1 9 5 8 – 1 9 5 9 (USA)
26 x 25 minute episodes
Explorer and Indian fighter Major Robert Rogers (Keith Larsen) organised his “Rogers Rangers” to search for the fabled Northwest passage – a waterway supposedly linking the east and west coasts of the United States – during the French and Indian War (1754-1759).
Helping Rogers, an experienced explorer and Indian fighter, were Sgt. Hunk Marriner (Buddy Ebsen), another experienced Indian fighter, and Ensign Langdon Towne (Don Burnett), a Harvard graduate who was the map maker.
The episodes told the stories (based on fact) of their trials and tribulations searching for the fabled waterway and their battles with both the French and Indians during this war.
The characters were drawn from the best-selling Kenneth Roberts novel of the same name and the 1940 MGM movie starring Spencer Tracy.
The MGM-produced series was aired on NBC in 1958 and 1959. MGM also created three movies for theatrical release from episodes stitched together.
Major Robert Rogers
Keith Larsen
Sergeant Hunk Marriner
Buddy Ebsen
Ensign Langdon Towne
Don Burnett
General Amherst
Philip Tonge
Episodes
Fight at the River | The Red Coat | The Gunsmith | Surprise Attack | The Bound Women | Break Out | Court Martial | The Hostage | Sorrow Song | The Assassin | The Long Rifle | War Sign | The Traitor | Vengeance Trail | The ‘Vulture’ | The Counterfeiters | The Secret of the Cliff | Dead Reckoning | Death Rides the Wind | The Fourth Brother | The Ambush | The Witch | Stab in the Back | The Deserter | Trial by Fire | The Killers