The Wild Wild West (1969)

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CBS (ended 1969)
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Show Summary

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The Wild Wild West ran for four seasons, and featured the adventures of two Secret Service Agents working for President Ulysses S. Grant. The two men were James West, former Union soldier and current man-of-action, gunman, and womanizer. His partner was Artemus Gordon, a former con man and master of disguise and invention. Together, the two fought various menaces aimed at the United States and President Grant, as well as investigating other Federal crimes.''''Riding on the post-James Bond spy craze of the 60's, WWW featured not only all of the typical "spy gimmicks" like boot knives, miniature explosives, and spike-firing grapple guns, but featured a variety of criminal masterminds wielding high-tech items (for 1880) like robot squids, cyborgs, exo-skeletons, steam-powered giant puppets, earthquake machines, hallucinogenic drugs, shrinking potions, and much much more. Their major nemesis, the diminutive Dr. Miguelito Loveless, was a master of such gadgets and gizmos. The show's producers and writers mixed all of these with typical Western movie conventions, a nod to the old movie serials, and some modern-day stylings as well to produce a unique series that has rarely been seen since.''''(pictured l to r: Ross Martin, Robert Conrad)moreless
8.3
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Episode Guide

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S 4 :  Ep 24 Aired 4/4/69
S 4 :  Ep 23 Aired 3/28/69
S 4 :  Ep 22 Aired 3/21/69
S 4 :  Ep 21 Aired 3/14/69
S 4 :  Ep 20 Aired 3/7/69

The Wild Wild West (1969) News

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    March 18, 2008 DVD Releases

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    November 20, 2007 DVD Releases

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Fan Reviews (13)

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  • This episode introduces the greatest of all The Wild Wild West villains: Loveless. The way they portray his inventiveness and dreams to the audience as he tries to win Jim West over to his side almost made me feel sympathetic wit his vision.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By sunfiretakesit, Jul 18, 2008 Report Abuse
    This is one of the classic shows in the serious since it introduces the most famous continuing nemesis of the Wild West team. The writer and director had a clear vision for what the series should be like and since every Holmes needs his Moriarity and every Batman needs his Joker, Loveless fits the bill perfectly for Jim West. His intellectuality (albeit warped) is a perfect foil for Jim's sheer physicality. I really look forward to seeing how Artemis' intelligence will be used to combat Loveless in future battles. How anyone can compare the superb performance of the television favorably with that of the movie's Loveless, is laughable!moreless

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  • This show is FUN.

    8.9
    "Great"
    By yarnqueen, Jan 15, 2008 Report Abuse
    Artie's characters are a riot. The plots are fun. The gadgets are fun. Jim's frolics with the ladies are fun. It is fun to watch the "freeze frames" and try to anticipate when they are coming. I can't believe that the show was cancelled in part due to its "increasing violence", as the good guys were easily distinguished by not resorting to extreme violence, relying mostly on fists, deception (standing behind a door or waiting until the last second to dodge a villain or break out of their vile grip)and only occasionally to guns or knives.And, of course, the GADGETS They don't hit women (except in the intro, which I was disappointed in, as it portrayed a false impression of the show's "attitude", so to speak). I miss shows like this, which are NOT reality shows, and NOT world-ending drama, where the end of the show is the guys relaxing on the train, frequently with pretty women. I notice that Numb3rs also makes use of the "freeze frame" approach, and usually ends with a family scene, which I wonder if the concept was "borrowed" from WWW. If so, then they know a great suspense ploy when they see it, and the power of a quiet end to the story. It ends the situation, relaxes the viewer, and puts it in context. The world has not come to an end, and the powers of Right are relaxing in their sanctuary, a train, at home, etc.moreless

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  • Still one of the best "buddy" adventure shows ever to air.

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By jamoon2006, Dec 14, 2007 Report Abuse
    "The Wild Wild West" is 100% proof that casting is the key to any show's success. The pairing of Robert Conrad and Ross Martin was inspired, and their real-life camaraderie made the rapport and friendship between Jim and Artie all the more believable. Not only are they clearly having fun working together, but their different styles compliment one another extremely well. Nobody is going to hail Robert Conrad for his "acting," but as a steely-eyed action hero with two fists, wit and an eye for the ladies, he's perfect. On the other hand, Ross Martin isn't an action hero, but his subtle humor, theatrical style and flair are the perfect balance to Jim West. Today, as so many TV characters are cookie-cutter, it's nice to see a show where the leads were actually unique and distinctive.

    The stories have been well-done, elaborate capers that hold up remarkably well. There is tongue-in-cheek humor, like some of the best James Bond movies, but it never is overrun by silliness or camp. It's childhood fantasies and play brought to life - cowboys, spies, mad scientists, damsels in distress. Only "Brisco County Jr." matched "Wild Wild West" in capturing this spirit on a weekly TV show.

    It's great watching West and Gordon tangle with some of these megalomaniacs (including J.D. Cannon, Robbert Loggia, Leslie Nielsen, Martin Landau, Burgess Meredith, John Dehner and the great Michael Dunn as Dr. Loveless!) with great stories and a musical score that has some of the best themes and incidental music from a TV show of that era, in my opinion. I'm very glad that Paramount is going to release the complete run. This is a show that has been a treat to discover on DVD!moreless

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  • The post-Civil War Secret Service mixed with James Bond gadgetry.Jim West is a western Bond with a litany of concealed lethal weapons.His partner Artemus Gordon was the king of disguises.Together they slayed evil maniacs as U.S. government agents.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By rickjeep154, Nov 13, 2007 Report Abuse
    Another series influenced by the James Bond films of that decade.With a Reconstruction Era twist,it mixed cowboys,trains & elaborate(sometimes anachronistic) gizmos.Usually,like 'The Avengers' and 'Mission Impossible', it involved an evil genius.What distinguishes this show is the western locale,the incredible stuntwork of Bob Conrad and his 'band' of stunt pros who could also act (such as his good friend Red West).They were in disguise on almost every show,jumping off chandeleers,falling down stairs or just plain fighting.And,of course,there was the million dollar train where they lived.Ross Martin was a wonderful character actor and was perfectly cast as the chameleon-like Artemus Gordon. The comradery of the two lead actors was evident and added to the appeal of the show.One feels that this show could have ran for longer than 4 years.Rumour has it that this show was cancelled in 1969 more because of its violent action scenes than its'decent ratings.CBS programmers around 1970 were rumoured to want to 'kill any show with a tree'All westerns,like 'WWW',suffered this fate,as well as rural comedies like 'Mayberry RFD','Green Acres','Petticoat Junction' and The Beverly Hillbillies'.They even tried to cancel CBS giant'Gunsmoke',but CBS Top Boss Paley interceded to save it only because he personally liked it.moreless

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  • One of the most original TV series of the 60s!Put together spy gadgets and old west cowboys was as a very original idea! James West can be considered like a kind James Bonds "ancestral" on the XIX century!moreless

    8.5
    "Great"
    By Kitsune58, Jul 02, 2007 Report Abuse
    Other TV serie that I hope see aviable in DVD on Brazil someday.Unfortunally,the version made to the theater was a a real tragedy!At original TV serie,the main character was a white man.On the theater,a Afro-American.Im not a racist and I havent nothing against Will Smith(He was great in Man in Black 1 and 2!)But,I think that the original characters features always must be considered.Im sure that many people would had been protested if the Shafts remake would had been made with Tom Cruise(Or any other Caucasian actor)on the main role.At TV serie,James West always respected and admire the intellect of Miguelito Loveless(Maybe,his nemesis)and never make fun because Miguelito was a dwarf.On the theater,Mr.West make fun with the bodys imperfections of his enemy.Abominable!moreless

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