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American action/adventure TV program From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yancy Derringer is an American action/adventure series that was broadcast on CBS from October 2, 1958, to June 4, 1959, with Jock Mahoney in the title role. It was broadcast from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursdays.[1]
Yancy Derringer | |
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Genre | Action/Adventure |
Created by | |
Written by |
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Directed by |
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Starring | |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 34 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Running time | 30 minutes |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | CBS |
Release | October 2, 1958 – June 4, 1959 |
The show was produced by Derringer Productions and filmed in Hollywood by Desilu Productions. Derringer Productions consisted of half interest for Warren Lewis and Don Sharpe as executive producers, a quarter interest to Jock Mahoney for starring in the series, and a quarter interest to Richard Sale and Mary Loos, husband and wife, as creators.[2] The show's sponsor was S. C. Johnson & Son,[3] and Klear floor wax was a regular sponsor.
Sale and Loos based the series on "The Devil Made a Derringer", a short story by Sale that appeared in All-American Fiction in 1938.[4] Sale was one of the highest-paid pulp writers of the 1930s. The story was never mentioned, but it was about a destitute aristocrat and troublemaker who returns to New Orleans three years after the American Civil War. In the story, Derringer has no first name; "Yancy" was added for the television series.[2]
The eponymous character, Yancy Derringer, is an adventurer and gambler. He is a former Confederate Army Captain who has returned to New Orleans, Louisiana,[1] in 1868, three years after the end of the American Civil War, during the southern Reconstruction Era. The state is under Union control and martial law. Life goes on in New Orleans, despite the fact that the city's atmosphere is forbidding, filled with trepidation and mourning. The Derringer family itself paid a heavy price in both lives and their family home and property during the Civil War. Yancy's brother David and his father Yancy Sr., died in the conflict.
Widely respected by all parts of New Orleans society as a Southerner who never surrendered, Derringer is recruited by the Federal City Administrator, John Colton, to work as a secret agent;[1] only Colton knows of this special role. Often at the beginning of an episode, Colton, a former Union Army colonel, asks Yancy to help solve New Orleans' present threat. Often, by the end of an episode, he arrests Yancy for breaking the law in order to do it. Yancy agrees to be Colton's "huckleberry" for the good of the city and his interests."[5]
Yancy has a strong conviction that the United States must be one nation again. Although he is based out of New Orleans, his Mississippi riverboat, the Sultana, and Yancy's propensity for adventure mean that some episodes take him far away from Louisiana; some stories take place as far away as Nevada and California.[citation needed]
Tommy Mara recorded the show's theme with an orchestra and chorus in 1959 for Felsted Records (Felsted 8561).[6]
Jock Mahoney - Yancy Derringer[7]
Kevin Hagen - John Colton[9]
Frances Bergen – Madame Francine[9]
Robert McCord, III – Captain Amos Fry
Richard Devon – Jody Barker
Larry J. Blake – Turnkey
Bill Walker – Obadiah
After the program's single year on network television, its reruns found audiences in repeats and in syndication. NBC bought all 34 episodes from Don Sharpe Productions to show as part of the network's afternoon Adventure Theatre anthology series beginning February 8, 1960.[13] In 1961, it was broadcast in at least 43 TV markets,[14] including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and New Orleans.[10] Official Films Inc. handled the distribution.[15]
A review of the premiere episode in The New York Times called it "nonsensical" and "distinctive in its silliness".[16] The review concluded, "Yancy Derringer is just too quaint to be entertaining."[16]
The trade publication Broadcasting, in a review of the first episode, said, "this overloaded action series threatens to sink in the first patch of bayou quicksand."[3]
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
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1 | "Return to New Orleans" | Richard Sale | Mary Loos & Richard Sale | October 2, 1958 | |
In 1868, Yancy arrives home, penniless, after the war, only to discover he has a (woman posing as his) wife, Amanda Eaton (Julie Adams), he did not know about and that his family plantation, Waverly, has been turned into a gambling den. John Colton, the City Administrator of New Orleans, helps to return the Waverly to Yancy. John Colton asks Yancy to help rebuild New Orleans as his special agent. | |||||
2 | "Gallatin Street" | William F. Claxton | Mary Loos and Richard Sale | October 9, 1958 | |
Yancy helps a sea captain who was cheated out of his money in a dive on notorious Gallatin Street. | |||||
3 | "Ticket to Natchez" | Richard Sale | Story by : Mary Loos & Richard Sale Teleplay by : Herman Hoffman | October 23, 1958 | |
City Administrator John Colton entrusts Yancy with an army payroll that is to be taken to Natchez, Mississippi, on Yancy's riverboat, the Sultana, but robbers have other plans. Guest star: Marie Windsor (Billie Joe) | |||||
4 | "An Ace Called Spade" | Richard Sale | Story by : Mary Loos & Richard Sale Teleplay by : D.D. Beauchamp & Richard Sale | October 30, 1958 | |
Yancy is relieved to find that a newspaper story about City Administrator Colton's death is premature, but fears that Colton will be the victim of trickery in an upcoming duel. Guest star: Ray Danton (Spade Stuart) | |||||
5 | "A Bullet for Bridget" | William F. Claxton | Story by : Mary Loos & Richard Sale Teleplay by : Frederic Brady | November 6, 1958 | |
We meet, for the first time, Bridget Malone, Madame Francine's cousin from Ireland, who, while visiting New Orleans, decides that Yancy is to be her future husband. Special guest star is star Jock Mahoney's real-life wife, Margaret Field, as Bridget Malone (as Maggie Mahoney). | |||||
6 | "The Belle from Boston" | Richard Sale | Story by : Mary Loos & Richard Sale Teleplay by : Alvin Sapinsley & Richard Sale | November 13, 1958 | |
After City Administrator Colton hangs a member of an outlaw gang, the others decide to take revenge on his visiting sister. | |||||
7 | "The Loot from Richmond" | William F. Claxton | Irving Wallace | November 20, 1958 | |
A messenger is sent to New Orleans by a former general in the Civil War, but is killed before he can reveal what happened to a fortune that was taken from Richmond, Virginia. | |||||
8 | "The Saga of Lonesome Jackson" | Richard Sale | Story by : Mary Loos & Richard Sale Teleplay by : Alvin Sapinsley | November 27, 1958 | |
A wealthy, but lonely, man who has come to New Orleans looking for a wife asks Yancy to help him. | |||||
9 | "Memo to a Firing Squad" | William F. Claxton | Mary Loos and Richard Sale | December 4, 1958 | |
An army officer with vengeance in his heart tries to stop a presidential pardon. Without the pardon, a man is scheduled to die before a firing squad. John M. Pickard, who plays Lieutenant Weems, is among the guest stars. | |||||
10 | "Three Knaves from New Haven" | William F. Claxton | Story by : Theodore and Mathilde Ferro Teleplay by : Theodore and Mathilde Ferro & Richard Sale | December 11, 1958 | |
Shop owners receive threats of violence if they refuse to sell their property to three strangers. Special guest star is star Jock Mahoney's real-life wife, Margaret Field, as Bridget Malone (as Maggie Mahoney). | |||||
11 | "Marble Fingers" | William F. Claxton | Story by : Richard Sale & Robert Spielman Teleplay by : Robert Spielman | December 18, 1958 | |
Yancy tries to find out who's responsible for recent grave robberies. Guest star: Kasey Rogers (Blackeyed Sue) | |||||
12 | "Old Dixie" | Richard Sale | Story by : Mary Loos & Richard Sale Teleplay by : John Hawkins & Richard Sale | December 25, 1958 | |
Special Christmas episode. Villains go after Yancy's dog, Dixie, after Yancy's father dies, leaving a note that only the dog knows where the family pre-war fortune is buried. Special guest star is star Jock Mahoney's real-life wife, Margaret Field, as Bridget Malone (as Maggie Mahoney). Guest star: Louise Fletcher (Miss Nelly/Alithea) | |||||
13 | "Two of a Kind" | William F. Claxton | Mary Loos and Richard Sale | January 1, 1959 | |
Yancy and Pahoo are framed for a series of crimes and now face execution. | |||||
14 | "Nightmare on Bourbon Street" | Richard Sale | Mary Loos & Richard Sale | January 8, 1959 | |
A mysterious mad bomber steals explosives and threatens to blow up the entire city of New Orleans. Guest star: Mary LaRoche | |||||
15 | "The Fair Freebooter" | Richard Sale | Mary Loos & Richard Sale | January 15, 1959 | |
Yancy must deal with a female pirate, Coco LaSalle, who has stolen his shirts that he ordered from St. Louis. He goes after her into the deadly swamps. Colton tags along to recover a stolen necklace for representatives of the Mexican government. | |||||
16 | "Mayhem at the Market" | Richard Sale | Theodore and Mathilde Ferro, Richard Sale (story by Theodore and Mathilde Ferro) | January 22, 1959 | |
Merchants are in such fear for their lives that Yancy gets no cooperation in his attempt to break a new protection racket. | |||||
17 | "The Night the Russians Landed" | Richard Sale | Coles Trapnell | January 29, 1959 | |
A visiting Russian noble appears to have become a target for murder. | |||||
18 | "A Game of Chance" | William F. Claxton | Mary Loos and Richard Sale | February 5, 1959 | |
Yancy suspects foul play when a lottery winner dies before she can collect. | |||||
19 | "Panic in Town" | Richard Sale | Coles Trapnell | February 12, 1959 | |
A serial attacker is loose in New Orleans. He attacks women and cuts their hair. The authorities are seemingly powerless. A group of vigilantes decides to take over New Orleans. | |||||
20 | "Hell and High Water" | Richard Sale | Richard Sale | February 19, 1959 | |
It looks like New Orleans is going to be flooded. Obadiah suggests to Yancy a risky scheme to save New Orleans. John Colton is taken prisoner by Lady Charity to protect her plantation property from Yancy's risky scheme. Meanwhile, Rogue Donovan tries to kill Yancy. Guest stars: Charles Bronson (Rogue Donovan), Patricia Cutts (Lady Charity) | |||||
21 | "The Louisiana Dude" | William F. Claxton | Coles Trapnell | February 26, 1959 | |
Yancy wins a half interest in a silver mine. The Sultana's boiler blows up, and Yancy travels to Virginia City, Nevada, hoping to get five thousand dollars needed for a new boiler. Yancy discovers that his new partner is a beautiful woman. Guest stars: Hillary Brooke (Julia Bulette), John Cliff (Nat Greer), Harry Swoger (Big Jim Ogden), Addison Richards (Judge Harper), Steve Pendleton (Sheriff Anderson), Woodrow Chambliss (Captain Tom), James Anderson (Fitch), Booth Colman (Henry Duval) | |||||
22 | "Longhair" | William F. Claxton | Story by : Kellam De Forest and Marjorie Helper Teleplay by : Coles Trapnell | March 5, 1959 | |
When famed General George Armstrong Custer visits New Orleans, Yancy discovers that he is being stalked by an indian seeking revenge for a past wrong. We meet, for the first time, Colorado Charlie, Indian scout. | |||||
23 | "Thunder on the River" | William F. Claxton | Story by : Robert Spielman Teleplay by : Robert Spielman & Richard Sale | March 12, 1959 | |
Yancy decides to help a fellow riverboat owner whose fleet is being sabotaged by rivals trying to corner the market on river traffic. Guest star: Patricia Barry | |||||
24 | "The Gun That Murdered Lincoln" | Richard Sale | Story by : Kellam De Forest & Marjorie Helper Teleplay by : Richard Sale | March 19, 1959 | |
Yancy is unjustly accused of having provided the weapon used by presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth. | |||||
25 | "Collector's Item" | Richard Sale | Coles Trapnell | March 26, 1959 | |
To assist a woman in her crusade to provide a home for the city's orphans, Yancy comes up with a scheme that requires the aid of photography pioneer Mathew Brady. | |||||
26 | "Fire on the Frontier" | Richard Sale | Mary Loos, Richard Sale | April 2, 1959 | |
Yancy's indian friend, Pahoo, becomes an important element in efforts to prevent a war with the Pawnee tribes. Guest stars: Robert Carricart (Thaddeus Stevens) | |||||
27 | "Duel at the Oaks" | William F. Claxton | Coles Trapnell | April 9, 1959 | |
Yancy is in trouble for killing a man in a duel. John Vivyan guest stars as LeBow. | |||||
28 | "The Wayward Warrior" | Richard Sale | William Fay, Mary Loos, Richard Sale | April 16, 1959 | |
Trying to stop some gun smugglers, Yancy has a run-in with a boxing champion and a rematch with a female river pirate, Coco LaSalle. | |||||
29 | "A State of Crisis" | Edward Denault | Coles Trapnell | April 30, 1959 | |
With the city of New Orleans plagued by counterfeit money,[17] General Hugh Morgan arrives in New Orleans with orders promoting John Colton to a post in Washington and giving Morgan command of the city. Walter Coy guest stars as Slade Donovan. | |||||
30 | "Outlaw at Liberty" | William F. Claxton | Coles Trapnell & Richard Sale | May 7, 1959 | |
Yancy is at a loss to figure out what's going on when an old wartime friend is charged with murder. | |||||
31 | "V as in Voodoo" | Edward Denault | Mary Loos, Richard Sale | May 14, 1959 | |
Yancy tries to combat superstition when the city is terrorized by a mysterious voodoo priestess. | |||||
32 | "The Quiet Firecracker" | Boris Sagal | Mary Loos, Richard Sale | May 21, 1959 | |
Yancy's good friend Miss Mandarin (Lisa Lu) is accused of smuggling opium into the city inside firecrackers. | |||||
33 | "Gone But Not Forgotten" | Edward Denault | Richard Sale | May 28, 1959 | |
A friend of Yancy's comes to visit from Virginia City with news that his silver mine is doing well, but that there is a gravestone in the cemetery with Yancy's name on it. Dayton Lummis plays Judge Randall. Guest star: Joyce Jameson (Bonnie Mason) | |||||
34 | "Two Tickets to Promontory" | Richard Sale | Coles Trapnell & Richard Sale | June 4, 1959 | |
On a train trip to a celebration of the completion of the transcontinental railroad, Yancy discovers a saboteur.[18] |
On October 9, 2012, Timeless Media Group released the complete series on DVD for the first time in Region 1.[19]
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