Another American Western television series Maria appeared in was “Bat Masterson”, a fictionalized account of the life of the very real marshal, gambler and dandy Bartholemew William Barclay “Bat” Masterson (1853-1921), a US Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, journalist, gunfighter and sheriff in the Old West.
Gene Barry as Bat Masterson
The series ran in 107 episodes over three seasons from 1958 to 1960 and portrayed Bat Masterson as a ladies man, often dressed in Eastern clothing with a preference for solving problems with his walking cane rather than his gun.
Set during the San Francisco gold rush of the 1850s, this American Western television series follows the adventures of the local vigilante committee trying to keep law and order.
Maria and Adam Kennedy on the set of The Californians
Maria played a role in one episode of the show’s first season alongside Adam Kennedy in the lead role of Irish newspaperman Dion Patrick, who helps the vigilantes. Due to sagging ratings the second season introduced Richard Coogan as sheriff come marshal Matthew Wayne, ultimately leading to the departure of Adam Kennedy and others from the show. Still the show was not renewed for a third season.
The show aired on NBC and features an incredible corny title song matching some of the equally corny acting. But, all in all, for its time it actually seems to have taken some relatively progressive stances, including the episode Maria appeared in.
Dion Patrick and the vigilantes are investigating human trafficking in San Francisco’s China Town. While making inroads with the community Dion wins Mei Soong, played by Maria, from a dubious Chinese business man and must attempt to reunite her with her true love and find the villain behind it all.
Rex Allen stars as Dr. Bill Baxter, the Frontier Doctor, in this late fifties American Western television series. The series was also known as “Unarmed” and “Man of the West”. The good doctor, based out of Rising Springs, Arizona, rides across the country side in a buggy with his black bag and experiences many adventures as he tries to help those he encounters along the way.
Maria appears in one episode of the series that centers on cases of cholera sprouting up in the vicinity of Los Angeles’ China Town.
Maria plays Mei Ling, an employee of Hong Kong Harry’s, who proves helpful to Dr. Bill Baxter as he attempts to track down carriers of cholera in the city.
Maria appeared in a single episode of the final season of this show, which was canceled in 1959 after ratings started dropping in 1958.
The series was created by Parke Levy and centered on the adventures of Lily Ruskin, a spry widow played by Spring Byington. The term “December Bride” refers to women who got married late in life, a goal Lily was trying to achieve.
The show aired on CBS and was sponsored by General Foods’ Instant Maxwell House Coffee. Many of its characters were revived for a short-lived spinoff series called “Pete and Gladys”, which aired from 1960 until 1962..
Maria, as Tahitian Glamour Girl Tanana, participates in a plan to get back at Matt’s military buddy who played a prank on him and got him an assignment in Glacier Island, Alaska, after Lily signed Matt up for the Air Force behind his back.
Maria appeared in a single episode of the first season of this espionage drama in 1956. Before being adapted for television the series was quite well established as a radio drama that aired on CBS and NBC stations from 1944 to 1952. Maria played her part opposite Barry Sullivan in the lead role of agent Ken Thurston a.k.a. “Mr. X”, an American intelligence agent who takes on dangerous cases in exotic locations.
The Series was originally created by Jay Richard Kennedy who also adapted it for the small screen on behalf of Ziv Television Programs. 39 episodes were produced and broadcast from 1956 to 1957.
Maria plays “Sou Hei”, a member of a group of refugees desperately trying to escape from China. Will agent Ken Thurston, the man called “X”, be able to root out the traitor among them and help the cross the border alive?
Maria appeared in various roles alongside Dan Duryea in this 1950s television adventure series about “China Smith”, a soldier of fortune wearing a white suit and a panama hat living in Singapore, who would face new dangers and excitement every week. The series was made with a two-year gap between “China Smith”, shot in 1952 in Mexico and Los Angeles, and “The New Adventures of China Smith”, shot in 1954 and 1955 in San Francisco.
Dan Duryea as “China Smith”
We have identified Maria in two episodes so far, playing as “Jade Flower” in “The Night the Dragon Walked” (s02 e14) and as “Miss Giong” in “The Tidewalker” (s02 e24). However, according to a copy of a credit list by agent Bessie Loo found in Maria’s estate she may have appears in other episodes as “Li Mei”, “Gin Len” and possibly 5 more characters. We have yet to identify these episodes but, rest assured, if we should find them we will make posts for them on this site.
Maria plays the role of “Miss Giong”, sharp-tongued and not easily intimated secretary of Mr. Norodam , whom China Smith has business with regarding the planting of contraband on a tramp steamer.
Maria plays the role of “Jade Flower”, a weary and not entirely sober dancer in a seedy joint, who is said to have information on Mr. Ronald, a person of interest, China Smith is looking for.
Gene Barry (Cpt. Amos Burke), Gary Conway (Det. Tim Tilson), Regis Toomey (Sergeant Les Hart), Leon Lontoc (Chauffeur Henry), Michael Ansara (Big Bwana Smith), Jim Backus (Pork Pie Hannigan), Fernando Lamas (El Greco), Diana Lynn (Marion Van Martin), William Shatner (Arthur Reynolds), Joanie Sommers (Pee Wee Wilson), Fred Barry (Robert), Percy Helton (Hudkins), Amzie Strickland (Woman), Michael Fox (Coroner), Diana Birk (Annabelle), James Secrest (Jennings), Bill Catching (Keeler), Maria Tsien McClay (Madam Butterfly/Amiko, a Japanese girl), Lou Byrne (Woman)
Maria McClay as Japanese girl Amiko aka “Madam Butterfly” just before Amos Burke (Gene Barry) must leave in his Rolls to investigate another murder.
Carrie Cornell, singer and model, is found murdered on a beach. A photograph of her in “Girlicue” magazine links her to sleazy millionaire Martin Van Martin and he has disappeared.
As always, almost-but-not-quite-James-Bond, captain of the LAPD homicide division and millionaire Amos Burke must leave a beautiful woman and hop into his waiting Rolls Royce to investigate a terrible crime. In this case the beautiful woman is Maria McClay in the role of a Japanese girl who left a message for Amos in lipstick on a mirror, signed “Madam Butterfly” and then another, signed “Amiko”.
Maria had played alongside Gene Barry 5 years earlier, in 1959, in the episode “To The Manner Born” of the Western television series “Bat Masterson”, in which Gene played the main character of the same name. Here her scene culminates in the exchange “You’re flitting away like butterfly?” – “I have to. Butterfly have short mating season.” “If it got any shorter butterflies will become extinct!”.
Other notable appearances in this episode include Diana Lynn as drunk millionaire’s wife Marion van Martin, trying to use one of those strange Walton Belt Vibrator machines that were supposed to shake loose and disappear body fat. And a strange beatnik folk performance in a dark club with everybody wearing sunglasses. And also William Shatner (yes, that William Shatner) as crazy artist and sculptor Arthur Reynolds.
Scenes Featuring Maria
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