I really have so much to thank my parents for, especially my mom, when it comes to appreciating different forms of entertainment. We weren't big TV watchers, but she was always willing to check out new shows in order to weed out the bad or boring ones. But because of them I learned to love westerns (The Big Valley, High Chaparral) as much as scarier fare (Dark Shadows, The Night Stalker). So because of this appreciation for good entertainment, I still enjoy watching some of the older shows that most contemporary audiences would deem out of date. A perfect example of a great show that might not go over so well nowadays is The Big Valley. I had actually forgotten just how good the series was until a couple of weeks ago when Fox sent me a copy of the 1st season DVD set to check out. The first thing I did was to give my mom a call and let her know it had come in so she could swing by and watch a few episodes with me.

She was an especially big fan of the older westerns, so she was pretty excited to give her the chance to revisit some of the days we used to watch TV together. She had recently had a heart attack as well, spending several days in the hospital, so these episodes also served to cheer her up a bit.

The Big Valley was one of the more famous of the western TV shows of yesteryear, running 4 full seasons (1965 - 1969). It also boasted Barbara Stanwyck, who was still a big time movie actress at the time, as the star of the series. Stanwyck played Victoria Barkley, the matriarch of a large and prosperous family living in California during the late 1870's. Victoria was as tough as the day was long and didn’t take any crap from anybody. Her character was a rare one for TV back in those days and Stanwyck was superb in the role. She was mother to Jarrod (Richard Long), who was attorney, Nick (Peter Breck), who served as the ranch foreman, and Audra (Linda Evans). Right off the bat, the first episode brought turmoil to the family with the introduction of Heath (Lee Majors), who turned out to be the illegitimate son of Victoria's deceased husband. A son he never knew he had.

As you might imagine, the Barkley's, being a proud family, did not take to Heath's claims of birthright immediately. But soon everything settled down and Victoria treated Heath with all the respect that her real sons were due… and of course expected it in return.

There were many reasons to watch The Big Valley then (as well as now). Back then you only had to rely on the fact that the series was so well-written, but watching it today serves as a reminder of where most of the series' stars ended up. Lee Majors, of course, will forever go down in history as Colonel Steve Austin, better known as The Six Million Dollar Man. Richard Long went on to star in the enormously popular Nanny & the Professor, but unfortunately his career was cut short by his untimely death. Linda Evans, besides becoming one of John Derek's wives (Bo, anyone?), went on to superstardom as Krystle Carrington on Dynasty. Who could forget the famous fight that sent her and Joan Collins into the swimming pool??

Of course, there were also the guest stars to brag about. The 1st season alone gave us the likes of Martin Landau, Katherine Ross, Ron Howard, Bruce Dern, Claude Akins, James Whitmore and even Charles Bronson. And that's not even everyone!

The DVD Fox is releasing this week serves up all 30 episodes of the 1st season, most of which look pretty well preserved in spite of their age. The only disappointment I had with the set was the lack of special features. I'd like to think that the surviving stars of the series would enjoy doing a commentary, or at least a short interview. Hopefully, with the possibility of three more sets on the way, there might also be the possibility of some added features.

If you were at all a fan of The Big Valley when you were growing, you definitely have to get your hands on this set. And even if you’re not already a fan, but have enough good sense to try out an older show, I'd recommend this one.

Episodes:
Palms of Glory
Forty Rifles
Boots with My Father's Name
Young Marauders
Odyssey of Jubal Tanner
Heritage
Winner Lose All
My Son, My Son
Earthquake!
The Murdered Party
The Way to Kill a Killer
Night of the Wolf
The Guilt of Matt Bentell
The Brawlers
Judgment in Heaven
The Invaders
By Fires Unseen
A Time to Kill
Teacher of Outlaws
Under a Dark Star
Barbary Red
The Death Merchant
The Fallen Hawk
Hazard
Into the Widow's Web
By Force and Violence
The River Monarch
The Midas Man
Tunnel of Gold
Last Train to the Fair.

Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Long, Lee Majors, Linda Evans
Extras: None
Studio: Fox
Release Date: 5/16/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Big Valley: Season 1 a B.