At the time of the release and Telecast of this Episode, "Gun-Shy" the Adult Primetime Western was probably at its very Zenith of popularity. At this time there were something like thirty or so Westerns on the Networks at any given week. And "MAVERICK" was consistently at or near the top. This was a 'trick' that they used in the production office to keep it so.
To begin with, the series "MAVERICK" started out with a top Creator/Writer in Roy Huggins. This little known, never seen writer had as prolific a career as any in Hollywood, Movies or Television. His Credits included THE FULLER BRUSH MAN(1948), THE GOOD HUMOR MAN(1950), "MAVERICK"(1957-62), "THE FUGITIVE"(1963-67)and "THE ROCKFORD FILES" (1974-80).
And in 'MAVERICK" anything would go. It was not so much a true "Horse Opera" as it was a parody of the very Genre itself. They even incorporated in little bits of throw-away business in stories to keep things light. Just consider: a Cameo by Studio Head, Jack Warner in a Saloon, bumping into Bret, who asks if they know each other. Or finding a Stable Attendant to be Edd Byrnes, "Kookie" on W.B.'s Detective Series, "77 SUNSET STRIP!", only the address of the stable reads "77 Cherokee Strip!" With this Episode, the Warner Brothers crew gave us a full blast of double barreled shotgun fun. "Gun-Shy" starts out looking very serious, that is following the little 'teaser' scene that all Warners series employed then.* They would give a little hint of what was to come in the story following. In this "teaser" a clip from a scene from late in the story is shown. It is a take-off of the weekly opening scene of "GUNSMOKE" with James Arness, the Marshall (Matt Dillon) facing down and shooting it out with some unknown Outlaw. But in the Maverick spoof, the Marshall (Mort Dooley),fires and there is a pause. Then, after a couple of seconds or so, we hear Bret Maverick (Janes Garner) shout, "...You want me to move in a little closer, Marshall?"
Other characters are Lampoons of Doc, Chester and Miss Kitty. The Narration is done by the Marshall, who even states that something reminded him of that hired gun who was in town, "..passing out his business cards!" (a reference to the fellow CBS Western Series "HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL", with Richard Boone as 'Paladin'.
An almost miss-able throw-away gag occurs toward the beginning of the show. A Gang of Outlaws are meeting up with some of the Local Indians. When the Outlaw Leader greets the Indian (Iron-Eyes Cody)with a raised hand and the verbal "How!", Iron-Eyes replies, "Can't complain!" It was that kind of Episode. See it if you can!
NOTE: * This sort of opening was quite common during this particular era in TV History. It's similar to what would be the function of the Cover of a Pulp Detective or Mystery or Adventure Magazine or the 'Splash' Page of a Super Hero Comic Book Story.
To begin with, the series "MAVERICK" started out with a top Creator/Writer in Roy Huggins. This little known, never seen writer had as prolific a career as any in Hollywood, Movies or Television. His Credits included THE FULLER BRUSH MAN(1948), THE GOOD HUMOR MAN(1950), "MAVERICK"(1957-62), "THE FUGITIVE"(1963-67)and "THE ROCKFORD FILES" (1974-80).
And in 'MAVERICK" anything would go. It was not so much a true "Horse Opera" as it was a parody of the very Genre itself. They even incorporated in little bits of throw-away business in stories to keep things light. Just consider: a Cameo by Studio Head, Jack Warner in a Saloon, bumping into Bret, who asks if they know each other. Or finding a Stable Attendant to be Edd Byrnes, "Kookie" on W.B.'s Detective Series, "77 SUNSET STRIP!", only the address of the stable reads "77 Cherokee Strip!" With this Episode, the Warner Brothers crew gave us a full blast of double barreled shotgun fun. "Gun-Shy" starts out looking very serious, that is following the little 'teaser' scene that all Warners series employed then.* They would give a little hint of what was to come in the story following. In this "teaser" a clip from a scene from late in the story is shown. It is a take-off of the weekly opening scene of "GUNSMOKE" with James Arness, the Marshall (Matt Dillon) facing down and shooting it out with some unknown Outlaw. But in the Maverick spoof, the Marshall (Mort Dooley),fires and there is a pause. Then, after a couple of seconds or so, we hear Bret Maverick (Janes Garner) shout, "...You want me to move in a little closer, Marshall?"
Other characters are Lampoons of Doc, Chester and Miss Kitty. The Narration is done by the Marshall, who even states that something reminded him of that hired gun who was in town, "..passing out his business cards!" (a reference to the fellow CBS Western Series "HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL", with Richard Boone as 'Paladin'.
An almost miss-able throw-away gag occurs toward the beginning of the show. A Gang of Outlaws are meeting up with some of the Local Indians. When the Outlaw Leader greets the Indian (Iron-Eyes Cody)with a raised hand and the verbal "How!", Iron-Eyes replies, "Can't complain!" It was that kind of Episode. See it if you can!
NOTE: * This sort of opening was quite common during this particular era in TV History. It's similar to what would be the function of the Cover of a Pulp Detective or Mystery or Adventure Magazine or the 'Splash' Page of a Super Hero Comic Book Story.