Mackenzie's Raiders

I didn't care for it but i bought it for the guest stars. Blood in the rio ep had John Milford who is just a gorgeous hunk of man flesh. Pistol whipped ep had Charles Maxwell, another gorgeous goon, Jack Elam who is wonderful was in an ep. However i must complain - Nimoy & Jaffe are not Indians!

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

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.

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.

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.