'The Big Valley': 10 Amazing Facts About The Classic Western Show

Filming Location
Despite being set in Northern California, The Big Valley was filmed on location in the Los Angeles area, particularly in the scenic Vasquez Rocks, which would go on to appear in many other westerns and sci-fi shows.

Award-Nominated Performances
Barbara Stanwyck’s portrayal of Victoria Barkley earned her multiple nominations for prestigious awards, including an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Lee Majors’ Breakout Role
Before becoming the iconic "Six Million Dollar Man," Lee Majors played "Heath Barkley", a role that helped launch his career and cement his status as a TV star.

The Opening Theme
The show’s theme song, composed by Harry Sukman, became a recognizable and iconic piece of TV history. The dramatic and sweeping instrumental set the tone for each episode, adding to the epic feel of the series.

Fierce Rivalry with Gunsmoke
At its peak, 'The Big Valley' was one of the top-rated western shows on television, and it went head-to-head with the long-running 'Gunsmoke.' Although 'Gunsmoke' ultimately won the ratings battle, 'The Big Valley’s' sharp writing and strong performances made it a standout in its own right.

Iconic Ranch House
The Barkley family home became a symbol of their strength and unity, with its grand design becoming a hallmark of western architecture in TV shows. The ranch's set, though filmed in Hollywood, was often used for various other productions.

Linda and Barbara were neighbours
On set, Stanwyck and Evans developed a mentor-apprentice bond that blossomed into a familial connection. The two ended up living near each other, and years later, Evans still called Stanwyck "Mom" while on 'Dynasty'. Stanwyck recalled, “The first season on 'The Big Valley', Linda didn’t always listen to me, but by the second season, she improved once she stopped giggling.”

Two Attempted Spin-Offs

Despite its loyal fanbase, 'The Big Valley' never became a major ratings hit. However, producers attempted two spin-offs with backdoor pilots. The episode "Rimfire" was intended to launch a series featuring Van Williams as Sheriff Dave Barrett. More intriguingly, "The Royal Road," which followed a visiting Indian prince, aimed to create a series with Sajid Khan, who would have been one of the few Indian leads on American television at the time.

Lee Majors Missed Out on 'Midnight Cowboy'

Lee Majors was originally set to star as Joe Buck in the acclaimed film 'Midnight Cowboy' 'alongside Dustin Hoffman. However, 'The Big Valley's' renewal kept Majors tied to his contract, forcing him to miss out on the role. Jon Voight eventually took over, delivering a performance that became iconic. One has to wonder how Majors' career might have unfolded differently, especially considering the impact 'Midnight Cowboy' had on Hollywood—and whether he would have still become "The Six Million Dollar Man."

Hollywood's Fastest Gun Draw

Peter Breck, known for playing "Nick Barkley" on 'The Big Valley,' was reportedly the fastest gun draw in Hollywood. Before his iconic role, Breck had starred in 'Black Saddle,' playing a gunfighter-turned-lawyer. According to Wildest Westerns magazine, Breck could draw his gun in an impressive 16/100ths of a second, earning Nick Barkley the title of the fastest draw in television history—though not always showcased in every clip!