Lancer

What about 'Lancer' was not to love, especially for prepubescent elementary school girls? It was a story about a ranch and featured a grumpy patriarch, a cute female 'ward' and two gorgeous, non-threatening young men, one dark, one fair.

Johnny, the son of a Mexican serving-wench, was my favorite.

My friends and I were so crazy about 'Lancer' it was a frequent subject of our conversations for most of the week, and the ONLY topic of conversation on Tuesdays (anticipation of that night's episode) and Wednesdays (the aftermath.) Fancying myself a writer even back then, I would write stories about 'Lancer,' the first of which introduced my pals and I as new 'wards' of the Lancer family. My friend Penny, the artist, illustrated the stories. We made probably the first and only 'Lancer' graphic novel. I'd give anything to have those stories back..... It's nice to visit this page and discover that 'The Lancer-ettes' and I were not the show's only fans.

This was one of my favorite shows of the 60's. I especially liked James Stacy's portrayal of Johnny Lancer. He was a very fine actor. The show was much more realistic than some of the TV westerns such as Bonanza. Had a good cast and the location shots were great. Would love to see it back on reruns. Many of the story lines focused on the conflict between the father, Murdoch Lancer, and his sons, Scott and Johnny. But the best shows featured the character of Johnny, as portrayed by James Stacy. Unlike some other TV westerns which also took place on ranches, this show actually was a realistic portrayal of everyday life on a ranch. You actually saw cattle, which I don't recall ever seeing on Bonanza. If you get a chance to see this show on cable, don't miss it.

Just wanted to say, I had the good fortune of being on the Ranch in Carmel, California when they filmed the series. My Uncle was Foreman of the Ranch. I made lifelong friends with several of the cast. Mostly the stuntmen, as that's where my heart lies. We wrote letters for years. Especially Jack Williams. We actually dated, and called each other on the phone. He was an amazing man ! I dated one of the stuntmen named Mike Spencer. I have many pictures of the whole experience. One is a picture of Joe Don Baker standing with me. He had kissed me on the head and bent his head over on top of mine. Swoon ! (Joe Don, or anyone else in the cast, if you read this I'd be happy to send you copies of the pictures). For a teenager this whole thing was so special. Being there while they were filming was such a treat ! I wish everyone could have this experience. Just hanging around the stars, eating with them, being so quiet when they were filming. Nothing like it. Memories I'll never forget. Thanks for letting me share my experience~~~

I have to NOT agree on this last comment about Lancer. One reason you have it all wrong, Johnny never did have his eye poked out in any episode, as I know I have all of them. And two, It was very well produced and the stories were down to earth and very enjoyable to watch. You must have seen another show that reminded you of Lancer, and I couldn't go by and not correct this mistake. I truly loved this show and hope it does come out on DVD soon, short lived or not, it was one of the best for that time. I do say if you haven't seen it and it does come out on cable or DVD I suggest to take a look and see for yourself. You will not be sorry that you did.

Widower Murdoch needs his sons to return home to help him protect the ranch - but he needs detectives to find them! Scott, the elder, is a city boy brought up by his maternal grandpa in refined Boston following the death of his mother in childbirth. Johnny is a gunfighter south of the border, the result of a liaison with a Mexican beauty who hid her son from his father. What will lure them to a different life of cattle ranching in the west? How will these different men get on together? Throw into the mix a pretty young ward and a host of guest appearances and the outcome is a sensational TV western series with great scripts, strong performances and superb plot lines that truly shape out character as well as move the story along.