DEPARTING FROM THE usual run of the mill 1950's TV Western, THE ALASKANS (Warner Brothers, 1959-60), looked northward towards "Seward's Folly" for its locale and historical context. It was a good move by the Warners' TV unit; as well as a most opportunistic example of the exploitation of then current events. Alaska's status was upgraded from that of Territory to the 49th Stare of the Union in that year of 1959.AS FAR AS the mood of the show's episodes, we recall that it favoured the comic situations over those heavily steeped in action, adventure and melodramatic situations. To be sure, all of these points were hit and covered in each installment, but in the end, it was the light note that usually prevailed. In that respect, it was more akin to MAVERICK than to CHEYENNE, LAWMAN or COLT .45; all contemporary series being turned out by WB at their Burbank movie mill.THE SERIES WAS stocked with faces quite familiar to us in those "Paleolithic" days of '50's TV. Warners contractees Roger Moore and Dorothy Provine were joined by Jeff York (popular in both Disney TV and Features)and Ray Danton (whose credits included the title Character in THE GEORGE RAFT STORY).WE WERE AMUSED during the show's brief run, but we apparently weren't joined by enough inhabitants of "the Vast Wasteland" of television as the series failed to make the cut at the end of the 1959-60 season. Undaunted, the folks at Warner Brothers TV stepped back and retooled; bringing us contemporary Private Detective show in HAWAIIAN EYE. It was a clone of their highly successful 77 SUNSET STRIP. Its main claim to fame was capitalizing on the admission of Hawaii to the Union in that following year of 1960.WELL SCHULTZ, AS they say; "When one door closes, another opens!"

When I saw the obit for Dorothy Provine in my local paper I immediately thought of "The Alaskans", Dorothy with fur collars, and that theme song. The lengthy obit had no mention of it! So, I go to IMDb to verify my memories. I would have been ten years old and it certainly made an impression on me. It really "stood out" from all the cowboy and Indian shows and family sitcoms of that era. Funny how I didn't remember Roger Moore in it...his careen certainly eclipsed Dorothy Provine's. I read that she was married for 42 years and that, in it's self, is a triumph for Hollywood. Now, I have a renewed interest a half century later and will attempt to rent some of her movies.

Yes, I liked it; yes, I too was very young. THE ALASKANS was yet another thing I was doing instead of homework.It was probably the time and locale -- as opposed to just another western -- which captivated, but to be honest I cannot recall with any clarity more than a couple of episodes. A good one to my early adolescent mind was about the con man who made everyone believe Britain had entered the War with Spain. . . so he could rob a bank over in the Yukon.The show started with period or period-looking stills, which then went into movement as if the story was coming right out of history. To this day I can still recall the theme music. Even though a commercial debacle, I consider THE ALASKANS one of the beginning of the real "golden age of television," the 1959-60 season.Final question: Was James Coburn a regular, or am I confusing it with a contemporaneous programme?

Always remember seeing this series when I was very young. Remember it as being very entertaining and probably informative. It was my first memory of Roger Moore whom I loved and Dorothy Provine. If the subject of old t.v. shows comes up in conversation I always mention this one, yet no one is familiar with it. I wish someone would bring it back in syndication so I can enjoy it, hopefully, as an adult. I recall finding it very different and exciting because it had such an unusual location.Feel certain it took place in the early days of Alaskan history.