On this day, January 17, 1981, Walking Tall, the TV series adaptation of the iconic film trilogy, premiered on CBS. The show followed the story of Buford Pusser, a no-nonsense sheriff dedicated to cleaning up his small Tennessee town, often using unorthodox methods to enforce justice.
While the series sought to expand on the legacy of the films, it only ran for one season, producing 7 episodes before its cancellation. Despite its short run, Walking Tall retained the gritty, action-packed spirit of the original movies and remains a nostalgic piece of early 80s television.
Fun Fact: The Walking Tall film series and TV show were based on the real-life exploits of Buford Pusser, who became a legend for his tough and fearless approach to law enforcement.
Trivia Question: What was the name of the original 1973 film that inspired the Walking Tall TV series?