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Frontier Doctor

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Frontier Doctor
StarringRex Allen
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes39
Production
Running time30 minutes
Original release
NetworkSyndication
ReleaseSeptember 26, 1958 (1958-09-26) –
June 3, 1959 (1959-06-03)

Frontier Doctor is an American Western television series starring Rex Allen that aired in syndication[1] from September 26, 1958, until June 20, 1959. The series was also known as Unarmed and Man of the West.[2]

Synopsis

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Frontier Doctor follows the exploits of a physician, Dr. Bill Baxter,[1] who is based in Rising Springs in the Arizona Territory during the early 20th century.[3] He rides in a buggy with his black bag and encounters more than his share of trouble as he aids many who cross his path. Baxter often finds difficulty with his patients, such as the outlaw Butch Cassidy. Stafford Repp occasionally appeared as Sheriff Brawley.

Other guest stars

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Production

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Episodes of Frontier Doctor used much stock footage from Republic Pictures.[4]

Edward J. White was the producer, and William Witney was the director.[5]

Critical response

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A review in the trade publication Variety said that the premiere episode seemed to include almost every Western film cliche and said that the show seemed better suited to children with the "promise of attracting little but the hardbitten Western fan" as far as adults were concerned. Allen was described as "capable and personable, if hardly inspired" in the lead.[5] The reviewer also noted that the Indians' headdresses and housing were not appropriate for Apaches.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 307. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  2. ^ TV Guide Guide to TV. Barnes & Noble. 2004. p. 238 ISBN 0-7607-5634-1.
  3. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 370. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  4. ^ Erickson, Hal (1989). Syndicated Television: The First Forty Years, 1947-1987'. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 96–97. ISBN 0-7864-1198-8.
  5. ^ a b c "Frontier Doctor". Variety. March 13, 1957. p. 34. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
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