Season 1 • Episode 38
LatestThe Everglades is an American crime-adventure television series that aired in first-run syndication for one season from 1961–62 and in reruns. Ron Hayes starred as Constable Lincoln Vail, a law enforcement officer of the fictional Everglades County Patrol who traveled the Florida Everglades in an airboat, a vehicle which was often the focus of the program. Hayes, a northern California actor and stuntman, was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. Gordon Casell appeared in five of the 38 half-hour episodes as Chief Anderson, Vail's superior. Steve Brodie made three appearances as Captain Andy Benson; Dan Chandler was twice cast as Vail's sidekick, airboat guide Pete Hammond. Future film star Burt Reynolds appeared twice in the role of Lew Johnson and once as Trask. Guest stars included R.G. Armstrong, Victor Buono, Roger C. Carmel, Paul Carr, Jack Cassidy, Lonny Chapman, John Doucette, Penny Edwards, Frank Ferguson, Luke Halpin, Douglas Kennedy, Robert Knapp, Paul Lambert, Tyler McVey, Mala Powers, Chris Robinson, Johnny Seven, Ray Teal, Bill Travers, and Dawn Wells. The show was produced by Ivan Tors and distributed by Ziv-United Artists.
Practical Effects
Real airboats! Real Everglades! Zero CGI because it didn't exist.
Stunts
Ron Hayes did his own stunts because he was literally a stuntman.
Production
Shot on location in actual Florida swamps—mud, gators, and all.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ivan Tors, who produced this, also created Flipper and Gentle Ben—basically cornered the market on 'Florida animals on TV.'
This was peak Florida-before-Disney pop culture, when the Everglades were mysterious frontier rather than theme park adjacent.
US
