The Rounders (1966): cast, story & where to watch
1966 · Series · ★ 5.3
Released in 1966, The Rounders is a western and comedy series.
What it’s about. The Rounders was a 17-episode western-style situation comedy about two cowboys on the fictitious J.L. Ranch in Texas. It starred Ron Hayes as Ben Jones and Patrick Wayne, a son of John Wayne, as Howdy Lewis. The M-G-M television series aired on ABC from September 6, 1966, to January 3, 1967. The program was loosely based on a 1965 film of the same name, The Rounders, starring Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda, set near Sedona, Arizona, rather than Texas. Chill Wills, a native Texan and formerly of CBS's Frontier Circus, appeared as the shady ranch owner, Jim Ed Love. Janis Hansen co-starred as Ben's girlfriend, Sally, and Bobbi Jordan played Howdy's girlfriend, Ada. Jason Wingreen appeared as Shorty Dawes, and Walker Edmiston as Regan. Character actors Strother Martin and J. Pat O'Malley appeared as "Cousin Fletch" and "Vince", respectively. James Brown, formerly the lieutenant on The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, played "Luke". Selected episodes with notable guest stars include: "A Horse on Jim Ed Love", series premiere with Harry Carey, Jr.; "It's a Noble Thing to Do", with John Smith, formerly Slim Sherman on NBC's Laramie; "Don't Buffalo Me", with Jay Silverheels, formerly Tonto of The Lone Ranger, as John Tallgrass; "The Moonshine Still Shines"; "It Takes Only One to Suffer"; "The Scavenger Hunt" with Zsa Zsa Gabor as Ilona Hobson; "Some Things Are Not for Sale"; "Four Alarm Wing Ding", with Dick Haynes as a sheriff; "Horse of a Different Cutter" with Andy Devine as Honest John Denton and Strother Martin as Cousin Fletch; "Polo, Anyone?", with Jay C. Flippen as Kenny Fahrbush; "Efficiency Is for Experts", and "What Elephants?", the series finale, in which Ben and Howdy try to hide an elephant in plain sight.
Who’s in it. The Rounders stars Ron Hayes, Patrick Wayne, Chill Wills and Dodie Marshall as Marla, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.3/10, The Rounders has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Rounders page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Rounders tend to enjoy The Mandalorian, Cowboy Bebop, Dutton Ranch and Yellowstone.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Rounders (1966)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Rounders change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Rounders worth watching?
- The Rounders holds an audience score of 5.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy western and comedy. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Rounders?
- The Rounders stars Ron Hayes, Patrick Wayne, Chill Wills, Dodie Marshall and Margaret Teele.
- When was The Rounders released?
- The Rounders was released in 1966.