The Rifleman " When the West was Fun "
 
A 1979 TV Special ~Western Reunion

 

Here you will find the greatest of TV western stars gathered together to pay tribute to the most memorable cowboy hero's and their series. You'll find everything from bar room brawls ~ to everyday fights ~ cowboys good and bad ~ women of the west ~ Indians ~ faithful companions ~ cheating card players ~ props ~ who's the fastest draw ~ to Johnny Crawford singing
"Cowboy in shorts"
When the West Was Fun: A 1979 Western Reunion - Cowboy in Shorts, sung by Johnny Crawford

*Please be patient while this song loads, it may take a few seconds to load but is well worth the wait!
 
To Roy, Dale and the Sons of the Pioneers singing a tribute to the Duke. All I can tell you is how much I enjoyed this show. It was so much fun, it reminded me of the days when I would enjoy watching these great westerns.

Near the end of the show when everyone was setting around the campfire, Glenn Ford said
"This one's for you Duke!" 
This was not rehearsed nor was it expected.  The tribute to the Duke was Glenn Ford's idea.  John Wayne was in the hospital at the time and was to be watching.

 Do you know who the ole' timer was who kept asking ~ "Where's Roy?"  ; )
Fred Putman #16 was an Executive in charge of Production - "When The West Was Fun" special for ABC-TV



The Cowboy Corral

(1) Dewey Martin (2) Johnny Crawford (3) Chuck Connors (4) Glenn Ford (5) Alan Hale Jr. (6) Henry Darrow
(7) Larry Storch (8) Neville Brand (9) Denver Pyle (10) Iron Eyes Cody (11) Harry Lauter (12) Jeanette Nolan (13) John Ireland (42) Darby Hinton (15) Joe Bowman (16) Fred Putman (17) Pat Buttram (18) Milburn Stone (19) Dan Haggerty (20) Guy Madison (21) Rex Allen (22) John Bromfield (23) Keenan Wynn (24) Jackie Coogan (25) George Montgomery (26) X Brands (27) Bill Williams (28) Michael Ansara (29) Slim Pickins (30) Dick Jones (31) Don Diamond (32) Ken Curtis (33) John Russell (34) Peter Brown (35) James Drury (36) Rod Cameron (37) Jock Mahoney (38) Jack Kelly (39) Tony Young (40) John McIntire (41) Ty Hardin (14) Mark Slade (43) Lee Van Cleef (44) Will Hutchins (45) Terry Wilson (46) Clayton Moore (47) Doug McClure and (48) Linda Cristal
There are 48 Cowboys & Cowgirls in this picture.....but "Where's Roy & Dale?"

You've gotta check out Joe Bowman's website on When the West was Fun!

  He was in this TV Special and is #15.  Great site!!!!!

piddlin' stuff.....Holly Bane aka Mike Ragan was one of the make-up artist for this show.  He has done the make-up on shows such as "Fish" ~ "General Hospital" ~ "Family Feud" ~ "Welcome Back, Kotter" and "Barney Miller" and "The Good Earth."  Besides being a make-up artist he is an actor.  He has done oodles of guest appearances on TV dating back as far as "The Lone Ranger" up to "The Wild, Wild West." 
He also has done a lot of movies!

Director: Walter C. Miller  Writer: Fred Putman

Tom Mix once said.....
"the old west is not a certain place in a certain time ~ it's whatever you want it to be."

"Together lets keep the westerns alive!"
 

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