Six TV Western heroes, who never trade fire on screen because they are all in different weekly serials, stage a mock battle symbolic of a ratings war. From left, Clint Walker, "Cheyenne"; Jim Arness, "Gunsmoke"; Dick Boone, "Have Gun, WIll Travel"; Robert Horton, "Wagon Train"; James Garner, "Maverick"; John Payne, "Restless Gun."
Classic TV Westerns: Behind the Scenes —
Six TV Western heroes, who never trade fire on screen because they are all in different weekly serials, stage a mock battle symbolic of a ratings war. From left, Clint Walker, "Cheyenne"; Jim Arness, "Gunsmoke"; Dick Boone, "Have Gun, WIll Travel"; Robert Horton, "Wagon Train"; James Garner, "Maverick"; John Payne, "Restless Gun."
Allan Grant—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
James Garner in "Maverick."
Classic TV Westerns: Behind the Scenes —
James Garner in "Maverick."
Allan Grant—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
James Garner, right, films a fight on the show "Maverick."
Classic TV Westerns: Behind the Scenes —
James Garner, right, films a fight on the show "Maverick."
Allan Grant—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
A scene from the TV show "Wagon Train."
Classic TV Westerns: Behind the Scenes —
A scene from the TV show "Wagon Train."
Allan Grant—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Hugh O'Brian, "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp." <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Flife.time.com%2Fculture%2Fshoot-first-behind-the-scenes-on-classic-tv-westerns%2F" target="_blank">See the complete gallery on LIFE.com</a>.
Classic TV Westerns: Behind the Scenes —
Hugh O'Brian, "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp." See the complete gallery on LIFE.com.
Allan Grant—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images