Rawhide

Rawhide is a Western television series that aired on CBS from 1959 to 1965, for a total of 217 episodes across 8 seasons. It was one of the longest running Westerns in television history, and launched the career of a young Clint Eastwood. The show also starred quite prominent actors like Eric Fleming, Paul Brinegar, Sheb Wooley, John Ireland, and Raymond St. Jacques. The series was produced by Charles Marquis Warren, who was also the creator of Gunsmoke.

The core of Rawhide centres on a tireless cattle crew driving a massive heard across the rough terrains of the American frontier during the 1860s, fighting off myriad threats, both man-made and natural. The name Rawhide itself refers to the makeshift path forged by the cattle drive.

One of the main strengths of the show lies in the depth of its characters. The main protagonist, Gil Favor, portrayed by Eric Fleming, serves as the trail boss of the cattle drive. He is a hardened man but fair, the voice of reason amongst his men, and often seen battling moral dilemmas along the way. Clint Eastwood stars as Rowdy Yates, the impetuous and quick-tempered young drover who later elevates to the role of trail boss. He starts off being the hotheaded, often misguided, young hand but grows over time into a mature and capable leader under Favor's tutelage.

Paul Brinegar plays the character of George Washington Wishbone, the resident cook of the cattle drive, a deeply respectful and somewhat grumpy figure. Sheb Wooley plays Pete Nolan, a former Texas Ranger turned scout with a kind heart and a deep understanding of the wild. Other characters include John Ireland’s Jedediah Colby, a skilled horse wrangler and Raymond St. Jacques’s Simon Blake, a freed slave turned cattle hand.

The show was notable for its realistic portrayal of life in the old west. Rather than a romanticized version full of gunfights and high drama, Rawhide focused on the day-to-day challenges faced by the drovers. It was a gritty depiction of the west, presenting a realistically harsh and challenging life interspersed with moments of camaraderie and compassion.

Similarly, Rawhide was ground-breaking in its divergent storylines, revolving around themes of survival, morality, and human struggle that went beyond the traditional Western genre. It was not just about taming the wild frontier, but also about the personal development of these distinctly likable characters.

The series was appreciated for its climatic build-ups and thrilling conclusions. It was not only about action scenes, but also the anticipation and tension filled sequences leading up to them, which made Rawhide a much-loved television series.

Moreover, the topography and scenery played as much a part in the story as any character. From rivers and mountains to prairies and deserts, the trials and tribulations that the environment posed added a whole new layer to the series. The series was filmed in black and white, rather than color, which added a certain harshness and authenticity to the rugged and tough life being depicted.

Rawhide also introduced the hit theme song titled ‘Rawhide’, sung by Frankie Laine. The song, with its catchy rhythm and toe-tapping beat, became synonymous with the show and was a Billboard hit at the time.

In conclusion, Rawhide was an impactful series in the Western genre. It was poignant, character-driven, and more introspective than most of its type, and it depicted the American frontier as it was, a harsh and complex land that shaped the men and women who ventured into it. Furthermore, it served as a launchpad for Clint Eastwood, one of the most iconic actors and directors of Hollywood. A must-watch for all Western genre enthusiasts, Rawhide remains a significant part of television’s pop culture history.