WALT DISNEY PRESENTS: TEXAS JOHN SLAUGHTER: PILOT (TV)
Summary
One in this series of family programs, presented under the umbrella title of "Walt Disney Presents," hosted by Walt Disney.
This "Frontierland" episode begins the story of Texas John Slaughter, kicking off a 17-part series inspired by the real-life exploits of the Texas Ranger's fight for justice in the West, circa 1870. Disney tells about the lawman's background before introducing Stan Jones to sing the "Texas John Slaughter" theme song. The story begins with John's arrival in Fowlertown, Texas, where he has bought a ranch to share with his bride-to-be, Addie. He scoffs at warnings about rustlers, even after discovering that he's the fifth owner of the property in the last two years.
In reaching his spread, he finds his hundred head of cattle stolen and his hired hand dead. After John is shot at while riding his horse into town, he signs up with the Texas Rangers to find the culprits. Already a crack shot, he quickly aces the Rangers' tests and joins in on their plan to bring down the Davis gang, a notorious group that he suspects of the crimes. In the meantime, fiancee Addie arrives, but refuses to marry John until she doesn't have to share him with the Rangers.
At a townwide gala, John follows instructions to start a fight with a Ranger who's infiltrated the Davis gang. Before John can get him to safety, the spy is fatally shot by a mysterious man on horseback. John is convinced that the murderer is the head of the Davis Gang, despite an airtight alibi for his being in Laredo at the time of the killing. With his life and reputation on the line, John sets an elaborate scheme in motion to expose the truth.
The program is followed by a preview for the second episode in the series: "Ambush in Laredo" (to be shown in two weeks) as well as a preview for the following week's Disney show, the animated "Pluto's Day." Includes commercials. (This is a black-and-white copy of a color telecast.)
(Series title varies: From 1954 to 1958 this series was telecast under the title "Disneyland"; from 1958 to 1961 this series was telecast under the title "Walt Disney Presents"; from 1961 to 1969 this series was telecast under the title "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"; from 1969 to 1979 this series was telecast under the title "The Wonderful World of Walt Disney"; from 1979 to 1981 this series was telecast under the title, "Disney's Wonderful World"; and from 1997-2005 this series was telecast under the title "The Wonderful World of Disney.")
(Network varies; this series was telecast on ABC from 1954-1961, on NBC from 1961 to 1981; on CBS from 1981 to 1983; and on ABC from 1997-2005.)
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: October 31, 1958 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:42
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: T:00388
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1958-1961
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Hills Bros. Coffee
- TV - Commercials - Reynolds Aluminum products
- TV - Commercials - Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil
- TV - Commericals - "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" motion picture
- TV - Promos- "The Gale Storm Show"
CREDITS
- James Pratt … Producer
- Henry Keller … Director
- Albert E. Lewin … Writer
- Burt Styler … Writer
- Joseph S. Dubin … Music by
- Stan Jones … Theme Music by, Singer
- Walt Disney … Host
- Tom Tryon … Cast, John Slaughter
- Harry Carey … Cast, Ben Jenkins
- Norma Moore … Cast, Adeline Harris
- Robert Middleton … Cast, Frank Davis
- Judson Pratt … Cast, Captain Cooper
- Robert J. Wilke … Cast, Outlaw #1
- Edward Platt … Cast, Lease Harris
- Leo Gordon … Cast, Outlaw #2
- John Day (See also: John Daheim) … Cast, Private John Clay
- John Alderson … Cast, Sgt. Duncan MacGregor
- Cris Alcaide … Cast, Outlaw #3
- Robert Hoy … Cast, Ranger #2
- Chuck Roberson … Cast, Ranger #1