What Might've Been: Cade's County (1971)

 In the wake of the infamous "rural purge" of 1971, CBS tried out a new Western, this one set in modern times.

Cade's County starred Glenn Ford as Marshal Sam Cade of Madrid County, a fictional county in an unnamed state. Edgar Buchanan, fresh from Petticoat Junction, co-starred as Cade's deputy, JJ. For Buchanan, it was a return to drama after spending seven seasons as Uncle Joe on Junction, having previously top-lined Judge Roy Bean in the 50's. CBS slotted Cade's County on Sundays, which, in hindsight, was a bad idea, as it aired against the 2nd half of Bonanza.

But it wasn't for lack of trying.

In "A Gun For Billy", actor-singer Bobby Darin plays a thief who imagines himself as Billy The Kid, making Cade, in his eyes, Pat Garrett. Linda Cristal, fresh from High Chapparal, David Doyle, and a young Leif Garrett also guest star. Directed by Richard Donner.

Writer Anthony Lawrence would see his own creation, The Sixth Sense, debut for ABC the following winter. Cade's County lasted the one season, and with its cancellation, executive producer David Gerber left 20th Century Fox for Screen Gems, where he'd strike gold with Police Story and its spin-off, Police Woman.

No rating. Just a public service.