"The Wrecker" was based on the novel of the same name by Robert Louis Stevenson and his stepson, Lloyd Osbourne, first published in serial form in Scribner's Magazine from August 1891 – July 1892.[4]

The novel is told from several points of view, but focuses mostly on the events in the life of Loudon Dodd, a starving American art student in Paris who is befriended by James Pinkerton, an innovative entreprenuer. Together, the two succeed in earning a fortune in 1880s San Franscisco until they become involved in a bidding war over the wreck of the Flying Scud at auction and come close to losing it all.

The story of Dodd's journey to learn the secrets of the shipwreck is rambling and convoluted, but generally similar to the events of the Maverick episode. The character of Dodd and his adventures are greatly simplified and fulfilled by Bart Maverick, while the catalytic persona of Pinkerton is cast upon Brother Bret. Though the details vary, including the resolution to the mystery, the principles of Maverick's "The Wrecker" — Carthew, Nares, Bellairs, Longhurst and others — play major and minor roles in Stevenson's adventure.

MAVERICK

Season 1, Episode 11

ORIGINAL AIRDATE
December 1, 1957[2]

TELEPLAY BY
Russell Hughes

from the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson

and Lloyd Osbourne

DIRECTOR

Franklin Adreon

PRODUCER

Roy Huggins

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

William T. Orr

CAST

CREW

James Garner

Jack Kelly

Patric Knowles

Karl Swenson

Bartlett Robinson

Murvyn Vye

Thomas Browne Henry

Maurice Manson

Allen Kramer

Barry Brooks (uncredited)[3]

Jeffrey Sayre (uncredited)[3]

Bert Stevens (uncredited)[3]

Carl Berger

Art Loel

James Moore

Elbert K. Hollingsworth

Oren W. Haglund

Franklin Hansen

Jerry Welch

Gordon Bau

C. Carter Gibson

Bret Maverick

Bart Maverick

Paul Carthew

Captain Nares

Longhurst

Jamie Craven

Markham

Thomas Bellairs

Jerome Braus

hotel clerk

Merchison

Willimen

Barfly

Director of Photography

Art Director

Supervising Film Editor

Film Editor

Production Manager

Sound

Set Decorator

Makeup Supervisor

Assistant Director