Yancy Derringer (1958–1959) User Reviews (31)

Very Comparable To "Paladin" But Not As Well-Known

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 3 April 2007]

This was another good western back in the '50s which gives me fond memories. I remember how me and my pals thought this hero was "cool," something like Richard Boone was in "Have Gun, Will Travel."

The main differences in this western as opposed to most was that the title character

packed a little derringer in his hat, and the setting was New Orleans instead of the old west. Otherwise, he was, like Boone's "Paladin" a smooth, dapper and cool customer.

Jock Mahoney ("Yancy Derringer") was the rugged, silent type, if I remember correctly. The shows were very interesting and we looked forward to them each week. Why this show only lasted on year is a real mystery to me. I don't remember anyone who didn't enjoy it. The mid-to-late '50s was a fabulous era for westerns on TV. If this ever came out on DVD, I would buy it immediately.

Yancy Derringer

[Dan-Garrett · 8/10 · 12 May 2006]

I remember this TV show quite well. It was a favorite of mine at a young age. I rarely missed an episode. I do remember Yancy carrying various small derringers. Pahoo carried a shotgun always hidden under some type of blanket as I remember. However I never remember Pahoo uttering much in the way of dialog. He and Yancy communicated thru the use of sign language. This gave the viewer(me)the impression that Pahoo either could not speak at all or wished only to communicate in sign language. As a sidelight of course was the fact that Yancy was indeed a gambler on the Mississippi and old New Orleans was a backdrop to this show. It ended much too soon.

"What you want is a jackanape, rogue, scoundrel, gentleman, smuggler, gambler and a fool. Well Mr. Colton, guess I'm you're huckleberry".

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 7 July 2009]

1959 saw the debut of some fairly intelligent TV Westerns, among them "Rawhide" and "Wanted:Dead or Alive". Though nominally a Western as well, "Yancy Derringer" took as it's base of operations the city of New Orleans, and it's hero lived up to every one of the characteristics mentioned in my summary line above. Short lived for only one season, the series produced thirty four episodes, so by current standards, that might have easily stretched into a three season run.

Yancy Derringer was portrayed by the athletic Jock Mahoney, a movie stunt man who had already starred in the early 1950's TV Western "Range Rider". He was ably assisted by his Pawnee friend and bodyguard, Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wa, understatedly portrayed by actor X. Brands. Pahoo's name in Pawnee meant 'Wolf Who Stands in Water', and his presence was explained by the fact that he once saved Yancy's life, and now felt a responsibility for him. I could never figure out why that was the case instead of the other way around, but it made for some good adventures.

I liked the way the series gradually revealed it's continuity to the viewer in the early going. For example, the name of Madame Francine was first introduced in the third episode, but Frances Bergen didn't actually appear on screen until two shows later as the proprietor of Yancy's favorite gambling house. Other series regulars included Kevin Hagen as the appointed administrator of New Orleans, John Colton, and Richard Devon as the street wise pickpocket Jody Barker. For comic relief, you could count on Larry Blake as the local jailer, keeper of the keys, master of the damp wall and crown prince of the calaboose. Blake had his hands full keeping Yancy's incarcerations as pleasant, if not as profitable as possible.

The show also featured a number of recurring guest stars, like Claude Akins as the scoundrel Toby Cook, Beverly Garland as bayou siren Coco LaSalle, and Kelly Thordsen as mountaineer Colorado Charlie. Jock Mahoney's wife Margaret Field, billed as Maggie Mahoney, also appeared in a number of stories as the niece of Administrator Colton. Perhaps the most unusual casting for a series guest was that of Nick Adams in the role of a Russian Count in "The Night the Russians Landed". One of the elements that kept the show interesting was the way real historical figures were woven into the story lines, like Alfred Nobel (inventor of dynamite after whom the Nobel Peace Prize was named), General George Custer, and famed Civil War photographer Matthew Brady.

I guess my favorite episode would have to be "Fire on the Frontier" in which Pahoo travels East to Washington, DC to represent his people before Congress. With Yancy as interpreter, Pahoo asks for military forces to help the Pawnee against attacks by the Cheyenne, as was established by the Table Creek Treaty. The name of Pahoo's father was revealed in the story as 'Moon on Pools of Water'.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the show in general was the unique friendship shared between Yancy and his bodyguard. Yancy always treated Pahoo with respect as an equal, and even though he didn't talk, Pahoo was exceptionally conversant with sign language, much more than Tonto ever was as the Lone Ranger's sidekick. One episode in particular demonstrated how much in tune the two heroes were; once with his back to Pahoo, Yancy caught Pahoo's dagger thrown from behind in order to make a point with an adversary. Going one better, another time Yancy answered Pahoo talking in sign language, while facing in a different direction! Usually ad-libbed, it was touches like these that made the show even more enjoyable.

Wonderful, Underrated Period Show...

[cariart · 27 December 2003]

"Yancy Derringer" was one of those series that dared to be different, a 'Western' that was set in post-Civil War New Orleans. If your memories of Jock Mahoney are of him as a lean, middle-aged Tarzan in his two 1960s appearances as the Ape Man, the show may be something of a surprise. He is soft-spoken, smooth, and dapper, here, and altogether 'cool'.

Loaded with a laid-back charm, an Indian partner (X Brand) unique in series television in his status as the hero's 'equal' and not just a 'sidekick' (an episode where the pair take the grievances of the Indian nations to Congress is a personal favorite), and one of the most beautiful theme songs of fifties television, the short-lived program is certainly as 'watchable' as the more successful "Have Gun, Will Travel", "Wanted: Dead or Alive" and the other more 'adult' westerns of the period.

If the series re-emerges on one of the 'nostalgia' cable channels, check it out...you won't be disappointed!

Just a comment about childhood role playing.

[provide-1 · 10/10 · 25 December 2007]

Never missed it. It came on 1/2 hour after school let out and if the bus was late, I'd miss some of the early minutes. The reason Pahoo couldn't speak and signed was that his tongue had been cut out by the Sioux. As a grade schooler,I used to play Pahoo with the neighborhood recreations of the show. I kept a rubber knife in my collar, a toy double barrel under a shoulder carried blanket and a headband with a couple of down pointing feathers. When trouble started, my friend would signal, "Pahoo" and I'd throwback the blanket to give them both barrels. And I never forgot the all important black bars on the cheeks. I never got good with the knife pass routine.

All this, and a great theme song too!!!

[ynot-16 · 10/10 · 21 March 2009]

The fact that a great show ran only one season does not doom it to being forgotten (The Honeymooners is well remembered), but it surely does not help. Most people have never heard of Yancy Derringer, the public at large is not clamoring for it to be featured on TV, and it is hard to find. Nevertheless, even after all these years I fondly remember watching the exciting adventures of Yancy and his silent Indian companion Pahoo (actor X Brands).

The premise of the series is simple enough. After the Civil War, Yancy (actor Jock Mahoney), who fought for the south, returns to New Orleans to find much has changed. His family's plantation is in ruins. The war brought social upheaval and its companion, crime. Yancy travels with Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah (Wolf Who Stands In Water), the Pawnee who saved his life. They communicate in sign language, in which Yancy is fluent. Apparently (I am not sure of this), in his early years Pahoo had his tongue cut out when captured by other Indians, leaving him forever wordless.

Yancy is sought out by John Colton (actor Kevin Hagen), a northerner appointed by the US government to act as administrator of New Orleans. Colton asks Yancy to be his secret agent, fighting against crime and skulduggery of all sorts, and Yancy agrees.

Yancy is well suited for the task. A well-to-do gambler, suave lover, and rich dresser, a man of taste and erudition, he fits in well with those at the top of society. Yet, he is also comfortable with the lowliest dockworker, bar girl or former slave, rebel and Yank, never acting like he is above them, though he is always much better dressed. His ability to befriend those in all walks of life facilitates his task of gathering information for Colton.

His actions often get the bad guys mad, and place him in danger. In addition to his fists, which he uses effectively, he packs hidden derringer pistols. Pahoo secretes a knife and a shotgun, and is proficient in their use. Before the series started, Pahoo had saved Yancy's life, and by his strange code, this made him responsible for Yancy, and fiercely loyal to him. Keep an eye out for Pahoo to disappear, because this usually means he will soon pop up unexpectedly to use his gun or knife at Yancy's service.

The scenery, music, and elegant clothing paint a breathtaking picture of the charm of old New Orleans, while the often-dark lighting and seedy crimes show the other side of this fascinating coin.

There are some shortcomings. Yancy is so pleased with himself he sometimes is insufferable. His clothes are always clean and pressed no matter what he has gone through. The half-hour format does not leave much time for character development. Despite these flaws, the show is always entertaining, and the plots are usually interesting.

Apparently, the show was so successful in its first year (1958-1959) that the network (CBS) wanted to buy the rights to the show from its originators, Mary Loos and Richard Sales. They did not want to sell, so the network pulled the plug.

If Yancy Derringer is televised in your town, consider yourself lucky, and make sure not to miss an episode!

Extraordinary television forges extraordinary memories

[BigSkyMax · 10/10 · 3 May 2009]

If only this wonderful little show were easily available on DVD! The Feb 19, 1959 episode "Hell or High Water" depicts Yancy saving New Orleans from flood by dynamiting the levee! This episode alone might have prevented the disaster following Katrina...or not. Anyway, this was a marvelous program that remains simultaneously a relic of its era and a charming, romantic, and sincere homage to the great American city of New Orleans. It was only on for one brief year, and, though I was no more than a toddler when it showed, the unique images of Jock Mahoney's Yancy and his stoic Indian sidekick Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah,so powerfully effected my psyche I never forgot them--just like so many other reviewers here. Yet for years, whenever I described the show to fellow Boomers, they shook their head. Nobody else remembered Yancy Derringer. At least not until the Great Mr. Gore invented the Internet! Huzzah and hooray for us all! In 2009 I finally encountered someone with a single old VHS copy of the above episode, so I happily renewed my childhood thrill. CBS--please release this golden oldies treasure.

Really Smooth Heros!

[cmvoger · 9/10 · 25 March 2007]

I was a big fan of 'Yancy Derringer' from the first episode. By the time it was canceled, I had been accepted at a private school, and had gone away to a no-TV environment. But I remember it fondly.

In these very innocent times, in the small-town South, there was nothing wrong with possession of a pocket knife, even on school grounds. My friends and I came up with a recess game of tossing open pocket knives back and forth to each other, in imitation of Yancey and Pahoo. (In the show's context, the two men used this method of the man with the knife delivering it to the one who needed to throw it at somebody, stab somebody, or maybe sharpen a pencil.) We felt especially good when A could get the knife to B, who could then throw it and stick it in a tree. We broke a few knife points, but nobody got hurt. File under: God takes care of idiots.

I am aware that New Orleans during Reconstruction was a rougher place than pictured in the series. But it made for a good fantasy. Like other contributers, I would appreciate seeing it in reruns or in DVD release

An inventive, oddly set, "western"

[ezzaj · 7/10 · 5 November 2008]

I loved this series when I was a kid. The main thing I remember was that it had an espionage component, and Yancy was always undercover. Pahoo was totally cool and carried unusual weapons: Pahoo carried a sawed off shotgun over his shoulder, and a big knife, I think. This was the first wire work for stunts that I ever saw. When the shotgun blast hit the bad guys it would send them flying across the room. You saw all this on TV! It's a commonplace type of rigging nowadays, but then it was completely new. I think Yancy carried a sword cane as well as his derringers which were concealed around his body. Would love to see an episode again.

Yancey Derringer-looking for you!

[xelrfrank · 9/10 · 8 September 2006]

From what I remember of the monochrome series, Yancey and his partner were the original "Miami Vice"-coolness embodied. Similar partnerships were seen in TV, such as Robert Urich and his partner "Hawk" as the PI. There was also Wild, Wild West, with Robert Conrad and his partner...but Yancey was just plain smooth..I have known about Jock Mahoney's history as a stunt man, from his days as an actor with the Three Stooges as the handsome, (albeit clumsy)guitar playing cowboy to Range Rider, to Yancey, to Tarzan, and beyond, but what about X Brand, his faithful Native American partner? Who was the actor, and was "X Brand" a tongue-in-cheek reference to the 50's commercials that compared their products to "Brand X"? Does anyone know his biog? I would hope that TVLand or some other enterprise would give us all a chance to enjoy Yancey and Pahoo again...

My Favorite TV Western Series

[waldenpond88 · 10/10 · 13 September 2009]

Does anybody know if "Yancy Derringer" was actually based on a book or maybe an old New Orleans legend? I tried to find it in amazon.com, but was not successful. If anybody knows please tell me at [e-mail]. Thanks!

Loved the series when it was on German TV in 1967 and am very lucky that I could find it last fall online. It's as great as it was 42 years ago....some things fortunately never change :)!

My favorite episodes are the ones with Beverly Garland playing river pirate Coco LaSalle, "The Belle from Boston" and the episodes about Yancy's family mansion Waverly like "Old Dixie".

A most unofficial agent

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 14 May 2017]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Yancy Derringer was essentially an informer. The premise of this show was that Derringer who carried several on his person was a most unofficial agent for Kevin Hagen the Yankee colonel in Reconstruction New Orleans.

Jock Mahoney was the title character and he was a former Confederate colonel of the plantation gentry who has gracefully come to accept the defeat of the south. There are however a lot of hotheads who have all kinds of wild schemes and Hagen wants someone who can find out and can quash them or at least inform him.

The white suited and courtly Yancy Derringer was about as far as you could get from Mahoney's other series where he was the buckskin, moccasin clad Range Rider. Mahoney had a silent Pawnee sidekick played by X Brands who took care of backshooters and others who had sinister designs.

I doubt Yancy Derringer could be made today. The blacks in it were still quite subservient to Marse Yancy. He may have been a good master who never used the whip and never sold any slaves, but slavery was still slavery.

Not a bad show for its time though.

GOSH I LOVED THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

[David-215 · 29 May 1999]

Richard Sale (pulp writer and movie writer and movie producer) teamed up with his wife Anita Loos (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) to produce 39 episodes of a syndicated show. Jock Mahoney, the stunt man extraordinary and THE RANGE RIDER, was casted as a ex-confederate soldier coming back to a Yankee controlled New Orleans after the war. Opening episode, he and Pahoo were waving a Confederate Flag in the middle of the river to hitch a ride on a riverboat. Audacious and charming was Yancy.

X Brands (Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah) & his knife

[myuschen · 10/10 · 20 May 2017]

I've be re-watching the series....and am simply amazed at X Brands. His skill with his knife is extraordinary. Yancy can flip Pahoo's knife back over his shoulder... and X Brands catches it amid spin and puts it into his shoulder sheath in one seemingly effortless move. AMAZING!!! Also his sign language seems to be very accurate.

Great one year western

[randreoc · 10/10 · 6 May 2017]

This show was different type of western. What I call a "gimmick" western that were all over TV in the late fifties. A lot of the gimmicks had to do with the weapons involved by the main character. Think "Rifleman", "Wanted Dead or Alive". But this show had a Native American trailing the main character as his person body guard. Just to make thing interesting Mr. Derringer carried two with him, one was in his hat, and the second up his sleeve! Mr Derringer was sort of a 19th century James Bond of sorts. Working undercover for a government official, Derringer new all the good and near bad people of New Orleans. Too bad this show didn't last. Jock Mahoney had just enough "cool"and sense of humor to play this part to the hilt. Plus there so interesting semi regulars that were being developed. The greatest one year western that came out in the fifties.

Good then and surprise: good now

[pensman · 8/10 · 26 April 2014]

You get to be a certain age--old--and you yearn to see some of the old TV shows from your youth. Thanks to COZI and ANTENNA TV and DVD's a lot of those shows have become available. If your watching on TV you catch a couple of episodes and realize just how bad the acting and writing were. The reaction is worse if you bought a few seasons only to realize at twelve your critical viewing skills were minimal at best. However there are a few that not only live up to your memory but surpass your expectations and Yancy Derringer is one of those like Maverick. The writing was smart, the plots interesting, and the acting remarkably good. Jock Mahoney is fine as the lead and X Brands steals scenes even though he never speaks. I have a suspicion the success of the series owes much to the writing, producing, and directing team of Richard Sale and Mary Loos who apparently had total control over their collaboration. It's unfortunate this series ended after only one year. My wife suggested Sale and Loos may have divorced and that caused the demise. They did divorce but I have no idea when but regardless they did create a memorable show that still holds up. Another reason may have been the inclusion of A list character actors of that period including John Dehner, Robert Rockwell, Gene Evans, Dennis Patrick, Charles Maxwell, Ray Danton, Marie Windsor, Bill Williams, Claude Akins, John Qualen, and Robert Lowery to list a few. It was a rare episode that didn't include someone of contemporary note. If you can, try to get the series of 34 episodes, I believe you will be quite satisfied especially if you are of a certain age.

Well Written And Produced Plus Acted

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 31 March 2021]

This is a one season series, which is sad because it is so well done. Corporate greed is the reason this show was canceled as it had good ratings on CBS when it ran. What happened? Desilu which produced this series and the creative folks who did this series wanted to own it. CBS which had been stung by allowing Desi and Lucy to own I Love Lucy, a decision that turned out to be a Billion Dollar blunder did not want that to happen again. This is a shame as the show is so well cast.

Jock Mahoney and X Brand actually sort of co-star in this series. The stories take place in the few years just after the Civil War. While X Brand does not speak, his authentic use of Indian sign language on this series led to a letter from a Native American Chief being sent to the network complimenting how authentic the series sign language was. Kevin Hagen who appeared in 31 episodes.of the 34 made is excellent as Colton.

I highly recommend this series. I started watching it on Amazon Prime and all but one episode is on there. That is because that episode- The Gun That Murdered Lincoln - does not have a really good master print, it was lost for some reason. You can see the rough version of that one on You Tube and all the episodes are on You Tube too. For a 30 minute series, this one packs a lot of action and some good plots and writing into the shows.

A couple of things of interest - one episode guest stars Charles Bronson and gives an interesting outline of the levee system in New Orleans which made national news when Katrina flooded the city. A couple of episodes take place in Virginia City which is the historic city of the Comstock Silver load. The last episode ends at the historic place where the golden spike is being driven to connect the cross country railroad. Desilu productions was in their prime when this show was produced.

Interesting to note- Jock Mahoney was 6 feet 4 inches tall and also a step father of Sally Field. X Brand amd Kevin Hagen were both 6 feet 2 inches tall. Like the cast, this show stood tall when it was made. Too bad a greedy corporation cut it's run so short.

Really holds up well. Makes for great binge viewing

[mmw626 · 9/10 · 17 April 2020]

The writing is very fine, especially for the period. The Native American, Asian and African American characters are all well rounded, well spoken and treated with the respect they deserve without going over-board. Mahoney and Brand are an excellent team and their stunts are outstanding. Let's see Hoss or Matt Dillon do their Erroll Flynn-type stunts. The setting of New Orleans is much more sophisticated than western no-name towns. They have visitors from other countries and story lines reflective of the post Civil War period.

In disagreement...

[dpc69 · 9/10 · 21 November 2019]

In reference to the review by edalweber: Henry Russell never worked with Herschel Burke Gilbert on music for the Rifleman. Not that Mr. Gilbert never deferred to other composers on construction of soundtracks, Mr. Russell died in 1968 and Mr. Gilbert retired from series work around the same time. The Rifleman was one of his signature projects and interviews of his work on that show and others can be found on YouTube. The iconic composer would never casually lift another's music and just place in a series running simultaneously on the television schedule and Mr Gilbert's contribution to the Rifleman series was so distinct another composer's work would certainly stick out like a sore thumb!

Several Derringers, One Big Shotgun

[webmaster-2147 · 13 February 2006]

When I watched Yancy Derringer as a 6 year old, the guns were especially fascinating. Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah had a big shotgun, maybe 10 gauge. Yancy had several tiny guns that were hidden in his clothes. One in his hat, one in his boot. He could be searched, but still pull a derringer out of his sleeve. X Brands, as Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah, had the biggest shotgun I have every seen. As I recall, it had a single barrel with a mighty power. If needed, Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah could blast the bad guys with such force, smoke, kick, and noise, that it was the grand finale to any fight!

The derringers came in a variety of arrangements, with most of them having two barrels. But some may have had more than two. The smallest derringer had only one barrel. There was a trick derringer, if my memory as a boy serves me correctly. One trick derringer was up Yancy's sleeve on a spring-loaded mechanism. It had scissor shaped metal supports that would expand to full length on command of a gesture. The contraption would spring out of his sleeve into Yancy's hand into the right firing position. The gesture that triggered the spring to release was for Yancy to press his elbow against his side. One derringer was hidden in his belt buckle. Toy stores sold belts with hidden derringers after that show!

Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah would carry his shotgun with him wherever he went, but with poise and dignity which seemed non-threatening. X Brands' dispassionate face would seldom display any emotion. He spoke slowly and deeply, with somber meaning that always was important. Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah was tall and strong. In a fight, I only remember his 8 gauge shotgun: as the ultimate weapon in any New Orleans brawl. It could knock down a wall!

Such a favorite!

[brpri357 · 10/10 · 28 April 2014]

For years I didn't know anyone who had heard of Yancy Derringer. I just remember as a child--I wasn't even 10 yet--I loved, Loved, LOVED it! I was so disappointed it lasted only one season. It was just so good. I looked for it for years and just now realized it is finally out on DVD. My next purchase.

I will never forget Pahoo and Yancy and how great they were together. Rest in peace X Brand and Jock. You were the absolute best and were cool way before cool was even cool.

If you ever get a chance, run to the nearest screen and watch this show.

In my top five westerns.

[jmworacle-99025 · 9/10 · 14 April 2020]

After the "War of Northern Aggression against The South" the nation is recovering from the trauma of the war and the doubly traumatic assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. While President Lincoln's plans were to forgive and forget and let's get back to work and re-build the country. His murder brought cries of revenge thus ushering in the era of "Reconstruction". One of the reasons why the South until the late sixties early seventies was solidly Democratic.

The city of New Orleans Administrator John Colton knew he had a challenge on his hands with this assignment. The city known for its vices and underworld goings on he needed a person on the inside keeping track on what is going on. Enter Yancy Derringer, plantation owner, paddle boat owner, silver mine owner, gambler, and of course ladies man. Derringer was a Capitian in the Confederate States of America and was returning home to pick up the pieces of his life. With the aid of his loyal bodyguard Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wa translate into "Wolf Who Stands in Water" Derringer agrees to help. He is aware if things go wrong he's stuck.

You have such characters such as Madame Francine owner of his favorite home away from home Sazarack Restaurant. played by Frances Bergen (mother of Candace Bergen), The notorious river pirate "CoCo LaSalle" played by Beverly Garland, to frontiersman "Colorado Charlie" played by Kelly Thordsen, Lisa Lu playing Miss Mandarin, and to real life characters such as George Armstrong Custer played by Grant Williams.

Too bad CBS had to be greedy and try to horn in and get a piece of the action leading to cancellation. Since they are doing re-boots why not this series?

Very good old school

[SanteeFats · 9/10 · 7 May 2013]

I will admit up front that I am kind of old as I saw this series when it first aired. Considering that it was done in the late 50's it is excellent. Why it only lasted for three seasons is beyond me. I think it could work today. Jock Mahonney portrays Yancy Derringer, a suave, lady's man as well as it could be done. X Brand as the shotgun toting Indian sidekick who does not speak is great. I love how this series shows the action that occurs with out apology, a far cry from a lot of today's TV shows that hide or try to justify it instead of just letting it develop. The plots are pretty good and the episodes are well acted by almost every actor. This series is old time television at it's best. I own the entire set.

he packed a pistol in his hat.

[Rockstar-5 · 14 March 1999]

Yancy Derringer was different from all other westerns on the air during the late '50's in that it was set in New Orleans rather than a dusty old west town. Yancy Derringer, as played by former stuntman Jock Mahoney, did not carry the traditional six shooter, he packed a pistol in his hat. Yancy Derringer was a dapper, smooth, suave gambler who, along with his Pawnee Indian companion Pahoo, assisted Commissioner John Colton in keeping the peace in a wide-open city.

Yancy Derringer had a different "feel" to it as compared to the other westerns on the air during the later '50's and was a very welcome change during its too short one season run on CBS.

"In every tale of daring-do . . .

[bigpurplebear · 12 January 2002]

. . . they speak of Yancey D."

So went the theme song to this undeservedly short-lived series. Nominally billed as a "western" (Yancey did, after all, wear a broad-brimmed hat, there were horses about, and his best friend was an Indian), this show was hard to categorize, even in the era of the so-called "adult western."

There was always the hint of a dark side to Yancey, all things considered; a feeling that tucked away behind his reserved manner lay a past that may not always have been too cool (or, alternately, as a friend of mine once suggested, perhaps a bit TOO cool). Moreover, unlike most of his contemporary action heroes, Mr. D. didn't always fight fair: forced into a bare-knuckles match against an huge opponent, Yancey took advantage of his knowledge that the guy had spent the previous night guzzling beer, hammering him into collapse with a series of belly punches you could almost feel through the TV screen.

Not the nicest guy in town, in other words. But eminently effective. And thoroughly watchable. A great series.