Tate
Western DVDs

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Tate is a unique western in many respects, although it aired as a summer replacement for only one season. One of the only westerns ever produced on video tape, not film, Tate stars David McLean (well known as The Marlboro Man in countless commercials) as Tate, a veteran of the Civil War who wanders the west looking for work as a bounty hunter and gun-for-hire, much like Paladin in Have Gun-Will Travel. Tate cut an imposing figure, his left arm covered in black leather from his finger tips to the elbow from a gunshot wound suffered in the War. This three DVD set contains all thirteen well-crafted episodes of Tate, with appearences by many outstanding guest stars, including Robert Redford, Warren Oates, James Coburn, Martin Landau, Royal Dano, Leonard Nimoy and one episode directed by the great actress Ida Lupino.

"Tate" qualifies as one of the most off-beat western television dramas. This black & white oater with David McLean who gained fame as the Malboro man in cigarette commercials and also died from lung cancer. Think of the character that Sam Elliot played in "Thank You For Smoking," and you'll understand the comparison. "Tate" is a really neat show. The rugged, lonesome protagonist is a Civil War survivor, except his left arm hangs uselessly, blasted by an explosion in the war, and he wears his crippled limb in black leather sheathe with strap around his neck. David MacLean reminded me of Cliff Robertson. I don't know if Sergio Leone ever watched the show, probably didn't, but the hero dresses like a spaghetti western hero in a couple of episodes, sometimes even wearing a serape to conceal his lame limb. Naturally, he is super-fast on the draw.