Just as the Barrymores and Fondas are renowned acting dynasties in Hollywood, the Bridges family is equally revered. Lloyd Bridges, their patriarch, paved the way in the entertainment industry, and his sons, Beau and Jeff, have admirably carried on his legacy of talent. Spanning over five decades, Lloyd Bridges’ illustrious career included roles in around 150 films, gracing audiences with performances in box-office hits such as Sahara, High Noon, Airplane!, and Hotshots! (to name a few), as well as television programs like Sea Hunt and The Lloyd Bridges Show. In 1965, Bridges solidified his dominance on the small screen with the critically acclaimed Western series, The Loner, unfortunately overlooked by many.
Originally crafted by groundbreaking producer and screenwriter Rod Serling, famed for his innovative sci-fi horror series The Twilight Zone, The Loner revolves around William Colton, a former American Civil War soldier seeking to begin anew across the nation, encountering numerous challenges and adversities on his journey. Regrettably, this exceptional Western series ran for only one season before being abruptly terminated, despite generating favorable reviews upon its premiere and showcasing a powerful performance by veteran actor Bridges. In this article, we delve into the under-the-radar Western drama and uncover why it remains an undervalued gem.
Rod Serling’s Severely Underrated ’60s Western Series
Notably, Rod Serling, the renowned television producer and screenwriter, is most famously associated with crafting and hosting the groundbreaking sci-fi horror show The Twilight Zone, which aired from 1959 to 1964 and remains one of the most acclaimed series ever produced. Following the conclusion of this thought-provoking success, Serling ventured into a fresh genre and conceived the 1965 Western titled The Loner. In this production, he enlisted the skills of veteran actor Lloyd Bridges to bring the main character William Colton to life in the monochrome original. The narrative unfolds post-American Civil War, as a former cavalry captain braves a perilous journey across the American west, seeking a new beginning. The series chronicles his various exploits throughout this adventure.
The seasoned actor Lloyd Bridges, well-known for his roles on screen, had already been part of numerous blockbuster films like “Sahara”, “Little Big Horn”, and “High Noon” before taking on the lead in “The Loner“. This skilled performer also graced our television screens through shows such as “Sea Hunt ” and “The Lloyd Bridges Show“. In this series, spanning 26 episodes, the character William Colton encounters numerous obstacles and adversaries during his long journey. These include outlaw gangs, stagecoach robbers, other war veterans, and dangerous fugitives. Throughout this adventure, he also strives to aid those in need while grappling with the psychological effects of being a soldier.
In a gripping portrayal, Bridges played the tortured protagonist, haunted by war’s atrocities and seeking to redefine his life’s purpose while influencing those around him positively. The groundbreaking (yet surprisingly singular) season of “The Loner” debuted on September 18, 1965, showcasing stars like Leslie Nielsen, Jack Lord, Katharine Ross, and Beau Bridges (Lloyd’s eldest son). Critics praised the series, but viewers preferred less intense Westerns with more action escapades.
CBS proposed that Serling add more action and reduce character interactions, but this well-known television pioneer refused to oblige, even with disappointing viewership and mediocre reviews. Instead, he stayed true to his original concept. Consequently, the final episode of The Loner was broadcast on March 12, 1966. At that time, TV Guide’s critic Cleveland Amory noted that Serling aimed for a realistic, mature Western, but the show’s low ratings suggested it was “either too authentic for an audience accustomed to fantastical Westerns or too mature for young Eastern viewers.
Bridges & Serling Bounce Back and Find Further Success
Despite falling short of expectations set by both Rod Serling and Lloyd Bridges in their Western venture, “The Loner,” these two talented individuals managed to rebound impressively. They achieved remarkable success on both the big and small screens subsequently. In 1969, Serling returned to his television anthology roots, creating and hosting “Night Gallery,” a chilling series that focused on horror and macabre tales as opposed to the sci-fi stories found in “The Twilight Zone.” The show ran for three seasons and attracted prominent stars such as Joan Crawford, Roddy McDowall, Diane Keaton, and Vincent Price.
For the next ten years, Serling penned screenplays for movies such as “The Man” and “Time Travelers”, also narrating documentaries like “The Mysterious Monsters” and “UFOs: Past, Present, and Future”. However, his life tragically ended at 50-years-old following three heart attacks, after which he passed away post-open-heart surgery. He left an indelible mark on the industry, playing a crucial role in shaping television standards, and is still revered as a cultural icon today. His groundbreaking sci-fi series “The Twilight Zone” continues to hold significance over 60 years later.
In much the same way, Bridges found success on television and starred in movies made specifically for TV, such as “The Love War,” “Haunts of the Very Rich,” and “This Year’s Blonde.” He also had standout roles in critically-acclaimed miniseries like “Roots” and “How the West Was Won.” The ’80s saw a remarkable comeback for him, as he demonstrated his comedic talents in beloved spoof films like “Airplane!” and its sequel “Hot Shots!,” as well as “Jane Austen’s Mafia!”. Some of his other notable film credits include “Cousins,” working alongside son Beau in “The Wild Pair,” “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid,” and “Joe Versus the Volcano.
Following six decades in the spotlight and starring in over 150 films, Jeff Bridges sadly passed away on March 10, 1998, at the age of 85. His two gifted offspring, Beau and Jeff, have since picked up where their esteemed father left off, continuing the family’s illustrious acting legacy by gracing numerous hit movies and TV shows. Notably, these siblings have accumulated an impressive array of awards between them, including three Golden Globes, five Primetime Emmys, and an Academy Award, further cementing the adage that acting talent often runs in the family.
The Loner is currently unavailable for streaming.
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2025-03-11 02:02