"The Virginian" was one of the best of the westerns

I have read the original novel, and it is a western classic. Usually when Hollywood takes over they mess things up, but I don't know but what they actually improved upon the novel. First of all, the 90-minute format allowed more time to develop the plot line. Second, James Drury was the ideal actor for the title character, reserved and intense as he was. Third, the rest of the cast had featured some outstanding performances, perhaps most notably Lee J. Cobb as Judge Garth and Doug McClure as Trampas. Whatever the factors, the series just clicked, and lasted for nine seasons.