Custer 

In 1868, after the Civil War, Custer takes charge of a mix of ex-Confederates and criminals, the 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hays, Kansas. His boss General Terry doesn't like his methods ... See full summary »

Creators:

Samuel A. Peeples, David Weisbart

Stars:

Wayne Maunder, Slim Pickens, Michael Dante

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Wayne Maunder	...	Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer 17 episodes, 1967
Slim Pickens	...	California Joe Milner 17 episodes, 1967
Michael Dante	...	Crazy Horse 17 episodes, 1967
Robert F. Simon	...	Gen. Alfred H. Terry 17 episodes, 1967
Peter Palmer	...	Sgt. James Bustard 17 episodes, 1967
Hick Hill	...	Trooper Rio 12 episodes, 1967
Grant Woods	...	Captain Myles Keogh / ... 7 episodes, 1967

Storyline

In 1868, after the Civil War, Custer takes charge of a mix of ex-Confederates and criminals, the 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hays, Kansas. His boss General Terry doesn't like his methods or his long blond hair, but he manages to keep fighting the Sioux (the series ends the year before the Little Big Horn).

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Plot Keywords:

character name as series title | george armstrong custer character | one word series title | cavalry | 

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Genres:

Action | Biography | Drama | History | War | Western

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Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

"Tonight's episode has been a fictional drama." This disclaimer is mentioned verbally in the first 5 episodes. Starting with episode 6 ("War Lance and Saber") the disclaimer is listed as the final title card during the show's closing credits.

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Connections

Edited into Crazy Horse and Custer: The Untold Story (1990)

User Reviews

Terrible mid-60's series that didn't last long

"Custer" lasted 16 episodes, and that's 16 episodes too many. I can't find any reason why a network would have picked poorly-written junk like this up to broadcast. The western story lines the writers used were tired and worn in the 50's, and by the late 60's were just plain ludicrous. "Star Trek" had debuted the year before, and this left-over relic from the early days of TV had no chance. To write a series around a character that everyone in the audience knows will be massacred a year or two later is startling and morbid, to say the least. It gives the series an air of doom that I don't think the network intended.

Wayne Maunder plays the title role, and while he was good 4 years later in "The Seven Minutes," he must still have been learning his craft because he's just plain bad as Custer. He resembles a young Errol Flynn more than Custer as he minces and leaps about, and does not have the air of command necessary for someone playing Custer. Tinkerbelle maybe, but not Custer.

Slim Pickens co-stars as the requisite wild west trail boss/guide, named "California Joe" (good grief!), and was obviously cast to add verbal witticisms and old west humor to the show. It doesn't help one bit.

This series had a stellar guest cast in those 16 episodes: James Whitmore, Agnes Moorehead, William Windom, James Daly, Robert Loggia, Kathleen Nolan, Ray Walston, Darren McGavin, Lloyd Bochner and many more. Even great talent like that couldn't save this series, which should have been battle-axed before it ever hit the air.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 September 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Legend of Custer

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park - 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1