The Protectors of the People (24 Jan. 1981)

Racial tensions inflame in McNeal County when three Ku Klux Klan members impersonate black men and attack a white girl.

Director:

Daniel Haller

Writer:

Donald R. Boyle

Stars:

Bo Svenson, Walter Barnes, Harold Sylvester

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Bo Svenson	...	Sheriff Buford Pusser
Walter Barnes	...	Carl Pusser
Harold Sylvester	...	Deputy Aaron Fairfax
Courtney Pledger	...	Deputy Joan Litton
Jeff Lester	...	Deputy Grady Spooner
Heather McAdam	...	Dwana Pusser
Rad Daly	...	Michael Pusser
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ernie Lee Banks	...	Reverend Otis (as Ernie Banks)
Ivan Bonar	...	Judge Hines
Ann Doran	...	Mrs. Tinker
John Christy Ewing	...	District Attorney Owens
Jay Fletcher	...	Henry Dickson
Napoleon Hendrix	...	Lee Salmon
Charles Napier	...	Vernon Larkin
Clifford A. Pellow	...	Huey (as Cliff Pellow)

Storyline

The Ku Klux Klan is busy stirring up racial tensions in McNeal County, including blowing up a local farm equipment store and framing Sheriff Pusser's black deputy Aaron for rape. It's up to Buford to nail the evil bigots before violence erupts among the townspeople.

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Plot Keywords:

ku klux klan | frame up

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Action

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 January 1981 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

David Gerber Productions, Columbia Pictures Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Racial Tension in McNeal County

KKK-lookalike members portray black men in their "attack" on a prominent businessman's(William Windom) daughter in an attempt to cease banking support of the new black-businessman-owned Farm Machinery Store (appears to be an IH dealer).I wonder if this is the first time a prime time TV show has portrayed a Klu Klux Klan-type cult? The big flaw here is the fact that the evidence Mr Pusser uses to determine the attackers were white men in black face is not believable.Black makeup was found on the victims clothing indicating the attackers got ahold of her and rubbed their faces against her.....yet,her car doors were locked and windows rolled up....they never touched her or her clothes before they were ran off by a motorist who come across the scene.This continuity error sticks out like a sore thumb.I bet the attack scene was filmed prior to a script change,and nobody thought of viewing the footage....and then ordering a re-shoot.