• Air date: 01 Oct '59 30 episodes
      Law of the Plainsman is a Western television series starring Michael Ansara that aired on the NBC television network from October 1, 1959, until May 5, 1960. The character of Native American U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart was introduced in two episodes of the popular ABC Western television series The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain. Law of the Plainsman is distinctive and unique in that it was one of the few television programs that featured a Native American as the lead character, a bold move for U.S.network television at that time. Ansara had earlier appeared in the series Broken Arrow, having portrayed the Apache chief, Cochise. Ansara, however, was not Native American but of Syrian descent. Ansara played Sam Buckhart, an Apache Indian who saved the life of a U.S. Cavalry officer after an Indian ambush. When the officer died, he left Sam money that was used for an education at private schools and Harvard University. After school, he returned to New Mexico where he became a Deputy...
  • List of Episodes (30)
    • 1. Prairie Incident

      01 Oct '59
      Patrolling the plains, Marshal Sam Buckhart discovers a wagon containing a murdered man and his eight-year-old daughter. The girl is able to give Buckhart a description of the killer.
    • 2. Full Circle

      08 Oct '59
      For years Sam Buckhart has been looking for a bank robber. He is stunned to discover that the thief is Sheriff Max Chafee, who Sam believed to be honest and straightforward.
    • 3. A Matter Of Life And Death

      15 Oct '59
      Marshal Sam Buckhart, who has been searching for outlaw Charlie Slade for many years, finally locates his hideout. Before Buckhart can take the outlaw prisoner, Slade's henchmen overpower him.
    • 4. The Hostiles

      22 Oct '59
      A man who lives in the mountains kills a young girl; Sam Buckhart is assigned to find the murderer.
    • 5. Passenger To Mescalero

      29 Oct '59
      Deputy Marshal Sam Buckhart is assigned to bring a dangerous outlaw to the prison at Mescalero. During the journey a band of outlaws ambush the stagecoach.
    • 6. Blood Trails

      05 Nov '59
    • 7. Desperate Decision

      12 Nov '59
    • 8. Appointment In Santa Fe

      19 Nov '59
    • 9. The Gibbet

      26 Nov '59
    • 10. The Dude

      03 Dec '59
    • 11. The Innocents

      10 Dec '59
    • 12. Clear Title

      17 Dec '59
    • 13. Toll Road

      24 Dec '59
    • 14. Calculated Risk

      31 Dec '59
    • 15. Fear

      07 Jan '60
    • 16. Endurance

      14 Jan '60
    • 17. The Comet

      21 Jan '60
    • 18. The Rawhiders

      28 Jan '60
    • 19. The Imposter

      04 Feb '60
    • 20. Common Ground

      11 Feb '60
    • 21. The Matriarch

      18 Feb '60
    • 22. A Question Of Courage

      25 Feb '60
    • 23. Dangerous Barriers

      10 Mar '60
    • 24. The Show-Off

      17 Mar '60
    • 25. Rabbit's Fang

      24 Mar '60