Hondo represented a somewhat more mature view of this type of show. It was not truly a “western” in the classic sense: none of the characters were cowboys, cattle were seldom seen, and the word “ranch” was never spoken. Instead, the series revolved around a small town run by a Union military post. The captain of this post functioned as the authority of law. While the main character, Hondo Lane, was an interesting variation on the classic western hero–a temperamental loner, wanted for murder he didn’t commit, and for which he had been exonerated. Hondo was employed by the Union army as an Indian scout. He had been married to an Indian woman and remained on good terms with her father, the Apache chief.

Hondo

Season 1 Ep.08: Hondo And The Mad Dog

Soldiers Barton and Mills are searching for hydrophobic animals. Mills reminds Barton he owes him money and Barton murders him, hiding his body on the desert. Sam witnesses it and knows the burial spot so when a white wolf bites Johnny Dow Barton helps to pin the blame on Sam, hoping he will be destroyed as rabid. Hondo saw the white wolf but no one else did. Barton and other town folks lead by Liebel don’t believe Hondo, who strikes a bargain with Dr. Paul and Captain Richards giving him 20 hours to find the white wolf before Sam’s brain is examined to see if he is rabid. Sam escapes the building he is being kept in and Barton sets out to make sure he is killed. This leads to a confrontation with Hondo, Sam and the white wolf.

In the Arizona Territory of the 1870s Hondo Lane, ex-Confederate Calvary Captain, works as a scout. Hondo is a loner who travels with a dog named Sam. Hondo had lived with the Apaches for a while and had married the daughter of their chief Vittoro. Hondo’s Indian bride was slain in a massacre by the army and he still mourns her death. He now troubleshoots for the army, trying to avoid more killing as he faces land swindlers, renegade Indians and outlaws. The base of operations is Fort Lowell which is commanded by young Captain Richards who is watched over by Colonel Crook. Buffalo Baker is Hondo’s fellow scout and friend. Angie Dow is a widow who runs the general store with the help of her nine-year-old son Johnny. She is Hondo’s romantic interest. Many times Chief Vittoro and the Apaches assist Hondo and the Calvary with keeping the peace.

This show is based on both the original Louis L’Amour novel and the John Wayne movie. Less

Cast and Crew:

Ralph Taeger, Noah Beery Jr. and Michael Pate

Directors: Alan Crosland Jr., Harry Harris
Production Company: Andrew J. Fenady Productions, Batjac Productions, MGM Television
Audio/Visual: mono, color
Date Release: 1967
Additional details in:

Hondo in IMDB | Hondo in Wikipedia

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