Five Facts You Likely Never Knew About ‘Rawhide’

They may not be common today, but westerns were once a television staple. Black-and-white cowboy adventures still get replayed to this day because of their enduring popularity.

One of the most popular westerns to ever grace the small screen was “Rawhide,” a show known for, above all else, marking the beginning of Clint Eastwood’s still-ongoing Hollywood career.

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Following a cattle drive and the various adventures that the men running it get into during their travels, “Rawhide” aired for a staggering 217 episodes over the course of eight seasons — from 1959 to 1965.

Here’s a look at five facts you likely never knew about “Rawhide.”

1.) Eastwood learned a signature directing skill on the series. Clint Eastwood has spent so much time behind the camera and ushered in so many beloved films that his directing style has been heavily studied and dissected over the years.

One signature of that style is that he doesn’t yell “Action!” on movie sets — it’s a habit he apparently learned from his time on “Rawhide.”

“He treats his actors like horses because when he did the ’60s series ‘Rawhide,’ the director would shout ‘Action!’ and all the horses bolted. So when he’s in charge, he says in a really quiet, soft voice, ‘All right, go ahead,’ and instead of shouting ‘Cut!’ he says, ‘That’s enough of that.’ It’s intimidating as hell!” Tom Hanks, who starred in Eastwood’s “Sully,” told “The Graham Norton Show” in 2016 about being directed by Eastwood.

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2.) There was a spinoff book and comic. For those in search of “Rawhide” adventures beyond what the television show offers, an original novel and comic book were adapted from the series.

The novel, “Rawhide,” by Frank C. Robertson, had multiple printings (the last in 1986) and can be found relatively easily online. The novel features all the major cast members on its cover.

A little harder to find is a comic book produced by Dell Comics and written by Dan Spiegle.

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3.) A failed Eastwood album used the show for promotion. Yes, Clint Eastwood released an album. Though he later found his voice as a musician and composed many great themes for his own films, “Rawhide’s Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favorites” came out early on in his recording career — long before he found his musical footing.

The early ’60s album didn’t generate much excitement and marks a rather odd moment in Eastwood’s career when he was trying to branch out beyond his role as Rowdy Yates, but unsure of how to do so.

The album didn’t sell all that well and has mostly been forgotten over the years.

In case you were curious, though, it is available to buy and stream on various platforms.

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4.) Many stars launched their careers on this show. “Rawhide” was the place where some top professionals earned their first roles.

Before taking on “Mission: Impossible” in 1966, for example, Martin Landau popped up in the western.

“Bewitched” star Elizabeth Montgomery even preceded her most famous role with a part in the episode “Incident at Crucero.”

Plenty of others showed up in various episodes, too, such as “Star Trek” actors George Takei and DeForest Kelley.

5.) It’s the fifth longest-running western. “Rawhide” was one of the most enduring westerns ever to air on television. It is beaten in this category only by “Gunsmoke,” which ran for 20 years; “Bonanza,” which ran for 14 years; and “The Virginian” and “Wagon Train,” both of which ran for nine years.

Interestingly enough, “Rawhide” creator Charles Marquis Warren also adapted “Gunsmoke” for television and created “The Virginian.” That’s one tough resume.

PopZette editor Zachary Leeman can be reached at [email protected]. 

(photo credit, homepage and article images: CBS Television Distribution)