From 1964 to 1970, Daniel Boone (Fess Parker) roamed the NBC frontier until he ran into a ratings ambush. Now in apostrophised form, Dan’l was back in a “prequel”, this time for CBS.
Filmed in the breathtaking Tennessee and Kentucky mountain country and set in the 19th century, Young Dan’l Boone told of the adventures of the great American folk hero (played by Rick Moses), his plucky 12-year-old English sidekick, Peter (John Joseph Thomas), an ex-slave who quoted Shakespeare (Ji-Tu Cumbuka) and the girl who inspired some of his bravest deeds, pretty Rebecca Bryan (Devon Ericson).
Dan’l was full of wilderness wisdom such as; “Bein’ a slave don’t lessen a man inside, Peter – ownin’ slaves is what does that,” “Best eatin’ in the world is buffalo” and “A careless man don’t stay alive in the wilderness”.
The CBS publicity department said it was “an adventure series for the whole family.” Unless, of course, the family happened to include a strict grammarian.
One of the failures of the 1977/1978 season, only four of the eight recorded episodes of the show were aired.
Daniel Boone
Rick Moses Rebecca Bryan
Devon Ericson Hawk
Ji-Tu Cumbuka Peter Dawes
John Joseph Thomas Tsiskwa
Eloy Casados
Episodes
The Trail Blazer | The Pirate | The Salt Licks | The Game || The Slaver*** | The Haunted Mountain*** | The Plague*** | The Warrior***
