Final answer:
James Drury took on the role of 'The Virginian,' the first 90-minute western drama to air on television. While the show depicted frequent violent Wild West encounters, the reality was that violence in the Wild West was more localized and situational, often born out of conflicts over scarce resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
James Drury, an accomplished actor, played the central character in the 1960s western drama 'The Virginian', which was the first 90-minute western to be aired on television.
The drama depicted the tumultuous and often violent life in the Wild West. However, as outlined in the material provided, the reality of the Wild West was somewhat different from its popular portrayal in media. The Wild West was indeed inhabited by rough men living a grueling life in pursuit of wealth, but the violent encounters were generally more localized and situational than the frequent clashes depicted in television dramas and dime store books. Wild West's real character entailed individuals battling the harsh conditions for a chance at riches rather than indulging in rampant violence.
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