The Trackers (TV 1971)

A rancher comes home and finds that his son has been murdered and his daughter kidnapped by a bandit gang. He hires a professional tracker with a reputation for finding his quarry to help ... See full summary »

Director:

Earl Bellamy

Writer:

Gerald Gaiser

Stars:

Sammy Davis Jr., Ernest Borgnine, Julie Adams

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sammy Davis Jr.	...	Ezekiel Smith
Ernest Borgnine	...	Sam Paxton
Julie Adams	...	Dora Paxton
Connie Kreski	...	Becky Paxton
Norman Alden	...	Pete Dilworth
Jim Davis	...	Sheriff Naylor
Caleb Brooks	...	El Grande
Arthur Hunnicutt	...	Ben Vogel
Leo Gordon	...	Higgins
David Renard	...	Father Gomez
William Katt	...	Davey Paxton (as Bill Katt)
Ross Elliott	...	Captain (as Ross Elliot)
Lee de Broux	...	Bartender
Bucklind Beery	...	Wagon Driver (as Bucklind Noah Beery)

Storyline

A rancher comes home and finds that his son has been murdered and his daughter kidnapped by a bandit gang. He hires a professional tracker with a reputation for finding his quarry to help him find the gang and rescue his daughter.

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Genres:

Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

No Trumpets, No Drums

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aaron Spelling Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to a letter in John Wayne's files, Sammy Davis Jr. hoped this would be the film that he and Wayne had wanted for years to do together. A conflict in their commitment schedules prevented Wayne from making the film, which was originally intended for theatrical release, with Burt Kennedy directing.

User Reviews

Recommended

A mysterious band of killers raids isolated homesteads. In their latest crime, they raid Sam Paxton's place, kill Sam's son, and kidnap his daughter, Becky. Sam is desperate to get the killers and recover his daughter. The efforts of a posse prove ineffectual, but Sam is determined to continue on. He sends for an old Army buddy who is a well known tracker. Unable to come, his friend sends another tracker, Ezekial Smith. Sam, a Confederate veteran, is extremely

displeased when it turns out Ezekial is black. However, the posse is making no progress so Sam reluctantly accepts this help. Ultimately, the pair gradually gain each other's respect as they pursue Becky's trail into Mexico.

Though it has some occasional comedic elements, this is a serious western

featuring a very credible performance by Sammy Davis, Jr. The supporting cast is composed largely of veteran actors with a wealth of experience in the western genre. The result is an effective and entertaining western. This is particularly remarkable given the type of material many viewers associate with producer

Aaron Spelling. The issue of racism isn't sugarcoated. None of the posse

members ever really accept Ezekial Smith and even Sam is very slow to give up a lifetime of bigotry. Recommended.