Cheyenne 1955

Overview

Cheyenne is an American western television series that aired on ABC from 1955 to 1963. The program consists of 108 black-and-white episodes. This production holds the distinction of being the first hour-long western series and the first hour-long dramatic series with continuing characters to remain on the air for more than one season. Additionally, it was the first series produced by a major Hollywood film studio that was not based on its own established film properties. The narrative follows Cheyenne Bodie, a large man and former army scout who travels west following the American Civil War. As a drifter, Bodie moves between various occupations, serving at times as a cowboy or a lawman. Throughout his travels, he is portrayed as a larger-than-life hero. The series documents his experiences as he moves from job to job across the western frontier. By establishing a new format for hour-long television dramas, the show occupies a significant place in the history of the medium during its eight-year run on network television.