Loved this TV show for many, many years.
The black and white eps aren't as well known, and in syndication usually ran with the color title sequence. The main titles were actually redrawn for color; there are some subtle variations, including a background American flag coloration, but also one very large change I've never seen an explanation given for.
(I've also never heard why the comma one would expect after the first "Wild" was omitted, but I suspect not many people worry about that).
The show had lots of memorable episodes and some great characters, most notably Michael Dunn's Dr. Miguelito Loveless. The first (black and white) season is arguably the best, though watching the show today it feels dated in its over-production, occasional campiness, and reliance on interior filming (not to mention its period sexism). Still, the steampunk-Bond gadgets remain a lot of fun.
The show ran only four seasons; it was canceled in 1969 as part of a network effort (urged by Congress) to reduce TV violence.
Originally shared by +Terence Towles Canote:
It was 50 years ago today that The Wild Wild West debuted. Here are the original, black and white opening credits from the first season. #throwbackthursday
I saw colored one once. It was a rerun. I think it would be cool if they did a modern version today.
+Mitch Harrison Doing a WWW version today would be … interesting. You could play it straight, you could play it ironic, you could do all sorts of things …
… though you can't bring back Michael Dunn. 🙁
A more detailed retrospective: http://mercurie.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-wild-wild-west-turns-50.html