productions, CBS
