Mackenzie's Raiders Explained

Genre:Western
Starring:Richard Carlson
Narrated:Art Gilmore
Composer:David Rose
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:39
Runtime:30 mins. (approx)
Company:Ziv Television Programs
Channel:Syndication

Mackenzie's Raiders is an American Western television series starring Richard Carlson that was broadcast in syndication and produced in 1958 - 1959.[1] The series is narrated by Art Gilmore, and was produced by Ziv Television Programs.

Synopsis

The basis for the program was Mackenzie's Raid, a book by Russell P. Reeder. It told about a 32-hour raid by Mackenzie and 550 cavalrymen to destroy a Mexican town that harbored kidnappers, rustlers, and arsonists.[2]

Set in the 1870s, Mackenzie's Raiders depicted activities of the Fourth Cavalry around the Rio Grande and the Mexican border.[3] Experiences of Union Army Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie formed the basis for episodes.[4]

Mackenzie, with orders from President Grant, operated out of Fort Clark, in Texas, "to rid the Southwest of Mexican marauders and renegade Indians, pursuing them across the Rio Grande if necessary."[5] If Mckenzie were to be caught in a foreign country, the United States would deny knowledge of his mission.

Cast

Guest stars

Critical response

John P. Shanley, writing in The New York Times, complimented the show's "realistic settings and good photography" and added, "It was a better-than-average adventure show."[3]

Production notes

Prior to Mackenzie's Raiders, Carlson had previously starred in another Ziv Productions series, I Led Three Lives.

The series was produced by Lou Breslow and Elliott Lewis.[6] Carlson also served as a writer and director.[7] Jim Thompson was credited with writing four episodes of the show.

Location shots were filmed along the Santa Ana River in California, an area that resembles that of the Rio Grande.[8]

The series is currently being shown on the over the air channel ThisTV.

DVD release

On October 8, 2013, Timeless Media Group released Mackenzie's Raiders- The TV Series on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time.[9]

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: Brooks . Tim . Marsh . Earle F. . The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present . 830 . June 24, 2009 . Random House Publishing Group . 978-0-307-48320-1 . March 27, 2023 . en.
  2. Book: Irvin . Richard . Pioneers of "B" Television: Independent Producers, Series and Pilots of the 1950s . October 28, 2022 . McFarland . 978-1-4766-8996-8 . 113–114 . March 27, 2023 . en.
  3. News: Shanley . John P. . 'Mackenzie's Raiders' . The New York Times . October 16, 1958 . 74. subscription.
  4. News: Adams . Val . Ford Will Sponsor TV Concert Series By Philharmonic . March 25, 2023 . The New York Times . August 15, 1958 . 45. subscription.
  5. Book: Polito . Robert . Savage Art: A Biography of Jim Thompson . October 1, 1996 . Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group . 978-0-679-73352-2 . 426–427 . March 27, 2023 . en.
  6. Book: Erickson . Hal . Syndicated Television: The First Forty Years, 1947-1987' . 1989 . McFarland & Company, Inc. . 0-7864-1198-8 . 98.
  7. News: Page . Don . Raider Gets Top Brains . March 27, 2023 . Los Angeles Times . July 12, 1959 . 143. Newspapers.com.
  8. July 1, 1959 . 31 . Ziv 'On Location' 60& of the Time . Variety . March 27, 2023.
  9. http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Mackenzies-Raiders-The-TV-Series/18752M TMG's Package Art for 'The Television Series' on DVD

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mackenzie's Raiders".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.