Bordertown (1989 TV series)

Bordertown is a western drama television series that aired 78 30-minute episodes from 1989 to 1991. It is set during the 1880s in a small town that straddles the United States and Canadian border, and law enforcement duties are shared between a U.S. Marshall and a North-West Mounted Police corporal.[1]

Bordertown
Complete series DVD cover
Starring
Country of origin
  • Canada
  • France
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes78
Production
Executive producerRobert Lantos
Producers
  • Stéphane Reichel
  • Lionel E. Siegel
  • Jana Veverka
Running time23 minutes
Production companiesI.T.I./TéléImages
Alliance Entertainment
La Cinq (1991)
Release
Original network
Original releaseJanuary 7, 1989 (1989-01-07) –
March 17, 1991 (1991-03-17)

The series was a co-production between Canada's Alliance Corporation and France's Tele-Image.[2] It first aired on the American cable network The Family Channel on January 7, 1989,[1] and was seen on Canada's CTV beginning in 1990.[3] A 1989 newspaper article stated that contracts were being prepared for the series to air in France, Italy, and several other European countries.[2]

Premise

A small town on the United States - Canadian border had been named Pemmican[2] (the name of a traditional indigenous food)[4] but when the area was surveyed it was discovered that the 49th parallel, which divides the two countries, went through the middle of the community, and bisected the law enforcement office.[2] NWMP Corporal Clive Bennett and U. S. Marshal Jack Craddock shared the same office (divided by a painted line on the floor) and patrolled the town that is half in Alberta and half in Montana. The officers also shared an interest in Marie Dumont, the town's doctor, and owner of the general store.[5]

In an interview series star Richard Comar stated that the "whole premise of the show is based on the border." How lawmen from two countries reacted to events showed the differences between the Canadian and American legal systems.[6]

Production information

The series was a co-produced by Alliance Entertainment Corporation of Canada and Tele-Images of France. French directors were often used,[3] and Sophie Barjac was hired to play a main character who come from Paris in order to broader the series' appeal to French investors.[7]

The town was built on a ranch east of Vancouver, Canada. Sixty-five carpenters worked for six weeks to build the half-million-dollar complex. All buildings were complete inside and out.[8] No soundstage work was down during the filming of the series, everything was shot inside or outside of the buildings that had been constructed for Bordertown.[2]

Effort was made to have the series look as authentic as possible. A 1989 article stated that the general store held "an array of merchandise worthy of the finest western museum."[2] The saloon was stocked with antique bottles, and the livery stable had hundred-year-old saddles.[8]

Cast
  • Richard Comar - Marshal Jack Craddock (United States lawman)
  • John H. Brenna - Corporal Clive Bennett (Canadian lawman)
  • Sophie Barjac - Marie Dumont (French-born doctor and store owner)
  • Beverley Elliot - Sally Duffield (owns boarding house, works in Marie's store)
  • Fritz Bergold - Otto Danzinger (original livery stable owner)
  • Duncan Fraser - Zachary Denny (Southern saloon owner)
  • Gregory Togal - Willie Haddon (boy befriended by Jack Craddock)
  • Domenico Fiore - Dominic Bertino (saloon bartender)
  • Paul Batten - Wendell MacWherther (banker who later bought livery stable)
  • Patrice Valota - Gabriel Couteau (Metis man who helps track criminals)
  • Sarah Sawatsky - Lucy Walker (orphaned girl adopted by Marie)

Episodes

Series overview
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
126January 7, 1989 (1989-01-07)July 1, 1989 (1989-07-01)
226January 5, 1990 (1990-01-05)June 29, 1990 (1990-06-29)
326September 14, 1990 (1990-09-14)March 17, 1991 (1991-03-17)

Season 1
No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Civilization"TBATBA7 January 1989 (1989-01-07)
When a rancher’s son is killed the rancher seeks revenge.
2"Runners"Stuart GillardLarry Gaynor14 January 1989 (1989-01-14)
Marie’s nephew comes for a visit at the same time the mountie payroll is robbed.
3"Medicine Woman"TBATBA21 January 1989 (1989-01-21)
Marie needs proof that an Indian agent is selling food meant for the starving Blackfeet.
4"Blindside"TBATBA28 January 1989 (1989-01-28)
Jack’s former Texas Ranger friends try to smuggle stolen rifles across the border.
5"The Man They Couldn't Hang"TBATBA4 February 1989 (1989-02-04)
A man who survives a hanging loses his voice and is in danger of being hanged a second time.
6"A Model Citizen"TBATBA11 February 1989 (1989-02-11)
A Chinese man overhears a robbery plot and risks his life to tell Clive and Jack.
7"Over the Line"Brad TurnerMichael Mercer18 February 1989 (1989-02-18)
A white boy is in a Cree hunting party. Is he a captive, or a member of the tribe?
8"Blood Fury"TBATBA25 February 1989 (1989-02-25)
Jack wants revenge when the man who killed wounded men during the Civil War comes to town as a railroad promoter.
9"The Reaper"TBATBA4 March 1989 (1989-03-04)
When a gunfighter comes to town Marie learns why he’s there.
10"The Killing"TBATBA11 March 1989 (1989-03-11)
Liam is determined to help a blind fortuneteller who is forced to work for a thief.
11"The Gunfighter"Stuart GillardPeter Mohan18 March 1989 (1989-03-18)
A tenderfoot who was cheated plans to go up against a gunfighter.
12"Trapped"TBATBA25 March 1989 (1989-03-25)
Outlaws shoot one of their own gang, who hides out at Marie’s house.
13"Slave"TBATBA1 April 1989 (1989-04-01)
Diane Denny tries to kill her former owner when he arrives in Bordertown.
14"One of the Boys"TBATBA8 April 1989 (1989-04-08)
When Marie treats a wounded “cowboy” she learns the ranch worker is a woman.
15"When Dreams Die"TBATBA15 April 1989 (1989-04-15)
Sally is told her husband will be released from prison if she pays a fee.
16"The Lady and the Corpse"TBATBA22 April 1989 (1989-04-22)
Dominic’s deceased friend left him half his gold, but a lady takes the money.
17"The Fur Trader"TBATBA29 April 1989 (1989-04-29)
A trapper is murdered and his furs stolen. Jack and Clive suspect Marie’s friend.
18"Ties That Bind"TBATBA6 May 1989 (1989-05-06)
Willie meets his father, who wants to take him to Paris.
19"The Bounty Hunter"TBATBA13 May 1989 (1989-05-13)
Don Carlos, the man who had Jack’s family killed, sends men after Jack.
20"Legacy"TBATBA20 May 1989 (1989-05-20)
The son of Clive’s friend joins an outlaw gang, will he allow Clive to be murdered?
21"Bad Memories"TBATBA27 May 1989 (1989-05-27)
A man is shot and loses his memory.
22"Craddock vs. Bennett"TBATBA3 June 1989 (1989-06-03)
A boxing match between law officers distracts the town while the bank is robbed.
23"Nahanni"TBATBA10 June 1989 (1989-06-10)
a Native woman gives birth, and claims she is married to a dying mountie.
24"Vigilante"TBATBA17 June 1989 (1989-06-17)
When a rancher’s horses are stolen he tries to lynch the man his daughter loves.
25"Gold and Lead"TBATBA24 June 1989 (1989-06-24)
Bruno’s sweetheart’s father shoots MacWherter, and Bruno tries to capture the shooter.
26"Keenan's Raiders"TBATBA1 July 1989 (1989-07-01)
The Raiders leave prison and plan to split $150,000. Two of them die and one kidnaps Marie.

Season 2
No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
27"Hunter's Moon"TBATBA5 January 1990 (1990-01-05)
Bat Masterson tracks men into Canada and breaks the law trying to capture them.
28"The Pony Riders"TBATBA12 January 1990 (1990-01-12)
Bruno takes a job with an express company and travels a route that crosses a Blackfeet burial ground.
29"Hand to Hand"TBATBA19 January 1990 (1990-01-19)
Clive transports the outlaw who shot his mountie friend.
30"The Last Shot"TBATBA26 January 1990 (1990-01-26)
Jack gives up his badge after accidentally killing a woman.
31"The Convoy"TBATBA2 February 1990 (1990-02-02)
Outlaws disguised as mounties shoot Clive and try to steal a wagon load of firearms.
32"The Last Fenian Raid"TBATBA9 February 1990 (1990-02-09)
Liam’s niece is involved with a group trying to steal money.
33"Letter of the Law"TBATBA16 February 1990 (1990-02-16)
A man is shot in the U.S. by a man standing in Canada. Which country’s laws should be followed?
34"White Feather"TBATBA23 February 1990 (1990-02-23)
A member of the Blackfeet tribe saves Marie’s life, then kidnaps her for his bride.
35"Four Eyes"TBATBA2 March 1990 (1990-03-02)
Game hunter Teddy Roosevelt goes after the gunmen who tried to rob him.
36"Skirmishes"TBATBA9 March 1990 (1990-03-09)
Rancher Jordan will kill to keep men from his water; Marie may be forced to give up her medical practice since she has no license.
37"Buffalo Girl"TBATBA16 March 1990 (1990-03-16)
Couteau guides a buffalo hunt; Jack tries to arrest a woman attempting to save the buffalo.
38"Ancient Claims"TBATBA23 March 1990 (1990-03-23)
Mr. Jordan’s ranch is on Cree hunting land.
39"Killer with a Smile"TBATBA30 March 1990 (1990-03-30)
When President Garfield comes to town he is nearly assassinated.
40"Straight from the Heart"TBATBA6 April 1990 (1990-04-06)
Clive’s minister father wants him to take over his church.
41"Compadres"TBATBA13 April 1990 (1990-04-13)
Zach Denny and Mr. MacWherter are on a stage that is robbed.
42"When Gold Turns Black"TBATBA20 April 1990 (1990-04-20)
MacWherter buys an unsafe gold mine, and his partner hires Chinese workers.
43"Gun Down"TBATBA27 April 1990 (1990-04-27)
Jack kills a man and many shun him; orphaned Lucy comes to stay with an aunt who has died, so Marie offers to care for her.
44"Two Moons"TBATBA4 May 1990 (1990-05-04)
Couteau helps capture a Native accused of killing a mountie.
45"The Last of the James Gang"TBATBA11 May 1990 (1990-05-11)
Pinkerton agents arrest Jack for being a member of the James gang.
46"Snap Shot"TBATBA18 May 1990 (1990-05-18)
A photographer is murdered, and Willie and Lucy help the youth accused of the crime.
47"The Fourth Estate"TBATBA25 May 1990 (1990-05-25)
A lady newspaper owner opposes the man running for mayor.
48"The Heart of Adventure"TBATBA1 June 1990 (1990-06-01)
A writer joins an outlaw gang that robs a bank and kidnaps Sally.
49"A Brand of Justice"TBATBA8 June 1990 (1990-06-08)
The Rancher’s Association want Jordan to join. When he refuses they hire men to steal his horses, then shoot the men.
50"Devil's Right Hand"TBATBA15 June 1990 (1990-06-15)
A trader comes to town with a gun holster that belonged to Jack’s father.
51"Fool's Gold"TBATBA22 June 1990 (1990-06-22)
A man is shot and refuses to say why. Marie goes camping and ends up hunting gold with the man.
52"All for One"TBATBA29 June 1990 (1990-06-29)
Clive is offered a promotion that requires reassignment; he and Jack fight over Marie.

Season 3
No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
53"Second Chance (Part 1)"TBATBA14 September 1990 (1990-09-14)
Clive’s former sweetheart comes to see where her husband is buried, and she accepts Clive’s marriage proposal.
54"Vengeance Is Mine (Part 2)"TBATBA21 September 1990 (1990-09-21)
When Clive’s bride is killed at the altar he sets out to avenge her death.
55"Nebraska Lightning"TBATBA28 September 1990 (1990-09-28)
Bat Masterson comes to town in search of an outlaw.
56"Let There Be Light"TBATBA5 October 1990 (1990-10-05)
MacWherter brings electric lights to town; a thief attempts to rob the bank.
57"Sons of Thunder"TBATBA12 October 1990 (1990-10-12)
A Metis horse thief tries to win Jack’s sympathy.
58"Wild Horses"TBATBA19 October 1990 (1990-10-19)
A man agrees to sell his horses in Bordertown, but another man claims ownership.
59"Blood"TBATBA26 October 1990 (1990-10-26)
Couteau tracks down an outlaw and discovers its his long lost brother.
60"Sweet Revenge"TBATBA2 November 1990 (1990-11-02)
When Jack kills a stage robber the man’s children vow revenge.
61"Sight Unseen"TBATBA9 November 1990 (1990-11-09)
Clive is temporarily blinded and must rely on a woman with a hidden past.
62"The Preacher"TBATBA16 November 1990 (1990-11-16)
A preacher demands that he being given charge of a Native child he claims is ill.
63"Honour Thy Father"TBATBA25 November 1990 (1990-11-25)
Couteau is wounded and accused of killing the man he was working for.
64"In Cold Blood"TBATBA2 December 1990 (1990-12-02)
The man who killed Jack’s family comes to Bordertown.
65"A Question of Negligence"TBATBA9 December 1990 (1990-12-09)
Marie is charged with medical malpractice; Louis Gilbert now owns a share of her store.
66"Conduct Becoming"TBATBA16 December 1990 (1990-12-16)
A Cree lawyer claims that Bordertown is to be returned to his people.
67"The Bostonian"TBATBA23 December 1990 (1990-12-23)
When a rancher dies his Boston nephew inherits his ranch; the newcomer tries to convince Jack his uncle was murdered.
68"Field of Honour"TBATBA30 December 1990 (1990-12-30)
A French peddler challenges Louis Gilbert to a duel.
69"The New Recruit"TBATBA6 January 1991 (1991-01-06)
An outlaw disguise himself as a mountie.
70"Marshal Law"TBATBA13 January 1991 (1991-01-13)
Willie and Lucy run away from their chores and find a murdered man.
71"Roaring Days"TBATBA20 January 1991 (1991-01-20)
Archie Stanton comes to Bordertown with a secret about Clive’s past.
72"The Road Chosen"TBATBA27 January 1991 (1991-01-27)
Marie treats an outlaw, and the man’s partners keep Marie and Lucy hostage in their home.
73"Hired Hand"TBATBA3 February 1991 (1991-02-03)
Joanna Radway wants to buy more land and sends men to convince the owners to sell.
74"Demon Rum"TBATBA10 February 1991 (1991-02-10)
When a ranch hand dies of bad whisky Joanna Radway tries to close the saloon.
75"Tall in the Saddle"TBATBA22 February 1991 (1991-02-22)
Willie’s father comes to take him to Paris; someone wants to kill Jack.
76"A Small Kindness"TBATBA3 March 1991 (1991-03-03)
When Sally’s boarding house is about to be foreclosed she plans to leave town.
77"Frontier Passage"TBATBA10 March 1991 (1991-03-10)
Marie and her in-laws find danger at a stage coach stop.
78"Under Western Skies"TBATBA17 March 1991 (1991-03-17)
Jack is shot and Clive risks his life to escape outlaws in order to save the marshal.

DVD releases

Platinum Disc Corporation released 4-volume collections of Bordertown on DVD in Region 1 between 2003-2005. These releases have been discontinued and are now out of print.

On February 1, 2011, Echo Bridge Home Entertainment released 2 volume collections on DVD in Region 1 (US only). These releases contain the same 28 episodes as the previous Platinum Disc releases.

On July 26, 2011, Alliance Home Entertainment released The Best of Bordertown on DVD in Canada only.[9] The set is exactly the same as the 4-disc set released in the US in 2005 and February 2011, even right down to the Platinum Disc Corporation logo appearing as soon as the disc boots up.

On December 12, 2012, Echo Bridge Home Entertainment released Bordertown- The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.[10]

On January 6, 2015 Echo Bridge Home Entertainment released Bordertown & Gold: Complete Collection on DVD.

References
  1. Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946 - Present, 7th Edition, pages 119 - 120, Ballentine Books, 1999
  2. Rick Forchuk, This western’s a mean shot for authenticity, The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan), October 13, 1989, page 84
  3. Old west comes to life in Bordertown, The Vancouver Sun, February 23, 1990, page 103
  4. The Canadian Encyclopedia pemmican article
  5. Bob Remington, New CTV western's borderline, Edmonton Journal, September 12, 1989, page 52
  6. Stephen Nicholls, Riding high in the saddle, Edmonton Journal, April 24, 1990, page 40
  7. Bob Blakey, CTV gets back in the saddle, Calgary Herald, March 12, 1990, page 16
  8. Jerry Buck, 'Bordertown’ western filmed in the real thing – almost, The Gazette, (Cedar Rapids, Iowa). August 26, 1989, page 46
  9. "Bordertown - Alliance of Canada Brings a 28-Episodes 'Best-Of' Release for the 1989 Program". tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-25.
  10. "Bordertown - 'The Complete Series' Set Brings All 3 Seasons to DVD". tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.