The Long Hunt of April Savage

Desilu produced this western series starring Robert Lansing and produced by Gene Roddenberry. ABC picked up the half hour series in the fall for 1966 that would have enabled Desilu to score a triple win on the networks with three (3) new shows: Mission Impossible on CBS, and Star Trek on NBC and long Hunt of April Savage on ABC but this series was canceled before its premiere.

The concept is intriguing with the effective and solid actor Robert Lansing starring in the show every week looking for the killers of his wife and children, ala The Fugutive. Also starring were Bruce Dern and guest starring Piper Laurie.

David Barra Los Angeles

I saw an episode of "Have Gun Will Travel" written by Sam Rolfe, and produced by Bruce Geller.

Herb Solow Chief of Programming at Desilu hired Sam Rolfe was hired to do the Desilu pilot Long Hunt Of April Savage. This is a Story of a Man -played by Robert Lansinfg-seeking revenge on those who killed family. ABC placed the show on the schedule. Sam Rolfe had a falling out with his agency and balked at writing for this show. Somehow and -I am not sure why- this would cause ABC to cancel theshow. Solow and Desilu CEO Lucille Ball were very disappointed loosing this Western series.

Does anyone know how I can obtain a copy of this Pilot? It was said to be outstanding and Desilu was upset losing this show. For the record this was one of the 3 shows Solow placed on network schedules: Bruce Geller's Mission Impossible on CBS, Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek on NBC and Roddenberry's Long Hunt of April Savage on ABC. (2 other shows Gene Roddenberry's Police Story set for NBC and a show close to Lucy's ambition "Frank Merriwell" on CBS were scheduled for mid season placement