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Shotgun Slade - 1961

The Skinner's Rainbow (1961). Since the Western genre was beginning to lose popularity with viewing audiences, Shotgun Slade had three characteristics that made it novel among Westerns. The first was Slade's profession. Instead being a marshal, sheriff, or wandering gunfighter, Slade was a private detective, hired by individuals to track down criminals, return stolen money, and other similar duties. This was obviously influenced by the growing popularity of television private eyes such as Peter Gunn, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Hawaiian Eye, and others.