TV: “The Big Valley”

May 15, 1965 - The popularity of NBC’s “Bonanza” has made the Cartwrights one of television’s best known families. With a similar type program titled “The Big Valley,” ABC will try to do the same for the Butler family next fall. It stars Barbara Stanwyck.

The Butler clan will be headed by Victoria, widow of a legendary figure who helped to build the West. Victoria is the mother of three sons and a daughter. But right at the beginning of the series, another character will be introduced who causes the strongly individualistic Butlers to act out an intense personal drama.

“It starts with the appearance of a stranger,” an ABC program pamphlet says, “the bastard son of their dead, revered husband and father, come to claim his rights.”

The role will be played by Lee Majors, a young actor who is a newcomer to television.

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