Pony Express Rider

(1976) Pony Express Rider WESTERN FAMILY

Co-written and directed by Robert Totten which if viewers don't mind the first rough 3/4's into it since it's musical score and direction is similar to what one might expect from a made for TV movie, I think the final fourth act is very well done. Young teen, Jimmie D. Richardson (Stewart Peterson) has a sheepman as a father, Jed Richardson (Ken Curtis) whose about to lose his livelihood because the landowner,Trevor Kingman (Henry Wilcoxon) who also happens to be his best friend is going to be a governor of Nevada, leaving everything to be handled by his only immoral son, Bovey Kingman (Buck Taylor) . After the father leaves, the first thing Bovey does is that he decides to destroy Jed's only livelihood in an underhanded way, by forcing him as well as his family to move, since he wants to turn that small property as part of a cattle drive. And upon sending someone to fetch Jed, into the home, he tries to degrade his livelihood on front of others before being provoked for a fight. Jed the sheepman wins but upon going to the bar for a drink, the narcissistic son then shoots him dead by cowardly shooting him in the back and he takes off since their were witnesses. The teenager, Jeb then hears about this and vows revenge by going after him. Assuming that he's heading and while riding toward Nevada, he manages to get himself a job by delivering some mail, since the previous 'pony express rider' was found killed with an arrow on his back. And then the next thing you know, the narcissistic son, Buck hears about this and goes on an odyssey himself by going after him and to prevent his father from even knowing about this. Aforementioned, most of this is like a made for TV movie but the fourth act is worth seeing since not every Western should be solved by total vengeance.

In 1976 I was 8 years old. I'll admit I was one of those who watched the Brady Bunch a lot only to see Maureen McCormick. So when my dad took us to see this movie and I realized she was in it I loved the movie. It could have been the worst movie of all times and I wouldn't have known the difference. This movie came out in 1976, and I have no doubt that even as early as 1980 movies were much better. So this could be a good or bad movie but what would it compare with movies that are out in todays world? (2007) There is much better talent and movie equipment and special effects etc. but I sometimes think that movies and TV shows from that era were better just because there was more true meaning involved. There was a movie around that same time with a similar story line and I read one review that said they don't make family movies like this anymore. It is my intention to purchase this movie via the internet and watch it with my 12 year old daughter to see if I like it or not, and see what her opinions are. There is no way I can remember the story from way back then. All I remember is having a crush on Maureen McCormick and enjoying the movie for that reason.

I was 14 years old when I had the opportunity to watch part of this film being made in Kerrville, Texas. My cousins and I spent several weeks during the summer of 1976 at my grandfather's house that was used as the Nevada governor's mansion. All of the actors were great to be around. The only person who was not friendly was Maureen McCormick, but she had just finished the Brady Bunch and was the "star". At the party after the premiere I had a chance to talk with Ken Curtis about his acting career - he told me of the blessing and the cure of being "Festus". I ran into Buck Taylor about six years after the movie and not only did he remember me but for several years thereafter we hang out when he was in town.

Most of the rest of the film was shot in and around the Texas Hill Country. The Kingman XXX Ranch was shot at the YO Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas. The YO is still in operation as a ranch and is also an exotic game ranch.

The film has the feel of an episode of `Gunsmoke' because the director Bob Totten directed many shows of that series.

So, yes the acting is bad, the photography is dark but for me this film is a classic as it takes me back to that time in 1976 when all was still good in my world.

Along with some of the best character actors of the period this was a flop from beginning to end. It also ended up being a bad break for an old high school buddy of mine that was cast as Captain Billings. Cliff Brand, not his real name, was an unknown at the time, remained unknown. I personally believe Cliff Brand could have evolved into a household name with the right screenplay. Murphy's law, it wasn't meant to be.

God did I hate this. How did I see it? You might ask? Happens that a school field trip was made to the movie theater which only has one screen, and the movie showing was rated R, so the principal put this on as a "history lesson". Now that's just plain weird considering IT HISTORICALLY INACCURATE, such as no California before Civil War, and other problems. Too violent to be rated a kids flick, even though that's what it's intended to be, but if you want your kids going around saying swear words, BE MY GUEST! And... Bad acting GALORE! Bad script, and I didn't know a town could be so barren! When I saw the governor's mansion, the question that came to mind was "Governor of WHAT?"

In conclusion, STAY AWAY.