Mackenzie's Raiders

Finally!I have been trying to find info on this show for some time. I recalled it from the late 50s and reruns in the 60s probably because my father was in the 4th Cavalry,in the 1930's tho not in Texas,by then they were at Ft.Meade,S.D. but still mounted. Glad to see the info and that Richard Carlson was the Colonel,always did like him. I do recall a rather odd bit of uniform/costuming info unless I am confusing with another show.I remember the hats worn by the Raiders as having "plumes" or rather ostentatious feathers.Not a bit of US Cav kit I ever recall as proper but more reminiscent of Confederate Cavalry.The show ran late nights for quite some time in our broadcast area in syndication.

General Ranald Slidell Mackenzie was indeed a real historical figure. His tragic end, in which he descended into madness, has obscured his outstanding record of achievement. While I remember this show from when I was a boy, it did not do justice to the real man. Mackenzie brought peace to the southern plains, accomplishing in a few short years what Texans had tried to achieve for three generations. While commanders like Custer, George Crook, and Nelson Miles are better remembered today, Mackenzie and his crack regiment, the 4th Cavalry, deserve to be remembered and at least equally well known. Not only did Mackenzie stop the predatory raiding of the Comanches, he dealt with them equitably in peacetime. He was most proud of having stopped wars without spilling blood. He deserves better than to remain obscure.

This was my favorite television series when I was a kid,almost 9 when this splendid production ,hit the screens .I've seen it until 1961 or 1962.

Also liked Cisco Kid,77 Sunset Street,and others.

But Ranald Mackenzie was a Super-Real-Heroe of Paramount importance,to us , more than Superman or Batman.

The presentation and End of the series was devastating,very exiting with all mustangs galloping in a cavalry charge,soldiers with sable in hand, advancing towards their enemies at their best speed to engage in close combat.

Not a single merchandise has been marketed in our country,not even a T-Shirt . I feel this is the moment to release DVD copies since we're around 56 years old or more , so what are you waiting for ? will be dead in a couple of decades,hurry up DVD distributors.

Alex Piacentini Buenos Aires Argentina

I remember watching this with a little friend of mine from nursery school. We were 4 or 5 years old, but already experienced in running around pretending to shoot at each other and imaginary Indians and bad guys. (I was already fairly sympathetic to Indians in westerns, thanks to my Mom, who had explained some basic history to us). I liked the theme music, too.... I have only given it a 7 out of 10 rating, since I think it was probably not distinguished by great stories or extraordinary acting, but as a young fan, I was a devoted follower, and was crushed when it was canceled. It would be nice to see it on Nick or TVLand, or on DVD, but it's probably not in the cards, alas.

I've spent the last few weeks viewing 38 episodes on Youtube (one appears not to have been uploaded). Annoyingly a third or so of the latter episodes lack their final minute or two of plot.

The series compares well enough with other TV westerns of the 1950s period that I vaguely recall, though I would like be able to see the apparently-lost "Boots and Saddles" before saying which is best.

The latter did have rather more vivid characters whom I can still recall 60 years later, whereas Colonel Mackenzie is supported by a somewhat drab cast: the succession of junior officers look mostly the same and the personalities of the two NCOs most often seen never develop. Perhaps having a civilian scout appearing regularly would have helped - Chiricahua Corporal Killeagle appears in the penultimate episode and could have featured in earlier ones.

At least there very little contrived love interest (though in one episode the colonel does have to deal with an infatuated lady admirer), and now and then a familiar face appears: Doug McClure, Jack Elam, Morris Ankrum, John Doucette and - before stardom as Mr Spock - Leonard Nimoy.

One might carp at patrols away from the fort for several days with no apparent supplies - or did they live off the land? And each episode commences with the voice-over announcing that Mackenzie's illegal forays into Mexico risked death by hanging - so why do the soldiers not wear civilian clothing? One might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb! Still, I did enjoy the 850 minutes of viewing.